13 Jan Clara’s Wedding……all the details
“Now everyone dreams of a love lasting and true
But you and I know what this world can do
So let’s make our steps clear that the other may see
And I’ll wait for you
If I should fall behind
Wait for me”
Bruce Springsteen
Justin and I “tied the knot” on the 3rd of September 2009 and couldn’t have wished for a better day surrounded by family and friends. My face was sore from all of the laughing and my feet sore from all the dancing :).
I always say to couples that the weather in Ireland is so changeable and April, May, September and October are (in my opinion and experience) possibly the best months to say “I do” if you are hoping for a dry day. (But it’s Ireland and the weather can change in seconds). We had a lovely day and were able to have our drinks reception outside in the Armada Hotel looking on to the Wild Atlantic Way. All of our group photos have the sea as the background and we had such a fun bridal party shoot literally on Spanish Point beach.
During the ceremony, we incorporated lyrics from my favourite Bruce Springsteen song “If I should fall behind” and a traditional Irish band called Arundó played throughout. My friend Ciara also sang a beautiful version of “My Lagan Love”.
We were extremely lucky to have Cathy Loughran as my photographer and we were so glad to have a videographer and we watch the video regularly. Our kids particularly love it and often say how much they wish they had been there 😉
Over the years, our family have become known as specialist Riverdance entertainers at any family gathering so there was lots of excitement from the guests waiting for us to get on stage to dance. Alas the DJ only had the “B side! So we had to improvise. Luckily all of my friends and family love dancing so the dance floor was literally packed all night. Paddy Cole ensured a full dance floor with favourites for young and old. Our first dance was to The National’s, “Slow Song”.
As if we weren’t full enough after the amazing dinner, there was more food later on and then a surprise Fireworks display arranged by my Dad. It was a pretty spectacular sight, seeing the sky lit up over the Atlantic Ocean and all my closest friends and family all enjoying themselves. Great memories.
I wouldn’t change a thing about the day (apart from the DJ’s choice of music) but now that I have been involved in so many weddings “on the other side” I have seen so many different types of weddings. Couple only, micro weddings, big traditional weddings with lots of guests, harpists, Spotify playlists, cousins singing, indoor, outdoor, kids involved, no kids invited, dogs as ring bearers, personal vows, traditional vows, forgotten rings, handfasting ceremonies with dog leads, funny stories, fire alarms, late arrivals, amazing photographers and videographers, candles blowing out, laughing and more laughing…….the list is endless.
But what it demonstrates to me is, your wedding is about you, your love for each other, your choices, your ideas, your vision. There is no right way or wrong way to do anything, as long as you have each other and have a bit of fun, your day will be perfect. Now I need to plan our Vow Renewal ceremony which will be hassle free now that I work with brilliant wedding planners and celebrants. I just need to tell Justin!