Our Bridal Muse

Fancy a little escape into a pre-covid wedding - me too! Things are a little heavy at the moment for brides so let’s find the joy in the little things and dream of when we will all dance at a party again.

I am delighted to finally share this beautiful bride Grainne and her fantastic wedding day

Photographys by Jenny McCarthy

Photographys by Jenny McCarthy

What is your best memory of your wedding day?

The best memory was the whole entire day! I loved every minute of it and didn’t stop smiling from ear to ear all day. It was so much fun to have all of our family and friends together under one roof, mixing and mingling and enjoying each other’s company, it was exactly how I had hoped our wedding would be.

What is your advice to a bride to be?

My advice would be to try and do it all step by step and enjoy all of the little steps along the way. I really miss it all and would love to do it all over again…I never thought I’d say that!

What was your biggest worry about getting your dress made? 

My biggest worry was that I couldn’t see how the finished product would turn out. I’m not a naturally creative person so I often tried to picture the dress in my head and found it difficult. But I trusted Sarah’s craft and creativeness and I’m so glad I did as I was absolutely delighted with the end result. It was also so comfortable which was  an important factor for me. I didn’t need any help to go to the loo and was able to dance all night long

What part of the process of having your dress made was most fun for you? 

It was a lot of fun from start to finish. I loved seeing the progress as the dress started to come together. I loved how much time I got to spend with my mam and bridesmaids. It was so nice to meet up for the various dress fittings in Clontarf and make an afternoon out of it going for lunch/coffee. 

And I really loved how informal and relaxed the whole process was. I always felt so comfortable with Sarah which is the opposite way I felt whenever I walked into bridal boutiques prior to discovering Sarah! 

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Grainnes Dream Team

Photographer - Jenny McCarthy

Videographer – The Garage project

Hair - Aisling Hamill

Make-up – Ailbhe Lynch

Flowers – Caroline Slevin (@cacaslev)

Venue – Bellingham Castle

Cake – Emelie Matthews (@e_cakes)

Stationary – Zara McGonigle @The Little Wedding Studio)

A big thank you to Grainne for share this day with us - simple stunning.

Creating dresses is my passion, if you have ideas floating around for your dress drop me a line info@sarahfoycouture.com and I can make that dream come to life.

Sarah




 




Shimmering Beauty

Yippeee! I am back seeing brides this week. I can’t wait to see, chat and fit dresses again. I am so lucky to design unique dresses for my brides. I love how every dress is different and that every bride gets to have a dress that is tailor made for their style, shape and personality. Todays bridal muse Ciara was meant to wear a fully beaded sea green dress and when I see these photos I couldn’t imagine her in anything else. Thank you Ciara for the fun chats and for sharing your day with us .

Whats your best memory of the big day?

We hired the band tropical storm for the drinks reception and start of the meal. They are a 3 piece Filipino band and go around to different people and take requests of songs. One table requested Sweet Caroline and the room exploded. Everyone up on their feet dancing, swinging napkins, holding hands, and this was all before dinner. I turned to Richie and said ‘all of these people are here for us’ and we just had a look around, laughed and got back to singing! It was such a brilliant moment and set the tone for the evening of partying!! 

What advice would you give brides planning their wedding?

Where to start! As a make up artist who has been involved in hundreds of weddings, and I’ve also been a bridesmaid five times, I think I know weddings quite well!! Be organised so that you can just enjoy the last few days of lead up without having to run around and get things you could have done weeks ago! Then for the morning of the wedding make things as easy as possible so you can enjoy it. Have people around you that you really want there and have a bit of craic and no stress. Then once you get to the venue enjoy every minute. If something goes wrong laugh it off, there is nothing you can do about it. Enjoy the day, it only happens once and goes by so quickly!

What was the biggest worry about getting your dress made?

I suppose being a curvy girl I just wanted to have a dress that fit me and ‘would do’ I kind of never thought that I could actually feel really amazing in it. But I did. I felt amazing, it was special! It was also so ‘me’. I never once felt pressured to wear a white dress or a veil. I love them on other brides, but it’s not for me. Sarah was brilliant at giving me what I didn’t know I wanted!! 

What part of wedding dress process was most fun? 

Apart from seeing Sarah and having the craic? Hmm, maybe knowing that my dress was not going to be traditional and every time I saw it I loved it more. I kept thinking of peoples reactions to a green fully jewelled wedding dress and it would make me laugh! I never do anything traditional! I also loved what Sarah did with my mams dress, getting a dress my mam had previously loved and completely reinventing it to a new dress. My mam was so happy with her dress.

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It was such a pleasure to design and make this dress for Ciara and what a spectacular day she had. Check out her amazing suppliers.

Ciara’s Dream Team

Photographer; Julie Cummins

Videographer: Keith Malone

Hairdresser: Megan Murphy Hair

Ciara’s rings and earrings: Chupi

Flowers and room decor: Frog Prince

Mother of bride and flower girl hair pieces: Rosemary Keating Design

A hero's Wedding Dream Hair

I love designing dresses, but as I always say to my brides you need to think about the whole look. A dress can look beautiful but if you have everything right - the hair, the makeup it can be spectacular. Today I have Hair Maven here to tell a snippet of their story.

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I have been in the industry 25 years and love every aspect of hair. I have a loyal salon based clientele as well as being a wedding and editorial hair stylist. I get great joy out of the different aspects of my work and I have been feature in Irish and international publications.

It was Aoife Callaghan who gentle nudged me into the wedding industry and I have not looked back since. It is an honour to be part of a couples wedding day, meeting their families and friends. Helping a bride feel completely amazing on her big day is what I love about being involved in the wedding industry.

My signature look is laid back texture but i’m also a fan of Hollywood and super sleek looks. I want my brides to feel like the best version of themselves for their wedding day. So it is all about the journey from trial to wedding day building a friendship and understanding my bride - it is my favourite part of my job.

Thank you, Michelle, for sharing. Check out and send some love to Hair Maven on social

 www.hairmaven.ie

Instagram @hairmaven.ie 

The front-line workers are the people keeping this country running and this is our way to give back. If you work in a grocery shop, if you spend your days on the road delivering all our packages. If you know a nurse, a doctor, anyone helping their community we want to hear their story. Check out www.aherosweddingdream.com.

 

Keep dreaming

Sarah

 





Capturing A Hero's Wedding Dream on Film

The finally count down is here. A full wedding for a lucky frontline worker. Gifted to them by the best of the best of Irish wedding suppliers. Capturing the day, the memories, the feel of your day is a talent indeed. Vowart are just the guys to bring your day to life time and time again. They tell us their story, their dreams and how they are dealing with Covid -19.

We were always creative, in love with art, music, cinema. Tom on the top of being a music
photographer, played many years in a band, co-started photojournalism agency Uspecto.
Photographed, designed and co-wrote a book, Atlantic Tabor. Nadia studied the history of art, visited every gallery and museum in Europe, is deeply in love with ancient greek culture.
After many non-wedding related but also fun video projects, we decided to film our first
wedding. We loved it, and here we are! 

We feel that a couple's love is one of the most extraordinary things in the whole world and that a wedding should reflect the uniqueness of that love. 

Whether it's an elopement in the Wicklow Mountains, an intimate wedding on a Cliffs of Moher where no one has been married before, or a cozy backyard ceremony that ends with your favourite people dancing until sunrise, we are always drawn to the raw love stories of couples whose day is genuinely their own.

Like for anyone else from the wedding industry business-wise, it's hard right now, but we are staying positive. The most important thing is to make the whole process of rescheduling/postponing super easy for our couples. At the moment, we probably know our 2021 calendar by heart. But the feedback we are receiving is fantastic, and we can't wait to meet all of our couples next season.

Our big dream is to keep doing what we love, in the years to come be still full of passion and creativity!

Thank you, Tom and Nadia for sharing. Check out and send some love to Vowart on social

www.vowart.ie

Instagram @vowart_wedding_Films

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The front-line workers are the people keeping this country running and this is our way to give back. If you work in a grocery shop, if you spend your days on the road delivering all our packages. If you know a nurse, a doctor, anyone helping their community we want to hear their story. Check out www.aherosweddingdream.com.

Keep dreaming

Sarah




A Hero's Wedding Celebrant

We are heading into the final week of the Hero’s Wedding Dream competition. Last chance ladies and gents. We are a group of wedding suppliers gifting a wedding to one lucky frontline worker. Pop over to www.aherosweddingdream.com and tell us your story.

Today I am introducing you to your celebrant. Clara Malone runs Coastal Ceremonies with Orla Cronin.  They are based in Co. Clare with the Wild Atlantic Way on their doorstep.  They both trained with the Irish Institute of Celebrants and are members of the Irish Ethical Celebrant Society.

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I really believe that there are paths, some seen and some hidden, that lead us to where we are meant to be, and mine was always leading up to be a celebrant.  I had just had my two kids, finished a fifteen year career in HR and moved to Co. Clare and thought, “what next”.  I had attended a celebrant led wedding and my cousin turned to me and said “you would be great as a celebrant” so that sparked something in me. I was doing a bit of research in to it but nothing was jumping out until I saw an interview in the Irish Times by Louise Bruton who wrote about training to be a celebrant with the Irish Institute of Celebrants in Dublin.  I hadn’t even finished the article before I rang them and left a message.  They called back and before I could even think about it I had enrolled.   The six month training course was an invaluable start to my career as I learned not only the ins and outs of being a celebrant, but also storytelling, ceremony traditions and cultures, ceremony enhancements and crucially the business side.  

So, just before I graduated I heard that a friend whom I hadn’t seen in years was also training as a celebrant and due to graduate a month after me.  She too, had just moved to Ennis with 2 kids and was living around the corner from me (literally).  So many coincidences so it was meant to me.  Orla and I now work together and love what we do.  I love telling stories, I love meeting people and I love family celebrations so therefore I really have my dream job.  To be a part of someone’s special day and helping couple’s create lasting memories is an honour and to see couples saying “I do” at the end of the ceremony is literally the “icing on the cake”.

We are also incredibly lucky to live so close to the sea.  We spend a lot of our time officiating ceremonies in the Cliffs of Moher, or Loop Head and in castles, ancient ruins and even lake side gardens.  We also get to work in the most incredible venues like Hotel Doolin and Dromoland Castle, and alongside some of the best wedding suppliers.  The relationship with each couple doesn’t start on the day of the wedding but many months before so I am so invested by the time the wedding day comes around that it is quite emotional watching the couple say “I do” to each other.  I also love staying in touch with couples afterwards and hearing about all the milestones they celebrate, like welcoming a new baby or renewing their vows. As I said, it’s my “dream job”.

 This is such an unprecedented time and my heart goes out to all of the couple’s who have had to cancel or re-schedule their weddings.  I know from planning my own wedding how much time and effort goes in to planning your big day so it’s heart-breaking to see the stress couples are going through.  We have been in regular touch with our couples since the start of the pandemic and luckily we have been available to accommodate any couples who re-scheduled their wedding to later in the year and next year.  Unfortunately some have had to cancel their wedding but when they begin to make future plans we are hopeful we can work together again.  I wrote a blog to hopefully give couples ideas about how to mark their original wedding date while in lockdown and also how to celebrate their weddings bearing in mind the new restrictions which will be in place regarding numbers and so on.  It’s on our website here https://coastalceremonies.ie/ceremony-options-during-covid-19/   

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What is so lovely to see (and not surprising) is how amazing all of the wedding suppliers are being. Everyone has rallied around and are doing their best to accommodate every couple who have had to change their plans while also managing the unexpected business impact.

At the moment, my biggest dream is be to back on the Cliffs of Moher (or anywhere on the coast of Clare) witnessing another love story unfold.  Dreams do come true .

Thank you, Clara for sharing. Check out and send some love to Coastal Ceremonies on social

www.coastalceremonies.ie

Instagram @coastalceremonies

The front-line workers are the people keeping this country running and this is our way to give back. If you work in a grocery shop, if you spend your days on the road delivering all our packages. If you know a nurse, a doctor, anyone helping their community we want to hear their story. Check out www.aherosweddingdream.com.

Keep dreaming

Sarah

A Hero's Wedding Styled By Amber

As a creative business it is hard to find time to create - I know that sounds crazy , I am only realising in this lockdown how little time I have given myself to really create - to let my mind wander, to dream and see what develops. At about week three all of a sudden ideas , projects and collections have started to pop into my head. I may have stayed up for hours watching macrame videos on Pinterest - obsessed. I’m excited again about creating and a lesson learned to take more time out for this part of my brain.

This brings me to Styled by Amber - I have a little design crush on this lady and her work. Between now and the competition deadline on the 31st May I am going to introduce you to the team behind the scenes. A small snippet of their story, their big dreams and how they are dealing with the covid-19. 

I’ve worked as an interior designer for over 12 years and have always been obsessed by the little details that give a space soul and personality. It’s those little touches that add magic and character. As a child I was always drawn to ‘fancy pages’ and unique little trinkets and have amassed an ever-growing collection of unique décor, props, vintage and antique finds that I use now for my events. I’ve always loved being the host, throwing parties and get-togethers for friends and family and I believe in going all-out for these happy occasions because, why not?! After styling my own wedding five years ago which I absolutely LOVED, I did the styling for some family members and friends and then previous interior design clients approached me about styling their wedding and it took off from there. I love the design process and capturing my clients’ vision for their big day, helping them refine their mood board to suit their venue, the time of year and how they want their day to feel – as this to me is most important. I want the love and romance of the occasion to be celebrated and enhanced by a beautifully styled setting that the couple and their loved ones can enjoy and remember for years to come. 

Most of my couples have postponed until next year due to the COVID-19 crisis which has been a hard decision for some of them who live abroad as so much planning as gone into their big day already. It is upsetting and disappointing for any couple having to reschedule or put other things in life on hold but on the whole I think people are being positive and hopeful and realise that it is necessary for the safety of everyone attending including themselves. I have reassured all my couples that their new date will be even more magical with all of this behind us and everyone will be only dying for a right old knees up by the time the wedding comes around!

I’ve just rebranded my logo and am happy to be adding furniture and prop hire to my services in the coming months.  Mostly I am so excited to get back to styling beautiful weddings and shoots and being creative!

Thank you, Amber for sharing. Check out and send some love to Styled by Amber on social

www.styledbyamber.com 

Instagram @styledbyamber_com

 The front-line workers are the people keeping this country running and this is our way to give back. If you work in a grocery shop, if you spend your days on the road delivering all our packages. If you know a nurse, a doctor, anyone helping their community we want to hear their story. Check out www.aherosweddingdream.com.

Keep dreaming

Sarah

A Hero's Wedding Florist Dream

It is all Tinas fault , hahah!. It was the lovely Tina at The Wild Bunch that contacted me back in April about this exciting new project to bring a team of wedding suppler’s together to create a dream wedding for one lucky frontline work . It was an immediate yes for me , so a big thank you to The Wild Bunch for joining us here today.Between now and the competition deadline on the 31st May I am going to introduce you to the team behind the scenes. A small snippet of their story, their big dreams and how they are dealing with the covid-19. 

We never set out to be florists! 14 years ago we’d just bought our home in Kilkenny; a little old stone farmhouse that everyone advised us to knock down and replace with “something decent” (we didn’t.) It came with an acre of land, and being slight hippies, we were determined to do something useful with it. We’d both been working in horticulture in various guises for some time and when I came across a magazine article about a small flower grower in England, it made perfect sense. That winter we ploughed up the whole garden and got planting.   

We started by selling at farmers’ markets; mixed bunches and lots and lots of sweet peas. Then, through the market in that first year, we booked our first wedding. 

That wedding was a baptism of fire but we were instantly hooked and have been ever since. I truly love weddings, all the emotion and the excitement. I love the creativity and spontaneity, the way every wedding is different and designed around so many factors; the couple, the season, the location. I love meeting couples, hearing their plans and their stories… and absolutely cherish seeing them again on the day. I love flowers but could never work with them without the “people” part.

In the first few years there were almost no other grower-florists in Ireland. There was none of the community or support that there is today for newcomers, and we really had to find our own way. On the other hand I suppose we were fairly unique at the time in what we offered; home grown natural, seasonal flowers; and we were surprised by how quickly things took off. We certainly had to learn on our feet in those early years but I think that has stood to us; we've learned to carve our own niche, which is so important in an industry that changes all the time.

Photography by Ivan Patarcic, Niall Scully, Alice Ahn and Louise Scott


Our hearts have gone out to all the couples that have had their plans affected by covid 19, some having been forced to change dates two or three times in the ever-unfolding crisis. We’re keeping in touch with all our couples and doing the very very best we can to accommodate new dates. Then we’re working with them to adapt their plans and their original style and aesthetic where necessary. For example, they might find themselves planning for a different season, or changing from an outdoor to an indoor ceremony, and we’re really enjoying finding ways to make things work.

Mind you we’ve found that some couples haven’t the time or the will to start over, and we get that completely. The Hero’s Wedding Dream Competition has been an eye-opener in this respect; from stories of cancelled weddings, to frontline workers on 12 hour shifts and partners struggling to work from home while caring for family. For lots of couples we’re just working quietly away in the background as much as we can, making sure that everything comes together when their big day finally comes. 

I have to say though that creatively we’ve been really enjoying the shut down! We’ve a garden full of flowers and for the first time in years we’ve been free to just enjoy them, to really see them again. And to play around with them, without any restrictions or limitations. Much-needed food for the soul. I’m currently waiting for the first big flush of roses so I can turn our front porch into something fit for a Vegas wedding chapel. Our neighbours barely bat an eyelid these days. 

 

This is a tricky one! This time last year I might have had a list. To work more with “big” wedding planners. To design big weddings. Possible world domination? But like many other people, shutdown has taught me a lot about what’s important; about family, about community and simply about our shared humanity. I've come to realise how very lucky we are with our little garden and our business.   

I want to continue to be able to get to know the couples we work with. I want to be there on the day feeling like I’m part of the family (yep I’m sad.) I want to continue to do weddings where we stay true to our aesthetic of seasonal, natural design.  I want a clear head to be able to walk around the garden and see all the creative possibilities. I don’t ever want to lose sight of those things that make this job so rewarding and so much fun. So strangely enough, the big dream was there all along, we just never spotted it before now.  

 

  Thank you, Tina, for sharing. Check out and send some love to The Wild Bunch on social

www.thewildbunch.ie

Instagram @wild_bunch_flowers

The front-line workers are the people keeping this country running and this is our way to give back. If you work in a grocery shop, if you spend your days on the road delivering all our packages. If you know a nurse, a doctor, anyone helping their community we want to hear their story. Check out www.aherosweddingdream.com.

 Keep dreaming

Sarah

Spring Wedding

My mission today - bring a little sunshine into your lives. This time last year I was hand stitching the final little flowers and petals to this beautiful dress. So forget about self isolation and postponed plans for 5 mins and take in this stunning wedding, full of love and happiness. Start dreaming again about how your day may look.

All images by the talented Christina Brosnan

Living in the states and planning a wedding in Ireland is no easy task and Kate put her trust in her mammy Maggie and I to pull of this dress -I think we did well.

What is your best memory of your wedding day?

My best memory from my wedding was walking down the aisle, it was so great seeing all my friends and family who had traveled near and fair for the first time. I felt like I floated down the aisle with all their well wishes and love. Seeing Barry for the first time and having my Father Mike hand me off to him was an emotional and happy experience that I will never forget.

What is your advice to a bride to be?

Savor every minute of your wedding, enjoy the planning process....the late nights after work deliberating over details such as stationary and flowers. You will be so happy with the time and attention to detail you invested into planning. But most importantly on the day remember it is about you and your future husband and the people you surround yourself with. Enjoy the moment!


What was your biggest worry about getting your dress made?

My biggest worry was that the dress wasn't going to turn out as I expected. To be honest having a dress made from half way across the world , in which I would only be able to have a few fittings, sounds like madness. However the minute I met Sarah and explained my vision to her I knew I was in great hands. Sarah has such a calming influence and knows her craft so well, her confidence and calming nature was infectious which made the whole process so enjoyable.

What part of the process of having your dress made was most fun for you?

I really enjoyed every fitting as it was amazing to see the dress come together. My Mother came to each fitting and it was a great bonding experience, I think we cried with joy every time Sarah brought the dress closer to perfection. The quality of fabrics and embellishments Sarah used were like nothing you would see at some of the bridal boutiques so we really enjoyed choosing those together also!


Kate’s Dream Team

Christina Brosnan - Photographer https://www.instagram.com/christinabrosnan/

Emma Walking Edit House - Videographer https://www.instagram.com/edithousedublin/

Joanne Kelly - Hair stylist https://www.instagram.com/joannekellyhair/

Kate Rose Crean - Make Up Artist https://www.instagram.com/katerosecrean/

Apple Berry Press - Wedding Stationary https://www.instagram.com/appleberrypress/

Paula K Flowers - Wedding Flowers https://www.instagram.com/paula0casey/

McDowell's Jewellers - Wedding Jewelry https://www.instagram.com/mcdowellsjewellers/

The Cake Cuppery / Catherine Lawlor -  https://www.instagram.com/thecakecuppery/

Laduree - https://www.instagram.com/ladureeireland/

 

Thank you Kate for sharing your day with us and trusting me and you mom with this beautiful dress. I can’t believe your anniversary is around the corner .

Stay safe everyone and keep dreaming

Sarah






 

Our Bridal Muse - Anne Marie

What a January , meeting new brides has been so invigorating. To explain - Sarah Foy brides are amazing, they love to be unique, march to their own beat and truly a dream to work with. This little lady Ann- Marie is no exception. From day one she had a vision of how she wanted to look and trusted that vision to me

What is your best memory of your wedding day?

My best memory of the day for me was straight after dinner we had drummers play they really put everyone into gear for the dance floor.

What is your advice to a bride to be?

Your going to have so many opinions. I would say write your dream day down at the beginning and when you feel yourself going of track to refer back to it.

What was your biggest worry about getting your dress made?

My biggest worry was that I wouldn’t find the right person to do it. But after finding Sarah from the very first meeting she put me at ease and I knew she was the one.

What part of the process of having your dress made was most fun for you?

Every time I went for a fitting I didn’t want to take off the dress. It was so amazing watching it come to life piece by piece my very own dress that no one has tried on before or even set eyes on - It was one of a kind.

Thank you Ann-Marie for sharing your truly unique day

The Dream Team

Our photographer was Susan Jefferies www.sjphotography.ie

Our Videographer was Adrian Carton www.amcfilms.ie

Our hair was Mia Kane 086 888 4894

Make up was Lesley Nugent 083 863 4761

Our Venue was Rock Farm Slane http://rockfarmslane.ie.


A year in pictures

For me pictures speak volumes - I’m a visual girl so what better way to sum up my year.  

Wishing you all a wonderful 2019  

Our Bridal Muse - Fiona

How do you have it all? How can you have a romantic dress and a slinky evening wear style ? How can you incorporate the lovely details you have pinned on your secret Pinterest board ? Todays bridal muse Fiona was exactly like you. She had a dream of what she wanted to wear on her wedding day and I helped her to bring those ideas to life.

What is your best memory of your wedding day?

Myself and my husband walking around the streets of Sorrento (Italy) town with our photographers. By that stage we were more comfortable having our photos taken and most of my nerves had subsided after the ceremony. It was lovely having some time together and having so many passers by congratulate us and compliment me on my dress. I had removed my overskirt for this part of the day so it was easy to walk around in the main slimmer fitting dress and I didn't get overheated at all.

What is your advice for a bride to be?

This is by no means unique advice as I myself had heard it so many times before my actual wedding but it is "enjoy ever second as its over so fast". Also, don't care what anyone thinks, its your day, as you've invested so much time, money and energy planning it, you want to enjoy every moment and have no regrets, for instance if your nervous remind yourself this is what you wanted and enjoy all the attention as you only get one day! Also, enjoy all the lead up to the wedding as much as possible while it lasts, as everyone is so interested and happy for you and your hubby to be!

What was your biggest worry about getting your dress made?

That what I wanted overall wouldn't work, as I would have liked various aspects of different dresses that I had previously tried on but no one dress had it all! Sarah knew exactly what I had in mind when I showed her some photos from my Pinterest board. I had confidence that Sarah would advise on what would work and not work all throughout the design process and at each fitting I might have had a new idea to run by her, and I always worried that I was asking for too much or being too fussy, but Sarah was open to all my ideas along the way and would always say that we can try this and see if it works and if not we can remove that part.

What part of having your dress made was the most fun for you?

Having my own input into my dress was the most exciting as I ended up with exactly what I wanted and was able to merge different styles and end up with something modern, romantic, with vintage aspects and overall unique. I also enjoyed attending the fittings every couple of months with my mam and/or mother in law to be. We would make an afternoon of it and go for lunch somewhere nearby afterwards or a walk on Bull Island. It was exciting being able to share this with them and talk about the progress that had been made with the dress after each appointment.

The Dream Team

Location Sorrento in Italy

Hair and makeup Joanna Falanga www.makeupartistsorrento.com

Photographer Enzo Campitelli

Wedding planner Sorrento Sunland - They were extremely organised and provided visibility from the start on prices unlike a lot of other wedding planners that I had contacted. Sorrento Wedding Planner (@sorrentosunland) • Instagram photos and videos

Dream location and dream wedding thank you so much Fiona for sharing your day with us. It was such a pleasure to work with you and bring your vision alive

Have you got a dress in mind that you want to create for your wedding? This is what I love to do so drop me an email now info@sarahfoycouture.com

Creatives We Love - The Wild Bunch

It all started with a panicked search to find a florist for a photoshoot last January. Tina came to the rescue, unfazed by the random ideas I had, she set about creating and transforming - bringing the outdoors in. The Wild Bunch is her company and today we ask her all about her inspiration.

Who is your bride?

Our bride is someone with a strong sense of style and a fairly good idea of the feel they want for their wedding. They aren’t necessarily flower lovers or “inspired by nature” but they are increasingly influenced by trends, especially from Australia and the US, for organic, natural designs, and more dramatic focal points for their wedding; whether a ceremony backdrop, an elaborate entrance, or a large hanging installation over the reception tables. They are open to ideas and are less concerned about formulas or set ways of doing things. They want something different from the norm, designed for that venue, that season, their wedding.

And they are the loveliest! I’ve heard all the stories, but we’ve never had anything even close to a “bridezilla”! (am I allowed say that?!)

When do feel most creative?

The first spark or idea always comes from nature, from the landscape. The shapes, the colours, the “mood” of each season, each month. How dependant that is on the location, the weather. My first aim is always to capture that mood, because it’s that connection to the natural world that stirs something in all of us.

After that, from a lot of places. Any form of art really; paintings, photography, sculpture, interiors, metalwork, textiles. Anything that looks good. Kilkenny’s craft scene is brilliant, and I could spend hours just looking at other people’s work. I like to get a feel for a piece, and then try to figure what makes it feel that way; is it the colour, the lines, the form, the weight or texture? I try to imagine the process; how the piece started in the designer’s head, the dreaming, then the practicalities, the trials and tweaking (in so far as my knowledge of that craft allows!) I find the whole process fascinating. Then I have to quench my sudden desire to become a silversmith, or a furniture maker, or a photographer!

Workshops are an essential way of developing your own style and are my weakness; I’ve been known to blow the budget on workshops! There are so many amazing and inspiring florists in Ireland and in the UK and the opportunity to learn from them is invaluable.

Finally I get involved in any photoshoots I can. It’s a fantastic way to get creative, and there is a real energy when different artists get together, working together and feeding off each other’s ideas.

How do you feel meeting a new bride to be?

Honestly, it’s the best part! I love meeting couples, talking to people, hearing their plans and their stories… and absolutely cherish seeing them again on the day. I delude myself that I’m part of the family (I know how sad that sounds.) It’s just such a fantastic time, so full of emotion and excitement. I love flowers but could never work with them without the “people” part.

Once we’re chatting I find that lots of brides will make a point of telling me that they “don’t know much about flowers” but they don’t need to. They just need to have an idea of the style they want for the day and then we can translate that together, in context of the season and the venue. I tell my brides to send me any photos they‘ve come across and liked; regardless of the flowers or the season or the actual arrangement; just to get an idea of their aesthetic, the style and colours they are drawn to.

Many of our couples live abroad and we don’t get to meet before the day. It’s surprisingly easy to arrange everything by email, exchanging photos and ideas to and fro.

What do you like to hear from a bride? The best question they could ask you?

I love when a bride understands the importance of the season; that when the flowers are part of that bigger picture outside the window, it makes them so much more than when they are in an isolated little wedding “bubble”. That doesn’t mean lists of available or unavailable flowers, it comes back to capturing the “mood” of the season, through colours, textures, form.

But the best thing to hear from a bride is “I trust you”. All of our loveliest work comes about when we have some freedom to design the flowers the way we think best, and freedom on the day to “go with it” and add creative touches. It’s not about me just doing my own thing, it’s entirely based on the bride’s own style, her colours, the season, the venue, but in the best way possible.

How did you find your calling?

The idea came about 12 years ago when we’d just bought our house in Kilkenny. The garden was huge and being slight hippies we were determined to do something productive with it. We’d both been working in horticulture in various guises for some time and when I came across a piece in a gardening magazine about a similar grower-florist in England, it made perfect sense. That winter we ploughed up the whole garden and got planting.

In the first few years there were almost no other grower-florists in Ireland. There was none of the community or support that there is today for newcomers, and we really had to find our own way. On the other hand I suppose we were fairly unique at the time in what we offered; home grown natural, seasonal flowers, and we were surprised by how quickly things took off. We certainly had to learn on our feet in the early years but I think that has stood to us; we've learned to carve our own niche which is so important in an industry that changes all the time.

Want to see more of Tina’s work?

Check out her Instagram account wild_bunch_flowers

Facebook WildBunchWeddingFlowers

Website www.thewildbunch.ie

Ethical Bridal Choices

Is it possible to shop ethically for your wedding dress? Is it even something you have thought about? As we start to see customers and designers taking a more thoughtful approach to purchasing and designing, can we shop ethically for our wedding attire? Today I’m giving you some ideas to approach your dress shopping with an ethical eye.

There are bridal designers out there that are paving the way in ethical sustainable bridal wear with out compromising on design . www.sanyuktashrestha.com is one such designer along with Minna http://www.minna.co.uk/ and company’s like reformation https://www.thereformation.com. Although the lovely Little White dress shop stocks sanyuktashrestha gowns you will have to do some research into designer and stockists or travel to the Uk to find your dress

Ask- when starting out on your dress hunt don’t be afraid to ask and research designers you like for information on there ethical practices. The ethical bridal industry is young and you may find it hard to find a 100% perfect company but any move towards a conscious purchase is good in my book.

www.butterflyphotography.ie

Upstyling a wedding dress is a lovely thoughtful and sustainable way to find your dress. A heirloom gown or second hand dress can be reworked and made exclusively yours with the help of a good dress maker or designer. Taking a preloved dress either from a family member or wonderful sites like Once Wed can be the answer to both a budget and style conscious bride

Picking an Irish designer to produce an exclusive dress for you with ethically fabrics and sustainable practice in mind is another very good option for a conscious bridal. You would not only meet your ethical goals but have some input into the style and design you wish to have for your dream dress. Of course that would be a product I would happily undertake here at Sarah Foy Couture. But a quick google check will find you other great Irish designers that would happily help you create your dream dress

http://www.johannakingphotography.com/

My own ethical journey has been sporadic at best on till this last 18 months. Between a house move and the onslaught of children’s toys into the house I turned firstly to a great podcast The Minimalists, which started me on a series journey to change my purchasing habits. Over the last year I have read and watched some great resources that really help me understand more clearly the effect fast fashion is having on the world. Still far from perfect, I have certainly had a big change in my attitude to everything I purchase. That mind set certainly doesn’t change when I think and purchase for my brides. As all of our dresses are designed and made in my home studio they are certainly ethically produced. However, the move to more sustainable fabrics may take a while longer I now have a select of organic silks options for brides to be and on the hunt for new and exciting alternatives for our fabrics.

As other aspects of our business evolve, I hope to continue to think and purchase as ethically as possible from our packaging to stationary. I also firmly believe that supporting other Irish businesses is essential to staying sustainable and ethical within Sarah Foy Couture.

 

Ask The Designer - Cover Ups

You have the most stunning backless creation, had it fitted to perfection. Your hair, make up and accessories that you thought hard about are exactly as you imagined. As you get set to head to your ceremony you realise it’s 2 degrees out side and you are likely to spend the next couple of hours trying to keep the shivering at bay! It is well worth taking a little time to thing about a coverup that will compliment your over all look for the day

Our bride Melissa in a dramatic wool crepe cape

There was a time when your only option was a fur shawl or cashmere wrap, thrown over the shoulder - all perfectly fine but today the options are endless and fun. Brides are making a statement with their cover up, adding their drama to this rather then their dress. So today I give you tips to consider when looking for your cover up

Your need for a cover up will help you decided on what to go for. If it’s warmth you need for those snowy winter weddings then picking a heavier fabric like velvet or wool will keep you cosy. You may need a lighter coverage in the warmer months for church weddings or unpredictable Irish weather - silk chiffon’s and organza are beautifully sheer, light and flow beautifully.

Our Bride Naomi in a Wool Cape creation

Think about the elements of your dress that you wish to highlight or hide for the early part of the day. For example, some brides like to cover the back detail to reveal later at the reception. How would you like it to sit with the dress, completely covering your bodice or just hanging from your shoulders to show off the front detail. Do you want to add a little drama to your simple dress, by adding a train for the ceremony ? These are all really excellent questions to ask before deciding on what will work for you.

As I always say to brides it is about everything working together not just the dress. So it is really important to look at all your elements, accessories, headpiece and veil, make sure your cover up design blends perfectly with your overall look for the day.

Finally don’t be afraid to mix it up. Invest in a beautiful wool cape that you can wear well past the wedding date. A beautiful tailored jacket that can be worn for special occasions. Also colour can really inject something very special into your outfit so don’t shy away from it !

 

 

Creatives At Work

Every wedding ceremony I have been to, I have cried and a I’m not a terribly emotional person. But there is something so powerful, so raw about standing up with your soul mate. Talking openly of love and commitment surrounded by friends and family it is what a wedding is all about. So I am delighted to welcome Sandra a spiritualist to our creatives at work series with tips on making the ceremony personal and fun for your big day.

Who is your bride?

My brides are those brides who are 3 to 6 months away from their wedding date. This is the time that they can start to think about their ceremony and the finer detail of their wedding day. It is when all the big items such as the venue, the cake and the dress are selected, booked and secured, that they can start to think about the personalizing their actual wedding day.

It is at this time frame they can now start to think about what elements they wish to include in their ceremony that reflect them as a couple, what family members and friends will be involved in the ceremony and what they will say for their vows to each other.

And it is at this time they have so many questions that start with “What if… and How do I…”

My bride is that bride who wants to see their ceremony central to the celebrations of the day and want to bring ‘themselves’ to the ceremony to share with their guests a little bit about their love story.

My bride is the bride who says ‘I want the ceremony to be meaningful, personal and something we enjoy”

When do feel most inspired?

When I am listening to their story of how they met their partner and what attracted them to one another. I love “Love Stories” and I am inspired to find a way to weave that story throughout the whole ceremony.

How do you feel meeting a new bride to be?

I love the energy of meeting a new bride to be. It holds so much possibility and new ideas. I am energized by the whole process. I know there will be sweet moments, funny moments, tender moments and above all loving moments and I feel so privileged that I am a part of making those moments come together in a coordinated but relaxed way for them on their special day.

What are the best questions a bride could ask you?

There are two best questions they could ask me and a statement they could make to me

1. Can we make it really short to get that part (the ceremony) over and done with so I can get on and enjoy the rest of the day?

To which I answer “yes you can do that if you want but…how about we make your ceremony your “You Tube” wedding moment. You know those clips you have seen of other people’s weddings that made you say “awwwwwwwww” How about we work on the ceremony so your videographer/photographer has the content to give you your “You Tube” wedding moment?

2. What if I forget my vows, or what if I cry during the ceremony and what if I just am an emotional mess  and panic on the day

To which I reply “then you come to my Tick Tock Its Wedding O’Clock workshop” which is a face to face workshop (or get the online programme which will be ready soon) that takes all the worry out of those questions that start with ‘what if’ and “How do I”.  This will not only answer all your “what if” panic questions but it will also demonstrate the ‘How to ..” questions and give you answers to other questions you do not yet know to ask. Most importantly it all happens in a fun, relaxed and enjoyable environment.

3 The statement “I know my wedding day can’t be perfect, nothing is perfect” and I say to that “Actually you can and I as The Wedding Lady can help you make that happen.

I pay attention to detail without losing sight of bigger picture of your big day.

How did you find your calling? Get started in your industry?

I have always been called to work with people in a meaningful way that makes a difference in their lives. Being a member of the Spiritualist Union of Ireland opened the opportunity to become an officiant when they were granted the license to perform legally binding marriages under Spiritual Ceremonies back in 2010.  I came on board as a Solemnizer in August 2011.

Initially I thought the role just played to my strengths.  I have a background in event management, delivering training and project development and those skills came in handy for many elements of being a Solemnizer and consultant. Being confident to speak in public in front of large crowds also was a bonus too.

But then I found I connected with people in a very meaningful way in the role I played on their big day. I could make that part of their day (their ceremony) really special, meaningful and memorable for all of the right reasons.

The Wedding Lady

Thank you Sandra for sharing your insights on the big day and the all important ceremony. The connection we feel with brides and being part of such an important day is why we work in one of the most rewarding industry’s.

 

Check out more about The Wedding Lady

FaceBook – The Wedding Lady @theweddingladyie

(the Tick Tock It’s Wedding O’Clock group is in The Wedding Lady profile)

Twitter – The Wedding Lady@SandraLosty

Website - TheWeddingLady.ie

Our Month In Picture - February

As snow falls around the country we have come to the end of another month - it was a fast busy one for us here as we make are way towards spring.

Photographer  Aoife O'Sullivan
Makeup and hair @efcreativestudios
 

This is what went on in the studio this month

  • The top pictures are our design in progress for our lovely client Caroline Grace Cassidy. Walking the red carpet of the IFTA'S in a spring yellow creation.
  • February was website refresh time for me in studio. Lots of new images and plans for the website. Image of me at work by the super Johanna King Photography.
  • Spending a wonderful sunny day at Horetown House snapping our new photoshoot with Butterfly Photography.
  • A great interview with Michelle O'Halloran hairstylist graced the blog this month.
  • Feather detail hitting the studio as we finish up our latest dresses.

Creatives At Work

Michelle O'Halloran

 Watching Michelle work her magic is something to marvel, she is a sculptor of hair but manages to transform hair into this effortless but elegant style. I always feel so lucky to have met some of the best people in the wedding industry. True creatives that have only passion for what they do - Michelle is one of these people, a pleasure to work with and to know. 

Who is your bride?
The effortless, chic bride. She prefers the more natural, casual and even ‘messy’ styles on the red carpet.
I love hair that isn’t ‘trying to hard’. It’s got a natural, effortless feel. It’s pretty, soft to the eye and in good condition. Obviously, when it comes to wedding styling, I have to apply techniques that make this type of hair last all day and look fresh in photos from the morning to night.
 
When do you feel most inspired?
Trust is major factor when it comes to being creative. On photoshoots, I am given free reign to be creative, with only a few guidelines and restrictions.
Of course, working with a bridal client is a different process, the more open the client is to suggestions, the more options she will have.  I want my clients to be honest about what suggestions they like and don’t like. It is this collaboration that makes sure the bride leaves the trial happy and satisfied.
 

How do you feel meeting a new bride to be?
This question has a couple of answers for me
- Excited and curious! Usually by the time I meet a bride, we have been in touch over email for a number of months. It’s lovely to finally put a face to the name.
- Cautious! Most brides are excited about their hair trial.  However, some are nervous and a little overwhelmed. By the time we meet, there can be a lot of wedding details to juggle.  Getting married is EMOTIONAL. I need to tread lightly to help the bride enjoy the experience. I regularly find, that brides are much more relaxed on their wedding day, than at the trial.
 
What do you like to hear from a bride? 
It is so important that the bride has thought about the hairstyle she wants before meeting me i.e. only the individual bride can know whether she feels most confident with her hair up or down. I like brides to do their research and collect inspiration pictures. A picture speaks a thousand words. Everyone’s definition of ‘soft’ or ‘casual’ is different and I need reference pictures to understand yours.
 
Best questions – Do I have the right haircut for this style? How can I prepare my hair? Most people don’t realise that without the right layering and condition, curls can fall flat more quickly. Wisps and tendrils look better when shorter and texturized (cutting technique). Artificial colour often gives better shine/gloss, than natural hair colour. There is a reason the model in the magazine and the Hollywood star on the red carpet looks so amazing - preparation is key.

How did you find your calling?
Hairstyling started out as a hobby for me. After finishing university, I felt a little lost and unprepared for the working world. I took a leap of faith, changed paths and signed up for a private hairdressing course. I loved it immediately and took to it very naturally. I started out doing photoshoots and met make up artist Emma Farrell (EF Creative Studios). She just kept giving my number out to brides. It was a bit of an accident, that turned out to be the best thing that could have happened!
 

Thank you so much Michelle for sharing your wisdom with us today. Your passion and love of your job shines through.

Check out more of Michelle's Work

http://www.michelleohalloran.com/

https://www.facebook.com/michelle.o.hairstylist

https://www.instagram.com/moh_hairdesign/

Creatives at work - Butterfly Photography

It is a delight to work with this months creative. I have been so lucky to have collaborated with Ashling on editorial photoshoots over the years and her work is incredible. Everyone of her images capture something special, a mood, a feeling, it is captivating. So today I introduce to you Butterfly Photography and their beautiful work.

Who is your bride?

The immediate thing that springs to mind is self-assured. Our brides tend to have an amazing network of lifelong friends, who they have had life adventures with, and travelled and lived with.  Along the way, these friends have provided an incredibly loving and supportive system in which each of these ladies have grown up to be confident, happy and so much fun. They bring you into this wonderful dynamic with open arms, and their men are so obviously in love with these fierce and fabulous women.  We’ve been lucky enough to be invited back by the ladies of these friendship groups to document each of their celebrations and it really is a joy to see them time and time again.

When do you feel most inspired?

Oooohh! When we’re in front of love. Gosh, I can’t tell you how excited I get when a couple realise that they JUST GOT MARRIED. When they realise that all their planning has paid off, and they just dive into enjoying the moment and the day that’s in it. It’s when they’re laughing away to each other, or pulling into an embrace when I’m dancing around them, clicking away, with an ear-to-ear grin.  It’s why I’m in this business – the love and connections we witness at weddings. Whether that be between a couple, a father and daughter, a grandfather and grandson, or a couple and their pooch - Hopeless romantic here.

How do you feel meeting a new bride to be?

Nervous as hell. I’ve always been shy and I’m definitely not a natural salesperson, but after a few minutes I relax and can’t wait to hear about all the wedding plans, how they met, and how the dress hunting is coming along. 

What do you like to hear from a bride?

If a couple is getting married in a stunning location (Wicklow Mountains, Ring of Kerry, near a beach – you get the idea) and they’re up for adventuring for an hour, I am in HEAVEN. We LOVE exploring the gorgeous countryside with our couples.

We also love to hear them say they’re not fussed about group photos. We always insist on the immediate family photos and one with grandparents, but apart from that we advise our couples to enjoy the drinks reception while we run around capturing candids and impromptu group shots. Trying to organise a long list of big group shots can be a nightmare and mean the couple is stood waiting for an hour while people are sent off to find those guests who are gone to the bar/bathroom/hotel room. Not fun for the newlyweds.

www.butterflyphotography.ie

How did you find your calling? 

Both myself and Dan trained as architects (it’s how we met – at uni), but I fell out of love with the profession after about 3 years, and didn’t know what else to do.  It wasn’t until after our own wedding that I fell in love with this whole industry.  So I stole Dan’s camera, took a couple of night classes in the local college, devoured a few books, found a few couples who took a chance on me, and I haven’t looked back since.  Best decision I ever made!

 

Thank you Ashling for sharing your passion for photography. It shines through in all your work. 

Check out more of  Butterfly photography

www.butterflyphotography.ie

hello@butterflyphotography.ie

Or hit them with some love over on

Instagram @weddingsbybutterfly

Facebook @Butterflyphotographic

Twitter @ButterflyUKEire

Travelling With The Dress

Bright blue skies, golden beaches and beautiful scenic views. There are a list of reasons why we love a wedding abroad - weather being number one on that list. So if you are dreaming of your french chateau wedding or a cosy winter adventure I have put together what you need to know for transporting your dress.

Photo by Butterfly Photography

Ask the designer

You can transport your dress two ways. A bridal garment bag which would usually be provided to you when you pick your dress up. I always scellotape the hanging loops of the dress to the hanger if I know a bride is traveling, this stops the dress from falling off. Be sure the hanger is strong and that the garment bag has a loop at the bottom. This way the bag can fold in half to make it easier to move around.

Your second option would be to pack the dress into a carry on suitcase. This works for simpler styles. Line the suit case with a bed sheet or tissue paper. Then fold the dress hem first into the case. Ideally you want to pack your carry on with anything you can’t replace for the wedding - dress, shoes, underwear.

When you arrive at your destination find a place to hang your dress up high. Take the train out of the bag. Most dresses will crease a little and simply need to hang for 24hours and they will drop out. You can let steam at your dress say from a shower or bath for any stubborn creases.

Plan ahead a little if you feel the dress will need a press before the big day. Ask your wedding planner or hotel to recommendation a dry cleaners and arrange to have it steamed on arrival

Ask the wedding planner

Rosie from weddingplanner.ie has kindly past on her advice for traveling with your dress. Having planned over 200 weddings abroad in over 20 countries is she most definitely an expert.

-Check with your airline about carrying your dress onboard as hand luggage. 
-Don't pack it in as checked in luggage in case your bag gets lost.
-Check with your hotel if they have a steaming service to get any creases out when you arrive or can they recommend a dry cleaners that can do it. 
-If you are having a Catholic Church wedding, keep in mind they can be stricter abroad about attire. So no bare shoulders or low backs or cleavage showing for the bride, bridesmaids and guests. A veil can sometimes do or get your dress maker to make a light bolero which can be removed after the ceremony

Ask the airlines

The policy for airlines change all the time and I often find that I need to email them every summer to get the most up to date information for my brides. So this is relevant for 2017 but I would double check before booking your flight and again before traveling.

Aerlingus

We do allow guests to carry wedding dresses on board dresses as cabin baggage. https://www.aerlingus.com/travel-information/baggage-information/special-items/
Please note we don’t have a specific area on board to stow these but we advise guests to speak a member of our cabin crew once they board the flight and they will assist as best they can.
Paula Donaghy, Consumer PR Specialist

Ryanair

If your wedding dress fits within our cabin baggage dimensions of 55cm x 40cm x 20cm and weighs up to 10kg you can take it into the cabin with you.
Please note that we do not have any storage facilities on board to hang or store your dress, it will be treated as cabin baggage and placed in our overhead lockers.
If your wedding dress does not fit within the cabin baggage dimensions, then you can check it in as part of your checked baggage allowance.
Alternatively, you can purchase an extra seat for the carriage of your wedding dress in the cabin.
To book an extra seat for your wedding dress:
  •   Go to www.ryanair.com and select 2 passengers when booking your flight.
  •   Don't forget to reserve the seats beside each other.
  •   The first seat should be booked in your name.
  •   The other seat should be ITEM SEAT as the Last Name and EXTRA as the First Name  
  •   The name EXTRA ITEM SEAT will then be displayed on the online boarding pass.
Adrienn
Ryanair Customer Service

Other Helpful Links

Traveling by boat

https://www.irishferries.com/ie-en/terms-and-conditions/#Luggage

Other airlines

https://www.britishairways.com/en-ie/information/baggage-essentials/packing-tips

http://www.etihad.com/en-ie/before-you-fly/baggage-information/allowances/

http://www.lufthansa.com/ie/en/Baggage-overview

 

I sign off dreaming of warmer weather. Share with us where are you planning your destination wedding?