Tink's Bridal Blog

Goodbye and Thank You

2011-04-28T21:45:00.000+01:00

As you may have noticed the blog has kind of been abandoned of late. Due to work commitments and other projects that I'm trying to get started in my spare time, it's been impossible to give Tink's Bridal Blog the time it needs so I'm calling it a day (for now anyway). To everyone who has contributed posts, provided comments and encouragement and has stopped by to see what was going on in my Neverland head thank you so much. I've loved sharing my wedding journey with you and collecting ideas for others to use. I've some ideas for a future blog / website so it's not goodbye really more of a blog ya later.

Etsy Must Have

2011-03-11T09:00:00.000Z

I've been window shopping on Etsy again. Here are some of my favourite finds;

Firstly, check out this fab idea for your menu covers. Not only are both of your names and the date of your wedding on the front but there is also a personalised word search for your guests to puzzle over. This would be a pretty easy DIY project and you wouldn't have to limit yourself to a wordsearch, you might decide on a crossword or a short trivia quiz - anything at all that you can personalise. You could offer a small prize to table that gets it finished correctly first. If you're not up to getting out your scissors and sticky back plastic, these certainly fit in the affordable category - costing €23 including postage.

Personalised Menu Cover €23 for 10

This stylish bag doesn't really fit in the bargain basement category at €29 but it's just so chic! It might not be every bride's cup of tea (although personally I love coloured purses for brides) but could work with bridesmaids outfit and this could be their bridesmaid gift (they really would get plenty of use from this afterwards) or if your a guest at a wedding it might just be the perfect accessory if your trying to revive an outfit that's all ready had a few outings.

Canary Clutch

100 love heart soaps (€86 inc postage)

Something Blue Bouquet Charm (€4.70 inc postage)

Heads Up on a Great Competition

2011-03-08T09:30:00.002Z

Photo by Lisa O'Dywer

You may recall a few weeks ago that I featured the fab work of Lisa O'Dwyer . If you liked what you saw (and honestly how could you not?) you should pop on over to Lisa's blog where she is running a competition to give one lucky couple a free engagement shoot somewhere in Dublin.

Mood Board Monday: Metalic Prettiness

2011-03-07T09:00:00.006Z

Today's mood board is from the inspirational Postcards and Pretties site. I think the juxtaposition of striking metallic and blushing pink creates a very contemporary but romantic backdrop for a modern wedding with vintage accents scattered throughout.

Here's One I Made Earlier

2011-03-03T09:30:00.001Z

You may recall that a few weeks ago I raved about the fab cake Which Lorraine Pascale made on her show "Baking Made Easy".

Well last week I decided to put my money were my mouth is and give it a go. I can hardly go around encouraging other people to don their aprons and dig out their mixing bowls if I'm not up for the challenge too. Also as it was Mr Mc's birthday it seemed the perfect occasion do try it out.
I decided to forego the chocolate cigarillos (because they cost over €30 a packet) and substituted them for Cadbury’s chocolate finger biscuits. I have to say I was fairly impressed with my first attempt and would certainly give this another go.

Mood Board Monday: Spring is in the Air

2011-02-28T10:00:00.002Z

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of meeting up with some brilliant people from the Irish wedding industry/ blogosphere (more of this anon) but neglected to prepare any material for today's blog. However, on a walk through Ardgillian Demesne on Saturday, I spotted some lovely snowdrops in a wooded area. It reminded me of a mood board I created around this time last year. I've decided to recycle it not only because I'm lazy but also because the combination of white, brown and green seem to be such fitting colours for this time of year.

Winners

2011-02-23T10:00:00.000Z

Congrats to September 2011 Bride, Dilly and Trish who have all won tickets to next Sunday's One of a Kind event in the Guinness Storehouse. (Sorry Twinkletoes but your entry was submitted after the closing time of 6pm - you can still buy tickets online for €7 from here

I have September 2011 Bride's contact details but Trish and Dilly can you send me an email to tinkerbellebride@gmail.com and I'll arrange to get the tickets to you both.

Competition Time: It's So Easy!

2011-02-21T09:30:00.004Z

As you can tell from Thursday's post I am very excited about Sunday's One of a Kind Wedding Event which is taking place in the glorious Guinness Storehouse. It promises to be the perfect event for couples looking to add a bit of a twist to their wedding day. And thanks to the lovely organisers of the event, Linda and Aisling, I have three pairs of tickets to give away. I've made it even easier to enter so just leave a comment below and we'll pull three entries from a hat and they'll each get 2 tickets to this fab event. This competition will close at today (Tuesday) at 6pm and winners will be announced on this site on Wednesday morning. After submitting your comment, please be sure to send an email to tinkerbellebride@gmail.com so we can contact you by email if you are a winner.

Photo Friday: A Beautiful Wedding Photographed by Lisa O'Dwyer

2011-02-18T09:00:00.010Z

Today I'm delighted to share with you a beautiful wedding photographed by the ever-so talented Lisa O'Dwyer. Lisa images pick up on so many gorgeous elements of - the oh-so-pretty-it-hurts flowers, the elegant bridesmaids' dresses, the dashing groom and the most adorable children you've ever seen. Lisa has also managed to capture lots of memorable moments -this images of the bridesmaids opening the champagne is absolutely priceless.

However, without a shadow of a doubt the beautiful bride, Vicky steals the show. Her fabulous Aideen Cross designed dress is truely breathtaking and Vicky's soft curls and beautiful necklace set the look off perfectly. I love Lisa's images of Vicky - her images capture a relaxed and beautiful bride who just beams with happiness.

And what about this photo? The striking thing for me is how Vicky is physically connected to all three of them. It's a very intimate moment and the four of them seem to be sharing a joke which the people in the pews behind them can't see.

If you like what you see why not pop over to Lisa's blog for lots more of her great images but not before checking out the rest of Vicky and Noel's picture perfect day.

For those eagle-eyes among you, yes this is the same venue that featured in Monday's 1920s moodboard. It's the spectacular ballroom in the Osprey Hotel in Naas.

Hip Hip Horray - The Event You've Been Waiting For!

2011-02-17T10:00:00.003Z

If you like this blog the chances are that you aren't planning a run-of-the-mill Irish wedding. I'm betting you and your partner our hoping for a wedding that is as unique as both of you are as individuals and as a couple. Your wedding will celebrate your quirkiness rather than try to be 'on-trend'. It will be an extension of your personalities not a 'copy and paste' from a glossy wedding magazine. You may well have been to a wedding fair and been herded around like cattle and shunted from cheesy wedding band to tacky decor suppliers and wondered "Is this really all there is out there?, Should I give up on my dream and go along with what Aunt Mary and Granny want?"

Firstly you are not alone in your quest for a wedding less ordinary. There are others out there just like you and secondly, you'll be relieved to know there is help and it comes in the shape of the One of a Kind Wedding Event which is taking place on Sunday 27th February in the fabulous Guinness Store House. This event is all about showcasing alternative wedding suppliers and services - many of which, you'll not be surprised to learn, have previously been profiled on this blog.

There will be seminars, a vintage bridal show and discussion forums, as well as competitions and spot prizes on the day. Much more than the average wedding fair this event will help you understand the options for weddings in Ireland whether it be a church followed by a castle in a remote and rural setting or a civil ceremony and reception in a funky urban venue. And the tickets are shockingly good value. €10 on the door or €7 if you buy online.

And seeing as Linda and Aisling, the event organisers, are such fans of the blog and love how it captures the off beat spirit which their event is all about they've given me three pairs of tickets to give away. Yes, three pairs!!! Be sure to drop back on Monday for details of how to enter.

Hundreds of Pretty Things

2011-02-16T09:00:00.002Z

I'm very excited- I've just discovered the amazing One Pretty Thing and One Pretty Wedding Websites. These sister sites are DIY inspiration banks packed full of ideas for easy to make projects. There are literally hundreds of different ways to prettify your wardrobe, your home or your wedding day and all with an eye on the budget. These websites act like signposts for greatness - providing images and direct links to the websites where the how-to instructions can be found. For example, I'd never have found this great project from Lillyela without the help of One Pretty Wedding. I love this flower cone and think it would look great if used for pew ends. For instructions on how to create one see here

Moodboard Monday: Ten out of Ten for the Twenties

2011-02-14T10:30:00.002Z

What's not to love about the 1920's? The swing, the flapper girls' shockingly short hairstyles and equally short dresses, cars that are works of art as much as modes of transport, to-die-for art deco designs and cigarette holders that would make Bet Gilroy jealous. A 1920s wedding inspired wedding would be full of classic touches but also license to have fun on the dance floor while you shake your bootie to some rag-time tunes. Today's moodboard tries to capture all these elements but also gives a nod to Boardwalk Empire, the HBO blockbuster which is currently making waves on Sky Atlantic.

Happy Valentine's Day

2011-02-14T08:00:00.000Z

It's a dog's life

2011-02-10T09:22:00.004Z

There are some fantastic things out there if you are looking for something special for your four-legged friend to wear on your big day and it doesn't have to be a tacky tux or veil. Check out these adorable bow ties from SillyBuddy

We would have loved to involve our dog Deas (pronounced Jas, Irish word for lovely) more during our wedding day. The way things worked out though meant she went off to the Happy Paws Hotel in Bennetsbridge when we headed off to the Church.

In my unbiased opinion, Deas is so pretty she doesn't need any accessories to take a perfect picture. I mean just look at this photo taken of her while she watched us get our make up done;

My latest Etsy finds

2011-02-08T10:30:00.001Z

1920s inspired Bridal Earrings from SomsStudio

Customised stamp from Lilimandrill

Love Birds from Bragging Bags

I Do Dress hanger by Aressa

Black Birdcage Veil with Venitian Lace from LaPlumeEthere

Moodboard Monday: Carried Away with Coral

2011-02-07T09:30:00.000Z

Today's moodboard is back to basics as rather than a theme this week I've just focused of colours and feel. The colour combination is a sugary sweet coral, a refreshing aquamarine and then a calming capuccino to bind it altogether. I've used Dessy's styleboard application to create today's board and I highly recommend it as an easy way to bring your ideas together.

Would you...?

2011-02-04T09:00:00.003Z

...buy your engagement or wedding ring online? I just love these rings from BMJNYC on Etsy .

We bought our weddings rings on Amazon and saved a packet compared to what we would have paid for the exact same quality rings on the high street. Because they were plain rings it was probably less risky than buying ornate rings that we'd never tried on though. Still whenever the option of an Eternity ring arises I may be back on Etsy.

In the meantime, I might just have to make do with treating myself to these fab earrings from Irish Etsy seller NiceDayDesigns

A guide to wedding flowers

2011-02-02T10:00:00.017Z

There are some things that it seems you are just expected to know about as a bride-to-be. Like for example flowers - when I was looking around for a florist I was surprised by the number of suppliers who wanted to know exactly what type of blooms I wanted - I hadn't got a clue. I cam tell a rose from a daisy but that is just about as far as my floral knowledge extends.
Anyway, I'm guessing I''m not the only person who went through life blissfully unaware of the names and characteristics of the most popular wedding flowers. So here's a handy guide. Choosing flowers that are in season can reduce your costs so it's worth checking out what's hot and what's not around the time of your wedding.
One of the things I found helpful when searching for wedding flowers was using Google Images. It's an easy way to see all the different varieties and colours of each typs of flower listed below and also to look at different types of bouquets that they can be included in. Someof my personal favorites are included in today's post. A photo of some hydrangea (although I didn't know then that's what it was called) inspired my wedding moodboard and I had some of the delicate but daring lisianthus in my bouquet. I've said before picking flowers was not something I looked forward to or was excited about but I was delighted with the end result and have come to realise how they help set the mood for the day.

Taking my husband's name - Insane?

2011-02-01T10:00:00.017Z

I completely understand why many women choose to keep their maiden name after they marry. In many ways, I think it’s easier to understand the rational for keeping your own surname than it is to understand why others, such as myself, choose to change theirs.

I remember a lot of people being surprised by the fact I was going to change my name. There were a few people who gave me strange looks and muttered under their breath ‘Oh, I didn’t think you were the type’ or words to that effect. I often felt the need to justify my decision.

This week I applied for a passport under my new name. It will be the first official document where I appear as Mrs Mc. Up until now, the change in my surname has been a bit of a novelty – like when we received our first Christmas cards addressed to Mrs and Mrs Mc. As I’ve kept my maiden name at work, I’ve as of yet rarely had the opportunity to introduce myself to people as Tink Mc.

Filling out the form has made it seem far more real and I’ve found myself reflecting on the reasons why I decided to change it in the first place. The decision to change your name or not is a very personal one. I’m not sure I can fully explain why it is something I did happily but I’ll at least try.

Firstly, I’m very proud of my maiden name. I love how it links me to my Dad, my granddad, my great grandfather and so on. But I feel just as strong a connection to my mum’s maiden name and indeed my grandmothers’ maiden names. I am equal parts Healy, Savage, Gavin and O’Toole. The fact that only one of these was my surname does not weaken my attachment to the others or the contribution each of these elements made to the woman I’ve become. For me, changing my name does not deny my family or my roots; it allows me to continue the tradition of threading the ties together.

Secondly, in answer to the charge that changing my name is a sign of subservience and a surrender of feminist ideals – I couldn’t disagree more. In the same way that a woman who chooses to keep her name exhibits her independence, I believe my choice to change does the same thing. It is the freedom and independence of my decision that is the matter of principle and not what choice I make.

Finally, I’m happy to take Mr Mc’s name as a public commitment not only to him but also to his family. Living just fifteen minutes from my parents, we see my family all the time. However, as Mr Mc’s family are in the North weeks can often go by without us seeing them. Becoming a Mc is my way of recognising the importance of his family to me and to show that I am honoured to have joined the clan.

Mood Board Monday: A Wedding Premiere

2011-01-31T10:00:00.004Z

As we're in the middle of movie award season today's mood board is about ignoring the recession and going all out for Hollywood glitz and glamour. If you and your betrothed are movie buffs and date nights at the cinema are one of your favourite ways to spend an evening this film premiere wedding theme might be a good fit for you. Instead of normal wedding invites, guest would receive tickets to the world premiere of your marriage. There would be red carpets, black tie, full length evening gowns and a breath-taking wedding dress studded with jewels. This wedding is all about the bling but there’s always room for popcorn at the movies.

Are You Cookie for Favours ?

2011-01-25T12:30:00.001Z

Are you going a little cookie trying to think of a sweet favor for your guests that won't break the bank? What about baking up a batch of delicous wedding cookies? Handy little short crust pastry cookies decorated with chocolate and sugar icing would look great on your tables, wrapped in florist celophane andtied with ribbons in your wedding colours. Look at these cute examples.

Your icing doesn't have to be as elaborate as these to still wow your guests. You can buy a wedding cookie cutter set on Amazon for €7 (apx)

Amazon Cookie Cutter Set

Mood Board Monday: Crazy About Mad Men

2011-01-24T10:00:00.008Z

My name is Tink and I'm a Mad Men-aholic. Phew - that wasn't too hard to admit after all!
For those of you not yet initiated into the 1960's world of Sterling Coopers' Advertising Agency on Madison Avenue, I urge you to get the box set but remember to watch responsibly. Over exposure to this series can lead to adiction and withdrawal from engagement with the twenty first century.
Don and Betty Draper are far from the paragon of wedded bliss, however the lead couple in the hit show are certainly the shining example of early 1960s style. The storylines are enthralling, but the amount of detail shown to set and costume design in this series is just as breathtaking. It made me think wouldn’t a Mad Men inspired wedding be just the ticket for any trendy retro-inclined couple.
Just look at these shots of some of the lead characters.

And this isn't all about the fabulous dresses - there's plenty for the boys too. Sharp tailored suits, white shirts and retro ties or bow ties. They might even want to push the boat out and wear a hat á la Don and his buddies. One of the things I like about the Mad Men inspired wedding is that men can get on board with it too and feel part of it but at the same time still feel comfortable too.

See what I mean? Wall-to-wall style and sophicitication!. It's no surprise then that other people have also thought about a Mad Men themed wedding. For example, I came across these groovy free Save the Date templates on the Wedding Chicks Blog.

Perhaps though you're looking less for a theme and more for some subtle style inspiration. Well maybe today's mood board will be of some assistance.

If that's not bridal enough for you then check out the selection from Brides Online Austrailia below. It leans more towards the Grace Kelly look and these conventional touches might soften the look if you are worried about an overly styled affair.

Take Note of the Free Downloads from Betsy White

2011-01-19T12:00:00.000Z

Everybody loves free stuff. Everybody particularly loves free stuff in the middle of January when their last pay cheque is a distant memory lost in the haze of time, christmas presents and new year sales.
Well why not treat yourself to some adorable stationery templates from Betsy White. All you need is some good quality paper and a colour printer and you're away in a hack (not sure exactly what it means to be 'away in a hack' but I'm pretty sure it's a good thing in these recessionary times).
Check out the very classy Mr & Mrs note card template which is available here is a variety of colours.

Or what about these fab customisable Save the Dates available here

Easy-peasy wedding cake

2011-01-18T11:30:00.003Z

I have a new favourite programme. Lorraine Pascal’s, Baking Made Easy on BBC 2 does exactly what it says on the tin. Lorraine (in a mildly irritating manner, it has to be said) presents lots of delightful recipes to wow your friends and family but with minimum effort. It’s two episodes in and so far of the thirteen different things she made, there is one I wouldn’t at least be tempted to try my hand at (although I would make some ingredient substitutions – I find her penchant for figs disturbing).

Yum yum yum

So far though, the stand out recipe for me has been her aptly titled “I can’t believe you made that” cake. It is a basic (but nonetheless yummy) chocolate sponge covered in chocolate butter cream icing. It’s the presentation though that I really swooned for. Lorraine decorated the sides of the cake with chocolate cigarellos – don’t sweat you can order them on the internet and covers the top with a huge mound of rasberries. Chocolate, covered in chocolate surrounded by chocolate and topped off with berry delights – what’s not too love. I can’t wait to try it out.

Sharon Hearnes the Irish Food stylist worked on the show. Here's a pic of the wedding version of the cake (photo from Sharon's very yummy food blog)

It struck me though that for brides looking to save money and with a friend or relation happy to whip this up on the morning of the wedding, the recipe could make a stunning wedding cake. By making two or even three of these cakes and displaying them on stepped cake stands, these would look pretty impressive. If you wanted it to look more weddingish, you could simply use white chocolate cigarellos and top with white chocolate roses (don’t worry you can also buy those on the internet).

Anyway whether it’s for a wedding, a birthday or just a yummy treat for yourself check out the recipe here.

Mood Board Monday: A colour palate less ordinary

2011-01-17T09:30:00.000Z

There are a certain number of stock wedding colour combinations out there which we've all seen so many times. This not a criticism - these classics are a firm favourite because they work so well. Having said that, it's nice to see that more people are deciding to go for less predictable combinations and using a broader spectrum of colours, rather than the traditional two complimentary or contrasting tones. Today’s mood board tries to that using mulberry, poppy, harvest sunshine and starlight silvers.

Guest's Eye View

2011-01-14T09:30:00.009Z

I could use today’s post to take you through the formal reception part of our wedding. I could fill you in course by course on the meal (let’s just say every morsel was delicious). I could summarise each of the speeches - how they made us cry (happy tears) and split our sides laughing with amusing anecdotes (like when Dad recounted the story of the time I thought aliens has landed). I could tell you all about how our guests raved about our band The Best Men and how the dance floor was jammed for the entire night as young and old bopped away. (The video record of the dance floor antics equates to pure comic gold). I could regale you with the stories of how my cousin (aka the Piano Man) led a large contingent of our guests in a singsong that lasted until the hotel staff began to set up for breakfast (needless to say Mr Mc and I had snuck off at a respectable 4am). But I won’t. Today I’m handing over to our guests and some of the photos they take of the day. This is how they saw our day.

The boys looking a little anxious. Above right is one of our homemade mass booklets and the rose Mr Mc handed me when I reached the top of ailse

Trixiebelle beside the cool trees my aunty sourced and decorated for outisde the church (above left) Momabelle and Mr Mc Senior share a joke on their way out of the church (bottom left). I just loved Mum's hat.

Warming up in front of the fire (top left). The bridesmaids' table - offical and unoffical (top right). Trixiebelle's husband fills Mr Mc in on the secrets of success with the in laws (midde bottom). How cool is Jenabelles hat? (bottom right)

Our first dance - we managed not to trip each other up which was quite an accomplishment for us two.

You thought I was kidding when I said young and old were dancing away.

We all got a bit carried away on the dancefloor.

Music, Magic, Macaroons and how I met Mr Mc

2011-01-13T09:30:00.026Z

So after all the excitment, lots of hugs and kisses, posing for photographs and revealing my runners to those who had failed to spot them on the altar, Mr Mc and I were delighted to have ten minutes to ourselves to enjoy the journey in the Austin Princess from the church to the hotel. Over a glass of champagne, we caught up on how each other's morning had been and laughed about how much fun the day had been so far.

I've mentioned before how much Mr Mc and I adored the grounds of Mount Juliet. During one visit to the Hotel, Shane the assistant manager had brought us on a drive around the estate pointing out the countless places to get amazing wedding shots. When the day came though, we decided we'd much rather spend the time with our friends and family than gallavanting around the 1500 acre estate. Instead we limited ourselves to the romantic walled garden. Susan and John got so many fantastic shots but here's just a tiny sample of their work.

While unposed photographs are normally the ones that appeal to me most, I really love this picture. I think it has a sort of magical quality about it.

With the formal photos out of the way, we got back to the main house where the party was well underway. A roaring fire greeted guests in the entrance hall and The Best Men jazz duet really added to the warm and relaxed atmosphere. This was another one of my favourite parts of the day - just getting to catch up with our guests and enjoy their company.

I probably haven't given enough credit in my posts so far to our groomsmen and bridesmaids. They did an amazing job on the day and it meant the world to me and Mr Mc to have them by our side on the most important day of our lives.

(I know it's a cheesy one but I just love the cheeky grins on everyones faces - it really captures the fun that these six very special people brought to our day)

After some hors d'œuvres and scrumptious Laduree macaroons our guests headed down to Kendals were the dinner would take place. ( I should say that I can only assume some guests managed to nab a macaroon or two because it might well have been the case that I ate them all by myself - yum yum!). In the weeks leadng up to the wedding, we had collected photographs of as many of the guests as possible. Some of the photographs were taken forthy years ago. We hung the photos on string using minature pegs at the entrance to the reception area. As guests arrived they had great fun firstly trying to spot themselves and secondly trying to identify the other guests in the photos. Meanwhile Mr Mc and I used the time alone to relax for a few minutes, put our feet up and just take in the day so far.

Mr Mc and I steal some time alone - or so we thought!

Another reason Mr Mc and I loved Mount Juliet was because of the contrast between the main house were the reception took place and the golf club were we had the meal. The main house is very grand and impressive while the club house is much more relaxed and rustic. We loved the wooden beams and massive windows in the resutarant were the meal took place - it was so far removed from your normal 'function room'.

For our guest book, we asked our guests to write, draw or simply sign patches of material. The idea behind this is that the patches are then used to create a quilt. I'll be honest, it's nearly four months since our wedding and the quilt still isn't finished yet - but it's getting there.
As Mr Mc and I met at Oxegen in 2004, we named our tables after bands that played that year and we tried to match the table names to the guests in as far as possible so my cousins sat at the Woo Tang Clan table and Mr Mc aunts were at the Scissor Sister table.

We had both bought our tickets for Oxegen 2004 based on the fact that Bowie was due to play there that year. Bowie never made it to Oxegen but Mr Mc and I met and the rest as they say is history. It seemed only right that we should honour the White Duke by calling the top table after him.

Walking into the restaurant as the new Mrs Mc, arm and arm with my husband to the smiles, applause and cheers of our amazing family and friends is another one of the many magical memories I have of that day.

Get me to the church (sort of) on time

2011-01-12T09:30:00.019Z

So finally all the preparations were completed and there was no more that could be done but enjoy the day.
I had asked my uncle to drive me to the church but Moma and Papabelle pulled a rabbit from a hat and surprised me with a vintage car when I came down the stairs. And not just any vintage car – an Austin Princess, the same model car Mum had take her to the church on the morning of their wedding. I had thought our day would be full of surprises for our guests and it was but I wasn’t prepared for all the surprises that were in store for me. Like the beautiful bracelet and five bouquets of roses Mr Mc had delivered and the fabulous car – I really was made to feel like a total princess.
We were actually all ready a little ahead of schedule so myself, my parents and the bridesmaids spent a few minutes just sitting in the kitchen letting the minutes tick by before we headed to the church.

It had been raining on and off all morning and had just started again as we left the house for the church. I had promised Mr Mc I would be no more than ten minutes late (just to allow some time for the late comers) and I lived up to my word – even over taking some lost guests on our way through the town.

Luckily just as we arrived at the church the rain stopped. It didn’t seem too long before we were standing outside the church and our photos were taken and we were ready to go. Olabelle, followed by Marabelle and then Trixiebelle made their way down the aisle as my cousin played Sigur Ros 's Hoppipolla. Suddenly the doors swung open and I could hear the whispers of friends and families as they stood and turned to face down towards Dad and I. I will never forget the feeling as their amazing warmth and joy rushed over me. It was like everyone standing there smiling was blasting me with their good wishes and love. I’m not normally one to cry at happy occasions but, in that instant, the emotion I felt from everyone was so strong that if it wasn’t for my Dad silently calming me down with a little reassuring squeeze of his hand, I think I would have gone to pieces.I nearly lost it again when Mr Mc handed me a single rose when I reached the top of the aisle.

I know it’s a cliché but the ceremony really was the most important part of the day for Mr Mc and I. It meant so much that a family friend was able to officiate for us and that cousins and friends performed the music for us. The ceremony felt very personal and this meant we both felt at ease the whole way through. I think Susan and John captured this in their photographs of the mass and we are so grateful to them for this.

Before we knew it, it was all over. We were Mr and Mrs – signed, sealed and delivered. As we walked down the aisle arm in arm, the door swung open and sunshine flooded the church - it seemed like fate had played a part in us choosing the Beatles, Here Comes the Sun as the music to end the mass . We were on a high as we hugged everyone leaving the church. There was such a great atmosphere outside the church as friends and family embraced each other and looked forward to the party that lay ahead.

A wedding dress, some alterations and a scissors

2011-01-11T09:00:00.003Z

I’ve written previously about searching for my dress, the doubts that crept in and the relief when I realised I’d made the right decision. Today's post is about the dress I picked and what I did to it. I chose the Emily gown by Enzoani. My mum had picked it up in the store and we both loved the collar and the cap sleeves.

Emily by Enzonai

However, when I tried it on it was obvious to my mum, the ladies in the shop and myself that all that the lace around my neck and arms didn’t suit me. I felt like the dress was trying to swallow me whole. I loved every other detail about the dress though – particularly the detailed cathedral length train and the way the floaty outer layer masked a fitted mermaid gown underneth. I was reluctantly hanging it back on the rail when the lady in the shop said "Well you could always just remove the lace from around the neck and shoulders. The bodice would be tight enough to hold up the dress on it's own". I'll admit I was fairly sceptical about my ability to carry a strapless dress but it all worked out in the end.

Trixiebelle and Olabelle help me into my dress. The veil was my sister's and served as my 'something borrowed" on the day.

Phyllis in All Alterations in Dublin 8 did a fantastic job on my alterations. During one of my fittings, we were talking about how it would be difficult to dance in the dress, even when it was bustled up) because there was so much material. There were seven layers to the dress and I wanted to see if it was possible to make the top layer detachable (as this was the layer with the train).

The new Mr and Mrs Mc arrive at the hotel. While it was very easy to wear, there were seven layers to the dress which wouldn't have been ideal for dancing the night away..

Phyllis suggested that it would be much easier for me just to cut it off after the dinner so I’d be able to dance away to my heart’s content. So that’s what I did – yes I cut my dress half way through the reception. It sounds a lot more dramatic than it actually was and in fairness it’s not as if I’m planning on ever wearing it again.

Momabelle, Trixiebelle and I after the dress has undergone it's elective surgery.

If you aren't completely bored of the details about our wedding yet then drop by tomorrow when I'll be blogging about the church and the ceremony.

Let's Begin at the Beginining

2011-01-10T09:00:00.020Z

This is a post about beginnings. The beginning of this blog, the beginnings of our wedding planning and the start of our wedding day.

Happy Birthday - The Blog is a year old this week

“If a tree falls in a wood and there is nobody there to hear it, does it make a noise?” so asked the famous Irish philosopher George Berkeley. When I started this blog this week twelve months ago, I was wondering something similar - if a blog is launched and nobody reads it - is it blog? Well a year on and 10,547 blog visitors later (according to google analytics), it seems my prediction that I’d be another lost voice in cyberspace was wrong. Thank you to all the guest bloggers who have contributed posts over the past year and most importantly to all of you who have become regular visitors to the blog. I hope you have enjoyed the journey as much as I have. I’m still not sure what the final destination is for this blog but I’m planning to keep it up for as long as I’m having fun and there are people out there interested in what I have to say.

This week I’m going to share my wedding with you – the story and the images. The story is ours - mine and Mr Mc’s, the images are from Susan Jefferies and her partner John who did an amazing job capturing our day.

Deas on the morning of the wedding. It was great having her there while we got ready but as she couldn't come to the Church or reception she spent two nights being pampered at the Happy Paws Hotel in nearby Bennetsbridge.

The story begins with our dog – Deas. Before Mr Mc and I got engaged, we decided to head away for a few days with my family. There were three criteria for picking our rental home. Firstly, it had to be within two hours of Dublin as we didn’t want to spend too much time travelling . Secondly, it had to sleep eight people comfortably. The final and most challenging criteria was that it had to allow pets as Deas would be coming with us. We could find only one place capable of meeting our needs – Dysart Castle in Thomastown, Co Kilkenny.

These photos were taken at Dysart as we got ready. I don't think our wedding had a theme but trees were certainly a reoccuring motif such as on our invitations (bottom left) . Our umbrellas came in handy during the day (bottom right). Mr Mc surprised me with deliveries of roses throughout the morning.

Dysart, birthplace of the aforementioned George Berkeley, is a truly magical place. The fishing lodge where guest stay has a real rustic charm but with lots of room and all the modern comforts. The house sits atop a 100 acre estate that sweeps down to the river and overlooks the ancient castle ruins where the young George made his entry into the world. With a family of pot belly pigs roaming around, it’s a place that feels quirky and homily at the same time.

The morning was very relaxed. As we got our hair and make up done we muched through sandwiches and a tin of roses and a glass or two of bubbly. I was so happy with my bouquet from All About Flowers and loved my African wedding beads which I used as my something blue.

The bridesmaids' gold shoes worked really well with their purple dresses. I wouldn't say my converse where the perfect match for my dress but anyone who knows me would agree they were certainly the perfect match for me. I thought the girls looked fantastic in their dresses.

During that weekend in Dysart we also decided to visit Mount Juliet hotel. Mr Mc and I fell head over heels in love with the hotel - the spectacular landscape, the friendly staff, cosy bar and grand sitting rooms. When Mr Mc proposed a few months later, we both knew that there was only one place we could imagine getting married – Mount Juliet.

Meanwhile the boys got ready in Mount Juliet. As we were getting married in Kilkenny it seemed only right that the groomsmen presents were personalised hurleys. They had great fun mucking around with them in their suits. Mr Mc is a huge Beatles fan so I had bought him Yellow Submarine cufflinks as a present.

Over the course of this week. I'm planning on taking a different element of the wedding each day. Tomorrow will be a short post about my dress, so be sure and pop by if your interested.

Books and Blogs

2011-01-06T09:00:00.005Z

One of my new year’s resolutions is to set up a book club. I’ve put together a nice little website, scoped out the perfect venue (the Library Bar -of course!), chosen the book for our first meeting and have a good few people already signed up – Yay for me. On the downside, I haven’t spent much time writing new material for the blog (thereby contravening another of my new year’s resolutions).

Contemplating this imbalance between the book club and the blog made me think wouldn’t a library themed wedding be so much fun. Invites could be in the form of library cards, book titles could become table names, the seating plan could be laid out on alphabetised index cards. For a couple with literary leanings, there would be so many fun ways to apply this theme and yet still keep a romantic and stylish feel to the day. So here is my moodboard for the perfect library themes wedding. In case your wondering, the library venue pictured below is the sumptious Number 6 in Kildare Street Dublin.

Afternoon Tea - A perfect pearl!

2011-01-04T09:00:00.006Z

Anyone who knows me knows that my Achilles heel is old school afternoon tea. Cream buns, tea, floral partterns, fresh flowers and champagne bubbles – seriously you have to be made of steel not to surrender to such an arsenal of lovliness. That’s why when my sister came up with the idea of throwing me an afternoon tea themed hen party I was over the moon. Trixiebelle, Momabelle and I had so much fun buying unusual tea cups wherever we went in the months before the hen party and it was great being able to give each of the girls their own cup to bring home with them at the end of the day.

I think dainty cups and pretty tea pots are great way to add a quirky vintage feel to any event – whether it be a hen, a birthday party or even a wedding. However for larger groups , it might not be possible to buy everything you need. Not too worry help is at hand in the form of Pearl and Godiva. This Victorian-loving duo have recently established a styling and vintage china hire company to cater for the needs of event and wedding planners in Ireland. They have the most gorgeous collection of china from tiny and twee to funky and fun. Hmmm I think it's time I put my thinking hat on and came up with a valid reason for another tea party - in the meantime I'm just going to pop over to the P&G website and drool over the prettiness.

Happy New Year

2010-12-31T14:09:00.000Z

Here's to an amazing 2011.

Tips on Planning a New Year's Eve Wedding

2010-12-31T10:00:00.001Z

From New Year's Eve

In recent year’s, New Year’s Eve has become a really popular date for weddings. As well as the obvious romance of marrying on the last day of the year, there are a lot of benefits to a NYE wedding. Firstly, everyone is in a celebratory mood anyway and most people have the next day off work. People who live abroad are more likely to be home for Christmas and you may save on decor costs as many venues will have their own Christmas decorations up. However, there are some drawbacks but with some planning you should be able to overcome these. Here are Tink’s top tips for a new year’s eve wedding;

Book your venue as early as possible. New Year’s eve is a very popular date for weddings and hotels often host lucrative NYE gala balls so the longer you leave it the more difficult it might be to find the perfect venue. It’s also likely to be more expensive to have your wedding on this date and guests looking for local accommodation are likely to be charged premium rates. It’s certainly worth considering alternatives to hotels for an NYE event such as a privately-owned country house which can be rented out in full by the wedding party or a modern and edgy space in the city where you can higher in caters etc to meet your every whim.
Find out whether the venue will have its own Christmas decorations and if you can make a visit the Christmas before and see how they look and how they will fit in with your flowers and planned colour scheme.
Speaking of flowers, most florists receive their last shipment of flowers for the year on the day before Christmas eve – that’s more than a week before the wedding date. So choose your flowers carefully and speak to your florist about how they will be stored and kept fresh for your big day. Also consider artificial arrangements which may well work out cheaper and be less risky.
Also the opening hours of other services such as hairdressers and beauticians are likely to be curtailed during Christmas week and those that are open or mobile providers who will come to your house/ the hotel on the morning of the wedding are likely to be very busy on new year’s eve so be sure to make your arrangements as much in advance as possible.
Talk to your band about how you would like them to do the countdown to midnight and what song they should play when the clock strikes 12. Maybe surprise your guests by handing out sparklers or party poppers or, my personal new year favourite, Chinese paper lanterns. If you feel like pushing the boat out you could also consider a fireworks display - weather permitting of course.
Oh yeah the weather! As we’ve seen over the past week, snow and ice can really put the kibosh on people’s travel’s plans at this time of year. It might be worth considering choosing a venue that’s local to the majority of guests – I know this isn’t always possible as the two families can be from different countries never mind about different counties. I suppose what I’m saying is to maybe think twice about choosing very remote locations for weddings at this time of year. It might be the most beautiful venue you’ve ever seen but if the roads to are impassable that’s not going to be much use to anyone.

Away with the Bridal Fairies

2010-12-30T09:30:00.002Z

One of my new year resolutions is to spend more time writing material for the blog rather than just posting images all the time. As it's not the new year yet though, I just couldn't resist sharing these enchanting images with you which I found on the Cinderella project.

The Sweetest Christmas Greetings to You and Yours

2010-12-24T08:40:00.001Z

Thanks to Eadoin on the fab City of Blackbirds for this delicious graphic

And the winner of our Pretty as a Picture Competition is...

2010-12-23T08:48:00.003Z

Charlene who described the work as "Elegant, classy timeless pieces".

For the week that's in it

2010-12-23T08:37:00.003Z

A modern christmas moodboard from the Cinderella Project.

A head for fashion

2010-12-22T09:07:00.000Z

Looking for an unusal piece to wear in your hair on your wedding day or are you thinking of giving your bridesmaid a vintage twist? Then checkout Whichgoose on Etsy. They have the most beautiful hair combs which could be worn by members of the wedding party or even by a wedding guest simply looking to finish off their outfit.
Santa, if you're reading, and you've any room left on your sleigh I will happily take any one of these;

Today I'm loving....

2010-12-21T10:12:00.000Z

this fab wedding I found over on Flash Dance. It's got groovy written all over it.

This competition is now closed

2010-12-17T09:00:00.004Z

So are you trying to think of the perfect wedding/anniversary/Christmas/birthday gift for the woman who seems to have everything? I might have just the thing for you. Pretty as a Picture is the brainchild of two Irish graphic designers, Aibhe Ryan and Jane O’Sullivan. As well as bespoke letterpress and digital stationery , they create custom pieces of art and specialises in fabulous wedding dress portraits.
What a beautiful gift to give the recent or soon-to-be bride in your life – her dress immortalised in a stunning piece of art that can take pride of place in her home. Given that the first anniversary is the paper anniversary this would be an ideal gift from a husband to give his wife to celebrate their first year of married life (Mr Mc if you’re reading –hint,hint,nidge,nudge). I also think this would make a lovely gift from a bridesmaid to a bride. You can either surprise the lucky lady with the actual illustration by emailing photographs of the dress to Pretty as a Picture or you can present them with a voucher and allow her to pick the photographs she wants the illustration to be based on.

So I’m absolutely delighted that Aibhe and Jane are offering readers the chance to win a €150 voucher which can be used for a custom piece of art such as a wedding dress illustration. Entry is easy – just pop on over to their website and sign up to the newsletter and post a commentin the comment section below this post summing up Pretty as a Picture’s style. Aibhe and Jane will pick the best comment and the lucky person will either have a great treat for themselves or a fantastic present to give to someone this Christmas. Closing date for entries is Tuesday 21st December at 5pm (Irish time). Best of luck people!

A Puzzling Guestbook

2010-12-16T09:30:00.006Z

Regular readers will know I just don’t see the point of regular wedding guest books. Your friends and family take the time to write you messages of love and best wishes on the happiest of days and these end up gathering dust on a bookshelf or worse at the bottom of an old box in your attic. I really think it makes far more sense to come up with creative ideas which allow your ‘guestbook’ to become a focal point in your home. This unusual idea from BellaPuzzlesToo on Etsy is a customised jigsaw in the shape of your choosing and can include your names, the date and location of your ceremony etc. Guests sign the jigsaw pieces. In fairness, as €190 it’s fairly pricey but even if you aren’t going to splash that much cash I think it’s the concept that’s most important here and I’m sure with a little bit of creativity couples can come up with something just as interesting and as beautiful to display in their homes.

A little teaser..

2010-12-15T11:30:00.009Z

We've just recieved our photos from our wedding photographer, Susan Jefferies and we couldn't be happier with them. I can't wait to share some of them with you but in the meantime here's a little teaser...

The reason I've chosen this one is because we have a very special competition coming up on the blog on Friday and it involves wedding dress images....hmmm I think I've said enough. Be sure and drop by on Friday to find out more.

Simply Perfect

2010-12-14T11:46:00.003Z

I love the simple but classic paper details of this wedding from 100 Layer cake. These are all so easy and cheap to do and yet look stunning.

Today I'm loving...

2010-12-13T10:00:00.001Z

this urban wedding I found on Ruffled . I love the hip feel of this wedding and how they have managed to combined the edgy cityscape withe the softness of an evening waterside ceremony.
The blue and red details are really wonderful too.

Picture Perfect

2010-12-07T09:00:00.001Z

Congratulations to Harry and Shauna Kennedy who got married yesterday and who are featured on the RTE website today. The photo was taken by http://www.couple.ie/

They're Snow Cute

2010-12-03T09:00:00.001Z

Okay I'm still loving the snow and it made me think what a perfect wedding favour a snow globe would make for a winter wedding.

My other favourite festive favours include these very DIYable mini brownie pops, snowflake krispie treats and personalised lollipops. If you don't feel like investing some quality make-and-do time they are all available from Beaucoup.

A christmas gift to remember

2010-12-02T09:00:00.001Z

Okay today's post isn't so much for brides or grooms to be. It's more for newly-weds or people trying to come up with Christmas gift ideas for newly-weds. I love these First Married Christmas Ornaments from Etsy. Of course most of these you could make yourself - DIY gifts are all the rage in this era of recession chic don't you know!

Today I'm loving...

2010-12-01T09:30:00.002Z

this cure favour packet from Crafty Pagan designs on etsy.

For those of you feeling a little festive on the first day of December check out their vintage gift tags as well.

DIY Treasure Trove

2010-11-30T09:00:00.002Z

I've been a massive fan of the 100 Layer Cake Wedding Blog so I was absolutely delighted to discover their new website has finally been launched. It's full of great DIY ideas and here are some of my faves.

Bridesmaid Gift

Bridal party Survival Kit

Vintage Wallpaper Invites

Thank You - The Tink and Mr Mc Way

2010-11-26T09:30:00.007Z

Some of you might recall that as part of my wedding present to Mr Mc I decided to ask the briliant Nan Lawson to do an illustration of us both with our dog. Mr Mc loved the end result and as our wedding photos aren't ready yet, we thought it was the perfect image to put on our thank you cards which we ordered from PhotoBox. As they had a deal running when we ordered them, we got 100 high gloss cards and envelopes for €45 - not bad, not bad at all.

My new favorite wedding shop...

2010-11-25T09:00:00.000Z

Sometimes I stumble across something that makes me all giddy and smiley like yesterday when I found Le Chic Wedding Boutique. I don't think there is a single thing in this fab online shop that I don't like. From their fashion pieces to their table dressings and ceremony details - everything is fun and fresh. Just flicking through the pages will spark lots of ideas of how you could fit the products into your day or make your own DIY versions (as in fairness some of these are little overpriced). Here's just a few of the highlights for me;

French Country Moss Table Numbers $12.50

Strawberry Cheesecake Set of 8 Pom Poms

Miyuki Feather Head Piece $59

All these shapes and styles from just one dress. Bridesmaid Infinity Dress $98

Lace up your wedding

2010-11-24T11:30:00.000Z

Lace is all the rage on the highstreet this season. If you are thinking about using this timeless trend for you wedding try being a bit edgy and add some vintage chic with some black lace details like these I found over on Ruffled.

Funking up your footwear - the cheap way!

2010-11-23T12:33:00.002Z

Regular wedding blog readers will I'm sure have come across these Vivienne Westwood shoes that seem a popular choice for lots of American brides. If your budget doesn't stretch that far though or perhaps plastic shoes just aren't your cup of tea, try personalising your own with some shoe clips. I love these sequence hearts from bando but a quick google search will open up an array of possibilities for funking up your footwear.

On reflection

2010-11-19T11:30:00.001Z

Making our ceremony personal to us as a couple was really important to both of us. We did this in number of ways - the celebrant was a priest we have both known for a long time, the music and singing was performed by family and friends and we spent time picking the readings and writing our prayers of the faithful. We also wanted the Reflection to have meaning to us both and to be something we would always cherish. We asked our good friend Benn to read the reflection and also to help us find something that fitted the bill. When we came across Sonnet 17 from Pablo Neruda there was no doubt in any of our minds that we'd found what we were looking for.

Extract from Sonnet 17 by Pablo Neruda

I love you as the plant that never blooms
but carries in itself the light of hidden flowers;
thanks to your love a certain solid fragrance,
risen from the earth, lives darkly in my body.

I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where.
I love you straightforwardly, without complexities or pride;
So I love you because I know no other way than this:
in which there is no I or you,
so close that your hand on my chest is my hand,
so close that your eyes close as I fall asleep.

Anemone's and poetry

2010-11-18T15:24:00.002Z

I found this amazingly bold but delicate bouquet on Amour Amour . I love this mix of anemones and peonies and those wrappings are just so perfect.

Today I'm loving...

2010-11-17T09:00:00.001Z

...this classic and dramatic DIY from OnceWed. Some old glass bottles and jam jars, white flowers (maybe fake ones from Ikea/Dunnes) and some fishing line and you're away in a hack.

Wedding Tip #2: Sometimes Great Just Isn't good Enough

2010-11-15T13:00:00.009Z

Okay it’s obvious that you should choose great suppliers who you are confident can provide you with what you’re looking for. However when it comes to the people you are going to have around you on the morning of the wedding you need more than great suppliers. You need people who you are delighted to have around you as you prepare for the big day, people you feel comfortable and relaxed around.

Dawn at work

If you are having your hair and make-up done by professionals on the morning of the wedding, it goes without saying that you should have trials done beforehand. As well as trusting their professional abilities, I think it’s important that you click with the person and that you are actually looking forward to them pampering you on the morning of your wedding.

In my case, I couldn’t have been happier with my make-up artist and hair dresser. I found Dawn on the web and really liked her portfolio on her website Glamour by Dawn. When I booked her I asked her for a recommendation for someone in the South East who could do my hair on the morning – she recommended Marie from Bridal Hair by Marie. The fact that Dawn is getting married in a few months and has booked Marie for her hair on the day really was a ringing endorsement. They’ve also done lots of weddings together in the past so I knew they would work well with each other. Dawn and Marie both gave me brilliant advice at the trials and recommended things I would never have thought of myself . While they were only small little touches, they worked so well on the day, providing the perfect finishing touches. It's in their attention to detail in completing the look where you can really see the benefit of their experience.
On the morning of the wedding, they were like a military precision beauty swot team. They had everything perfectly timed so there was always one person getting their hair done and one getting their make-up done. We all felt so at ease with them and this really helped ensure there was a fantastic atmosphere getting ready. Everyone was delighted with their hair and make up and they all looked amazing in the photographs.

Marie helping with the finishing touches

In the middle of all are beautifying, Tara from “It's All About Flowers” arrived to drop off our bouquets and the buttonholes for the men. As I mentioned in an earlier post, I had been very uninspired when it first came to picking our wedding flowers but Tara changed all that. She made some fantastic suggestions and although I wasn’t entirely sure what the end result would look like I was never worried about it because I knew she had it all under control. She did an amazing job taking the ideas I had in my head and bringing them to life. Mr Mc further complicated her work by having her deliver roses to me every hour before the mass. She must have been run ragged trying to get the church and reception flowers set up while getting back to me every hour but she took it all in her stride. Each time she arrived with a massive smile and an even more beautiful arrangement.

Tara, Dawn and Marie played a really important role in making everything run so smoothly on the day. Not only did they deliver beautiful flowers, flawless make up and amazing hair, they each did their jobs with the upmost professionalism and friendliness.

Tara arrives with another bouquet

As bizarre as this sounds...

2010-11-10T09:00:00.000Z

I'm actually quite intrigued by this peculiar pedicure.

The Doctor fish (Garra Rufa) are are unique bottom-feeding freshwater fish found living the Middle East. The mineral content and warmth of the water they live in creates a scarcity of food. It is believed that because of the limited availability of food, the Doctor Fish have developed their unusual behaviour of nibbling dead skin cells from people in the water.

Once feet have been placed in the warm water, the Doctor Fish begin to investigate. Apparently is starts out feeling ticklish but then the fish begin to act as a stimulating, yet relaxing massage with one hundred twenty five of them running their little suction cup mouths along your feet and toes. Don't worry - these inch-long fish have no teeth!

They seek out and remove dead skin, bacteria and calluses while rejuvenating healthy skin. The initial feeling of trepidation dissipates quickly as the tingling sensations mimic a massage.

Today "The Best Daily Deals" is offering the fish pedicure for €22 (it's usually €45) at Margarita salon in Sutton, Dublin 13.

For those of you preparing for your wedding this might be a good way to get those feet preped and pampered - and for €22 that's no cod! (sorry I couldn't help it).

Pastel Prettiness

2010-11-09T11:30:00.001Z

I like the idea of different bridesmaid dresses and colours but I think generally they need to have some element to tie them altogether, a thread that runs through not only the bridesmaids outfits but the look and feel of the weddings itself. These feminine pastels really highilght the romanticism of this wedding from The Cinderella Project.

Today I'm loving...

2010-11-08T11:30:00.000Z

this selection of buttionaires from Brooklyn Bride.

You know I love etsy...but

2010-11-05T09:00:00.000Z

sometimes I find rather than a place to buy things its often a good place to get ideas for DIY projects you could do yourself at a much lower cost. I was just having a look on their wedding section for something I could feature today when I spotted a programme cover that looked remarkably like the ones we made. Okay granted their's looks more professional and elaborate and is made out of far more expensive materials than we used but I think the overall look of them both is very similar. Not bad given the etsy one costs €8 each (not including posting and packaging) and ours cost us about 70c each. By switching the string we used for green ribbon you'd increase the price a bit but it would cost nowhere near the amount of buying the ready-made one.

Etsy's €8 version

The front (right) and back (left) of our 70c version

Today I am loving...

2010-11-04T09:30:00.003Z

this fresh and feminine moodboard from Ruffled.

Wedding Tip #1: Chill out before the big day

2010-11-03T09:30:00.003Z

Okay over the next few weeks I am going to write a couple of posts about things that I learned from our wedding and that can hopefully help others.

I think one of the things that contributed to Mr Mc and I enjoying our wedding day so much is that we were able to completely relax in the days immediately before the wedding and spend some time with our closest friends and family. This was aided by the fact that we were getting married in Thomastown in Co. Kilkenny. Once we got to Thomastown we had no alternative but to start to unwind and really enjoy the final run up to the big day.

The fishing Lodge and Castle Keep at Dysart

Our two immediate families headed down to Thomastown two days before the wedding. My family rented the fishing lodge and castle keep at Dysart Castle as I didn't want to stay in the hotel before the night of the wedding. My Dad cooked a delicious meal for both of the families on the Thursday night and we had a lovely relaxed evening together.

The next day dozens of friends and family started to arrive down. My relations called and we sat out in the beautiful sunshine to enjoy a tasty lunch, some champage and the spectacular view down to the river and the castle.

Above:The ruins of Dysart Castle Below: out for
a walk with my friends

That night the rest of my family headed up to the hotel to meet the other guests who had arrived. This worked out perfectly as it meant I had some time in the house alone with my closest friends who had called by for dinner. . Mr Mc even managed to sneak away from the hotel and come and have dinner with us which made it even more special. After dinner we all went for a walk around the castle estate, down to the river and across to the old castle ruins. It was fantastic having some time to just relax and chat with them before meeting up the rest of the guest later that night.After our walk (and some more champagne), we headed down to the local pub, Carroll's where everyone who had travelled down had gathered. There was a great atmosphere and it was brilliant to see both our extended families and friends all mixing together and so excited for us.

I really think having the couple of days to relax and spend quality time with our families and friends before the big day helped us to enjoy our wedding all the more.

Only 53 sleeps till....

2010-11-01T09:30:00.002Z

...Christmas! I know, I know it's far too early to be thinking about Christmas but I spotted (pardon the pun) this polka dot decoration in Marks and Spencers this weekend. As soon as I saw it, I imagined a couple putting up their tree together and then just as they finished he would hand her one last decoration...except this one is different. It opens up and he's hidden a sparkling engagement ring inside.

Photo Friday: An Outdoor Wedding....in Ireland

2010-10-29T10:41:00.018+01:00

Trawling through American wedding websites, I’ve been struck by the huge proportion of weddings they have outdoors. I can really see the appeal of getting married under a large oak tree or barefoot on a beautiful beach but as I’ve avoided featuring these because I just didn’t think getting married outside was a possibility in Ireland until Gina & Gary from Clique photographic got in touch about a recent wedding they covered in Mayo. Gary invited me to use one or two of the pictures here but when I saw the post on their blog I just had to feature the whole thing. For more great Clique post be sure to check out their blog here.

Recently we had the pleasure of photographing an outdoor wedding in Mayo. Since wedding laws have changed in Ireland to allow weddings take place in locations other than a church or registrars office, this has opened up the options available to people considerably. Here are some of the pictures below:

Often one of the perks mentioned of having a wedding abroad is that the fine weather allows an outside ceremony, so we were eager to see what an outdoor wedding in Ireland would turn out like. Well I can’t lie, it did rain but it was only a brief shower and that passed quickly. There was a relaxed atmosphere and we just waited a few minutes for the sun to come out and then procedeed as planed. It went off beautifully.

Today I'm loving...

2010-10-27T09:30:00.001+01:00

this simple and cheap idea I found for place setting on With This Ring

A knutty tableplan idea

2010-10-26T10:00:00.002+01:00

My sis sent me this pic of a funky table plan using a Graham Knuttell print. I love the quikiness of this and the idea of playfully manipulating iconic art.

You already know I'm not cool so I don't mind admitting this

2010-10-21T06:37:00.002+01:00

It really isn’t cool to say ‘My wedding was the best day of my life’. Even seeing the words written down makes me cringe. It would be far cooler to say something like ‘Yeah, it was a good but it just one day, just a good party’. I should say something like that in a nonchalant, shrug-of-the-shoulders kind of way. But then I’m not cool, (I write a wedding blog, for heaven’s sake). And I feel like our wedding was so much more than ‘just another party’.
I love weddings – even if it’s not someone very close to me, or even if it someone I don’t know at all – I just love the joy and happiness and excitement of them. So I always knew I’d enjoy our own wedding day but never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that it would be the magical day that it was.
People warned us that the day would go very fast and that we would feel like we were in a bubble and that the day would just pass us by. I honestly don’t feel like it did – I think we lived, loved and savoured every minute of it. Everything we wanted from the day we got – all are loved ones together to celebrate with us, a very personal ceremony, a yummy meal, relaxed speeches and a fun-filled night on the dance floor. We got all that and so much more.
I will never forget the feeling when the doors at the back of the chapel swung open and I felt this amazing warmth and joy rush over me. It was like everyone standing there smiling was blasting me with their good wishes and love. I’m not normally one to cry at happy occasions but in that instant the emotion I felt from everyone was so strong that if it wasn’t for my Dad calming me down and giving me a little squeeze of my hand, I think I would have gone to pieces.
It was a day or two later when I said rather shyly to Mr Mc that I had the best day of my life. Even as I was saying it I was thinking to myself ‘Tink, you couldn’t be any less cool right now’. I was sure he was going to slag me but instead he smiled and said ‘Of course it was the best day of my life too. Well so far anway…’

DIY Ribbons Surprise

2010-10-04T21:03:00.000+01:00

Well our wedding exceeded our expectations. We really had the most amazing day of our lives and there were so many special moments that its taking a few days for them all to sink in. Anyway we're heading off on honeymoon tomorrow so I probably won't be updating the blog for the next couple of weeks but I wanted to share one quick DIY delight with you before I left.

On the day before the wedding my brother and his girlfriend decided to make some car ribbons to be put on the guests cars as a surprise during the ceremony - something they'd seen done at a wedding a week earlier. I was a bit worried about starting something like this the day before the wedding but it was simple and I was delighted with the result. They bought some ribbons, a stapler and some elastic bands and together with my sister and cousin and I the five of made over 50 of them in less than an hour. The guests absolutely loved them and it looked great seeing them all streaming in the air as guests drove from the church to the hotel.

Four days to go...

2010-09-28T10:54:00.000+01:00

Until Us II. On the 1st October 2005 Ray Darcy and Today Fm asked people all over Ireland to send in photographs of wherever they were, whoever they were with, or whatever they were doing on that day. Five years on they are doing it all over again. The best photos will be picked to feature in a book that will be published to raise funds for charity. For more info see here and get clickin people.

Oh and it's also four day until my wedding ....aaaaaaaaaaaaaah

If I didn't already have my day after outfit...

2010-09-23T09:00:00.006+01:00

I would be very tempted by this gorgeous French Connection 'stella silk' dress. I stumbled across it when I was having a panic attack that the bridesmaids' dresses were going to be a disaster and I might actually need to buy new ones. As it happens Phyllis in All Alterations waved her magic wand (aka her singer sewing machine) and made the impossible possible. She turned three potentially formless and ugly nightgown type entities into the flattering etheral dresses I'd had in mind all along.

This is a of course fantastic and a great relief but it leaves me with one problem - if I can't buy this French Connection dress as my day after outfit or as replacement

bridesmaid dresses what valid excuse can I create for for buying it?

And the winner is......

2010-09-22T09:02:00.001+01:00

AoifeLily with "From tiniest details to the biggest smiles, every moment, by White Tea!". Best of luck with the engagement shoot - I'm sure you'll have an amazing time and some fantastic photos to treasure forever. Thanks to everyone who entered and thanks to WhiteTea for such a brilliant prize.

Today I'm loving...

2010-09-21T10:00:00.001+01:00

this idea from Ruffled, not sure how safe I'd feel with people just dropping cards in here though but it could work well in a private venue.

Win win win with Photo Friday

2010-09-17T08:33:00.001+01:00

It's an exciting day today as it's the first ever competition on Tinkerbelle's Bridal Blog. You may remember some week's back I featured a fab engagement shoot by White Tea, you can see it here. Well the lovely Aga and Noel of White Tea are offering one lucky couple an engagement shoot session with them to take place in the greter Dublin area. To enter the competition pop on over to the White Tea website or their blog and have a flick through the site, come back and leave a comment below describing in 12 words or less the white tea style of photography. The competition will close on Monday evening at 6pm (Irish time) and then Noel and Aga will pick the comment that they think best captures their approach to photography. Please include your email address in your comment or else send an email with a copy of your comment to tinkerbellebride@gmail.com - if we don't have your email address then we won't be able to contact you if you win.
In the meantime check out the fab photobooth Noel and Aga put together from a recent wedding they covered.

Tink's been struck by an art attack!

2010-09-16T09:00:00.001+01:00

Okay, a break from all things wedding today to tell you about Addis Expressions, an amazing exhibition of contemporary Ethiopian art which launches this evening and runs till next Thursday at the Leinster Gallery in South Frederick Street, Dublin 2. I have a real soft spot for Ethiopia since visiting there in 2008 and have been on a mission ever since to let people know there is a lot more to this amazing country than perhaps the media, and our own preconceptions, would have us believe.

This unique event, showcasing seven talented young artists from Addis Ababa, provides an opportunity for Irish audiences to enjoy the rich and vibrant modern art movement that exists in Ethiopia.
For more information check out Macafish Art.

How to tag your friends in the real world

2010-09-15T10:00:00.001+01:00

Tagging friends in photographs on social networking sites isn't always something your friends will thank you for but here are some tags I think will certainly put a smile on their faces.
These customised luggage tags from OfTheFountain would make a lovely gift to a newly married couple heading off on their honeymoon and would be the perfect token if you were looking to give them something of sentimental value along with a cash gift.
They're real leather so as well as being classically stylish, they'll last a lifetime. Cost including delivery €23.

Today I'm loving ...

2010-09-14T09:30:00.003+01:00

the idea of this eye test for a wedding invite

from GreyLikesWeddings

More afternoon tea party pics

2010-09-13T22:15:00.002+01:00

View Full Album

Anyone for tea?

2010-09-13T14:42:00.001+01:00

I really wasn’t excited about having a hen party and thought about skipping it completely. When my sister Trixibelle suggested an afternoon tea party in my parent’s house though my attitude towards it totally changed and I couldn’t wait for it. I suggested that after the tea party we’d get the boys to join us for a barbeque and the stage was set for a great evening.
Mombelle, Trixie and I had so much fun over the past few weeks preparing for it. We found gorgeous Victorian style stationary in Avoca and hand wrote invitations to everyone. We also started to buy cute tea cups which we gave as a gift to each person attending. I bought little teapot charms on etsy and tied each tea cup in a satin bow with a personal message from me to each guest attached. On Friday Momabelle and I went to Smithfield market and bought a selection of flowers which we placed in assorted vases and tin cans and we got 4 sets of balloon sprays from Woodies for €13 – total bargain! BakeMeACake delivered yummy cupcakes on Saturday morning and the three of us and Marabelle (my brother’s girlfriend) spent the day getting the tables and food ready. We were really delighted with how the placed looked when the 25 guests started arriving at 5 o’clock.

Everyone was so surprised with the set up and delighted with their tea cups. Momabelle then surprised me with a gift of a tea cup my great grandmother had been given on her wedding day – it was the perfect gift and I had to work hard to hold back the tears. Kaybelle, my aunty, also gave me a beautiful table cloth my grandmother had embroidered which was incredibly thoughtful and generous of her.

The tea party was great fun and a brilliant way to put everyone at their ease. This was really important to me because there was a mixture of my family, Mr Mc’s family and my friends attending and I wanted everyone to be able to enjoy it and feel included.

We played the Mr and Mrs quiz which I suppose is standard procedure at a hen but there was a twist because my brother had videoed MrMc answering the questions and all of us had such a giggle watching the two of them. Then my cousin who is a dance instructor gave us all a salsa lesson which was brilliant fun and a great way to lift the tempo for the evening. Mr Mc and the boys then arrived back to the house and my dad got the barbeque going and the party rolled on until after 2.

I can’t thank everyone enough for the most amazing day. All of my family played an important part in bringing the day together but particularly Trixiebelle and Momabelle who as per usual went above and beyond the call of duty. Mr Mc and I both had a brilliant time and we’re so appreciative of everyone for coming along and making it so special.

Moodboards for mood swings

2010-09-09T10:50:00.000+01:00

I'm feeling very indecisive today and just couldn't choose between any of these moodboards from Postcards and Pretties;

My latest etsy finds

2010-09-07T09:30:00.000+01:00

I've tried to stop myself from visiting etsy more than once a week because everytime I do it seems to cost me money. These are some of the lovely things I came across on my most recent visit to that treasure trove of wedding loviliness.

The monogrammed letters can be customised to your wedding colours and are from Tucker Reese. The delightful and very-wearable-after-your-wedding necklace is from The Mustard Seed Company. The vintage postcards would make gorgeous save the dates or ideal invitations and are from LeKatzMeow. The personalised Christmas decoration would be a very thoughtful engagement or wedding gift and is from Iterill9

The ring box which comes with your initials and wedding date engraved on the inside is from Braggin Bags. I really like the idea of the make your own cake topper kit from Goose Grease. And both hair pieces are from BeSomethingNew and they have lots more to choose from.

Today I'm loving...

2010-09-06T13:43:00.001+01:00

this amazing gown by Jenny Peckham which I came across on WithThisRing

Oakey Dokey DIY Favour

2010-09-03T11:30:00.003+01:00

We aren't doing favours at our wedding but if I'd seen this idea a few months back, I would certainly have considered this. It easy enough, cheap and would fit in perfectly with our reoccuring tree motif . The bride and her mum sprouted oak saplings in cheap plastic pots and covered the pots in cute wrapping paper. Awww, I really wish I had seen this earlier.
Anyway, this is one of just dozens of gorgeous details from Mel and Garret's wedding. Pop on over to 100LayerCake for more but be warned, if you are a boho bride at heart you are likely to suffer an acute case of wedding envy when you see their pictures. I still have the green eyed monster feel about me after seeing them.

Picture Perfect Posies

2010-09-03T09:00:00.001+01:00

I've said it before and I'll say it again...I'm really not a flower person. I just don't get the point of them to be honest - they are very expensive, they don't last very long and generally I think most people, other than the bride and maybe one or two aficionados in the crowd, hardly even notice them on the day. They just fade into the background of general weddingess. But every now and then I see wedding flowers that really excite me, they have some personality about them and make a real statement. These arrangements which I found on OnceWed do just that.

Guest Blogger: Aisling Nelson from Rangoli

2010-09-02T09:30:00.003+01:00

Many of you know I'm a huge fan of Rangoli and those of you who don't should check out my earlier post here. I am absolutely delighted that Aisling is doing a guest post today. I not only love her jewellery but I'm alsoa fan of her blog which is packed full of creative wedding ideas.

Hi everyone - my name is Aisling and I'd like to thank Tink for asking me to write a guest post on her blog. We got to know each other through the world of blogging and then in the *real world* which was great!

My business is called Rangoli and I design bridal jewellery and hair accessories. This is a job that I love and I have been designing bespoke bridal accessories since 1998. Every day is different and consists of looking at pictures and fabric samples of the most luxurious gowns, discussing shoes; (lots of bling or de-blinged) and generally working in a haze of happy emotions :-)

When Tinkerbelle first asked me to write a post, I put my thinking cap on. I thought about the things that I am most knowledgeable about. I realised that along with helping women to choose accessories and jewellery, advising about hairstyles is something that is a key part of my job.

What do you notice about the models above? Yes, it's crazy but they are all the same person. I found this hairstyle application on InStyle.com - it allows you to upload a picture of yourself or use one of the model images. You can then have hours of fun trying on different hairstyles to see what suits your face shape best. These pictures show you how much of an impact your hairstyle has to your overall appearance.

When I first started designing headpieces in 1998, the fashion was for structured tiaras. Hairstyles were also very defined and sculptural and quite regal really! In the last few years both dress and hairstyles have become much softer and more natural. I much prefer this more natural look and and love creating soft delicate pieces to complement these hairstyles and gowns.Here are a couple of hairstyles that I like at the moment -

Below is a gorgeous image of Loelia Ponsonby. Apparently she was the third wife of the second duke of Westminster! I must admit that I would quite fancy wearing this tiara while sipping champagne. The photo was taken by Cecil Beaton in 1931. According to my hair-stylist friend, Sandra Crosbie, tiaras will be back in fashion before long - everything comes full circle! Just remember you heard it first here

A DIY Button Hole for your Herbsband to be

2010-09-01T11:00:00.004+01:00

It's been a while since I did a DIY project so I was delighted to find this fab one on OnceWed. Elegant botton holes made from the prettiest of herbs.
"Herbs are casual and aromatic and perfect for a late summer or fall wedding. As far as ingredients go, the sky is the limit! Here they’ve incorporated blueberries with lavender thyme, oregano and sage and wrapped them with a sweet dotted ribbon for contrast. "
They're also relatively inexpensive and easy to make. All you need is : somesmall stems of herbs (choose varying colors and shapes), some stems of small berries, floral tape and some narrow ribbon. Check out OnceWed for the easy how to.

Today I'm loving ....

2010-08-31T09:00:00.000+01:00

this fabulously feminine moodboard from RitzyBee

Be a Beautiful Bride...again and raise some cash for charity

2010-08-30T10:00:00.005+01:00

If you are already married but are find you're going cold turkey for all things bridal post honeymoon then this might be right up your street. It's not often you can wear your wedding dress after the big day, well not in public anyway - if you want to wear it while you are doing the ironing your secret's safe with me.
On Saturday the 11th September the Runay Bride Charity Run will take place in Phoenix Park at 4 o'clock to raise much needed funds for mental health support for adolescents.
In Ireland it is estimated that 1 in 5 teenagers will suffer some form of mental illness. About 5% will require clinical intervention with a number of these needing inpatient services. These services are poorly lacking in Ireland at present. St Patrick’s University Hospital is building its first dedicated Inpatient Adolescents Unit. The building of the Inpatient Unit will cost over €2 million and has an estimated running cost of around €7.6 million a year.
So take the dress out of the attic, put on your runners and get out there and have some fun and raise some funds.

Photo Friday: Guest Blogger Therese Aherne

2010-08-27T09:00:00.009+01:00

Today is a very good day in Neverland. Firstly after a few week's break Photo Friday is back and it's back with a bang. Today's guest blogger is someone whose work I've admired for a long time. Therese Aherne photographed my sister's wedding and was my first choice when Mr Mc and I were looking for our photographer. Unfortunately she was already booked for our date - the lesson here is if you like what you see make sure you book her early. Her website is a treasure trove of glorious wedding images and a lovely way to while away some time when you should really be doing work. (If you keep your eyes peeled, auld Tink is actually floating around in one or two of the pics but don’t let that put you off!).Therese sent me a selection of photos from this amazing wedding and asked me to pick out my favorites. That proved to be an impossible task. This wedding oozes style, and to-die-for-details but mostly it gushes with happiness and laughter. The bride is absolutely radiant (I know that's a cliche but in this case it's actually true - I bet you can't look at photos of her smiling and not smile back), the groom is cool and relaxed and the guests are clearly out to have a great day. When you see Therese's photos you'll really wish you were a guest at this wedding. (Thanks so much to the lovely Bride and Groom for allowing us to share their wedding with you all by the way)
Finally, today is a great day because Ola-la-la, one of my bridesmaid’s is getting married today and I’m her bridesmaid. So while I rush off to get my hair done, I will leave you in Therese’s capable hands. You lucky things!
This wedding was my first of the summer and it really got them off to a great start. The bride and groom live in Germany so lots of people travelled over for the wedding and the atmosphere was electric. The ceremony was in the University church in St. Stephen’s Green and the reception in Carton house. The grounds were stunning and though it threatened to rain all day not a drop fell. The groom has five brothers some of whom followed us around the grounds for the portraits and teased him mercilessly so we had a great laugh. I also took a tumble on the red carpet so it was a wedding to remember!

Little Wedding on the Praire

2010-08-26T09:00:00.001+01:00

This gorgeous farm wedding from GreenWeddingShoes has so many details I want to steal.

Today I'm loving...

2010-08-25T09:30:00.001+01:00

the vintage prettiness of these minature suitcase from Liberty. I can't think of a more perfect way to pack for a mini-moon. If you and the bridal party are not staying at home the night before your wedding, these could be ideal presents to give your bridesmaids - of course you'd have to get yourself one too.

Images from Twig and Thistle;

A star wedding

2010-08-24T09:30:00.002+01:00

Thanks to one of my favourite Irish photographers, who I’ll be featuring very soon, I’ve just discovered the fabulous photographer Jasmine Star. There is so much richness in her work, take for example the images from Bree and Zack's wedding. There are so many things to love both in the details of the day and in the way Jasmine captures them.This shot of Zack is a case in point. Often I think the groom can be overlooked by photographers on the day. I think this picture points up the fact that it's his day too and wouldn't look out of place in a fashion magazine. It's pretty stunning

I also love have the relaxed shots of the guests. Your family and friends are such an important part of the day, they help make it such a momentous occasion yet I’ve seen lots of weddings spreads were the guest aren’t featured at all. I think the laid back demeanour of these guests gives us a real insight into the feel of Bree and Zach’s day.

Okay I think you get the message - I adore this wedding and I adore how it was photographed. Instead of waffeling on I'll leave you to enjoy some of the other images that stood out for me.

The perfect any-season wedding palette

2010-08-23T09:02:00.001+01:00

I found this wedding palette on With This Ring where they highlighted it as an ideal autumn wedding colour scheme. I agree but I actually think these colour could work at any time of the year.

Who would have thought....

2010-08-19T20:25:00.000+01:00

a brown leather belt and a vintage army badge could look so well with a wedding dress. Pics from LaBelle Bride

Tonight I'm loving...

2010-08-18T23:36:00.000+01:00

my bridesmaid wristlets that arrived today from Noonew.

Etsy addict? Who me? I don't know what you're talking about.

A take home favour? Why not let them eat cake?

2010-08-18T10:00:00.002+01:00

If you are going to give guests some cake to take home, I can't imagine a prettier way to do it than in these delightful creations from Imeon Designs on Etsy. My favourite are the ladybird cake slices.

I've never wanted to eat shoes before...

2010-08-17T13:00:00.002+01:00

but these Louboutins are just so sweet, sugary and delicious.

Photographed by Stephanie Williams

Looking for alternative bridal headgear? Try some twigs and honey

2010-08-17T10:35:00.001+01:00

Of course, I'm not advising you to roll around in some woodland and a beehive, I mean check out twigs and honey shop on etsy. They have really nice alternative bridal head pieces. Here are some of my favoirites

Get a hold of yourself!

2010-08-16T08:45:00.001+01:00

Well actually this post is about how to get a hold of your bouquet but I thought "Get a hold of yourself" was a more arresting title. Now that I've got your attention though lets turn our minds to the matter in hand (pardon the pun).

Holding your bouquet is one of those things you might not think about until the last minute and then I'm sure it feels like the most unnatural thing in the world to be walking around with a weighty load of blossoms in your hands. Anyway I found these handy tips on I Do for Brides

1. Relax.

Relax your arms. Let the weight of the bouquet bring your arms down so that the bouquet is at your bellybutton and your arms are resting on your hip bones. This will make you look longer and more relaxed than choking the bouquet up by your neck. Don’t strangle your flowers or let them cover up your dress.

2. Show your bouquet.
Make sure the most decorative part of the bouquet is facing forward – even if your bouquet consists of all of the same flower. Ask your florist (or a member of your party) for tips if you can’t find the most decorative part. (Remember, you’re looking down at the bouquet.)

3. Be graceful.
Hold the bouquet gracefully. You’re a beautiful bride, not a nervous Nelly. Relax your grip and keep from interlocking your fingers. The bouquet is part of your wedding-day outfit, not a clutch to get your down the aisle. Stand straight, put your shoulders back, take a deep breath, relax your grip on the bouquet and keep your eye on the groom. Remember: You’re carrying flowers, not a weapon.

4. Have fun after the ceremony.The hard part’s over. You walked down the aisle and pledged your love to the man of your dreams. Now it’s time for post-ceremony pictures. Have fun! hold the flowers to your side. Hold them in one hand. Let your husband hold the flowers. Listen to your photographer’s suggestions. Whatever you do, enjoy the moment. And have fun. The fun pictures are the ones you’ll love the best.