A Rustic-Chic Wedding With a Sustainable Heart: Miranda & Matt

Miranda and Matthew, our American sweethearts travelled all the way from the US with their guests to say their vows in the beautiful Co.Wicklow countryside on the east coast of Ireland. With sustainability being an important factor, the couple chose a cheerful florals and a fresh green palette, topped off with heart-melting happiness. Captured on camera by the talented team at Conor Brennan Photography, if rustic-chic is your wedding inspiration, then we promise you will love this real wedding!

Close up of orange colourful roses and flowers

Cliffs of Moher couple picture mountain letter postcard and green pearl earrings

Close up of bridal heels shoes and veil

Bride laughing hair getting done

Back of brides wavy hair hairstylist

Our couple, Miranda and Matthew both grew up in New England in the United States, but travelled all the way to the Emerald Isle from Boston to celebrate their new chapter. The lovebirds first met in a pub in Cape Cod, Massachusetts shortly before Matthew left on a backpacking trip. “He took me to a Red Sox game after returning to Massachusetts. Not too long after, we fell in love during our first international trip to Colombia and the rest is history. Matthew proposed at Lighthouse beach in Chatham Massachusetts, just a couple of blocks from where we first met,” says Miranda. 

Groom putting on white shirt

Portraits of ladies royal members house

From the very beginning, they knew that a destination wedding was on the cards for their dream wedding day. As they fell in love during their adventures around the world, they wanted to give their guests a reason to have an adventure too. “We fell in love with Ireland during our first trip in 2019 and wanted to share this beautiful country with our friends and family. Matthew has relatives who live in Sweden, so it was really important to us to have our wedding somewhere that made it possible for them to be able to attend,” they explain. 

Bride holding colourful bouquet of flowers

hair detail wavy bride

Bride holding colourful bouquet of flowers

Miranda’s wedding figure-hugging gown is a vision of simplistic elegance, with a daring backline adorned with delicate button detail. She paired her style with unique aquamarine and pearl statement drop earrings – a subtle and stylish something blue, that contrasted exquisitely against the vibrant florals. The bouquets burst with a colourful mix of roses, anemones and carnations.

Three bridesmaids colourful bouquet of flowers

Father and bride pose for a picture she holds orange colourful flowers bouquet

Father walks bride down the stairs towards wedding ceremony

That emotional first-look photo between Miranda and her father really brought a tear to our eye! The ceremony took place in the Orangery of Killruddery House, surrounded by Italian marble and bathed in natural sunlight. The aisle was paved for Miranda by elegant Chiavari chairs decked with eucalyptus stems tied with ivory ribbon. “Our wedding ceremony was really special to both of us. Our celebrant Moya took her time to help us create a ceremony that fit us perfectly. From allowing us to pick the readings, to including our moms in the candle-lighting ceremony,” they say. 

Wedding sign pointing towards Kilruddery House

Wedding room interior guests white chairs

Bouquet flowers laid out on mirror table

Groom waiting on bride during wedding ceremony alter

Bridesmaids walk down the aisle in church wedding

Father walks bride down the aisle

Here comes the bride! Miranda walked arm in arm with her father to a beautiful processional song which was a violin cover of “Can’t help falling in love” by Daniel Jang inspired by the bride’s love of Elvis and Bridgerton. Their favourite reading from our ceremony recalled was Blessing of the Hands by Rev. Daniel L. Harris which was read out during the hand-fasting ritual. For those who are unfamiliar with the hand-fasting tradition, it simply is a symbolic unity ritual in which a couple stand face to face as their hands are tied together – hence the phrase, tying the knot!

bride and groom at alter both smiling

Bride cutting the ribbon groom is holding at alter

Bride and groom man and wife kissing kiss at alter

Bride holds flowers as she exits wedding ceremony with groom

The inspiration behind the rustic-chic wedding aesthetic was nature and the Irish countryside. “We wanted to take our love of nature and plants and have that be the focus. Simple and timeless with a little pop of colour,” they say. The venue that stole their hearts was Killruderry House and its farm-to-table sustainable approach where all of the food and flowers are grown directly on the property. They explain: “Having a more sustainable and natural process was really important to us. The venue is absolutely stunning, so that made it a nobrainer!” After the ceremony, the newlyweds retreated to the idyllic grounds to capture their magical wedding portraits. 

Bride and groom walking in front of venue Kilruddery House

Bride and groom walking in forest trees in background grass

Bride and groom standing in forest trees in background grass kissing kiss

Bride and groom standing in forest trees in background grass

Bride and groom standing in forest trees in background grass

The gents dapper style also had a nod to Ireland, as the sleek navy suits were finished with emerald green ties and a very special Irish tweed waistcoat for Matthew. The bridesmaids followed suit in their lush forest green shades, in smooth satin that allowed their bouquets to pop.

groom groomsmen suits

Bride and bridesmaids holding colourful flowers

Bride bridesmaids groom groomsmen

These beautiful shots were captured by Conor Brennan Photography, a talented team of alternative, documentary wedding photographers. While the wedding party were enjoying their photo shoot, the guests enjoyed traditional Irish music and tasty cocktails before the bell rang out for the main event. Taking place in the Grain Store, the rustic-chic hall was adorned with an abundance of greenery, garlands and romantic candlelight.

Empty dining room

Empty dining room flowers on table

Menu in dining room cutlery

The best advice Miranda and Matthew stress for couples planning their day would be to make a list of things that are top priorities. “When things get stressful refer back to your list, focus on what matters and try not to worry about every little detail. Our advice for the day of the wedding is to take a minute just you two away from your friends and family, away from the photographer. To look out at all who came to celebrate your love, and to take a moment to soak it all in together. The day goes by too fast, we promise you won’t regret it!” 

Bride and groom hug sun shining in background

Bride and groom kiss sun shining in background

As the sun set, it was time for the couple to share their first dance as husband and wife to On and On and On by Caamp. They kept the celebrations alive by jetting off on their honeymoon to romantic Italy – the country of love and pasta! “We travel a lot together but had never made it to Italy. Our favourite part, other than the food, was Puglia. We would absolutely recommend travelling there and visiting Terre di San Vito, a family-run vineyard near Monopoli,” they advise. 

Father and bride dancing on the dancfloor

Bride and groom dancing on the dancefloor

Bride and groom dancing on the dancefloor

A very special thank you to our wonderful couple Miranda and Matthew and of course Conor Brennan Photography for sharing this beautiful day with us. Take a peep below at the full gallery of photos for more inspiration.

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