Gary and Jenny‘s Galway wedding at The Ardiluan Hotel can be defined by stylish simplicity, a dramatic dress change, personalised pieces, and Ronnie the Pug – their pooch of honour and an important puzzle piece in their engagement story. Delicately modern, their wedding day oozed a relaxed freshness with crisp white details, neutral bridesmaids gowns, and soft florals which allowed the couple’s love story flourish on the day. From self-composed readings to the personalised wedding favours and even the tear-jerking surprise morning gifts to one another, this wedding contained one thoughtful touch after the next. Our Irish bride gave her groom’s British family a “true Irish experience” at their Galway wedding, which was beautifully captured by Ivana & Sam Photography.
Galway-born Jenny was working as a receptionist when she met Gary from Kent who was working for a client at the time. While there was an initial spark, it took them a whole two years to finally kickstart their love story. Gary plucked up the courage to make the first move after the pair kept “coincidentally” meeting at a London nightclub, planning nights out with friends when they secretly knew that the other would be heading out there too.
Much like the patience required at the start of their love story, patience was needed on the day of their proposal when Jenny wanted to go to Sainsbury’s rather than on the walk during which Gary had planned to propose. Before long, the pair were strolling around Penthurst in their wellies with their lovely pup Ronnie in tow chatting about Gary’s life growing up in the area and about how much meaning the walkway held for him. Jenny didn’t suspect anything, until Gary began visibly shaking before getting down on one knee – poor Ronnie’s walk was cut short that day since Jenny bounded home to share the news with her family and friends!
A moment for this bridal cape, please. The perfect alternative to a veil to bring some drama to a look.
The loveliest father-daughter first look!
Gary and Jenny’s aesthetic inspiration for the day can be summarised in just a word: simplicity. By maintaining a neutral colour palette and keeping their personalised stationery very minimal, modern, and stylish, Gary and Jenny’s love story was the true focus of the day. With a personalised speech that the couple wrote themselves, unique table settings featuring mini records from their favourite musicians, postcards with a special message for each guest (reactions below!) as well as nods to their gorgeous Pug throughout the entire day from socks and bespoke napkins to their signature wedding cocktail ‘The Ronnie Rumble’.
Personalised postcards and emotional guests. Aw!
Their memory table for loved ones who have passed on was a lovely way to keep them close on the day.
When Gary and Jenny went to Jersey Boys the musical (the bride’s favourite!), they couldn’t deny that Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You by Frankie Valli was going to be the perfect song for their first dance on their wedding day. Their chosen music was just one aspect of the personalisation of their story, but their readings were also perfectly tailored to their romance, including a reading called How Falling in Love is like Owning a Dog – Ronnie’s choice!
The couple mixed up their wedding portraits by taking to the streets of Galway after taking some photos with the wedding party on the venue grounds. Their advice for couples on their wedding day? Delegate, delegate, delegate! If relaxation and enjoyment are priorities to you on your big day, Jenny believes in the importance of delegating tasks to other people, so that as bride and groom, you can focus on having a good time. Gary says, “the more you plan in advance, the easier it is to relax and enjoy the day when it arrives.”
After a swift dress change post-ceremony and Quay Street photoshoot, the couple and their loved ones took to the dancefloor and danced the night away. Their next stop? Honeymooning in Barbados, of course.
The dress change in all its glory!
We would like to thank our stunning real wedding couple Gary and Jenny as well as Ivana & Sam Photography for capturing the delicate magic of their wedding day in Galway so beautifully.
Looking for more wedding inspiration? Check out our selection of real wedding galleries and stories where you can find tips and ideas for your big day!
