Our lovely real wedding couple Jessica and Eoin wanted something unique and different for their big day and they delivered on all counts. They tied the knot in a sunshine-and-style-soaked wedding in Dún Laoghaire in Dublin, with a street-side restaurant ceremony followed up by a garden party bash which had everything from mini rave spaces to circus acts, a brass band entrance and luxury loos. The bride was effortlessly elegant in a wedding gown worthy of a Hollywood heroine (more on that later) which she styled with sweetly sentimental jewels and a daisy-laden bouquet. Their postcard-pretty seaside ceremony and fun-filled reception pictures captured by Mark Donovan Photography will make you wish for sunny spring days to come quick.
Before we hear all about their incredible wedding day, let’s learn more about our newlyweds. They are both Dubliners, as Jessica is from Cabinteely while Eoin hails from Deansgrange and today they live in Sallynoggin. While they met when they were teenagers sparks flew when they were travelling together years later. Things turned romantic when they travelled across Thailand and South East Asia in the summer of 2013.
Reminiscing on their engagement, they say it was a “perfect evening stroll on Killiney Beach.” The couple wanted a relaxed wedding with a casual vibe and a garden party celebration. Their main priority was to have a great day together, that was stress free and full of special moments that they would never forget.
Jessica looked like a movie star in an open-back silk dress which James Bond fans will recognise as the white version of the gown worn by Ana de Armas in No Time to Die. She accessorised with a Nefertiti gold necklace which was originally a charm on her grandmother’s bracelet along with a gold chain and gold bangle which were a 30th birthday present from her girlfriends. “Four of my five bridesmaids lived abroad so I picked sage green as the colour and left it up to them to choose a dress that suited them best,” Jessica says and her mother looked sensational playing into the colour scheme with her lime green wrap dress.
100 of their loved ones journeyed to the scenic Dublin village for their outdoor ceremony at Hartley’s Restaurant on May 26th, 2023. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky on their special day.
Groom Eoin served up sunny suaveness in a cream linen suit which he wore with a white shirt, white runners and black sunglasses while his groomsmen also wore white shirts, cream slacks and pristine white kicks.
During the ceremony the couple and their guests were treated to rousing vocal renditions of some of their favourite hits including Praise You by Fatboy Slim, Sister Sledge’s Thinking of You and Ain’t Nobody by Chaka Khan.
When it comes to wedding planning, the bride and groom have one simple piece of advice for couples: “Don’t sweat the small stuff.”
They loved how intimate the wedding setting was and having all of their closest family and friends in the same place at the same time. A true highlight was the speeches given by Jessica’s best friend Aly and Eoin’s best mate of 28 years James.
After dinner it was onto a very special location for the real party. “Eoin’s company can turn any garden into an unbelievable wedding venue. When himself and the team designed our temporary venue, we both agreed it was important to have a laid-back vibe. It was so special to have it in Jessica’s parents’ garden.”
The space was completely decked out with a stage and dancefloor and dotted with rustic and casual seating.
There were areas with games, costumes and a mini rave space along with a cocktail bar, beer baths and luxury loos.
With a chilled-out and seriously cool vibe there was plenty to keep guests entertained with circus acts in the mix. Jessica and Eoin made an epic entrance at their wedding reception with the help of The New Brass Kings who performed a party-starting version of Crazy in Love by Beyoncé.
A real memorable moment for the couple was seeing Jessica’s grandparents hitting the dancefloor. For their honeymoon, they jetted off to America in November. Soaking up the winter sun in Mexico and Belize, it was the “perfect getaway”.
Congratulations and thank you Jessica and Eoin for sharing your garden festival wedding with One Fab Day and to Mark Donovan Photography for the wonderful images.
Planning your wedding? We have loads more Spring Real Weddings and check out our Instagram for even more inspiration.
