This often overlooked destination couldn’t be more perfect for a romantic celebration. Set your sights on the beauty of Ireland through this inspiration designed by Banks and Leaf, with florals by Dasha Caffrey, gorgeous stationery by Lenka Calligraphy and all captured by Lisa O’Dwyer. The old world charm of Gloster House meets the romance of an intimate destination affair and it’s guaranteed to send The Emerald Isle to the top of your travel list.
As a photographer in love with Ireland (and also lived there for 10 years with my Irish husband), I adore the opportunity to photograph weddings and collaborate on inspiration shoots when I visit our family in County Clare and Cork every year. This past July, I was able to collaborate on a shoot with Gabby of Banks & Leaf at historic Gloster House, a wedding venue in Birr County Offaly. The story of this inspiration shoot is of a beautiful red-haired Irish girl who lives in a very classical romantic country house in the countryside. She falls in love with a city-boy from Dublin. She shows him the beauty of the Irish countryside and the classical beauty of the house where she grew up. Our bride envisions a look that is classic and timeless, a white lace dress and veil by House of Delphine. The lace reminds her of her ancestors and the legacy of her family and Irish lace-making. Her bouquet is lush with tones of red. The red reminds her that winter is coming and that the red berries of the rowan tree and holly will be decorating the Irish landscape. Our floral designer, Dasha Caffrey, foraged Irish plants and flowers from her property in County Cavan. The dinner will be set for the wedding inside her home at Gloster House. She loves the dark richness of the centuries-old family table for the wedding meal. She has a dark cake with handmade sugar flowers by Cup Cakes and Counting. Her stationary is in navy, cream, crimson, and gold by Lenka Calligraphy. Her family heirlooms play a part in the dinner setting…she is home for now.
Photography: Lisa O'Dwyer Photography | Event Planning and Design: Banks & Leaf | Floral Design: Dasha Caffrey Floral | Wedding Dress: House of Delphine | Cake: Cupcakes and Counting | Invitations: Lenkha Calligraphy | Reception Venue: Gloster House | hair stylist: Michelle Ohalloran | make-up artist: Beth Walker Makeup | model: Natasha Samsara Thompson | model: Ben O'Beirne