OLIVIA & BRYAN

"EVERY GREAT LOVE STARTS WITH A STORY"

- NICHOLAS SPARKS

One year ago today I started a brand new chapter with my husband Bryan. We celebrated our wedding vows surrounded by our beloved family and friends, something that we will always treasure and hold dearly in our hearts.

My experience in the world of weddings and events has taught me that no obstacle is too great and no challenge is too difficult. At a time when so many of us feel unsure about the unknown, let us come together and embrace this unchartered time in our lives. For those of you that have been forced to postpone your upcoming nuptials as a result COVID-19, I truly feel for you. I cannot even imagine the emotions you are going through dealing with this unprecedented situation. I understand that you may be experiencing anxious moments and unforeseen stress during this time and I know its hard to even think about the feelings you will experience when you do walk down the aisle or share your wedding vows. It is so hard now but I promise you it will be so worth it when you do celebrate this very special time. I know now how blessed I was to be able to celebrate my wedding this time last year, to share the most simple things like hugs with loved ones and know that seating plans did not come with social distancing present. Looking back at our wedding, I really wish to share a little of my journey for the very first time, to give you a sense of all the lovely experiences you have yet to enjoy. Sometimes, the anticipation is so wonderful, and maybe if I can bring you into this place it will help you build your faith in all this again. I want you to get excited again and feel the joy for all the wonderful things that await you. Believe me, it will be worth it, you are going to be filled with so much love and happiness.

ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE...

Our wedding journey began in December 2018 when Bryan got down on bended knee and asked for my hand in marriage at the spectacular Adare Manor, Ireland, and it was made even more perfect with the magic of the Christmas season. After so many years of planning weddings for other couples, it was so exciting to embark on the wedding planning journey with Bryan. I had to really refine my overall vision with Bryan as I had experienced so much as a wedding planner over the years and knew the extent to where we could go with everything. I have been blessed to work in so many wonderful wedding venues, work with the best of creative vendors and designers, and now it was our wedding to plan! I’m sure Bryan was anxious with the prospect of all the possibilities but we soon narrowed down our wishlist, all I will say is trust your instinct and go with your gut and know that what is most important to you both is the most important thing. So, first on the long list had to be our wedding venue!

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NO PLACE LIKE HOME...

Born in the beautiful County Kerry, there was never really any doubt what part of the world I would like our nuptials to take place. And so we started on our search for a venue that we could truly make our own. Ideally, we wanted a private venue in Kerry, close to nature and by the water, and Dromquinna Manor in Kenmare ticked all the boxes for us. The 40-acre waterfront estate had all the ingredients for the multi-day event we wished to plan. From the moment we arrived through the gates of the winding avenue, John Brennan and his team were so welcoming and were so open to everything we wished to create at Dromquinna. We were so privileged to be allowed to treat the manor like a blank canvas, John was so open to all our ideas where we brought new event flows, designs and gastronomy experiences together.

The team at Dromquinna were such a joy to work with from start to finish. Its secluded bay setting, sweeping lawns and winding pathways provided the perfect backdrop to each event experience from our beautiful drinks reception on the lawns to our post-wedding day celebrations at The Boat House, this property really was so perfect for us. Dromquinna Manor is on the outskirts of Kenmare town, which is where all our family and guests stayed throughout the weekend. We fell in love with the unique charm and inherent beauty of the picturesque town. The Brennan Brothers treated us like royalty during our stay at The Park Hotel in Kenmare.

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IN THE ART OF MARRIAGE, THE LITTLE THINGS ARE THE BIG THINGS

By February 2019, we had found our venue and with our wedding date set, we had six months to plan our wedding. This to me was lots of time as I know the industry and we have done weddings in less! Our wedding stationery design was an integral part of the overall wedding design, and from the beginning I knew I wanted us to embrace Irish designers. With six months to our celebration we brought in the talented Irish designer Ailbhe Cronin from Appleberry Press. I had worked with Ailbhe on very special stationery suites over the years and knew she would create something beautiful for our wedding. We took inspiration from a centuries-old tradition and designed our own bespoke O&B wedding crest inspired by heraldic traditions which was a very personal tribute to our family heritage. Representing peace, harmony, persistence, strength and fortitude, our combined family crests became the benchmark for our overall stationery suite.

Our brief was a design that reflected our initials coming together in a special monogram surrounded with both the Buckley and Greene families coming together in unison, a crest that would embrace key symbolics of both our lives. The crest embraced my love of nature and the outdoors with beautiful ferns, and scenes from special places in Kerry, and for Bryan, it embraced scenes of Thomand Park and King John’s Castle in Limerick. Ailbhe’s creative eye and artistic background enabled us to create something very special, she went above and beyond and created a true piece of art that we will cherish forever and use on key pieces within our home. In the pursuit of perfection, we went through many rounds of design, Ailbhe was so dedicated to perfect this for us and I will be forever grateful to her for this. Our stationery suite carried this beautiful crest in different tones from our main invitation, ceremony card, menus and our wedding website. I absolutely loved these and cherish the keepsakes we have now, every time we hold these they will bring back very special memories.

THE SEARCH FOR THE PERFECT GOWN...

From the beginning, I knew I wanted to support Irish designers and embrace the fantastic creative talent that we are so lucky to be surrounded by. Orlaith Carroll, a talented graduate from Limerick School of Art & Design, took my vision on board and went above and beyond to work with me in bringing the vision I had to life.

I knew I wanted something simplistic, clean lines and structured, yet versatile from day to night. Orlaith sketched out several designs and really concentrated on the overall movement of the gown, the fabrics she would use and the architecture to create the structure we needed. The finished creation was exactly as I wished, a crisp and clean silhouette with beautiful structure and a soft romantic multi-layered chiffon-organza skirt. The versatility of the dress was sheer perfection, I really enjoyed the best of both worlds.

If you are thinking of designing your wedding gown, it is always great to have a clear vision as the process means you must constantly visualise and identify what you like and don’t like. Each and every detail has an impact on the structure and architecture of the gown, so your input is essential throughout the process. It takes time and lots of visualisation to create the gown that suits you and enhances your body, and it is a journey you will enjoy! It is fun seeing it evolve through the fitting stages and if you work with a designer like Orlaith, who is totally open to your ideas and pushes the boundaries with fabrics and structure, you will be so so happy!!!

With the simplicity of the gown, I always knew I would wear a statement headpiece. I always wanted a piece that would effortlessly and elegantly complete the look, especially when the full skirt and cathedral veil were removed. Again, I knew I wanted to work with an Irish designer and commissioned Aisling Kavanagh to create this statement piece with me. A gifted graduate of NCAD, Aisling was so excited to create something classically couture. Brimming with enthusiasm and creative ideas, Aisling worked so hard to create something unique and special. As there were no headpieces readily available in the bridal market at the time, I knew it was a little risky but I loved the idea of wearing it as a bride. Aisling used fabric from my wedding gown and my veil and incorporated jewelled pieces and embellishments from all around the world, sourcing exquisite pearls, beading, fabric flowers, satin-covered buttons and couture embellishment from Israel, London and Milan. Aisling created the most exquisite piece I could have dreamed of, this will absolutely be a family heirloom that I can share in years to come. Indulging in the ultimate extravagence, I spotted the most beautiful pair of Jimmy Choos and I could not resist! I might even take them out this weekend to mark the occasion!

GOING TO THE CHAPEL...

A celebration of love and life, marriage represents unification and solidifies our promise to take on the world together. Our wedding ceremony was the most important element of our wedding for both of us. We wanted it to be truly reflective of who we are as a couple by incorporating our styles and personalities.

Our chief celebrant Canon Donal McNamara celebrated with concelebrants Fr. Frank O’Connor and Canon Declan O’Connor. Canon Donal added so much humour and reverance to such a special occasion and played a huge part in making our ceremony so special. He had everyone laughing with his stories, and to top it all off he said it really did take two canons to tie the knot for Bryan and I! Whoever you select to celebrate your ceremony or blessing, make sure you take the time to get to know them, it really does make all the difference and makes it so much more personable.

THE SOUND OF MUSIC...

Our ceremony music was so important to us. Bryan and I put so much thought into perfecting the overall ensemble. Music is so powerful and can transport you to a familiar and comforting place. We wanted all our wedding guests to really feel the love and emotion during our ceremony and take something very special from this experience. The Nova Orchestra's instruments harmonised perfectly together and collectively awakened the senses in a truly magical way with the wonderful soprano Eve Stafford.

I walked down the aisle to the most breathtaking instrumental version of Annie’s Song by John Denver. I will never forget the rollercoaster of emotions I experienced with waves of happiness and gratitude having my 91-year-old father Bobby Buckley walk with me. My father has difficulty with walking and had concerns he may not make it the entire way to Bryan. My bridal bouquet was carried by my bridesmaids as I wanted to help my father as best I could to walk down to aisle to Bryan, it was beyond emotional. As I held my father’s hand, and we embarked on one of the most significant walks of my life, it was like the holy spirit entered his body giving him the divine strength to walk with me. I felt the weight of his body lift from my supporting hands and we slowly made our way to Bryan. I felt like the luckiest girl in the world, the magnitude and scale of the occasion became so clear. To my right was the man I was going to share the rest of my life with, and to my left was my father and all the people I have shared the best of my life with. It felt like all the stars aligned at that very moment and each and every one of us were destined to be together in this special place. The emotional significance of that moment is something that took me by surprise but I will always cherish how special it was and it is something I will never forget. When you stand in this place, be it six months, 12 months, or more, you will remember me say it was worth the wait. This to me is the most beautiful thing you have to look forward to!

To this day, our guests still talk about how beautiful our ceremony was. A thoughtful mix of prayers, readings, reflections, instruments, music and lyrics, all of the little details joined together in perfect harmony.

LET LOVE BLOOM FOR OUR VENUE DESIGN...

I have always loved the freedom of the outdoors and love nothing more than setting off on a long hike in Killarney National Park. Appreciating the natural forms and wonders of creation, I relished the opportunity to take wedding inspiration from the exquisite wonder and charming beauty that surrounds us in nature.

We brought the outdoors inside for our dining experience. Our top table backdrop reflected a natural setting with cascading greenery and floating candles. Our tablescapes were adorned with fresh flowers, glass votives and julep cups, and were bathed in sparkling candlelight. Overflowing tresses of ferns, moss and greenery created the ultimate ethereal and natural look.

Neutral colours with green as the main primary colour really highlighted the combination of nature and the outdoors. Our colour palette incorporated shades of cream, sage, green and gold. A nod to Bryan’s family name, ‘Greene’ would play a significant part in our overall colour scheme.

DREAMS DO COME TRUE...

As we celebrate our first wedding anniversary, it presents the perfect opportunity to master the art of slowing down and switching off from the relentless pace of everyday life. Writing this piece has afforded me the time and perspective to reflect on one of the most joyous occasions in my life. A time to marvel at the wonder of what surrounds us and appreciate all that is good in our lives.

Thank you so much to my wonderful team and all my creative vendors for letting me be the bride on August 16th 2019! I left everything in their hands and they did such an incredible job. All of the crew and our creative suppliers worked together so well and there was so much goodwill and positive karma surrounding us from start to finish. I am so grateful that Bryan and I celebrated our wedding the way we did, surrounded by our nearest and dearest in a place that is so close to my heart.

LOVE IS A WONDERFUL THING...

Forming a circle of love that unites both families, marriage is about cultivating understanding, patience, and love. It is a common search for the good and the beautiful. Sharing the most special time of your life with your family and friends by your side is something you will always remember as you create unforgettable memories that you will treasure forever.

As we embrace the challenge of a new way of living, we are slowly experiencing a fundamental shift in the way we live our lives. COVID-19 has taught us many things along the way, most notably it has showed us that we can adapt and adjust to whatever measures are necessary to protect us from harm. We have come to value our friends and family with a new depth and understanding.

If you were planning a special celebration with your family and friends, now is your chance to get creative and make sure you have a unique and memorable event. What was once difficult is now easier, and what once scared us now feels familiar. A change in perspective can make all the difference as we discover and embrace the freedom of taking life as it comes to us.

We will look back in awe and wonder and celebrate our resilience and bravery. We will use this precious time to embrace the fact that we have been given the gift of time. And as we look forward to the day when we can hug our family, meet our friends and spend time with those we love again, let’s just live in the here and now. The present is precious and the future is worth waiting for. And it will be, I promise you that.

Think of all the good days that lie ahead. We are living in a time when everybody is ready for celebrations of love, joy and hope. Everything will start to fall into place, just like it did the first time around. Remember that your wedding will be your very own love story. It will be your day, your way. And it will be even better than you ever dreamed it would be.