Real Wedding: A Bespoke Affair in Smock Alley Theatre

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A truly bespoke event for these two Dublin lovebirds

VENUE?Smock Alley Theatre and The Liquor Rooms, Dublin?PHOTOGRAPHS?This Modern Love?WORDS?Katie Phelan

THEY ARE Tony O’Brien, Experiential Manager and Ail’s O?Hora, Primary School Teacher

THEY LIVE In Ranelagh, Dublin

THEY MET As 13-year olds, attending the same discos, parties and gigs in Dublin

THEY FELL IN LOVE In 2003, not long after Tony offered Ail’s a lift into town in his dad’s BMW (he’d claimed the car was his).

THEIR WEDDING With no shortage of friends and family to share in their day, Ail’s and Tony had to find an appropriately sized venue. Dublin’s gorgeous Smock Alley was a stellar choice and, with the assistance of a small army of helpers and volunteers, the couple turned the building into their ideal wedding venue. Lots of simple design elements such as ivy garlands, blooms in recycled bottles, hessian runners and bunting came together to create a fabulous design aesthetic that belied its DIY origin. The bride and groom chose to do almost all of the prep themselves, which proved challenging at times, especially since so much of their hard work was behind the scenes. With access to the venue granted only on the morning of the wedding, Tony had some chore orchestrating florists, caterers and the tech professionals who were documenting this gorgeous event. In the end, it was flawless – an honest celebration of true love amongst friends and family.

Their top tips? If you are going the DIY route, don’t leave everything to the last minute. Do a little bit of make-and-do every week in the lead up to your bash, so that you can enjoy the days before. E-vites not only save money but headaches, too – it’s likely you have an email address for all your guests but an actual postal address? Finally, download Wedpics: a free app that helps you access any special missed photos or memories gathered by your guests.

Their best moments? There were plenty but a standout memory has to be when Ail’s? niece, Faye, jumped into her lap for a cuddle as the couple signed the register

?THE CREW

Invitations, posters and pictures Barry Smith at Twelve and a Half?Dress Maria Luisa Rabell at Myrtle Ivory?Vintage Mink Barnardos?Florals The Informal Florist?Make up Alyson Smyth?Hair Sian Sharkey?Bridesmaid’s dress ASOS?Groom’s suit Louis Copeland?Humanist celebrant Billy Hutchinson?Caterer Paul Clune?Music Cry Monster Cry?Videographer Lima-Conlon Photography?Event Production Nine Yards

Need a bigger fill of our wedding whimsy? Pick up the new issue of IMAGE Brides Winter 2015/Spring 2016?right here!