Opting for a simple but stylish affair, Anouska and Eoin had an intimate ceremony in Dublin City Hall before heading to the nearby Hard Rock Hotel, where they celebrated in the Penthouse Suite with loved ones.
THE COUPLE
Anouska, art director and photographer, and Eoin, Head of Marketing at Linked Finance.
THEY LIVE
in Dublin.
THE VENUE
Ceremony: Dublin City Hall.
Reception: The Hardrock Hotel.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Ivana Patarcic Photography.
THEY MET
A modern-day romance, we met on Tinder! Four years ago we swiped right on each other and immediately started chatting, quickly setting a date to meet up. We met in Merrion Square Park on a beautiful September day, ate cucumber and falafel sandwiches in the park, and then cycled to Gravity Climbing Wall to do some bouldering. We chatted over pizza after rock climbing and both of us knew there was something different and special happening between us.
We just clicked, there was definitely an intense spark and we talked for hours. It was so honest; we were both being vulnerable with each other right from the start and it felt so right. The whole date lasted about seven hours and, to be honest, I never wanted it to end. We didn’t play any games; we met up again two days later and have been inseparable ever since!
THE PROPOSAL
Eoin proposed to me in August of 2022 in Estepona, Spain. We were on holiday and I wasn’t expecting a proposal at all. Even though we knew we were going to be together forever, Eoin made it clear to me that he wasn’t going to propose anytime soon. One of our last evenings there Eoin suggested we take a walk to the pier for sunset. I wore a rather unflattering yet comfortable outfit and he told me to put on a nice dress instead; I should have clocked it then but he said he wanted to take photos of us so I didn’t think anything of it! He even did my hair for me. It was very, very sweet.
We walked to the pier as the sun was setting, and once we found a lovely little spot he asked me to record us on my phone for a little cute video. This was perfect, as he knows I would have wanted that moment recorded, and this way I was able to set it up perfectly. The sun was just about to set and we were silhouettes in the video, and then he told me he had a present for me. He took out a beautiful ring he bought that day in Estepona town and asked me to marry him – I was so overwhelmed I don’t think I said yes for a few minutes! It was a really intimate moment, just the two of us, on a late summer evening. He couldn’t have planned it better, even though he only decided to propose to me that day!
THE WEDDING ATTIRE
I wanted something classic and timeless, and I always knew I wanted something backless. It wasn’t until I tried on this incredible Rixo dress that I instantly felt amazing in it. I knew it was the one. I flew to their flagship store in the UK for a fitting with the co-founder Orlagh, who helped me customise the dress so it was exactly right for me, with a few little tweaks. I had photographed Orlagh and her twin sister Gemma’s wedding a few months prior so it was a really special experience having Orlagh make my perfect dress.
THE CEREMONY
We had an incredibly intimate ceremony with a small handful of friends. We decided we didn’t want a big wedding for many reasons, so instead we opted for an intimate day with friends and a separate small dinner with our immediate family a month later.
THE RECEPTION
We booked the Penthouse Suite of the Hard Rock Hotel in Temple Bar for our reception and afters, which was the perfect venue for an intimate wedding. It has a large terrace with a heated dining table area, and outdoor BBQ overlooking the city. We got a mixologist for a few hours when our guests arrived and then we ordered Bambino pizzas for everyone, which was the perfect wedding food in my opinion.
We did get an amazing cake from Fern Cakery too, which not only looked incredible but tasted out of this world. We wanted our day to be really relaxed and the Hard Rock was the perfect place to do that. The staff were so helpful and friendly; we couldn’t speak more highly of it. We stayed there the night before and got ready together (until I put on my dress) and then walked across the road to do our first look in Dublin City Hall, so it was all perfect for a Dublin wedding!
THE DECOR
Being in the creative industry, I have met some really amazing people over the years, and after working with Lesiele Juliet on several photo shoots and becoming friends I knew I had to ask her if she would be up for styling the space for us. She doesn’t usually do weddings, but she said she would love to do this for us, so I gave her a rough mood board of what I imagined and trusted her completely. While we were at our ceremony she transformed the space into a stunning wedding venue.
THEIR TOP TIPS
All the advice we got when we got engaged was to do our wedding exactly how we wanted – so we did. And that’s the best advice we can give. It’s your day, so plan it to suit you as a couple perfectly.
THEIR BEST MOMENTS
Our first dance was really incredible and moving. That was a highlight for both of us that we didn’t think would be such a big moment.
THE FIRST DANCE SONG
If I Ain’t Got You by Alicia Keys.
THE CREW
Wedding Dress: Custom Rixo. Bride’s Shoes: Charles and Keith. Bride’s Accessories: AB Ellie earrings & veil, One Dame Lane ring, and vintage ring from grandmother. Groom’s Tuxedo: Next. Event Styling: Lesiele Juliet. Make-Up: Sarah Keary. Hair: Dylan Byrne at The Space. Florist: Precious Petals Florist. Cake: Fern Cakery. Rings: Custom-made. Content Creator: The Wedding Content Company. Videographer: Lucy Nuzum Weddings.
See more photographs from Anouska and Eoin’s wedding in the gallery below.
Photography by Ivana Patarcic Photography.
Want to see your Real Wedding on IMAGE.ie? Email [email protected] with the subject line ‘Real Wedding’.
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