Real Weddings: Travel influencer Sarah Hanrahan’s Dublin city wedding
Sarah and Sean's big day was faff-free, trading fancy cars and a wedding cake for a pub reception with toasties, pints and good music.
THE COUPLE
Sarah Hanrahan, influencer, and Sean McNamee, marketing.
THEY LIVE
In Drumcondra, Dublin.
THE VENUE
The Yarn for the ceremony, The Whiskey Palace for the reception and The Winding Stair for dinner and dancing.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Ivana Patarcic.
THEY MET
We met at a house party when we were both 21. Sean offered me his coat because I was cold and we ended up chatting together for the rest of the night. It’s incredibly cheesy but we held hands for hours that night while we chatted but didn’t kiss!
THE PROPOSAL
Sean proposed in December 2020; we had been together for 14 years and I had no idea that we would ever take the leap to marriage. He got down on one knee on a walk in Inis Meáin, the island where my parents live.
It was very casual; just the two of us on a blustery winter day; my pockets were stuffed with carrots to feed the horses. It was perfect.
THE DRESS AND THE SUIT
I designed my dress with Covet in Powerscourt Townhouse Centre, and I had such a lovely experience with them. I knew I wanted a short dress and a long veil; I love the contrast of that. Sean’s suit was ordered online from Littlewoods Ireland as try-ons weren’t an option due to Covid restrictions.
THE CEREMONY
We wrote our own vows and said them overlooking the Ha’Penny bridge in front of our 38 guests. Sean’s uncle was our celebrant and our guests did a reading about love in unison to close out the ceremony. It was really intimate and exactly what we’d hoped for.
THE RECEPTION
We didn’t want a traditional wine and canapés reception, so we opted for toasties and pints in an iconic Dublin pub instead; we had the reception upstairs in Palace Bar on Fleet Street.
THE ENTERTAINMENT
Jackie Beverly sang at our ceremony, Shane Hennessy performed during dinner and Colin Devine was our after-dinner DJ.
THE DECOR
Kate from Love & Gatherings dressed the spaces with gorgeous decor. I really like the look of dried flowers for a wedding, and Mad About Flowers provided some lovely options.
THEIR TOP TIPS
Focus on what truly matters to you and put your budget there. Don’t bother with any elements that you don’t truly care about; we didn’t have favours, fancy cars (we got taxis) or a wedding cake as none of those meant anything to us.
THEIR BEST MOMENTS
Seeing each other for the first time – that was magical, and enjoying the day with our nearest and dearest.
THE FIRST DANCE SONG
You Are The Best Thing by Sophie Faith.
THE CREW
Bride’s Dress & Veil: Covet. Bride’s Shoes: Nozomi. Groom’s Suit: Littlewoods Ireland. Florist: Mad About Flowers. Make-Up Artist: Sam Tsan. Videographers: Anouska Love Story and Ste Flynn. Food: The Winding Stair.
See more photographs from Sarah and Sean’s wedding in the gallery below.
Photography and Videography by Ivana Patarcic.
Want to see your Real Wedding on IMAGE.ie? Email [email protected] with the subject line ‘Real Wedding’. This article was originally published in November 2022.
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