Waterlily Weddings is proud to present the gorgeous elopement in Ireland of Danielle and Ace!  We love everything from the dress to the sweeping views of Howth Head right outside of Dublin City, the meaningfulness of their ceremony and how they came about to elope to Ireland.  After Ireland was decided, Danielle and Ace set to task. They chose Dublin as their center, and the site for their August ceremony to be held at Howth Head.  Ceann Bhinn Eadair in Irish, it is a historic peninsula just northeast of Dublin City. The modest peninsula saw its share of historical importance, from Norse colonization through the conquering of Brian Boru (Ireland’s high king), through the Norman invasion and so forth. Yet it rests gently into the waters of the Dublin Bay. At the end of the peninsula sits a charming lighthouse (Bailey Lighthouse). Destiny and her grandmother’s guidance would come again with Danielle’s dress. We adore the classic elegant lace detail and cream hue, just perfect against the backdrop of bright yellow wildflowers and verdant hills dipping into the blue waters of the Bay. She ordered it from BHLDN online without even trying it on first.  A perfect fit, it was the first and last dress she ever tried on.

“May the road rise up to meet you.

May the wind always be at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face, and rains fall soft upon your fields.

And until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of His hand.”

Danielle and Ace were heavily inspired by the famous traditional Irish blessing. “We chose that particular one because my grandma (who has since passed) had embroidered and framed it. The date on the back of the fame says 1971. It hangs in our hallway outside our bedroom.” Danielle’s grandmother had traced the family’s ancestry back to Ireland and was able to travel there once with a friend, fully embracing her Irish heritage and culture and bringing it back with her to share. Danielle knew from that moment she was destined to be married in Ireland. And so when the time presented itself, she and Ace eloped to one of the most beautiful places in the world.

Their ceremony was full of meaning. From the reading of the blessing to exchanging of rings and vows, Danielle and Ace were the only two people in the world for a moment. At the end of the ceremony when Gabe, the officiant, read “may the rains fall soft upon your fields,” as if on cue, it began to rain. They all laughed as they rushed to get under umbrellas.  After some pictures on the Head, Danielle and Ace enjoyed a gourmet meal at Peploe’s Wine Bistro in Dublin before retreating back to relax at Clontarf Castle.  Congratulations again Danielle and Ace! And come back to visit soon!

 The Details

Venue:  Clontarf Castle Hotel, Dublin     ·     Ceremony:  A Beautiful Ceremony     ·     Photographer:   Kelly McAillster ·    Florist:  The Garden   ·       Hair & Makeup:   Hession Hairdressing, Dublin   ·  Dress:  “Ines” from BHLDN   ·   Shoes: Mercanti Florentini   ·    Groom: Men’s Wearhouse  ·  Jewelry:  Kay’s Jeweler