American bride Emily and her Northern Irish groom Matthew celebrated their destination wedding in true fairytale fashion at the iconic Dromoland Castle, nestled in the Irish countryside. Taking place at the height of summer, their celebration was a perfect blend of timeless elegance and vibrant romance, brought to life through a pink-hued palette (the bride's favourite colour), epic personal style, and subtle butterfly details that carried sweet meaning throughout the day.
The celebration was deeply personal, woven with sentimental heirlooms and meaningful touches, including lace from both of Emily’s grandmothers’ wedding dresses and her mother’s sapphire ring as her “something blue.” To bring their dream wedding weekend to life, the couple turned to Michelle of Dream Irish Weddings for planning, and Anna G Photographer to capture the day on camera whose timeless, light-filled imagery tells the full story of a weekend that was as heartfelt as it was unforgettable.
Let’s start at the beginning—how did this charming couple’s story unfold? Emily, originally from New Jersey, met Matthew, a Northern Ireland native, and together they now call New York City home.
Emily and Matt met shortly after Emily graduated from college and began her first job. Matt had already been with the company for a few years when they were assigned to the same project. The two quickly became friends, and by the following summer, their friendship blossomed into a romantic relationship.
In early June 2023, Emily and Matt embarked on a memorable trip to Italy. After exploring the historic streets of Rome and the romantic canals of Venice, they headed to the stunning shores of Lake Como. One of the highlights of their itinerary was a private boat tour around the lake. As the boat set off and approached the breathtaking Villa Balbiano, Matt got down on one knee and proposed. The rest of the trip became a joyful celebration of their engagement in one of the most beautiful places in the world.
Once engaged, the couple set about planning a fabulous destination wedding in Ireland with their top priority ensuring their families could attend and fully enjoy the experience. With nearly 90% of their guests traveling from the United States, they were intentional about creating a weekend filled with good food, flowing drinks, and plenty of dancing—a true celebration from start to finish.
The bride tells us more, "We wanted an elegant wedding with a lot of personal touches. For the ceremony, I always wanted a traditional Catholic ceremony followed by a big party. We wanted the overall vibe to fuel fun conversation with friends and family and a lot of dancing. We had a wonderful Rehearsal dinner at Henry’s in Ennis followed by a welcome party at Knox’s Pub in Ennis which was a great start to the weekend for everyone to experience the town. "
And the perfect venue for their destination celebration? The exquisite Dromoland Castle in Co. Clare. "We knew we wanted a venue like Dromoland which would be a destination in itself for our guests traveling abroad. Everything about Dromoland is gorgeous and working with them was so seamless. We also loved that there was a sister Inn just next door so all of our friends and family could be close by. My Parents stayed at Dromoland in 1998 so it felt like a sign when watching home movies of their visit."
Emily has always had a love for the colour pink, making it an easy and natural choice for the wedding’s colour palette and etails. Once the venue was secured, she leaned on the expertise of planner Michelle of Dream Irish Weddings to bring the vision to life—creating a vibrant yet intimate atmosphere filled with thoughtful, personal touches.
Setting the tone for the celebrations, guests received beautifully bespoke invitations from Appleberry Atelier. The pink stationery suite featured elegant detailing and a custom map, offering a charming first glimpse into the destination wedding to come.
Emily looked effortlessly radiant in a stunning Lihi Hod gown, selected from Elizabeth Johns bridal boutique in New Jersey. Known for its ethereal detailing and timeless silhouette, the dress perfectly captured a blend of modern sophistication and romantic softness.
She paired her gown with iconic white Christian Louboutin heels, adding a touch of Parisian glamour with the signature red sole peeking out beneath each step. To complete the look, she chose delicate Self-Portrait accessories, which added subtle sparkle and a contemporary edge to her bridal ensemble—creating a look that was both polished and uniquely her own. The glam team from FMN Bridal Studios ensured she was aisle ready.
Emily incorporated many heartfelt heirlooms into her bridal look, weaving generations of love into the day. Her veil featured lace from both of her grandmothers’ wedding dresses, a delicate tribute to family legacy. For her “something blue,” she wore her mother’s sapphire anniversary ring, and she carried a custom clutch crafted from lace taken from one of her grandmother’s gowns—each detail a deeply personal nod to the women who came before her.
Matt exuded timeless sophistication in a classic black tie ensemble by Cad & The Dandy, tailored to perfection with sharp lines and impeccable fit. He completed his look with a pair of refined Crockett & Jones shoes—adding a distinguished finish to his wedding day attire.
The bridesmaids turned heads in an effortlessly chic mix of bridesmaid dresses in varying shades of pink, each chosen from a curated selection of designers including Aje, By Watters, and Solace London. The blend of styles and tones created a beautifully cohesive yet modern look, perfectly complementing the romantic aesthetic of the day-and honouring their brides favourite colour.
The ceremony took place on June 7th, 2025 at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in Ennis led by Father Joy Njarakattuvely. Emily's dad walked her down the aisle, and she and Matt exchanged vows. One of the most meaningful musical moments of the ceremony was the inclusion of You Are Mine, a song that had always held a special place in Emily’s heart during services growing up. It was a deeply personal choice—one she knew from the beginning would be part of their wedding day.
Following the ceremony, the celebration continued with a breathtaking reception at Dromoland Castle in County Clare, where the couple was joined by 130 of their nearest and dearest for an evening filled with love, laughter, and unforgettable memories.
As well as honouring her family memembers through her wedding wardrobe, Emily and Matt thoughtfully incorporated meaningful tributes to both of their families throughout their wedding celebrations. Emily’s parents flew over from the U.S. with their cherished Waterford crystal glasses and a Waterford cake knife, symbolically bridging her American roots with their Irish setting. At the rehearsal dinner, Emily wore Matt’s grandmother’s wedding band, a deeply personal gesture honoring his family’s legacy. During the reception, a tribute table was lovingly arranged to honor family members who had passed—ensuring their presence was felt and remembered on such a special day.
The reception room was beautifully styled to perfection, adorned with lush blooms in shades of pink—the bride’s chosen palette—expertly arranged by The French Touch florists. A soft candlelit glow added a romantic ambiance, creating an atmosphere that was both warm and enchanting.
The wedding cake, crafted by Sandra’s Cake House, was a stunning three-tier creation adorned with fresh blooms and delicate butterfly details, a nod to the couples first dance song.
The couple took to the floor for the first time as newlyweds for their first dance to Butterflies by Kacey Musgraves, a heartfelt choice that perfectly captured the joy and sweetness of their love story.
Emily’s advice to other couples? “Try to have fun with it—and don’t underestimate the benefits of a long engagement!” Taking their time allowed her and Matt to enjoy the planning process and make thoughtful decisions without feeling rushed.
For their honeymoon, Emily and Matt escaped to Mallorca immediately after the wedding weekend—a perfect destination to relax and decompress. They spent a few unforgettable days soaking in the island’s beauty and highly recommend staying in the northern part of Mallorca which they highly recommend for its stunning scenery, peaceful atmosphere, and authentic charm.
Thanks so much to Emily & Matt for sharing their epic Dromoland Castle wedding day with us, and to Anna of Anna G Photography for providing the beautiful imagery! There are even more gorgeous photographs to peruse in the gallery below.
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