This small real wedding was huge on style and heart! Aoife and Daniel wanted an intimate celebration surrounded by nature, history and all the people they love. The couple wed at Sentry Hill Historic House in Co. Antrim, before toasting to their happily ever after at The Crown & Shamrock Inn. Then it was back to Aoife’s parents garden for their absolutely fabulous reception.

They paid tribute to their cultures and backgrounds subtly and tastefully with the theme marrying Irish Lughnasa, which is the Gaelic festival marking the beginning of the harvest season, with Mexican and Southwest American accents. With beautiful images by Paula Gillespie Photography you're about to see a lot of delightful DIY, an edible tablescape, stunning Mexican food courtesy of the groom and their chef friends, pretty pumpkins, and a scrumptious (and uber-trendy) cake too.

We'll begin by getting better acquainted with our wonderful couple. Daniel is from Phoenix in Arizona while Aoife hails from Belfast. They were introduced to each other by a mutual chef friend at Kelly’s Cellars in her home city one day after work. They live in Whiteabbey, Co. Antrim.

Aoife fills us in on their gorgeous engagement, "We went for a walk with our dog Lola at our local park. I’m a bit of a nature bug and was busy tracking birds on an app called Merlin…. then I turned to see that Daniel was on one knee. The rest is history! I also get to walk past this spot most days now with Lola and Daniel."

The couple loved picking a spooky date, Friday 13th, for their September nuptials. They tied the knot in a romantic garden ceremony at Sentry Hill Historic House encased in lush greenery with 40 of their loved ones as witnesses.

"Our amazing harpist Ciara Taaffe played Hermoso Cariño by Mexican singer Vicente Fernandez. Daniel’s late grandmother loved Vicente." What a special way to honour her memory! "We also love her rendition of Sí Bheag, Sí Mhór by Turlough O’Carolan which was what I walked down the aisle to. It felt so Irish and magical."

The couple wanted a lowkey affair and they kept their wedding party very small with no official bridesmaids or groomsmen. "We had to have some flower girls so there were no tears," Aoife shares.

Aoife and Daniel were besotted by Sentry Hill as it is full of history and charm. As foodies, they fell head over heels for the big farmhouse kitchen. "We also loved some of the wacky pieces like the grandfather clock with the baby face and the witch weathervane was very on brand for our Friday the 13th wedding."

In a surprising and immensely sweet turn of events, they found the same cookbook that Aoife's late grandmother used to cook from in the kitchen. "Maybe it was her way of saying hello," the bride remarks.

The couple sourced their outfits on the high street in Ireland and America with vintage and thrifted pieces throughout and they both looked absolutely smashing. From her fringed dress to her diamante-encrusted heels, every inch of the bride's outfit wowed us. She added an Irish twist by wearing emeralds and Claddagh jewellery.

Dapper groom Daniel added a US spin to his sharp suit with his cowboy boots and bolo tie!

Paula Gillespie was on hand to capture every magic-laced moment. "Our photographer Paula really captured all the details so beautifully, she is class."

The drinks reception was held at The Crown & Shamrock Inn with mouthwatering pizza on the menu.

The couple weren't guided by trends, they want stay true to their vision as a couple. "We also weren’t just thinking about the day - we thought about our future also in making these plans."

They held their reception in Aoife's family home and the atmosphere was romantic, modest and all about great craic. "In terms of styling - the brief was Lughnasa - so harvest vibes."

Aoife loves design and she relished curating their tablescape which was vibrant with a retro twist - it was even edible. "We had tomatoes, figs and pumpkins which we cooked and ate over the following days with our guests!" All of their signage was created digitally so it was eco-friendly.

Autumn wedding flowers are inherently romantic and they played a key role in bringing their harvest theme to life. "The amazing flowers from Friday Flowers totally nailed the brief." The taper candles in a palette of pinks, reds and creams added to the air of romance.

The couple's feast included a scrumptious lemon and buttermilk and chocolate fudge cake. "It was beautiful to look at and eat. It was a huge hit." Lambeth buttercream wedding cakes are all the rage right now and Aoife and Daniel's was even sweeter with their dog cake topper.

One of their wonderful wedding gifts came in seriously handy on their special day. Aoife's uncle Raymond built them a barbecue and the groom and their friends who are chefs rolled up their sleeves and served up delicious Mexican food for their guests.

Aoife and Daniel had their mini-moon in Phoenix to celebrate with their loved ones who couldn’t make it to the Irish nuptials. Their US bash even included a mariachi band!

They share the following words of wedding planning wisdom, "If it feels like it’s too much, it probably is. Don’t go into debt or look at what other people are doing! It’s you and your partner’s day after all. There is a marriage after this day, try to enjoy it."

Aoife and Daniel, congratulations on your wonderful wedding day! A very special thank you to Paula Gillespie Photography for the fabulous pictures - you can see even more in the gallery below.

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