Smitten doesn't even begin to describe how we feel about today's real wedding. There is something so magical about a wedding at home as Anna-Mae and Danny surely can testify to. Together with the mother of the bride, they planned a spectacular celebration at Anna-Mae’s family farm three miles away from Tassagh in Co. Armagh. Bursting with bright colours, wonderful style, absolutely beautiful personal touches, and endless joy, prepare to be swept away with the magic of it all.
The couple's top priority was ensuring everyone had as much fun as possible and their family and friends were the heart and soul that brought their glorious wedding day to life. With an aesthetic influenced by nature and a breathtaking tipi reception, you won't want to miss a moment of this festival of love. The wonderful images come courtesy of Kate Donaldson Photography who is a family friend of theirs, how gorgeous!
Let's begin with their love story. Anna-Mae is from Armagh and Danny is from Devon where they are based today. Anna-Mae is a vet and Danny is a dairy farmer and they met in the springtime of 2019 as he happened to have a few more sick cows than usual! The rest, as they say, is history.
The wedding morning got off to a wildly stylish start as Anna-Mae and her bridesmaids wore matching jungle print pjs.
Danny popped the question while they were skiing in Austria and he was skating on thin ice as he actually had the ring hidden in plain sight in the wardrobe in their bedroom. "I was convinced he wasn’t keen to ever get married so didn’t suspect anything," Anna-Mae explains. "When he proposed at the top of mountain I asked if it was real, said yes and then skied off and left him to chase me on his snowboard. Start as you mean to go on and all that?"
The groom and his groomsmen show us exactly how relaxed summer suiting is done as they wore elegant tweed waistcoats by Peter Christian with cream shorts and tan leather shoes.
Anna-Mae's wonderfully chic bridal ensemble included a pearl top by Catherine Deane and bespoke wide-leg short by Dandelions and Pearls. She accessorised with a beautiful dried flower hair piece by Sarah Broom and Russell & Bromley shoes.
The couple tied the knot at Tassagh Presbyterian Church. "There were so many wee personal touches which made it so special for us, it was a real celebration of friends and neighbours talents," Anna-Mae reflects. "The minister who married us was in all of my A-level classes at school and entertained us with a joke or two during the service, the pianist and violinist are friends and colleagues from my vet practice in Devon, my nephew Benji drove our wedding rings up the aisle in the bonnet of his Massey Ferguson tractor."
Their ceremony readings included How Falling in Love is like Owning a Dog by Taylor Mali. Read by Anna-Mae's friend Fi it delivers an equal dose of hilarity and sweetness. "It was gorgeous and she delivered it so well!"
Their florist Margaret Donaldson is also a family friend from Armagh and she specialises in floral arrangements that exude natural elegance. Her breathtaking blooms complemented the nature-inspired theme exquisitely, which included a bridal bouquet brimming with the sweetest pastel shades.
Transport on the day was provided by the bride's uncle Cecil, he drove them to and from the church in his vintage Land Rover Defender.
Anna-Mae's leading ladies wore colourful co-ords by Ted Baker.
Being able to hold their wedding reception in the field, ‘Ganzee’, which is just up the lane of Anna-Mae's family home meant so much to them and made their celebration so special. "Mum had worked so hard in the weeks and months leading up to the wedding and the place was looking amazing!"
Their Nordic Tipi reception was a dazzling spectacle and the decor was inspired by their love of the great outdoors and colour. With the flowers and napkins bringing a burst of vibrancy to the tables, nature-influenced accents included table name cards boasting illustrations of the lush countryside and personalised leaf place settings.
The talented bride made all the colourful bunting and the joyful ‘Till death do us party’ banner in her sewing room in Devon.
Entertainment included a live illustrator and their family and friends created the perfect jubilant atmosphere through music. "DJ Rob is a friend and neighbour of Danny’s who has provided the tunes for many parties we’ve attended, Kenny Qua who played at the reception with his family and then in the evening with his band is a cousin of my mums."
"It was a colourful, chilled, fun-filled day surrounded by the best family and friends who brought the best energy," the bride reminisces.
Instead of a traditional wedding cake, the mother of the bride served up a scrumptious fruit cake and oodles of tray bakes which she is well known for. They opted for Baby Guinness wedding favours.
When it comes to wedding planning advice, Anna-Mae urges couples not to be influenced by what society or others think should be done. "Only include people and elements that are important to you. Also, carve out an hour that you and your partner can have some uninterrupted time together. We went to the pub whilst all the guests travelled from the church to the farm and it was so nice to hang out before joining the party!"
Thing "went off" during their first dance to Canter by Gerry Cinnamon.
Anna-Mae and Danny went to the Mourne Mountains after the wedding for a relaxing few days. Then they turned things up a a notch and went to Glastonbury later with their friends and they had one of the best weeks of our lives!
Anna-Mae and Danny, a huge congratulations and thank you for sharing your magical celebration with One Fab Day! A very special thank you to Kate Donaldson for sharing the beautiful imagery, check out even more dreamy details in the gallery below.
Dreaming of tying the knot at home? Check out 14 Gorgeous At-Home Garden Weddings That Show Home is Where the Heart is!
