Wide Blue Yonder: Chris & Frances' Philly Flavour at Killruddery House

A fateful meeting on St. Patrick's Day led to forever love

Let us take you away to where the warm brightness and calm blue tones greet a spring morning! For this beautiful real wedding, the picturesque Wicklow countryside was filled with powder blue gowns, a deep navy tuxedo, and velvet Valentino heels in cobalt. In the month of May, 35 of Frances and Chris' closest friends and family members travelled from the United States to our emerald island to witness their nuptials and an outpouring of love.  Studio Brown and her incredible photographic skills were on hand to capture all the emotional moments and the finest of details of this wedding at Killruddery House. We welcome you all to take a look through the beautiful wedding album love story of Frances and Chris right here...

Close up jewelry detail rings beads - Killruddery House Wedding
Lace wedding dress detail hanging - Killruddery House Wedding
Detail of white and rose flowers bouquet - Killruddery House Wedding
Bride on bed getting ready hair - Killruddery House Wedding
Letter detail wedding bands - Killruddery House Wedding

Eight years ago, on St. Patricks Day, the luck of the Irish cast a love spell over two strangers in a bar in Philadelphia. Frances and Chris who instantly hit it off became completely inseparable, until Frances moved to Baltimore to pursue her career after college. For about two years, the couple balanced a somewhat long-distance relationship, but as the saying goes, distance makes the hearts grow fonder. They explain: "Our bond intensified and we decided that we could not live further apart any longer. So, we finally moved in together in Philly before eventually finding our 'home' in Cherry Hill, New Jersey where we currently reside with our dog, Frank." 

Bride emotional crying getting ready hair hairstyle
Mother and daughter bride getting ready hair hairstyle
Mother and daughter bride getting ready hair hairstyle
Bride and bridesmaids getting ready before wedding ceremony cheers

An emotional moment shared between Frances, her mother and her bridesmaids that even brought a tear to our eyes. The couple says they share a love that has endured many ups and downs, but Chris knew from the moment he laid his eyes on Frances, that there was no one else he wanted to spend his life with. This leads us to the romantic proposal that occurred one beautiful spring day in May 2019. "Chris proposed to me on a golf course after I sunk my last putt at the 9th hole. Chris marked the ball with the words 'will you marry me?' reveals Frances.

Groom getting ready suit and tie close up cufflinks
Groom and mother emotional getting ready
Groom reading card getting ready
Groom ready suit and tie white flower

Chris opted for a slick navy blue tuxedo, with a contrasting black lapel and bow tie. which tied in perfectly with the blue tones used throughout the styling. His groomsmen complemented his look dressing in chic black-tie tuxedos. The words used to describe their Killruddery House wedding were romantic, elegant, timeless and simple, and so far, the style has very much understood the assignment!

Bride getting ready shoes heels on
Bridesmaids look at bride blue dresses
Bride smiles happy holding bouquet of flowers
Bride holding white red roses bouquet dress detail
Bride holding white red roses bouquet

Absolutely breathtaking! Frances chose Badgley Mischka as her wedding dress designer. The applique detail in her sheer bodice is divine, along with her silky-soft skirt that melted into an elegant train. She completed her timeless style with classic chignon, delicate pearl drop earrings and a pop of colour on her lips to match the prominent fuchsia peonies from her bouquet!

Ceremonial ceremony wedding room interior flower detail
Ceremonial ceremony wedding room interior flower detail
Ceremonial ceremony wedding room interior flower detail

The same florals are seen delicately placed around the charming Orangery by Bella Botanica, a boutique wedding florist specialising in luxurious hand-tied bouquets, venue styling and inspiring floral installations. The couple chose a handfasting ceremony for the wedding, a symbolic unity ritual where the couple stand face to face as their hands are tied together - hence the phrase, tying the knot! Frances reminisces on the most special moments of their ceremony: "reading our personal vows to each other in front of all our guests during our ceremony was so very special for us. We also had a candle lighting for my late father during our ceremony. To quote many of our guests, there wasn’t a dry eye in the room. Our love for each other was the star of the show."  

Blue suit tie white rose mother aisle
Flower girl boy aisle flowers
Father of the bride aisle veil ceremony
Bride groom officiant officiate wedding ceremony
Bride groom wedding ceremony flowers guests aisle officiant officiate
Bride groom wedding ceremony flowers guests aisle kiss

The couple chose one of their favourite readings for their ceremony - I Carry Your Heart With Me by E.E Cummings. The colour scheme was made up of baby and navy blues, a pop of fuchsia and some gorgeous gilded golden tones. A very special homage was paid to a very important furry friend who unfortunately couldn't make Kilruddery House for the wedding day. We are of course talking about Frank, Frances and Chris' adorable doggy. They honoured their fur baby in a refreshingly creative way - literally! "Our dog Frank, unfortunately, did not come to Ireland for our wedding but our signature drink was named after him - The Frankie! It was a delicious tequila drink shaken with fresh orange fresh and fresh lime juice," they say.   

Candle ice alcohol drinks
Guests punch alcohol
Groom and bride wedding dress

Frances' beautiful bride tribe adorned a baby blue shade with not one, or two, but seven different neckline styles! How striking is the vibrant pop of pink against the softer blue shade? The gentlemen added a few other dapper accessories to their style also - a pair of shades and an Irish 'paddy cap' - we wonder was that a nod to St. Patrick? We hope so, after all, Ireland's patron saint was the reason they got together!

Blue bridesmaids dresses bride rose bouquet flowers
Groomsmen groom suit tie bow

The evening reception was held in the Grain Store of the venue, with dining tables dressed in romantic rich florals and candlelight. The separate top table, was laid out only two seats, one each for the bride and groom, in what us known as a sweetheart table. This allowed the newlyweds to take a moment alone on the magical day, surrounded by their precious family and friends. Such a beautiful thing to do.

Interior ceremony ceremonial room
Interior ceremony ceremonial room dining roses red white flowers candle - Killruddery House Wedding
Interior ceremony ceremonial room dining roses red white flowers candle chairs - Killruddery House Wedding
Interior ceremony ceremonial room dining roses red white flowers candle chairs champagne glasses - Killruddery House Wedding

The couple's number one priority was showcasing their love for one another by keeping things simple. Spending time and making memories with each other and their loved ones was what mattered the most. 

Bride groom exterior veil garden - Killruddery House Wedding
Bride groom exterior veil garden holding hands - Killruddery House Wedding
Bride groom exterior veil garden kiss - Killruddery House Wedding
Bride groom exterior veil garden holding hands flowers bouquet - Killruddery House Wedding

Frances and Chris provide some invaluable advice from their Killruddery House wedding: "Our advice to other couples is to decide what you as a couple want for your big day. Take suggestions and comments from others with a grain of salt because 'those who mind, don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind'. After their speeches and cutting of the cake, they took to the dancefloor and shared their first dance as husband and wife to Halo from singer Lotte Kestner. 

Bride groom speeches speech candles red roses cheers champagne prosecco glasses - Killruddery House Wedding
Bride and groom cut the cake - Killruddery House Wedding
Guitarist wedding band play as bride and groom dance - Killruddery House Wedding

The happy newlyweds decided the dreamy islands of Turks & Caicos would be the perfect place for their honeymoon! We wish them a very lovely trip, and also would like to extend our thanks to Studio Brown Photography for sharing this very special wedding day at Killruddery House.

Are you planning a Wedding From Abroad? Or perhaps you are Planning a Destination Wedding? Check out The One Fab Day Podcast below for all the best tips and advice!

Recommended Suppliers

Suppliers 

Photgrapher //
Studio Brown
|
Videographer //
The Little Bear
|
Wedding Planner //
Aislinn Events
|
Wedding Dress Designer //
Badgley Mischka Bridal
|
Bridal Boutique //
Sew Pretty Bridal Studio
|
Bridal Shoes //
Valentino
|
Groom's Suit //
Indochino Custom Tuxedo
|
Groomsmen Suits //
The Black Tux
|
Flower Girl //
Etsy
|
Bridesmaids' Dresses //
Revelry
|
Mother of the Bride //
Mac Duggal
|
Transport //
Finnegan Bray
|
Stationery //
The Knot
|
Makeup Artist //
Ailbhe Lynch
|
Makeup Artist //
Louise Keane
|
Ceremony Music //
Bow Musique
|
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