On a New Year's day hike in Gougane Barra, Amy surprised Orna by proposing at a view point (while Orna admits to resting on a bench from the three hour walk and 'munching on a bag of crisps!') Orna, in shock, nearly forgot to say 'yes', while Amy had secretly set up her phone to capture the entire moment! Anyone else wish they had secret photos of their proposal!! We are envious here ladies!
From the onset it was important to Orna & Amy to have an outdoor ceremony and to have the option of a Plan B should it be raining on the day. Orna tells us 'it was a little drizzly on the morning of the wedding and we had our ceremony in the marquee and it was perfect. The new ceremony table was absolutely beautiful and looks great in the photos.' 'It was also import to us to have a venue and suppliers who were supportive of a gay couple.'
'Our wedding was relaxed (as relaxed as it could be for one of the most special and emotional days of your life), intimate and colourful. When I think back on our day now, six months later, I think of how only our closest friends and family were there. We had reduced numbers due to Covid but we were so thankful in the end as it gave us the most perfect wedding. It was wonderful looking down at our guests at our ceremony in the marquee and in the dining hall as well, knowing that we had our nearest and dearest there with us, that we knew every guest there was fully behind us and fully supported us and loved us. I also remember seeing the pops of colour of the rainbow flags, which our guests loved. Some of them carried a flag around all day, like my Uncle Denis, a retired Garda from Kerry, who proudly kept his rainbow flag in his jacket pocket all day.'
We asked Amy & Orna what made Fernhill 'the one' for their special day, 'Fernhill was only the second venue we looked at and it didn't take long at all to decide that it was 'the one'. We wanted to have everything in one place - the ceremony, the photos and the reception and Fernhill had this and so much more. We were blown away by how beautiful the gardens were. What also sealed the deal for us was how welcoming and friendly the staff are and how we were instantly made to feel comfortable. We saw photos of other gay couples who married there so that helped and reassured us as well.'
We also asked if Amy & Orna had any advice for future couples planning their day in Fernhill to which they said 'trust Ann - she is very good at her job and can make your job planning the wedding so much easier and less stressful. We also stayed the night before the wedding and did our hair and makeup in the Woodfield room ont he morning of the wedding. We had the chance to spend time with our sisters, Mums and Dads. There was no fuss, no stress and no stressed Mammies trying to make sure the house was perfect!'
They headed on a little honeymoon to Killarney Glamping which was back to a place they had gone to eight years previous while they were still dating! But stayed in one of the luxurious wooden lodges this time which was private, quiet and perfect. Sounds lovely!
Thank you so much Orna & Amy for taking part in our real wedding feature and for sharing your wedding planning tips with us. We wish you both every happiness in your lives together and very much look forward to welcoming you back to Fernhill again in the future.
Photographer: May22 Photography