I don't know about you, but looking at MÃcheál and Andrzej's gorgeous real wedding is making me so excited for autumn wedding celebrations! The couple chose Rockhill House in the lush countryside of Letterkenny, Donegal for their September wedding. Their day was an amalgamation of oranges, rusts and greens, as well as an ode to their homes, Ireland and Poland! Wander & Thyme Photography was kind enough to share the images from their Rockhill House wedding with us, so let's take a closer look!
From Ireland and Poland, MÃcheál and Andrzej tell us that they originally met online, and went for their first date at an art exhibit! "From the chats, emails and phone calls it soon became clear that there was a spark, even though there was almost 100 miles between us. MÃcheál was then taking part in an art exhibition in Donegal, close to where Andrzej lived, so we went together, as a first date. The rest is bliss-tory."
When it came to the proposal, this couple did it backwards! "We had the wedding venue and date already booked, then invited all our friends to an engagement garden party in Belfast. Andrzej was always going to do the asking, MÃcheál just didn’t know how or when. But it was there, in front of family and friends and under a much-loved fairy thorn tree, that Andrzej proposed on one knee. The champagne flowed the rest of the evening!'
The couple had their mum's walk them down the aisle. So sweet! We're not crying you are!
As a nod to Andrzej's Polish heritage, one of their younger guests who was dressed in traditional Polish folk costume welcomed friends and family and handed out bi-lingual ceremony booklets which the couple designed.
MÃcheál & Andrzej included a Celtic hand-fasting and a ring warming ritual in their ceremony, two really gorgeous and personal elements to include in your ceremony.
The couples biggest priority of the day was to celebrate their Irish and Polish cultures coming together. After the ceremony, the couple decided to have a flag raising ceremony of their national flags accompanied by a bugle call. How sweet!
The grooms both rocked matching brown check suits by Freddie Hatchet. We are just obsessed with the zesty orange detailing! It adds such a gorgeous element to the day and ties the orange theme in through the whole wedding.
With 60 guests, MÃcheál & Andrzej's wedding was was a fairly intimate one, but they tell us their memories of the day are full of 'energy, smiles and colour.'
Beautiful floral arrangements of dark greens, rust and nude tones set the autumn tone and the couples inspiring personal touches such as hand-painted canvases at each table warmed everyone’s hearts. The pair tell us, 'everyone commented just how sophisticated, yet relaxed it all was'.
The couple chose their venue because of its style and privacy. "There is a fantastic forest drive that leads up to Rockhill House which brings a sense of excitement and anticipation when you first visit. The country house itself has been beautifully renovated with elegant rooms, tasteful décor and superb gardens. And all weddings are private, so the only ones going through those gates on your wedding day are your guests… and that feels good."
The old world charm of this location and it's beautiful grounds is something that we just adore too!
The couple have two bits of advice for engaged couples. "First of all, don’t plan anything during a global pandemic… wait it out. Secondly, maximise the time you spend with your family and guests because your day will fly and you’ll not get those opportunities again."
Although they had planned a trip to Latin America for their honeymoon, because of Covid they ended up heading to Corfu for a week instead. "While a week by the pool isn’t our norm, it worked so well for us, because we used the time to unwind, reflect and have a laugh."
A huge thank you to MÃcheál and Andrzej for sharing their Rockhill House Wedding with us. A massive thank you also goes to Wander & Thyme for their amazing work on these images! There are more beautiful images for you to pore over in the gallery below!
