Clinical psychologist Aisling Curtis married secondary school teacher Fergal Brennan on 22nd November 2025, celebrating their winter wedding at Rathsallagh House in County Wicklow. Their elegant black-and-white celebration combined timeless bridal style, beautiful floral arrangements and a warm country house atmosphere, with plenty of personal touches that made the day entirely their own, captured by Emma Russell Photography.
Aisling and Fergal first met in 2019 through a mutual friend, who later became one of Aisling’s bridesmaids. One of her oldest and closest friends worked with Fergal and introduced the pair, and the rest, as they say, is history. Both originally from Kilkenny, they moved into Kilkenny City together in 2021 before beginning work on their forever home in 2023. Fergal proposed in March 2024 during a staycation at Galgorm Resort & Spa. Although Aisling had a feeling a proposal might be on the cards, the moment still came as a lovely surprise, and the resort provided the perfect setting to celebrate their engagement.
In the lead-up to the wedding, Aisling focused on building a consistent skincare routine to keep her complexion looking its best. With help from Isabelle at Nua Skin Clinic in Thomastown, County Kilkenny, she added facials and microneedling treatments to her prep, along with supplements to support her hair and skin health. On the wedding morning, she entrusted her beauty look to makeup artist Dawn from Make Up by Dawn and hairstylist Leanne from Vow2Wow Wedding Hair. Both helped create the polished bridal look she had envisioned, ensuring she felt confident and beautiful throughout the celebrations.
For her wedding fragrance, Aisling chose Jo Malone’s Peony & Blush Suede after visiting Brown Thomas for the Jo Malone wedding experience. She loved its fresh, feminine, floral notes and found it the perfect finishing touch for her bridal look. Fergal opted for Creed Aventus, a fragrance that suited his classic wedding-day style.
Finding her wedding dress was a relatively straightforward and enjoyable experience. After browsing online, Aisling already knew the style she wanted when she visited The White & Gold in Howth. It was the third bridal boutique she had visited, and she was immediately drawn to its collection of classic, timeless designs with a contemporary feel. After returning for a second appointment, she chose the Haven gown by NEWHITE Bridal. Working with bridal alterations specialist Liesa O’Keeffe, Aisling personalised the gown with beautiful balloon cap sleeves, creating a distinctive addition to the original design. The sleeves were detachable, allowing her to transform her look for the evening reception and dance comfortably into the night. The finished gown was everything she had imagined, combining timeless elegance with a contemporary twist.
Fergal chose a black velvet suit from Detail Menswear in Kilkenny, while his groomsmen wore classic black tuxedos. The rich velvet fabric was particularly fitting for a November wedding, adding a sophisticated seasonal touch to the overall styling. The team at Detail Menswear made the fitting process straightforward and stress-free, ensuring the groom and his party looked their best.
For the bridal party, Aisling wanted to embrace a classic black-and-white colour palette that would complement the winter setting. She chose elegant black dresses from Vesper for her four bridesmaids, her sister Siobhan and three of her oldest friends, Jenny, Niamh and Aoife. Comfort mattered as much as appearance, so Aisling was delighted when the first style they ordered suited everyone perfectly. The dresses complemented the wedding décor beautifully, creating a coordinated and timeless look.
The couple exchanged vows at Aisling’s local parish church in Clara, County Kilkenny. Having always wanted to marry in her home parish, the ceremony held particular significance for the bride. One of the most memorable elements was the music, performed entirely by friends from different chapters of the couple’s lives. Their beautiful performances brought an especially personal touch to the ceremony and became one of the couple’s favourite memories, with many guests commenting on the music afterwards.
When choosing their reception venue, Rathsallagh House was an easy decision from the moment they visited. The couple were particularly drawn to venues offering exclusive use, as they wanted family and friends to enjoy the celebrations together in a relaxed, intimate setting. With a November wedding in mind, they also hoped to find a country house that felt warm and welcoming, complete with open fires and cosy spaces where guests could gather.
Rathsallagh House delivered everything they were looking for, from its inviting snug rooms and beautiful surroundings to its exceptional food and service. The venue provided the perfect atmosphere for their winter celebration, allowing guests to relax and enjoy the occasion in a setting that felt both elegant and homely. Flowers and décor played an important role in bringing the couple’s vision to life. Working with Mary from Finesse Weddings, they created beautiful floral arrangements and styling for both the church and reception. From their very first meeting, Mary understood exactly what Aisling and Fergal wanted, transforming the spaces into stunning settings that complemented their classic black-and-white theme. The finished arrangements were everything they had hoped for, adding warmth and elegance to the celebrations.
For their evening entertainment, the couple booked The Pearly Whites, one of the very first suppliers they secured after getting engaged. Having seen the band perform at several weddings, they already knew they loved their energy and talent. As soon as they discovered the band was available for their date, they booked them without hesitation. The decision certainly paid off, with the band keeping the dancefloor full throughout the evening and receiving plenty of compliments from guests. The celebrations continued late into the night with a DJ and saxophonist, ensuring the party atmosphere never faded.
Another memorable addition to the reception was a wedding illustrator, who created personalised illustrations for guests to take home. The experience proved to be a huge hit, offering a thoughtful and entertaining alternative to traditional wedding favours and giving everyone a unique keepsake from the day.
Looking back, Aisling and Fergal count choosing Emma from Emma Russell Photography and Donal from OC Wedding Videography among their best decisions. Both made the couple feel completely at ease throughout the day, capturing countless special moments and memories they will treasure for years to come. They were equally delighted with Mary from Finesse Weddings, whose creativity and attention to detail brought their floral vision to life.
- Gráinne