After a year-long period of long-distance dating over FaceTime, Emily Desmond, a technology consultant, and Jacques Bestel, a management consultant, finally settled in London before deciding to marry in Ireland. They celebrated their wedding at Tankardstown House on 30th May 2026, with a romantic, personal celebration that placed music, meaningful details and an incredible party firmly at the heart of the day, shot by Studio Brown.
"Like most modern love stories today, ours began on an app." The couple matched on Hinge in London while Emily was commuting from Belfast for work and Jacques was working in the city. After their first date near St Paul’s Cathedral, lockdown separated them for more than a year, but countless hours spent talking over FaceTime only strengthened their relationship.
After eventually moving to London together, the couple knew they wanted to marry in Ireland. Their proposal came during a surprise trip to Lough Erne Resort, arranged by Jacques during a visit to Emily’s family in August 2023. "After a quick stop at my parents’ to pack, we were back on the road, and Jacques drove us to the stunning Lough Erne Resort in Enniskillen." The proposal took place during a walk overlooking the lake, followed by celebratory calls to family and friends and dinner at the resort's Catalina Restaurant.
Emily took a considered approach to her pre-wedding beauty, beginning with a consultation at Aura Clinic in Kent before completing a six-month programme of skin peels and microneedling, followed by HydraFacials in the weeks before the wedding. She also had hair and makeup trials with Joanne and Oksana, while the couple chose Byredo’s Rose of No Man’s Land and Maison Margiela’s Under the Stars as their wedding scents. "I started my bridal beauty journey at the Aura Clinic in Rochester, Kent, with an initial skin consultation alongside a consultation with Dr Yasmin to discuss injectables."
For her dress search, Emily knew she wanted a classic ballgown silhouette and decided to shop in Ireland, making it easier to bring together her family and bridesmaids from across different countries. She eventually found her gown at Ivy & White Boutique in Belfast, choosing the Kyha Kasia corset and Milford skirt, which she customised with straps, before changing into a matching miniskirt for the evening. "With my mum, bridesmaids, and cousin all there to help, I fell in love with the Kasia corset paired with the Milford skirt by the brand Kyha."
Jacques opted for a double-breasted tuxedo from Suitsupply, drawing inspiration from Savile Row tailoring. Like Emily, he also chose an outfit change for the evening, switching into an off-white dinner jacket. "After getting some great advice from friends, Jacques looked at some shops around Savile Row before ultimately finding the perfect double-breasted tuxedo from Suitsupply."
Emily’s bridal party included her maid of honour and school best friend Shannon, university friend and former housemate Madelyn, and cousin Katie. With the girls living between London, Dubai and Dublin, finding a dress they could all try on together proved challenging, so Emily hosted a fitting at her parents’ home in Donegal. "The unanimous winner for all three girls was a blush pink dress from Coast." The bridesmaids paired their dresses with Emily’s own Zara heels, while she gifted each of them matching Abbott Lyon jewellery on the morning of the wedding.
"Our absolute favourite moment was when Erica paused the ceremony to ask all in attendance to stop, take a deep breath, and truly take the moment in." With Erica Delaney as their celebrant, the ceremony was designed to feel personal and intimate, with meaningful readings and music throughout. Emily walked down the aisle to Lana Del Rey’s ‘Video Games’ performed by the Leinster String Quartet, while her school friends later performed ‘Dreams’ by The Cranberries.
The couple had already started researching venues before they were engaged, but Tankardstown House quickly became the benchmark against which they compared all other venues. After viewing the venue in autumn 2023, they knew it was where they wanted to marry, even though they had to wait until 2026 for their preferred summer Saturday. "As soon as we saw Tankardstown House, it became the standard to beat, and we compared every other venue against it!" Beyond the beautiful interiors and grounds, it was the staff who ultimately made the biggest impression, with the couple praising the care and attention that made the entire day feel effortless.
Music was a priority from the beginning, with the Leinster String Quartet creating an elegant atmosphere throughout the ceremony and drinks reception before The Event Band took over for the evening. The couple kept the band’s appearance a secret from most of their guests, turning their arrival at the reception into a surprise dinner show.
"The star of the show for us was The Event Band." After making their entrance to ‘Simply the Best’, the band kept guests on the dance floor throughout dinner and well into the night, with the couple receiving plenty of compliments the following morning. Booking The Event Band and making the ceremony personal were among the couple’s best decisions, particularly writing their own vows.
Their biggest regret was spending so much time worrying about the weather, especially when rain threatened their plans for an outdoor ceremony. "Hands down, our worst decision was stressing over the weather in the days leading up to the wedding!"
In the end, the ceremony moved into Tankardstown’s Orangery, beautifully styled with florals from Frog Prince Weddings, while the rain held off long enough for the couple to enjoy their drinks reception and photographs outside.
- Gráinne