Niamh Harvey, a nurse, and Billy Mitchell, an aerospace engineer, first met in a London pub while Niamh was visiting close friends and Billy was in the city for a concert. They got chatting that night, completely unaware of where it would lead, and soon found themselves flying back and forth every two weeks, with Niamh living in Dublin and Billy in Bristol. After nearly two years of flights between the two cities, Niamh moved to Bristol, beginning the next chapter of their relationship, and on May 4th, 2026, they celebrated their wedding day at Tankardstown House, captured by Niamh Smith Photography.
As London was where they first met, Billy decided it was the perfect place to propose. He booked a beautiful hotel suite overlooking Hyde Park, where balloons, flowers, champagne, and chocolates waited for them. In the privacy of their room, he asked Niamh to marry him, and it was a very easy yes. He had also arranged a Michelin-starred dinner that evening, making the whole day feel thoughtful and personal. “The whole day was thoughtfully planned and felt very ‘us’ – simple, private and meaningful. It was exactly the kind of proposal I had always imagined.”
Niamh knew from the beginning that she wanted Ellie Fay to do her wedding hair, so she began flying back to Dublin approximately every eight weeks in the eight to ten months before the wedding to have her colour done. This meant her hair was exactly the shade she wanted on the day, while also giving her and Ellie the opportunity to discuss ideas for the final style. For her skin, Niamh had a course of microneedling treatments and made a conscious effort to stay hydrated, avoid too much sun and wear SPF 50 every day. When it came to makeup, she wanted to look like herself, just a more polished version, choosing Dearbhla for her natural and fresh approach.
Her wedding scent was Penhaligon's Halfeti, which was particularly special as it was one of the gifts Billy gave her on the morning of the wedding. “It's been my favourite perfume for a long time and the one I always choose for special occasions. Now, every time I wear it, it brings back memories of our wedding day.”
Niamh decided to keep wedding dress shopping relatively intimate, bringing just her mum along as she tried a range of different silhouettes across several bridal boutiques. She wasn't completely sure which style would suit her, but she knew she would recognise the right dress when she found it. That happened at White and Gold in Howth, where she tried on the Katherine Tash Diana gown. The luxurious silk was elegant, lightweight and comfortable, and she immediately felt like herself in it. She paired the dress with an Alexandra Grecco veil, simple A.B. Ellie Baroque Stud Climber earrings and a Simone Rocha pearl bag, which added a practical finishing touch for keeping her lipstick and essentials close throughout the day.
Billy always knew he wanted a classic look, choosing a black velvet tuxedo jacket for himself and his two groomsmen. The timeless style suited the day perfectly and gave the bridal party a cohesive finish alongside Niamh's elegant gown.
Niamh's bridesmaids were her two best friends, Ally and Lorna. She has known Ally since she was five and met Lorna at secondary school, so having both women by her side on the wedding day was something she had always imagined. After going back and forth on the colour, Niamh knew black was the right choice as soon as the girls tried on the gowns. The elegant dresses paired beautifully with the groomsmen's tuxedos, keeping the bridal party polished and cohesive.
The ceremony took place outdoors in the grounds of Tankardstown House, something Niamh and Billy had always hoped for. Fortunately, they had a beautiful, sunny day. The couple also chose to have a first look before the ceremony, which helped them feel much more relaxed when it came time to walk down the aisle. Castle String Quartet provided the music, playing pieces that held special meaning for the couple, while celebrant Miriam took the time to get to know them beforehand so the ceremony felt authentic to their relationship. Family members, including Niamh's nieces, also read poems during the ceremony. For Niamh, this was one of the most special moments, while Billy's standout moment was seeing his bride walk down the aisle with her dad.
Tankardstown House was an immediate contender for the couple. From the moment they drove up the tree-lined entrance, they were completely blown away, although Niamh admits she tried not to get her hopes up in case their date wasn't available. As luck would have it, they secured the last available weekend day. The Orangery, grounds and outdoor ceremony space were exactly what they had hoped for, while exclusive use of the property for two days and on-site accommodation made it particularly suited to their plans.
A Day Two celebration was also important to the couple, and Tankardstown accommodated that alongside the wedding itself. After their menu tasting, they felt reassured that the food would be just as important to their guests as it was to them. The service was equally impressive, with the team taking care of every detail throughout the weekend. “The team at Tankardstown House were incredible throughout the whole experience. The venue and staff couldn’t have done more for us or our guests, and their attention to detail helped make the entire weekend feel effortless.”
Entertainment was another priority once they secured the venue and date. The couple had seen magician and MC Jamie Skelton perform at a friend's wedding several years earlier and had already decided that if they ever got married, they would have to book him. He became the first supplier they secured and remains one of the things their guests talk about most.
For the evening reception, Spring Break provided the soundtrack, with the couple looking for a band that was fun, interactive and played music they genuinely loved. They kept the dance floor full throughout the night and created the atmosphere the couple had hoped for. As Billy is a big Guinness fan, they also added a fun personal touch with Print My Pint at both the wedding and their Day Two celebration, letting guests have photos and messages printed on the head of their Guinness.
The following day was deliberately more relaxed, with the couple hosting a barbecue on the terrace at Tankardstown House. Scott Mac Music and Craig Counihan provided laid-back, singalong entertainment, creating an easygoing atmosphere for guests to unwind together after the wedding.
One of the couple's best decisions was choosing suppliers who understood their vision for the day. They also credit their first look as a particularly worthwhile choice, as it let them take all their couple portraits before the drinks reception and spend much more time celebrating with their guests. It also gave them the opportunity to cut their wedding cake during the drinks reception. The cake was a thoughtful gift from Niamh's cousin Michelle, and serving it earlier meant everyone could enjoy a slice rather than waiting until later in the evening.
Looking back, Niamh's biggest piece of advice is simple: “Don’t sweat the small stuff. Trust the team you've chosen, and everything will come together on the day. It will be even better than you ever imagined.”
- Gráinne