Sarah-Jane Donnelly and David Moore tied the knot on a summer’s day at the intimate Faithlegg House Hotel in 2014. Photography by Lisa Walsh Photography.
The couple met over a decade ago in New Jersey on a J1. “We both got jobs working as life guards in Morey’s Piers Beachfront Waterpark. We met at the very start of the summer during the training week for the job. We got paired together to practise CPR and after a party my friends and I had at the end of the week, the rest is history,” said Sarah-Jane.
Ten years later, Sarah-Jane and David went back to Wildwood. “Dave suggested that we go down to the beach the following morning to watch the sun rise. It was the beach where we spent so many days in 2003.” He proposed on the beach with the waterpark where they met in the background.
While they were still in the States, Sarah-Jane’s mum had already started checking dates for the following summer. Sarah-Jane is a real home bird so the location of the wedding was always going to be Waterford.
“When we came home, we did what a lot of newly engaged couple do and visit different venues. However, there was no contest or doubt that Failthlegg House Hotel was the perfect venue. It is a beautiful hotel, with amazing facilities and staff that would make any couple feel at ease and excited about their big day.” Not only that, Sarah-Jane’s family home is also located on the grounds of Faithlegg House Hotel, so that made it extra special.
Sarah-Jane and her bridal party visited many bridal shops around the country but as soon as they arrived at Eden Manor Bridal in Enniscorthy it had a very special feeling. “The shop is located in a beautiful setting and the owner Hilda is so professional and made me feel at ease right away,” said Sarah-Jane. The dress and veil were chosen that day with all the bridal party in agreement.
The three bridesmaids’ dresses were Eliza & Ethan from Coco Boutique in Dublin. The wrap dresses suited the summer wedding perfectly and meant that all three bridesmaids looked amazing and were comfortable on the day.
“We did lots of personal and different touches for the wedding. All the tables were named after states in America where we were together.” They also decorated the drinks reception marquee with photos and guests were treated to specially chosen food and drink too. “During the evening, guests were treated to s’mores and pork blaas as a nod to America and Waterford.” The apple sauce for the blaas came from apples gown in Sarah-Jane’s parents’ house and he apple juice served at the reception was also from the garden.
One thing Sarah-Jane would change is when she got her photographs done. “We planned a really nice afternoon for our guests with jazz music, food and drinks in the marquee. We missed quite a lot of this to get the photographs done, so it would have been nice to have had some of them done earlier and then enjoy the afternoon with our friends and families.”
Vendors: Photographer: Lisa Walsh Photography | Venue: Faithlegg House Hotel | Dress & Veil: Eden Manor Bridal | Brides Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Bridesmaid Dresses: Coco Boutique | Suits: Diffney | Stationery: The White Studio | Cake: Cherub Couture Cakes | Flowers: Rosemary Tritschler | Church Singer: Caroline Reid O’Brien | Band/DJ/Jazz: Boogie Nights | Photo Booth: Booths of Fun | Fire Performers: Ember Agency | Videographer: MDM | Car Hire: The Limo Company | Pig on Spit: Molloy’s Butchers | Marquee: Silk Road Tents