Human resources manager Sonja Müller married policeman Rino Müller on 15th July 2025 at Castle Leslie Estate in County Monaghan. Bringing together guests from Switzerland and beyond, their destination wedding was a beautiful celebration of love, family and Irish hospitality, complete with live traditional music, a fairytale castle setting and plenty of personal touches, planned by Lena Freitag Weddings, captured by Wonder & Magic and featured in the Autumn issue of SOCIAL & PERSONAL WEDDINGS.
Sonja and Rino’s love story began in February 2016 during the vibrant celebrations of Fasnacht, the carnival in Sonja’s hometown. Rino was performing with a Guggenmusik band when he caught her eye. As the festivities wound down, Sonja made the first move, striking up a conversation and inviting him out for a drink. That memorable evening ended with their first kiss, followed by an official first date the very next day. Just one week later, they were officially a couple.
The proposal was a partial surprise, as Sonja knew the question was coming eventually, though she had no idea exactly when. While enjoying the dramatic rocky coastline of Smögen, with breathtaking views across the open sea, Rino popped the question, creating a moment they would never forget.
In the lead-up to the wedding, Sonja kept her beauty routine simple and consistent, focusing on hydration and treating herself to a monthly professional facial to maintain a healthy, natural glow. One highlight of her bridal preparations was a special trip to Ireland a few months before the wedding for their menu tasting and bridal trial. There, she met her stylist, Keira, for the first time. Together, they had plenty of fun experimenting with different hair and makeup looks until they found the perfect combination for the big day.
Finding the perfect wedding dress took Sonja to two bridal boutiques, accompanied by her sisters, mother and Rino’s sister. After trying on countless gowns, she was almost ready to give up when the final dress at Dolce Vita in Lörrach, Germany, caught her attention. Initially unsure about its dramatic low-back design, she was completely won over the moment she tried it on. It was the one! An even bigger surprise awaited them after the purchase: they discovered they were expecting their first baby.
Rino also made a point of finding his wedding attire, inviting his father and groomsmen along for a day of shopping and celebration. There was just one small mix-up: convinced their appointment was at the boutique’s Lörrach location, the entire group arrived at the wrong shop! Despite the unexpected detour and a slightly later start than planned, the day ended in success, with Rino finding his perfect look at Dolce Vita in Müllheim-Hügelheim, Germany. What could have been a stressful mistake became one of their favourite wedding-prep memories.
Sonja’s bridesmaids were her beautiful sisters, and she wanted a coordinated look that complemented the wedding colour palette. They settled on matching green dresses, finding the perfect designs at Mode Moser in Aarau, Switzerland.
As Swiss citizens, the couple discovered that arranging a legally binding wedding ceremony in Ireland was surprisingly straightforward, making it an easy decision to make their marriage official at their chosen destination. They needed a celebrant who could meet the legal requirements while incorporating both German and English, ensuring all their guests felt included. On the recommendation of their wedding planner, Lena, they connected with Susan, who was the perfect fit. Together, they created a bilingual ceremony with carefully chosen music and personal vows.
In a lovely coincidence, Sonja and Rino’s vows ended up being remarkably similar in content, making the moment even more meaningful. They also incorporated a traditional wish tree, inviting guests to leave handwritten messages on its branches. For the welcome dinner, they took the idea a step further by printing a beautiful tree silhouette on a large poster and asking guests to add their fingerprints to the branches, creating a colourful keepsake they could later frame.
When choosing their venue, Sonja and Rino had always imagined a majestic castle surrounded by nature, with beautiful views and plenty of accommodation so guests could enjoy the experience together. Their wedding planner, Lena, recommended Castle Leslie Estate. Although they were initially a little hesitant, a virtual tour and Lena’s subsequent visit to the estate, where she shared additional photographs and videos, quickly convinced them it was the perfect setting. The estate completely swept them away, from its beautiful lake and unspoiled surroundings to its impressive rooms filled with character. More than a wedding venue, Castle Leslie let them create an immersive, deeply personal experience for their loved ones. It also became the setting for two particularly special celebrations, as the couple shared the happy news of their pregnancy and hosted a gender reveal with their family and friends during their stay.
For their ceremony, Sonja and Rino wanted live acoustic music and vocals to create the right atmosphere. They discovered the Canape Cruisers and immediately fell in love with their sound. For the drinks reception, they wanted something lively with an authentic Irish feel, so, following another recommendation from Lena, they booked traditional Irish band Céilí Cottage. The band proved a huge hit with guests, especially when the unpredictable Irish weather took an unexpected turn. As the rain gave way to beautiful sunshine, the musicians quickly moved outdoors with everyone, keeping the music going and encouraging guests to dance on the lawn. This spontaneous moment made the drinks reception even more memorable.
For the evening celebrations, Lena introduced the couple to DJ Tommy Elliott. They felt an immediate connection during their first call, and he did a wonderful job of bringing together the couple’s musical tastes. Throughout the night, he seamlessly incorporated a selection of German favourites, keeping the energy high and the dancefloor packed until the early hours. The addition of a saxophonist towards the end of the evening was the ultimate highlight, bringing the celebrations to a spectacular close.
Looking back, Sonja and Rino agree that one of their best decisions was staying true to their dream of having a destination wedding. Although the idea initially raised a few surprised eyebrows, they worried that asking guests to travel abroad might affect attendance. Instead, they were overwhelmed by the love and support they received, with almost everyone accepting their invitation and very few cancellations.
Their only regret was not celebrating for longer. Two days simply flew by, and they would have happily enjoyed more time with their loved ones at Castle Leslie. Perhaps a return visit as a family for their tenth wedding anniversary will be the perfect excuse to do it all over again!
- Gráinne