Steeped in a thousand years of eventful history and brimming with an irrepressible spirit of five-star delight, the 16th-century Dromoland Castle made a stunning venue for Yuling An and Hugh Cassidy's wedding on December 7th, 2024. Captured by Anna G Photography and Valentina Gassiy and planned by Perfect Details, we couldn't imagine a more beautiful winter wedding if we tried!

The couple met at a bar in early 2020. "It was an unexpectedly mild winter night, and not too long before COVID lockdowns happened. Neither of us believed in love at first sight—but we both had a feeling that something was different!"

Hugh proposed one quiet evening in October 2023, as the pair were winding down for the night. "It completely took me by surprise! The moment was perfect and intimate—just the two of us at home, with our cat as our only witness. Some details are just for us to hold onto, but the next day, we celebrated with dinner at our favourite Thai restaurant."

For her hair, Yuling worked closely with both her regular stylist and bridal hairstylist, Martina, to get her tresses to their ideal condition for her planned styles. She stopped having her hair thinned at her regular hair appointments, instead opting for a trim to encourage length. And the results paid off! "Martina created the most gorgeous waves for the ceremony and a stunning updo for the reception, all without any extensions! It was worth every bit of effort… though I booked a haircut right after the wedding to thin it out again, finally!"

For makeup, Yuling's artist Lina created the perfect soft glam look. As she doesn’t usually wear much makeup, she was a little nervous about not looking like her usual self. But the pair had excellent communication, and on the day, everything felt right. For her wedding day fragrance, Yuling wore Chanel Gabrielle Essence Eau de Parfum, a warm, floral scent that felt perfect for the winter—it was subtle yet just right for the occasion.

"I always knew I wanted a ball gown for my wedding—when else would I get the chance to wear one? I chose a gown with a chapel-length train, sweetheart neckline, and beautiful lace detailing. The dress originally had a deep neckline, but I decided to add extra lace to make it more modest. I paired it with a classic cathedral-length veil with a blusher, which had the most dreamy, soft tulle. I realised I’d feel too overstimulated wearing a heavy ball gown all day. I also really wanted to have a first look with Hugh, but since we were having a traditional ceremony, that moment was planned for when I walked down the aisle. A second dress was the perfect solution to both!"

"One of the hardest parts of wedding dress shopping was not being able to consult Hugh or share what I had chosen! Hugh had the opposite experience with his tuxedo. We visited several shops but ultimately chose a classic tuxedo from Brooks Brothers. Their menswear always fits him well, so only minimal alterations were needed. He styled his tux with a buttonhole that matched my bouquet, silver cufflinks gifted by his parents, and silver-and-black shirt studs."

Yuling had five bridesmaids in total: her sister, her childhood best friend, her college best friend, and Hugh’s two goddaughters. "The most important thing to me was that everyone felt comfortable and excited about what they were wearing. Revelry had this gorgeous velvet fabric that was not only flattering but also warm, which was perfect for a winter wedding. I knew I wanted a shade of green to match the festive season, but the most challenging part was choosing between the two options; It took me weeks to decide, and I ultimately chose the bluish emerald."

"We had our ceremony in Kincora Hall at Dromoland Castle. One thing that was important to us was that the ceremony reflected our personalities and who we are as a couple. We really felt it did—it was truly perfect. By the time the ceremony began, the rain from Storm Darragh had cleared. Beautiful natural light streamed in, while the 60-80 km/h winds howled outside. We entered the ceremony by coming down the stairs of Kincora Hall. It was a practical decision—the alternative was to line up outside and enter through the doors, which could have been hazardous due to unpredictable winter weather. What we didn’t expect was how much more meaningful it felt to enter from above, looking down at everyone. Our favourite part was seeing all of our loved ones from that vantage point. It was such a special moment, being able to take it all in at once."

After deciding to get married in Ireland, the couple created a massive spreadsheet of venues across the country. "It was October/November 2023, and we were hoping for a wedding during the 2024 festive season. However, we couldn’t make it to Ireland to see venues in person anytime soon. We ended up selecting Dromoland Castle as Hugh’s family has ties to the venue, and he was confident it would be the perfect choice. We loved everything about Dromoland Castle, and Margaret and the entire Dromoland team made us feel so well taken care of. Since our wedding was in the winter, we decided to host everything indoors, as the weather would be too unpredictable and cold to enjoy the outdoor spaces. Initially, we were a bit nervous about hosting all our events indoors, but those concerns quickly subsided. There was more than enough space to accommodate everything, and the day flowed seamlessly."

"We had a clear vision for the music we wanted for our wedding, and Kate made the process so easy by connecting us with all the right suppliers. Seán and Frank provided the music for our ceremony. The richness of their voices made the ceremony even more special. During the drinks reception, Elaine played the harp, setting the perfect tone for a relaxed atmosphere where our loved ones could mingle and get to know each other. For the party, DJ Paul Fitz kept the energy high with hit after hit, accompanied by Ciarán on the fiddle. Together, they kept the dance floor packed and the vibes just right! We also had some of our own entertainment at the party. We wanted to include our cat in some way, so we blew up giant pictures of her face. They were a huge hit, and everyone had a blast dancing with them!"

Regarding the best decision, Yuling said, "Three things stand out as the best decisions we made. The first was hiring our amazing wedding planner, Kate Deegan. Wedding planning is a lot of work, and with our busy schedules, we knew we needed a strong and reliable planner. There were so many moments during the process when I said to Hugh, ‘I know I’ve said this a million times, but thank God we hired Kate!’. The second was deciding to stay together after the ceremony for the rest of the celebration. The day was flying by in such a blur, but staying side by side allowed us to stay grounded and savour each moment together. It was so special to share those precious moments together, without being pulled in separate directions. Finally, the cake! It was a true showstopper and became a focal point of our reception. I loved working with Deborah to design our Lambeth cake, ensuring it struck the perfect balance of intricate, elegant detail without overpowering the overall aesthetic. The execution was flawless, and the cake was absolutely delicious!"

- Gráinne