In the latest installment of The Chupi Wedding Series , we speak to Ciara & Brian about the beginning of their relationship in 2011 to their gorgeous wedding in the Cliff at Lyons.

Unbeknownst to either of us we had met many, many times over the years! Brian had given a few of my friends a lift to my 21st and was literally just outside the door, then two weeks after that, at another birthday party, in the background of a picture there the two of us are standing beside each other at the bar!

However it took a further two years for our paths to cross again in 2011 at one of my very good friend’s (and bridesmaid) birthday party – a party which I was not going to go to but decided to very last minute! Apart from hello’s, we didn’t speak two words to one another that night but a few weeks later we swapped numbers and the rest is history!

We got engaged in November 2017. Poor Brian had tried twice before this but something managed to get in the way each time! When he eventually managed to pop the question, which was a huge surprise to me, it was in the kitchen of our beautiful new house, with him covered in mud after a football match and me in my pj’s! It was very us and could not have been more perfect!

We got married in Cliff at Lyons on 23rd August 2019. We had made appointments to go view 4 venues, Cliff at Lyons was the second we went to. I knew I was going to love it – I had done some major research! But after having a look around the Wedding Coordinator asked us what we thought and Brian instantly said “Where do we sign?” – we both just knew it was perfect for us and immediately cancelled the other viewings! Cliff at Lyons is just so beautiful and relaxed which is exactly what we had imagined for the day

From the minute we started planning we had our guests in mind. We wanted them to have a very relaxed day but more importantly we wanted them to have fun!

We had the most beautiful weather for the day of our wedding – which was a huge surprise to everyone as it had been raining non-stop for the whole week! With the sun shining our humanist ceremony took place outside in the orchard, walking up the aisle to Here Comes the Sun by the Beatles which proved very fitting!

Ciara : The most memorable part of the day for me was how relaxed it was – everything about the build up and getting ready that morning was super relaxed and fun, exactly how I wanted it to be! There was absolutely no stressing or nerves, it was perfect! Also our ceremony – it was very personal and meaningful to us both. A close friend of ours wrote us a poem which he read during the ceremony and had everyone hysterically laughing! I still laugh to myself when I think back on it!

Brian: Watching Ciara walking down the aisle towards me is hands down the most memorable part for me, that ‘wow’ moment when she first appeared around the corner I will never forget!

My dress was from The White Gallery in Newry. I had an idea of what I was looking for but after visiting a few different stores I wasn’t particularly enjoying the dress experience… Until I met the girls in TWG ! They understood exactly what I had in mind – something relaxed and romantic without being too ‘formal’. The dress was by Tara Lauren – a fitted lace dress with the most romantic, delicately embroidered tulle over-skirt. The second I put it on I knew it was the one.

Chupi pieces played a huge part on the day!! First of all Brian had bravely chosen the engagement ring by himself – although over the years I had hinted that Chupi was the direction he should look! The beautiful Morganite One In A Trillion Ring could not be more perfect!

When I was in the store having it resized I met Chupi herself and we got chatting all things heirlooms. My Dad surprised me on the morning with stunning I’d be Lost Without You Stud Earrings and I gifted my Bridesmaids Gold Initial Necklaces , which 2 months later they have not gone a day without wearing! I wore my Initial Bracelet with blue topaz birthstone as my something blue, my Your North Star Necklace Classic Diamond necklace and finally my Swan Feather Chain Belt when the over-skirt came off for dancing!

I have always loved the unique style of Chupi pieces, being different to the norm instantly drew me in! On the lead up to the wedding, I both browsed online and paid many a visit to the store, each time meeting with the most friendly and welcoming staff – it was such a lovely experience!

I still beam from ear to ear every time I look at my One in a Trillion engagement ring, and now that it sits beside it in my wedding band means the absolute world to me.

Photographer – Eric Molimard – ericmolimard.ie
Flowers – Flowers by Moira ( https://www.flowersbymoira.ie/ )
Make Up – Caitriona Judge (Instagram – Makeup by Caitriona – @caitrionamua)
Hair – Joan Redmond
Dress – The White Gallery ( https://www.thewhitegalleryboutique.co.uk/ )
Suits – Diffney ( https://www.diffney.ie/ )