We love that even after looking at the most beautiful weddings in the world, we can still fall in love with something totally new and exciting. Carine and Chris’ alternative beach wedding is as glamorous as it is eclectic. The Irish wedding took place on Portnoo Beach with an impeccable geometric motif that was implemented by the couple themselves. The design-oriented pair envisioned a wedding celebrating shapes and color as much as their love. The enormously talented Moat Hill Photography did a striking job capturing the softness of the beach celebration and the modern angles of the DIY décor. From Carine’s custom light pink gown to the fresh-from-Barcelona flower petals, every detail of Carine and Chris’ wedding is a source of inspiration.
The Couple: Carine and Chris
The Wedding: Portnoo Beach, County Donegal
The Inspiration: “We love the aesthetic and form of triangles and geometric design and, from that, 600 hand-crafted tetrahedrons were born! Chris made all of the wooden boards for the shapes to be put in, including the base for the cake. We used the off-cuts from the geometric templates to cut the multi-coloured paper into teeny tiny triangles to make confetti bags which were closed with stickers which we designed. For the hanging displays above the tables, we used the geometric shapes and Chris made Scandinavian himmelis from metal tubing and we sprayed the table letters copper and placed them into each himmeli.
Chris’ Mum, Jenny, spent the months leading up to the wedding growing and tending to all the beautiful flowers and succulents which populated the beach, the house and the tent. They were amazing! We lined succulents in a glass and wooden sideboard which we bought from a local menswear shop in Enniskillen, and also used them to decorate the tables. The flowers had lots of greens and whites with pops of yellow and pink from the poppies, alliums and craspedia. Chris’ aunt, Robina, made all of the bouquets and the button holes using the flowers and plants which Jenny had grown including craspedia, thistles and eucalyptus which she tied together using copper piping.
Fashion-wise, we both knew we didn’t want something traditional. After trying on a couple of wedding dresses, I quickly knew that they weren’t for me. Taking inspiration from various different elements of design and my engagement ring, Danielle produced a dress which I loved and felt so comfortable in. The colour of Chris’ suit complemented the pink of my dress and all of the other colours that made up the decor and the flowers.”
The Moments: “My brother-in-law, Pedro, had flown hundreds of rose petals over from Barcelona as a surprise for us to mirror my sister and his wedding ceremony in Sitges last year so we were showered in petals and surrounded by all our close family and friends as we walked off the beach! Surreal.
One of Chris’ favourite moments was getting the wedding party and family back down to the beach to take some photos with the most incredible sunset behind us.”
The Couple Recommends: “Arlene from Carnaween: Just a dream to work with, Arlene was so enthusiast about everything and couldn’t do enough to help us. We are still in touch and planning our next trip over for her delicious seafood! Paul from Moat Hill: What can we say! Paul was brilliant and made us feel instantly at ease, he was such good craic and his picture capture our day perfectly. Nick + the boys from Maverick Marquees: Nick came to meet us at Carnaween last Christmas in the snow! He was brilliant and so helpful from start to finish. Robbie + the boys from Midnight Sounds: The speeches ran over by quite a while so when the boys stepped up, they went full steam until late in the night. They had everyone on their feet and they stayed there into the wee hours!”
The Wedding Team:
Photography – Moat Hill Photography
Ceremony Venue – Portnoo Beach, Co. Donegal
Reception Venue – Carnaween House
Live Band – Midnight Sounds
Hair & Makeup Artist – Grainne Moane
Wedding Dress – Danielle Jade Windsor
Bridal Accessories – & Other Stories
Groom’s Apparel – Beggar’s Run
Groomsmen’s Apparel – COS
Rings – Erica Weiner NYC
Rentals – Maverick Marquees, Table10
Favors – Tiny Box Company
We are so thankful to Moat Hill Photography for sharing these magical Irish wedding images with Junebug, and to Carine and Chris for providing such unique wedding inspiration with their big day. For more creative wedding style, check out the bride’s outfit in Ivana and Ivan’s casual Croation wedding by the sea.
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