WEDDING BLOG

When Rachel and Fionnan were gearing up for their Horetown House destination wedding, they had a simple but giant goal: make it unforgettable for everyone. And guess what? They totally nailed it with the help of their fantastic vendor team! Picking the charming country house as their venue for the three-day lovefest was just the beginning. Their choice of a garden vibe, sprinkled with wildflowers and a fresh color palette, took the romance to a whole new level. It was truly a magical celebration of love that they pulled off effortlessly.

Nestled in the serene Irish countryside, the pair chose the beautiful stone mansion surrounded by rolling hills and lush birch trees for their special day. The ceremony unfolded in The White Room overlooking the gardens. Transitioning to the reception, they transformed the dining room into a magical, textural forest by incorporating vines, clusters of blooms, and lots of greenery. They added beautiful linens, colorful candles, and delicate sprays of flowers and fruit, turning their celebration into a fairy tale of romance and charm.

Bringing their loved ones together for such a special occasion was a big deal for them, and they wanted the love they felt to shine through every moment of the celebration. If you want to see the beauty of every moment and get inspired by their wedding journey, just take a scroll through these amazing photos captured by Wild Things Wed.

The Couple:

Rachel and Fionnan

The Wedding:

Horetown House, Wexford, Ireland

Choosing Calm Over Chaos During the Wedding Prep

There’s no right way to do the wedding prep, so don’t give into the “as seen on TikTok” pressure. I did not want the busy bridal suite with matching pajamas, loads of champagne, and photoshoots. While I love that for others, I knew I needed to feel centered to be present during the ceremony. I asked my bridesmaids to help me keep the room quiet, clean, and calm, with lots of natural light and only a few people in the room. I thought I was making a mistake at first, that I would regret not having those types of photos and memories, but the photos are just as wonderful and captured intimate moments with my bridal party and parents.

Navigating Nerves and Emotions by Having a First Look

We made the ultra-romantic, pragmatic decision to do a first look to get the portraits out of the way before the ceremony. Still, it was one of the most unexpected emotional experiences. We were both happy to have some of the nerves diffused and to have had that quiet, grounding moment together because everything is a blur once the ceremony begins. For us, wedding planning felt oddly peripheral until the moment you got to be with your person, and it began to feel real.

Creating a Magical Horetown House Destination Wedding Atmosphere with Locally Grown Wildflowers

We trusted Horetown House for great food but also cared a lot about how everything looked and felt on our wedding day. I discovered Fionnuala Fallon, the Irish Flower Farmer, in the Irish Times gardening column, and I liked that she used local wildflowers. Even during planning pauses, knowing she was growing the flowers felt special. Since guests were staying for three nights, we wanted each space to feel different on the wedding day. Fionnuala and our stylist, Grace Campbell of Grace & Saviour, turned the dining room into a magical forest with vines, blooms, and greenery. They even transformed the poles into trees for a cozy, green feel wherever guests sat.

Letting Go and Trusting the Pros and Key Loved Ones

Planning a wedding from Boston in just nine months meant relying heavily on Zoom and WhatsApp, with only Fionn having seen the venue in person. We initially found ourselves caught in a whirlwind of trying to control everything from afar until we realized the importance of trusting experienced suppliers. While it may seem obvious, it’s easy to forget amidst the stress. Another critical tip is to designate two reliable members from your wedding party or family as points of contact for last-minute decisions. Communicate this clearly to your guests, and don’t overthink their authority—unless it involves budget or safety, trust them to handle details like boutonniere pinning or arranging taxi pickups. After all, they’re there to witness and support your special day.

How Guest Mingling Defined Their Wedding Experience

We prioritized mingling between our guests—assigning our families and wedding parties to get American and European guests chatting before we even arrived in Wexford. We arranged carpools from Dublin, set up a weekend Whatsapp group (dutifully moderated by our groomsmen), and ensured every event had mixed seating arrangements to keep people talking and hanging out.  Our friends still talk about the relationships formed during our weekend. Seeing so many offshoots of our collective and separate lives collide has been the most beautiful experience. We’ve also been told many times how much the wedding felt like “us,” which is the most we could have hoped for. We wanted the weekend to feel as much a getaway as it did a celebration.

A Tale of Trust and Love at Their Horetown House Destination Wedding

We planned our wedding abroad using Zoom, and trusting our vendors was vital. Linda and Niamh from Horetown House won us over with their warmth and professionalism, pouring care and love into every detail. We appreciated their commitment to sustainability and supporting local suppliers. Horetown House, with its ten suites and 20 shepherds’ huts, became a neighborhood for our 92 guests. They operate as a B&B, serving breakfast for mingling and even delivering hangover baskets to rooms. The atmosphere felt like home, thanks to their incredible staff. There was always a full glass, fresh sandwiches, and a cozy place to hang out, creating the perfect wedding vibe.

Late-Night Revelry at the Legendary 1692 Bar at Horetown House

Additionally, Irish weddings go late-late into the wee hours of the morning, something we warned our American guests of beforehand. Horetown House benefits from their 1692 Bar (modeled after a traditional Irish pub) that occupies their basement. Since the house is technically your dwelling for the evening, the bar can stay open long past closing hours, so we moved our DJ and party into the basement post-sparklers for a second dance party, and Tayto sandwiches before the sun came up.

Survival Essentials and Sweet Treats for Their Horetown House Destination Wedding

We worked with our stylist, Grace Campbell of Grace & Saviour, to create welcome bags. I designed each canvas tote with Irish sayings (“It’ll be grand,” “Sláinte s táinte”). Grace sourced Fionn’s favorite Irish treats and other “survival” essentials for the weekend. We also included die-cut stickers of our beloved cat, Pepper, and it was too funny to see them on guests’ suit lapels through the night. Grace also had the idea to include a library card, designed by Katie, to invite guests to visit our book bar on the wedding day.

DIY Book Bar and Personalized Bookplates and Bookmarks

Grace found a vintage bookcase, and Fionn and I picked our favorite titles to stock the shelves with used books from World of Books. We also included titles by some of our guests (including bridesmaid Meredith Goldstein, Sara Farizan, Neil Swidey, and Fionn’s brother Cethan Leahy), and it was so fun to watch people having their books signed at the afterparty. To make each book special, I made silk-tassel bookmarks featuring Fionn’s father’s artwork to tuck into each book. Grace had custom bookplates, designed by Katie, featuring our names and wedding date imprinted on the inside covers.

Congratulations to Rachel and Fionnan on their sustainable three-day Horetown House destination wedding. And a big thank you to Wild Things Wed for capturing all the love and joy of the most unforgettable day of their lives.

Many couples are choosing to turn their big day into a weekend of wedding festivities. Imagine a celebration that lasts for days, packed with exciting activities, delicious food, refreshing drinks, and loads of fun. Whether you’re partying in your hometown or whisking away to a dreamy destination, our guide has got you covered. We’ve got tips and a sample itinerary to ensure your extended celebration goes off without a hitch.