Our wedding story: ‘It was magical. There were lanterns, candles and fairylights everywhere – just stunning’

[ irishtimes.com/weddings ]

Gilly Cullen and Macdara Ó hUallacháin Graham met almost five years ago at the International Harp Festival in Termonfeckin, Co Louth, where her father and his mother, traditional musicians, were performing together.

Both sets of parents, Gerry and Marie Cullen, Len Graham and Pádraigín ní Uallacháin, knew each other long before their children met.

One hot day in 2013, Macdara, a goldsmith (www.macdara.ie) from Mullaghbawn in south Armagh, proposed to Gilly on Whitestown beach with a ring he had hand-made.

On February 23rd, 2015, two days after their four-year anniversary, they were married in a Humanist ceremony at Ballymagarvey House.

"It was magical. There were lanterns, candles and fairylights everywhere – just stunning," said Gilly, an artist (www.gillycullen.com) from Mornington, Co Meath.

Using their combined talents, the bride and groom – along with friends and family – took a hands-on approach to all aspects of the wedding.

Gilly handmade the invitations while Macdara made the rings and wedding-party jewellery including cufflinks for his father and earrings and necklace for his mother.

Bridesmaid Denise Collins made the cake complete with peacock feathers, gold leaf, and gold acorns (a reference to Macdara's name, which means "son of the oak"). That theme carried into the bouquets, buttonholes and fresh-flower hair accessories.

The couple asked their guests to take photographs and Macdara’s cousins, all traditional musicians, organised and played a rousing day and night-long session that went on until well after dawn.

“Because our parents have known each other for so long our top-table really felt like one big family,” remembered the bride. “Walking into the ceremony room felt like getting one big loving hug.”

We’d love to hear your wedding story. If you’d like to share it with our readers email weddings@irishtimes.com with a photograph and a little information about your big day