Our wedding story: A fairy-tale garden party in sunny Slane

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Nicola McDowell (30), from Kells, Co. Meath, is marketing director at 145-year old family business, McDowell’s Jewellers - “The Happy Ring House”. She met Mick Flanagan (30), from Slane, at the Cheltenham Races in 2007 and also works with him at his company Townley Hall Bloodstock.

Having spent a year together in South Africa and travelled extensively, Mick proposed on Nicola’s 30th birthday last year in Estancia Cristina, Argentina, They were married on May 22nd, 2015, at St Patrick’s church in Slane.

The song playing as the bride walked up the aisle was For the Love of a Princess from Braveheart. Music was by Doug Sheridan, who played the guitar and sang. The couple's close friend Cian O'Moran played the low whistle.

Nicola’s Jesus Piero dress came from the White Room, Mullingar, and her veil was handmade by Gill Wilde, who recently set up her company specialising in customised veils. Flowers were arranged by Slane-based Sarah Nicholson and Paula Cadet.

Two-hundred guests were invited to the reception, held in the garden of Nicola’s parents’ – Pamela and Peter McDowell – home.

“We were so lucky to be able to get married at home and on such a sunny day,” said Nicola. “Mum puts all her heart into the garden and it was like a fairy-tale.”

“Another stand-out moment is when we went to vote in our wedding outfits, as it was the day of the marriage referendum. The ladies in the voting station were hysterical with excitement.”

The couple spent two weeks in the Bahamas and New York for their honeymoon.

Photographs: Aspect Photography, aspectphotography.net

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