A Wedding Weekend in the Irish Countryside

A Chicago-bred, London-based couple invited family and friends for a four-day celebration on the Emerald Isle.

1 of 27

Jo and Andrew

When her boyfriend, financial analyst Andrew Nichols, got a job in London, literary agent Jo Rodgers happily joined him there. They'd been together since they were 16-year-olds attending rival high schools on Chicago's North Shore, through college in the Boston area, and for two years working in New York City. "We thought we'd stay for a year, but after we moved, England began to feel like home," says Jo. "Probably it was because we were drinking so many Pimm's Cups!"

After 10 years as a pair, they got engaged and started planning a wedding that would make their families and friends from all over the world feel right at home. "Our idea was four days of fresh air and blazing fires, picnics, and plenty of wine and whiskey," says Jo. Which meant they needed a location that fosters a settle-in-and-stay-awhile vibe. They found it at Ballyfin, a restored country mansion at the foot of Ireland's Slieve Bloom Mountains. "Our families are very active," says Jo. "The Irish countryside offers hiking, boating, and horseback riding."

They invited their closest relatives to come two days prior to the vows to leave plenty of time for outdoor activities. Attendants showed up on the grounds the day before the nuptials and pulled on their boots for a leisurely picnic. That night, more friends arrived for a family-style welcome dinner of roasted chicken and duck-fat potatoes, then nightcaps and acoustic Irish music in the library—by the first of four bands who performed over the course of the weekend "to fill the house with bluesy music," says Jo.

The highlight of the weekend festivities took place on October 4, 2014, when Jo and Andrew wed in a candlelit Catholic ceremony in the glass conservatory. Afterward, the newlyweds and their 100 guests headed into the house for Champagne and canapés that included gougères with truffle cream, Scotch quail eggs, and crostini with ricotta and vegetables, followed by dinner. Before everyone danced for hours, husband and wife had their first spin on the front portico, to "Around the World," by Harold Adamson and Victor Young. While this was clearly their reception, in a way it felt like an incredible after-party to the days of fun that came before it. "One of the best decisions we made was to have a long lunch with our family and attendants before the vows," says Andrew. "Laughing and talking punctured any nervousness we might have felt. When the ceremony began, we were just unbelievably happy."

Account

More

A Wedding Weekend in the Irish Countryside

1 of 27

Jo and Andrew

1 of 27

2 of 27

The Location

2 of 27

3 of 27

The Invitation Suite

3 of 27

4 of 27

Checking In

4 of 27

5 of 27

A Love Boat

5 of 27

6 of 27

Please Be Seated

6 of 27

7 of 27

The Rehearsal Dinner

7 of 27

8 of 27

The Place Settings

8 of 27

9 of 27

Leafy Accents

9 of 27

10 of 27

Big Day Prep

10 of 27

11 of 27

The Groom

11 of 27

12 of 27

The Bridesmaids

12 of 27

13 of 27

The Ring

13 of 27

14 of 27

The Bridal Bouquet

14 of 27

15 of 27

Words of Wisdom

15 of 27

16 of 27

Warm Welcomes

16 of 27

17 of 27

Wedding Day Festivities

17 of 27

18 of 27

The Ceremony

18 of 27

19 of 27

The Bridal Party

19 of 27

20 of 27

A Gift of Thanks

20 of 27

21 of 27

Fall Flowers

21 of 27

22 of 27

The Menu

22 of 27

23 of 27

A Fondant Cake

23 of 27

24 of 27

Desserts for Days

24 of 27

25 of 27

Dancing Outside

25 of 27

26 of 27

A Bright Send Off