Martha Stewart Weddings

A Romantic, Whimsical Destination Wedding in Ireland

November 04, 2013
Credit: Elizabeth Messina Photography

On September 19, 2012, Corbin and Thatcher tied the knot with their closest friends and family in tow at Longueville House, an 18th-century Georgian mansion in County Cork, Ireland.

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Corbin and Thatcher

Credit: Elizabeth Messina Photography

Photographers Corbin Gurkin and Thatcher Cook first met at a workshop he was teaching in Uganda. Off to a worldly start, a trip to India would be their first real "date" where their romantic connection came into perfect focus. Back in the states, a proposal soon followed.

Given the couples' penchant for frequent-flyer-miles-accuring travel, there was no doubt they'd have a destination wedding. On September 19, 2012, Corbin and Thatcher tied the knot with their closest friends and family in tow at Longueville House, an 18th-century Georgian mansion in County Cork, Ireland.

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Old Word Invitations

Credit: Elizabeth Messina Photography

A mix of calligraphy and typefaces graced the invites by Ceci New York. They were mounted on a watercolor painted by Ceci Johnson that was inspired by a regency-era painting found in Ackermann's Repository of Arts, a 19th-century periodical.

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Local Greetings

Credit: Elizabeth Messina Photography

With 37 guests in attendance, the wedding had the feel of an extended-family vacation, Corbin says. Many guests even arrived early to travel around Ireland together. They were greeted at Longueville House with pails full of local goods, including Irish brown bread and butter, Longueville House jam, elder-flower soda, and pear juice, as well as postcards and an area guide.

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Fresh Picks

Credit: Elizabeth Messina Photography

Corbin's cascading bouquet of garden roses, lily of the valley, and crab apples picked up on the blush tones of her Vera Wang gown. Many of the flowers used in the bouquet and the centerpieces were locally foraged or sourced from area purveyors by Kate Holt of Flowerwild.

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Romancing the Stone

Credit: Elizabeth Messina Photography

The bride's estate diamond ring found a fitting home in an antique ring box. The tray cradled the vintage jewelry she wore throughout the weekend, along with some custom pieces friend and jewelry designer Kristin Hayes dreamed up for the wedding party.

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Bright Boutonnieres

Credit: Elizabeth Messina Photography

Lily of the valley brightened each cluster of blooms worn by the groomsmen.

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Party Gifts

Credit: Elizabeth Messina Photography

Four-leaf clover pendants were crafted for the flower girls by jewelry designer Kristin Hayes.

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Charm from the Farm

Credit: Elizabeth Messina Photography

A lamb from a nearby farm wore a crab-apple wreath.

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A Spot of Tea

Credit: Elizabeth Messina Photography

Tea service from a Wedgwood pot and blue china provided a pre-ceremony welcome to wedding goers.

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Snap-Happy Groom

Credit: Elizabeth Messina Photography

Friends and family watched Corbin and her stepfather walk through a hedge maze as a friend sang “In My Life,” by The Beatles to the ceremony site. A friend officiated the vows, while Thatcher couldn't resist capturing his bride. "It was so him," says Corbin.

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Toss with Felicity

Credit: Elizabeth Messina Photography

Stamped paper packets of rice were on hand to toss over the newlyweds and sent an unmistakably cheerful message. "Creating a feeling of merriment was very important to us," Corbin says.

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A Group Shot

Credit: Elizabeth Messina Photography

After the I do's, guests came together for a picture in the manor's hedge maze.

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Sweet Signage

Credit: Elizabeth Messina Photography

Junior attendants directed revelers to a cocktail reception on the lawn with custom signs.

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A Happy Harvest

Credit: Elizabeth Messina Photography

The owners of Longueville House produce their own hard cider from apples grown in their 25-acre orchard in Blackwater Valley—a convenient (and tasty) choice for Thatcher's signature drink.

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Sweet Sips

Credit: Elizabeth Messina Photography

The bride's signature cocktail, the elderflower fizz, was made with sparkling wine and Longueville House’s own elderflower liqueur and garnished with blossoms from the estate’s garden.

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Fanciful Fare

Credit: Elizabeth Messina Photography

A tower of local cheeses, including Cashel blue, gubbeen, Killeen, and Irish cheddar, tided guests over until dinner.

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Child's Play

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The youngest revelers, dressed in period-inspired clothing, showed off their fancy footwork around a maypole during the cocktail hour.

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Jovial Crew

Credit: Elizabeth Messina Photography

Friends of the new Mr. and Mrs. got into the festive spirit.

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Dinner Tables

Credit: Elizabeth Messina Photography

In Longueville house's 19th-century conservatory, tables and chairs were draped in hand-dyed blue linen by Rebecca of Duet Weddings. Centerpieces held local anemones, vining peas, dahlias, hydrangeas, garden roses, clematis vines, and apple branches from the estate. "I told the florist I wanted a really organic feel, with flowers spilling out of the vessels," Corbin says.

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True Blue

Credit: Elizabeth Messina Photography

Jenna, of Love Jenna Calligraphy, hand-painted each escort card with a swirled effect that evoked the sky and pinned them to a canvas-covered board. "Just like the save-the-dates, every one was unique and a work of art," Corbin says.

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Dinner Is Served

Credit: Elizabeth Messina Photography

The Longueville kitchen presented plates of mushroom ravioli, roast beef, and caramelized-apple tarts, much of it sourced from the on-site farm. A calligraphed menu detailed the fresh feast.

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Glowing Setting

Credit: Elizabeth Messina Photography

The Victorian conservatory gave Corbin and Thatcher's event an alfresco feel while eliminating inclement-weather worries. "That room brought the landscape in," says Corbin. Six hundred tea lights kept the lawn aglow after the sun set.

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The Kid's Corner

Credit: Elizabeth Messina Photography

Wee partygoers were treated to whimsical masks to try on throughout the evening.

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Whimsical Tiers

Credit: Elizabeth Messina Photography

A paper elephant created by Concarta topped the three-flavor A Touch of Magic dessert, which had layers of chocolate fudge, biscuit, and Baileys-spiked coffee cake.

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Sources

Credit: Elizabeth Messina Photography

Location and catering: Longueville House

Event design: Duet Weddings

Event planning: Lucy Swift Events

Floral design: Flowerwild

Stationery: Ceci New York

Calligraphy: Love Jenna Calligraphy

Lettering on save-the-dates: Cynthia Warren

Bride's gown and veil: Vera Wang

Gown stylist: Lindsey Nowak Bridal Style

Bride's accessories: The Sheelin Antique Lace and Vintage Fashion shawl; Calvin James bolero; Loeffler Randall shoes

Bridesmaid dresses: Marchesa; Bhldn 

Children's attire: Tia Munzel Adams

Wardrobe stylist for the wedding party: Alexandra Munzel of Alexandra Styles

Hair and makeup: Ashley Brook Perryman

Groom's attire: Ralph Lauren (jacket), Barbour (tie)

Cinematography: Living Cinema

Music: Will Taylor (ceremony); Sean Whelan (ceremony); Soul Purpose Ireland (reception)

Rentals: Set construction, maypole, and lighting, Pearl & Godiva

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There's More!

Whether you decide to go big or small, seaside or mountainside, bohemian or black tie, find more wedding inspiration in our fall Real Weddings issue by downloading our app and buying the digital issue for only $.99.

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