Elizabeth & Matt fell in love with Ireland after a trip there together, and since their anniversary fell on St Patrick’s Day, the took that as a sign that Ireland was the place that they should get married. On on a stormy day in March, they had their intimate elopement ceremony on the edge of the Cliff of Moher.
During the months leading up to their elopement in Ireland, Elizabeth knew that the Irish weather could be unpredictable, especially in March. After all, even wet and windy weather in Ireland has its very unique charm.
They knew from the forecast that the morning of their wedding day would be cloudy and raining, but there was hope that things would clear in the afternoon. With the ceremony planned for around 4pm, everyone was hopeful that the weather would be improve. While the girls got ready in one apartment in Doolin Lodge, the boys took up residence in another building across the way. As the weather showed little signs of improvement, Matt started to get concerned that their dream of a clifftop ceremony wouldn’t be possible. Elizabeth on the other hand, was completely laid back, and simply said “whatever will be, will be. Ireland in bad weather is still beautiful”. And she wasn’t wrong!
As the afternoon went on, the rain and wind started to ease a little, but it didn’t show any signs of clearing up. Determined to go ahead with their plan of having their ceremony on the cliffs, Elizabeth asked Matt to meet her outside her cottage for their first look. With only the sheep as their witnesses, Elizabeth and Matt had an emotional first look upon the hillside behind the lodge.
After their first look, the whole wedding party headed over to the Cliffs of Moher for the ceremony. Elizabeth and Matt had chosen to bring their closest immediate family and best friends to Ireland with them to celebrate their day. As the wind got stronger and the fog thickened, everyone wondered if they would turn back and find a more sheltered plan B. But since they had come this far for their Cliffs of Moher elopement, and nothing was going to change Elizabeth & Matt’s minds now!
Their elopement ceremony was conducted by Elizabeth’s brother Alex. He told everyone the story of Elizabeth & Matt, followed by holding a traditional Celtic hand-fasting ritual with a cord made by the bride herself. And just as they began to exchange their vows, the clouds parted and the fog lifted just for a brief moment, allowing everyone to finally get a glimpse of the majestic Cliffs of Moher.
As quickly as the fog lifted, it came back in again, so everyone headed into the local village Doolin to head to the pub for a hot toddy to warm up, followed by an evening of celebrations, spent warming up by the fire, eating amazing Irish food, drinking Guinness and listening to traditional Irish folk music. The perfect end to a perfect day.
Credits
Photography – Wild Connections Photography
Dress – Wtoo by Watters
Flowers – West Clare Flowers
Hair – Mimi’s Hair Salon
Makeup – Aoife Garrihy Beauty
Holiday Apartment – The Lodge Doolin
Reception – Gus O’Connors Pub Doolin
