Handfasting and Pride Smoke Bombs: An Irish Wedding at Barberstown Castle

Lauren and Aoife’s wedding at Barberstown Castle was one of those days where everything just clicked—the sunshine, the laughter, the perfect autumn backdrop. From their morning spent getting ready together (complete with flowing bubbles and tricolor bridesmaid dresses that gave a proud nod to Aoife’s Irish roots) to a hand-binding ceremony led by Tara Carroll, their day was filled with thoughtful touches that felt so them.

Throw in colorful pride smoke bombs, a first dance mashup that had everyone glued to the dancefloor, and Tilted Tripod Weddings capturing it all? You’ve got a wedding story that hits the perfect mix of romance and fun. This is how Lauren and Aoife created a day they’ll be talking about for years to come.

Where did your love story begin?

We first met on the Trauma & Orthopedic ward in the UK. Lauren was working as an Orthopedic Surgeon, and I (Aoife) was the ward’s Physiotherapist. It didn’t take long for us to hit it off! After a few years of working side by side, sparks turned into something more, and we haven’t looked back since.

How did the proposals unfold?

Lauren set the bar high with her proposal. She planned the most beautiful surprise on the morning of my birthday in Sorrento, Italy. We watched the sunrise over Mt. Vesuvius with a glass of Limoncello and prosecco in hand, and then Lauren pulled out a stunning emerald ring from Hockley Jewellers Birmingham. I couldn’t say “yes” fast enough!

A couple of months later, at Christmas, I decided it was my turn. I got down on one knee and presented Lauren with a ruby engagement ring. It was the perfect way to close out the year and begin planning our dream wedding.

Why did you choose Barberstown Castle for your wedding?

We couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful venue than Barberstown Castle in Ireland. From the moment we saw it, we knew it was perfect. The castle grounds looked incredible with the autumn-colored foliage, and the sunny weather on the day only made it even more magical.

Tell us about your morning leading up to the ceremony.

We decided to get ready together with our bridal party and both our Mams. It was such a chilled-out morning with lots of laughter and bubbles flowing, thanks to Barberstown Castle‘s incredible team.

Our bridesmaids wore the same style of dress – Aoife’s bridal party in forest green and Lauren’s in burnt orange – both sourced from White Boutique Leamington and The Dressing Rooms. We realized we were unintentionally flying the Irish tricolor flag, but as a proud Irishwoman, I just embraced it!Our dream team included Mandika Hair for hairstyling and Mas Make-Up for makeup, who had us all looking stunning and feeling relaxed.

Demi and Anna share a joyful moment during their wedding reception, both holding drinks and laughing together in a relaxed, black-and-white photo.

A pair of white bridal shoes, a fall-inspired bouquet, pearl earrings, and perfume arranged together.

What special elements did you incorporate into your ceremony?

Walking each other down the aisle to Ludovico Einaudi, performed by the talented Harp Duets, set such a beautiful tone.

Our celebrant, Tara Carroll, created the most lighthearted and personal ceremony. We included a Celtic hand-binding tradition using Irish and English-colored ribbons to symbolize our unity. We also wrote love letters to each other and stored them in a box with a bottle of our favorite wine, not to be opened until our fifth wedding anniversary.

Tara stole the show—not just for us, but for some of our older guests, too, who told us, “Her ceremony was much nicer than any church wedding I’ve been to!”

What were some of your favorite moments from the day?

The weather was incredible, which meant we could capture some vibrant pride smoke bomb shots with our photographer, Tilted Tripod Weddings. Those photos are everything!

Another standout moment was our first dance. We had a mashup of two songs that mean a lot to us: You’ve Got the Love by Florence and the Machine and Maniac 2000 by Mark McCabe (Ireland’s unofficial anthem). Our band, The Firm Wedding Band, performed it live, and they had everyone on the dancefloor all night. One guest even joked, “You’d think the band would play at least one bad song to give us a break from dancing!”

What details made your wedding feel uniquely yours?

From the stunning autumnal florals by Amandaz Flowers to the delicious cake by B’s Bakes, everything felt so personal and perfect.

We loved spending the day surrounded by our favorite people, enjoying the most incredible food and wine provided by Barberstown Castle. The day felt like it flew by, but we truly soaked up every moment.

Any advice for other couples planning their wedding?

Focus on what makes you happy and what reflects your relationship. Don’t worry about ticking off traditions if they don’t feel right for you. And if you can, take a moment together to just stop and look around—it’s surreal seeing everyone you love in one place celebrating your happiness.

Finally, how would you describe your wedding day?

Honestly, as cliché as it sounds, it really was the best day of our lives. Everything came together beautifully, and we’ll be forever grateful to our dream team of vendors—especially Tilted Tripod Weddings, who captured every perfect moment for us to cherish forever.