When Love Blooms

January 10th will always feel like our date. After getting engaged in the wild beauty of South Africa, there was only one place that felt right for our wedding: Cape Town. January has always been the month I return there, the month our story truly began, and now it has become the month we will begin our life as husband and wife.

From the start, we knew we wanted more than a one-day venue. We pictured a place where our closest friends could stay with us, where every moment felt shared and special, and where the celebration stretched over days rather than hours. Then we found Molenvliet. The moment we arrived, we felt it was perfect. The surroundings are breathtaking, every area feels different and full of character, and the views are unforgettable.

Each day of our celebration carried its own mood and style. Our welcome event was calm and elegant, wrapped in soft beige tones, light fabrics, and gentle touches of linen. Our wedding day felt completely different, in the best way. I wanted colour and energy. Cape Town is vibrant, and I wanted our flowers and styling to reflect that feeling. Our arrangements were full of blush tones and bursts of rich colour, and our guests embraced the theme beautifully.

For the final day, we hosted a traditional South African Braai. We encouraged bright colours, bold fabrics, and playful touches, and the atmosphere was full of laughter and light. The morning of the wedding felt like something out of a dream. After a full year of planning, suddenly the moment had arrived. Putting on my dress felt emotional and exciting all at once. I have never felt more beautiful. I was surrounded by a wonderful team who took care of everything, allowing me to be present and enjoy every second.

The journey to find my dress was its own story. I began in Dublin, then continued to Düsseldorf and The Hague, trying so many different styles and silhouettes. The challenge was not finding something beautiful but choosing the version of myself I wanted to step into on the day. After all that searching, I returned to the very first boutique I visited in Dublin, The Suite, and tried on the second dress I had ever chosen. Ten months later, it was still the one. Some decisions truly stay with you.

One of the choices I treasure most is the decision to work with Ett Hem in London for my bouquet and the bridesmaids’ flowers. They created faux blooms that looked incredibly real, full of rich colour and softness. They have stayed just as beautiful as they were on the wedding day and now sit in my home as a lasting reminder of a moment I never want to forget.