The White & Gold Bride: Orla
Meet beautiful bride Orla who celebrated her Christmas wedding in Powerscourt, Wicklow. I first met Orla when she visited TW&G with her friend Caoimhe. Orla works as a fashion buyer and I really enjoy her Instagram feed…. I especially enjoyed all the pre-wedding white outfits! Caoimhe runs The Irish Bride – a bridal Instagram page for anyone looking for tips. I met the girls again when they came to visit one of our Dublin pop-up shops browsing wedding accessories. Orla did not buy her dress with TW&G as she had already fallen for hers when she came to visit us BUT… I still absolutely love it 😉 I think Orla styled herself to perfection for her wedding… and all her hens/day 2’s/ night befores!
I have invited Orla onto Love Stories to ask her some questions about her wedding style, how she knew her dress was the one for her and if she has any advice for other brides-to-be.
Orla, your dress was just perfect on you! Was it the style you had in mind for yourself? How did you know it was the dress for you?
Thank you so much! My dress was by Dana Harel. When I first got engaged I started looking at dresses on Pinterest and Instagram and there wasn’t much I loved. I was more interested in getting a red-carpet-style gown, rather than a traditional wedding dress shape. I came across the image of the Sasha gown by Dana Harel and immediately loved it. I wrote to the designer on Instagram to ask where I could get the dress and she told me it would be in a trunk show in Browns Brides in London, so I flew over and it was love at first sight. I knew it was for me as soon as I saw the first photo to be honest. It felt unique but very much my personal style. I didn’t feel additional pressure because I work as a buyer. I love fashion so much so I felt excited to have the opportunity to buy an amazing dress.
Who did you bring to your bridal appointment? Did they help you decide on your dress?
Two of my close friends (and bridesmaids) came with me to the original dress appointment. We had a lovely day, and probably way too much Prosecco to be making a big decision! I had been to two bridal boutiques in Ireland before this, and probably tried on 15 dresses in total.
How long before your wedding did you order your dress
I bought it 13 months before the wedding.
How did you accessorise your dress? Jewellery and shoe details? Were your shoes comfortable?
I went with statement earrings from A.B. Ellie. They were fully beaded which worked perfectly with the dress. There was a lot going on between the earrings and dress, so I did not wear any veil or hair accessories. I kept it simple with the shoes too, going for white strappy sandals from Bottega Veneta. I know I will wear them again and again every summer.
Any underwear tips for our brides to be?
The seamstress who worked on my dress sewed a backless bra into the dress for me which was great, I wouldn’t have worn one otherwise incase it kept slipping down.
What was your overall wedding aesthetic/style?
Because our wedding was in the lead up to Christmas we honed in on that style. We used baby’s breathe, white roses and red berries for flowers. The ballroom was full of Christmas trees, and we added some mistletoe. This style carried through into our wedding invites and stationary.
Tell us about a special moment from the day?
Seeing my Grandmother the morning of the wedding was very special. She is a 90 year old glamazon, and got her hair and makeup done with the bridal party on the morning of the wedding. She cried when I put on my wedding dress and it was a lovely moment, I don’t think there was a dry eye in the house.
* I love the picture of the two glam girls below… I hope I look like that at 90!
If you could give brides-to-be one piece of solid advice?
Get a videographer! Lisa Marie Creative did ours and although we only have a teaser video back currently, I absolutely love it. Video really captures the mood of the day with laughing and dancing, and most importantly the details of your dress so much better than photographs!
Who did your hair, make up and photography?
Hair was by Michelle O’Halloran, makeup by Orlaith Shore, flowers by Caitriona from Old Town Blooms and photography by Gareth Lima-Conlon. I would thoroughly recommend all of them!
I love your bridesmaids dresses, where did you choose them from?
They were from Reformation. I love them too, they were all different shapes but in the same print. Hopefully the girls will be able to wear them again.
Before we sign off, make us jealous – what are your honeymoon plans?!
We are off to the Maldives in January and I couldn’t be more excited! * Orla is since long returned from Honeymoon and you can see all her gorgeous pics on her Instagram… it just demonstrates how behind I am on Love Stories features 😉
Thank you for your lovely interview Orla, I loved hearing all about the behind the scenes of your special day. I wish you both a lifetime of happiness together
♥ Sorcha
