BY MARIANNE FOODY

from the community, into a great room for a meal and a party.’

The couple’s top priority for their day was that it would be really personal and specific to them. ‘We thought it was important to have the things that mattered to us as part of the wedding and not simply to go along with traditions or tropes because of others’ expectations, norms or habits,’ Claire says.

The couple had a special musical performance on the day. Claire tells us, ‘My youngest cousin on my mum’s side, Leo, was a fantastic singer during the ceremony in Oakfield Park. He was 14 at the time.’

Claire went for a mix-and-match look for her bridesmaids’ dresses while her own is by Tara Lauren.

Claire and David’s advice for engaged couples is, ‘Don’t be afraid to deviate from the expected norms. Say no if it doesn’t make sense or you’re not convinced by what someone is suggesting. Do involve your friends and family, especially if they have time they could spare to help you out. Working together on something unusual and interesting can bring people together and even smooth the process of being embraced into your new in-law family.’

Of their amazing installation, Claire says: ‘We calculated that the weight of all the felt butterflies and the netting needed the uplift provided by 150 large helium balloons. The final configuration and phasing of the installation was completed a couple of days before the wedding – this was a nervewracking experiment but it worked.’

After the wedding, the couple stayed in Donegal to spend time with family who had travelled from overseas for their big day. Claire tells us, ‘We then spent a lovely, relaxing week in Northern Italy at Lake Como and went to Vals in Switzerland, and stayed in the 7132 Therme baths for a few nights. We would highly recommend it.’