Sarah and Mark celebrated their wedding at Fernhill Hotel & Estate in Clonakilty, bringing family and friends together for a day filled with personal touches.
Their wedding, featured in IMAGE’s Real Weddings series, included a bilingual ceremony in The Fernery, drinks in the gardens and an evening of dining and dancing with their guests.
When it was time to take the next step, the proposal was nothing short of magical. During a trip to Dubai, surrounded by golden dunes of the desert, Ronan got down on one knee at sunset. A moment they’ll never forget. It was peaceful, intimate, and unforgettable, the perfect setting to begin the next stage of their love story.
Sarah and Mark exchanged their vows in The Fernery, set within the Fernhill gardens. With sunshine on the day, the doors were open and butterflies passed through during the ceremony.
To bring both families into the celebration, their ceremony included readings, music and booklets in French and English. Both mothers took part in lighting the candles, while the couple’s border collie, Rhea, had a special role bringing their rings down the aisle.
Lanterns, fresh eucalyptus and paper flowers handmade by Sarah added a personal touch to the ceremony setting.
After the ceremony, guests enjoyed drinks around The Fernery, with live music, Fernhill Garden Gin and time to explore the grounds.
The gardens also provided the setting for Sarah and Mark’s wedding photographs. The couple chose to have a first look before the ceremony, giving them a few moments together before joining their family and friends.
For couples planning their own wedding, their advice was to make time for each other throughout the day, even with a full celebration around them.
The celebrations continued in the ballroom, where Sarah and Mark chose a sweetheart table so their wedding party could sit with their partners and friends.
Their handmade flowers and eucalyptus decorations were brought indoors, carrying the details from the ceremony through to dinner. Speeches, games and a song and dance prepared by Sarah’s family made the evening feel personal to them.
In their IMAGE feature, the couple shared how much their guests enjoyed the food and service. Later, a jazz and soul band brought everyone onto the dance floor for an evening of celebration.
From their bilingual vows to their handmade decorations and Rhea’s appearance as ring bearer, Sarah and Mark’s wedding reflected the people and things that mattered most to them.
It was a pleasure to welcome them and their families to Fernhill and to see their day shared in IMAGE
Discover more about Sarah and Mark’s celebration, including their planning advice and photographs, in the original IMAGE feature.
Read the full story on IMAGE
Wedding photography by Matt Brooker.
If you’re planning a wedding in West Cork, we’d love to welcome you to Fernhill Hotel & Estate.
Visit The Fernery, explore the gardens and see where your celebrations could take place. Our wedding team will show you around, answer your questions and talk through your plans with you. Enquire Here
