A Joy-Filled Autumn Rathsallagh House Wedding

On a beautifully sunny September day, Anna and Brendan, who had travelled from Australia, celebrated their love surrounded by 80 of their nearest and dearest at the breathtaking Rathsallagh House in Co. Wicklow. Set against the stunning autumnal hues of the walled garden, the couple’s fall wedding was full of vibrant, seasonal flowers, a rich autumn-inspired colour palette, unforgettable personal touches, and and a whole host of incredible One Fab Day suppliers. Anna looked radiant in a strapless satin Jane Hill Fairmont gown, perfectly complemented by her olive-toned, one-shoulder satin Bec + Bridge bridesmaids dresses, while special moments, such as a heartfelt gift from her sister and maid of honour Aisling on the morning of the wedding and a sing-song led by her grandfather, added an extra layer of warmth and love to their Rathsallagh House wedding celebration. It was a day that perfectly blended elegance, intimacy, and the joyful energy of friends and family coming together to celebrate, and it was all beautifully captured on camera by the massively talented Aidan Beatty.

Let’s get to know our lovely couple! Anna hails from Dublin, Ireland, while her husband Brendan comes from the east coast of Australia, from a town called Coffs Harbour.

After spending over seven years in Melbourne, the pair recently moved back to Ireland with their eight-month-old daughter, Ada, to spend quality time with Anna’s family and friends. “We aren’t sure how long we’ll be living here or if we’ll go back to settle in Australia. We’re just going with the flow!”.

Anna and Brendan first crossed paths in 2018 at a music festival in Melbourne, Australia. “Both of us had moved there the previous year, and a chain of events seemed, by luck, to bring us together,” Anna recalls. Brendan broke the ice by talking about a recent hand injury and the stitches he had gotten. “I’m sure this was his attempt to impress me!” Clearly, it worked, because shortly after, Anna found herself on Brendan’s shoulders at the concert, having the time of her life.

“There really was an instant connection between us, as if we had known each other for years,” Anna says. A week later, they went on their first date to Melbourne’s Italian quarter, Lygon Street. Bonding over their love of Italian food, Anna ordered lasagne. “It looked like I was attempting a food-eating competition! Feeling I could be totally myself around Bren, I finished it all, and I think he fell in love there and then!”

During a long-awaited trip to Ireland in April 2022, after three years of waiting for the borders to open and COVID to subside, Brendan decided it was the perfect moment to propose. Anna was completely carefree and unaware of the stress Brendan had been under. He had asked her parents for permission and even brought the ring in his carry-on on their trip to Italy.

On the evening of April 28th, on the beautiful beach in Positano on the Amalfi Coast, Brendan got his knee sandy and popped the question. “He had prepared a picnic of salami, mozzarella and Prosecco, and of course I said yes!” Anna recalls. The proposal was followed by a picturesque dinner and cocktails overlooking the stunning coastline. “It was like a movie,” she adds.

Once engaged, the couple began planning their celebration in Ireland. For Anna, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere was key, especially for the many guests who had travelled from Australia. “My priority was not to lose what mattered most, which was our love for each other and the commitment we were making,” she explains. She also wanted the day to be fun and relaxed. “I hoped that by going with the flow, all of our guests would feel that positive energy from us, and I think we succeeded in that.”

The couple opted for a first look before the ceremony, giving them a beautifully private moment together. “We were able to take our photos while walking and chatting about our mornings. I would encourage any brides-to-be to consider a first look if they are thinking about it,” Anna says.

Living overseas, Anna put her trust in her parents to visit venues on their behalf. “We received so many WhatsApp videos showing every detail of what each place had to offer, and we just had a feeling in our gut that we had chosen ‘the one,’” she recalls.

Rathsallagh House proved to be breathtaking. It’s the kind of spot where, from the moment you drive up the long, winding entrance, you are instantly struck by a sense of calm and the sheer beauty of the surroundings. In autumn, the leaves on the main house turn rich reds and oranges, making it especially stunning. “The entire staff make you feel like you are the only couple getting married there all year. They are true professionals at what they do.”

Anna’s maid of honour and younger sister, Aisling, gifted her something truly precious on the morning of the wedding — a book filled with handwritten letters from their nearest and dearest, each offering their well wishes. It was a deeply personal touch that set the tone for the day.

Brendan and Anna were also touched by the effort their friends and family made to travel from afar, something they hadn’t expected. A particularly special moment was having Brendan’s grandmother, Sandra, who is 80, attend the wedding.

The ceremony itself took place in the walled garden and felt emotional and personal throughout. Their closest loved ones contributed readings and a remembrance poem, making the celebration even more meaningful.

The couple married on 7th September with 80 guests, holding their ceremony in the walled garden at Rathsallagh House , officiated by One Fab Day reccommended celebrant Graham Barrett.

Anna’s best friend read “As Long as Your Eyes Are Blue,” a touching piece about loving your partner for a lifetime, even as the beauty of youth fades. “There wasn’t a dry eye at the ceremony afterwards!” Anna recalls. The couple walked down the aisle to the acoustic version of “Can’t Help Falling in Love with You” by Elvis Presley, beautifully performed by the Honeyvoom Duo, which Anna describes as a dream come true.

Anna tells One Fab Day that she has always loved autumn in Ireland, especially around Halloween, with the changing colours of the leaves and the milder weather. She enjoyed creating mood boards on Pinterest featuring rustic autumn palettes and vintage styling, which became the inspiration for her wedding aesthetic.

Anna wowed in the strapless satin Fairmont gown from Jane Hill Bridal in Melbourne, paired with delicate Rainbow Club heels and sparkling Crystal & Co. accessories. Her makeup was beautifully done by Bref Keogh, and her hair styled to perfection by Shakira Clohessy. She carried a breathtaking autumnal bouquet by Austen Flowers, completing her effortlessly romantic bridal look.

Bridesmaids shimmered in olive-toned, one-shoulder satin dresses from Bec & Bridge, paired with ASOS heels, while the groomsmen looked effortlessly dapper in Joe Black suits.

The groom cut a striking figure in a navy Joe Black suit with a black satin lapel, finished with sleek Aquila shoes.

For Anna and Brendan, the day was full of love, laughter, and heartfelt moments. With much of their family and friends meeting for the first time, the wedding featured a relaxed, autumnal vibe that let the stunning grounds of Rathsallagh shine. From a heartfelt outdoor ceremony to an energetic dance floor and a lively sing-song with both their Australian and Irish guests, the day was fun, seamless, and unforgettable — made even more perfect by unusually warm September weather.

Having their top table placed in the centre of all the dinner tables made Anna and Brendan feel truly connected to everyone celebrating with them. The night ended with last drinks and a sing-song in the resident’s bar, led by Anna’s wonderful grandfather singing every verse of “Waltzing Matilda” by heart, creating a heartfelt moment touching all of the Australian guests’ hearts.

At the reception, instead of traditional favours, the couple made a meaningful gesture with seeds from Seeds Ireland and donations to Alzheimer’s Ireland.

As for advice for other couples planning? Anna says that while wedding planning can feel stressful and overwhelming, it’s important to ask for help when needed, as people are usually more than happy to lend a hand. “It’s easy to get caught up in the details, but try not to sweat the small stuff if things don’t go perfectly to plan, and focus on being present in each moment,” she adds.

Anna and Brendan’s first dance was “Yellow” by Coldplay. Brendan had surprised Anna with dance lessons in Australia in the lead-up to the wedding, something she had always wanted to do. “We had such a laugh trying to learn and practice the dance moves beforehand, but still managed to step on each other’s toes on the night!” Anna recalls.

The couple’s wedding entertainment was provided by Pink Champagne, a One Fab Day recommended wedding band. They also kept the dance floor alive all night with their DJ set, ensuring everyone danced the night away.

Anna and Brendan had always dreamed of visiting Greece, so they spent two weeks in Crete, finishing the last few days in Lake Como, Italy. “We love exploring new places on holiday, so it was the perfect destination for us,” Anna says. Their trip was a mix of relaxing on the beach and enjoying delicious Greek food in Crete, while travelling to different towns and taking in the stunning coastline. She adds, “I would highly recommend Crete — it felt quieter for tourists and was very reasonably priced.”