Mark and Sara – Backyard Wedding – Dublin, Ireland

We met Mr. Mark Doran 4 years ago when we first moved to Madrid, back when we had just graduated from college, barely spoke Spanish and didn’t have the first clue what we were doing. Ever since, he has been one of our dearest friends. He plays football (soccer) every Friday with Martin, we have taken trips together, he even came to visit us in the US and most importantly, he does almost everything I say because….well Im not sure why exactly, but more boys should be that way, dont you agree? At the beginning of this school year in Madrid, Mark met a beautiful girl named Sara and immediately they fell in love with each other. At their wedding, I talked with Sara’s mom about the time when they first met and she could tell by her voice that her daughter was in love, that this was it, she had found him. Mark and Sara had a small intimate wedding at his parents house in Clane, Ireland (near Dublin). By the way, we adore Marks parents, Tom and Bernie, they are the most charming, laidback, generous people! They even let us use their vacation home in France (thank you thank you thank you!) Their house and property made such the perfect backdrop for a wedding. They have a little garden, cute patio, and flowers EVERYWHERE. With details like this, who needs decorations?

This statue of a saint is traditionally put out on wedding day to bring good weather. With the type of weather that Ireland usually gets, Im sure good weather is a blessing! It worked!

The tables were simply decorated with vases of wildflowers. Each table was set with a different dish pattern. I LOVE THIS! Who says things need to match? The blue birdie plates were my favorite. So pretty!

A very generous bar area was set up for guests to freely drink the night away. No Irish wedding would be complete without this!

Mark and Sara, along with their families, went to the Registry for the actual marriage ceremony. Meanwhile, we helped with the final details of the reception and when they returned, we had plenty of time to get some great portraits before all of the guests arrived.

These next few pictures are my favorites! This pretty pale yellow wall is to the patio and it was just the perfect spot.

The girl in me makes me a sucker for anything with a good ruffle or bow so I am always drooling over wedding gowns with some good girly details. Sara’s dress was the perfect blend of a simple, classic silhouette with just the right amount of statement details. That flower neckline and that BOW!!!!!!!

Um hello, Sara is stunning. Thats all.

This is Mark’s mom, Bernie….like I said before, we ADORE her.

Some of the English blokes we have become friends with…..I love them.

I think every wedding needs one of these jumpy bouncy moonwalk things. Practically speaking, it gives something fun for the kiddies to do, but the silly in me just wants pictures like these all the time!

The food was delish, Im pretty sure I ate my weight in curry and pastas.

Dancing lasted into the wee hours of the morning.




Mark and Sara, thank you so much for including us in your day, and for allowing me to document your lovely reception. We had a blast. I cant wait to get back to Madrid to hang out with your married selves and do dorky couple things :)