The best wedding venue is one you feel drawn to. When looking for a wedding venue, Emily & Penn’s search started in their hometown of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, but their search ended over 3,000 miles away in the same 14-century castle where David & Victoria Beckham said their vows, outside of Dublin.
Emily’s father had always dreamed of taking his family to Ireland together, reconnecting with their roots. Tragically, he passed away before he could. When looking for a venue, Emily & Penn realized their wedding could be so much more than a five-hour bash in a ballroom: their wedding was a week-long immersive experience for their 85 guests, which culminated in a welcome dinner & historic tour of the property, and the wedding day itself on a cloudless afternoon in the centuries-old castle. Their family-centric outlook permeated the wedding, from Emily wearing her grandmother’s ring to the unostentatious design.
After an evening of piano-playing and Guinness, Emily donned an elegantly understated Pronovias gown (which had its own seat on the airplane) in the Aileen Plunkett room, complete with a hundred-year-old copper tub, vintage Louis Vuitton trunks, and an excited group of bridesmaids. Meanwhile, Penn buttoned in tuxedo amongst the rare antique books of the castle’s library, finishing the outfit with a crisp Irish linen pocket square.
The ceremony took place in the Kentian Room, a backdrop of 17th century Aubusson tapestries and hand-carved plaster. Emily walked down the aisle to the music of the Celtic harp into a traditional Irish wedding. The peak occurred at the handfasting– an ancient Celtic tradition that tied the hands of Penn & Emily together. They sat in carved mahogany thrones for their emotional readings among floral-adorned candelabras and antique silver. After sealing their ceremony with rings and a first kiss, they exited as cheers filled the halls of the castle.
Guests enjoyed cocktails in the shadow of the ivy-covered castle walls, before a five-course meal in the Van Stry Ballroom with its floor to ceiling windows, hanging chandeliers, and sterling candelabras.
The reception was a jubilant night of dancing lasting beyond 2AM, led by Harlequin – Ireland’s top wedding band. The couple wasn’t ready to stop celebrating, however, with a sing-along in the library that stretched on until the sun rose over the castle’s treetops at 6AM.
