Kady O’Connell and Niall Gilhooly’s love story has taken them around the world, so it’s no wonder they decided to have a destination wedding in Italy. The couple, who were living in the same part of Ireland at the time, first met while visiting Vancouver, Canada. “When we returned to Ireland and Uni, we were inseparable and have since moved to Australia together, as well as traveled through Europe, Asia, and North, South, and Central America,” shares the bride.

Since Kady and Niall wanted their wedding to be a full weekend experience, they invited their loved ones to witness their nuptials in Italy, chosen as an ode to their love Italian food and wine. Though they don’t speak Italian, they were lucky enough to find a wedding photographer who helped them with translations throughout the planning process. “Rochelle is fluent in Italian and English, and this was so useful as sometimes we found it hard to communicate with our other Italian vendors,” shares the bride. “I don’t know what we would have done without her!”

“We really appreciated how far and wide everyone was traveling... We do not get to see our family and friends as much as we would like because we live so far away, so we wanted to spend as much time as possible together making memories.”

The couple’s 120 guests joined together for the romantic ceremony offering a view of the Italian countryside. Since the pair was legally married at a church in Ireland with close family in attendance, the bride’s cousin officiated the symbolic service and friends read poems important to the couple. Following the vow exchange, they found their seats for the alfresco reception featuring Italian fare. “We wanted to create a beautiful rustic Italian classic and fresh theme,” shares Kady. “So nature, the location, flowers, stationery, and the setting were very important to us.” Floral arrangements featured natural compilations of ivory blooms and greenery.

Wanting to personalize the celebration, Kady – who owns Kady Creative, a branding and design business – created the invitations, menus, additional paper goods, and wedding website herself. The couple also wrote personal notes for each and every guest, which were displayed at their place setting. “When they sat down to dinner, this was a beautiful surprise and one of our most memorable moments seeing their reactions,” she adds.

“We really appreciated how far and wide everyone was traveling and wanted to make their time great,” smiles Kady. “We do not get to see our family and friends as much as we would like because we live so far away, so we wanted to spend as much time as possible together making memories.”