A Hopelessly Romantic Elopement on a Budget: Bailey & Derek

Bailey tells us that she first began visiting Ireland when her sister’s household moved to Dublin. “As a college student en route to getting my Masters in teaching, I had the opportunity to come to Ireland for extended periods during my breaks.” While in Ireland, Bailey would typically take care of her sister’s children, which is how she first crossed paths with Derek! “I made acquaintance with a Momma in the area, who just so happened to be Derek’s sister-in-law. It turns out, she had her eyes set on me and was scheming to introduce Derek and me and, get Derek to show me around. She went so far as to bring him to one of the birthday parties she knew I was likely to attend… but fate wasn’t ready for us yet and I chose to sit that one out!“

Eventually, Bailey agreed to let Derek’s sister-in-law cross on her cellphone quantity. “We made plans to go to Glendalough, Co. Wicklow, to hike the Spinc trail together,” Bailey says. “It was a blind date so neither of us had ever seen each other before but it felt as though we had known each other our whole lives. To this day we both agree, for whatever reason, we knew in those first moments this is where we are meant to be.“

Bailey tells us that the couple have been eager to not spend a small fortune on their huge day. “This was a wedding on a budget!” she says. “Neither of us wanted a big wedding, neither of us wanted to go all out, we just wanted to have a day dedicated to celebrating our love for one another.“

The couple tells us that having shut mates in attendance made the day so, so particular. “Although only two of them got to witness the marriage, we all spent the morning getting ready together, popping champagne, and crying happy tears, ready for this journey Derek and I were about to take.” This was significantly particular for Bailey, whose household weren’t capable of journey as a consequence of Covid restrictions, and will solely attend the day through Zoom. “I relied heavily and humbly on the friends of Derek’s and their amazing partners to make me feel special and celebrated on this day. I am forever grateful for the ladies who took the time and effort to invite me into their lives, make friends, become family, and be there for me on my big day when others couldn’t.”

Bailey describes their huge day as blissful. “I’m not sure there is any other word to describe it so accurately. Despite the irony of it pouring rain, we barely noticed and just kept moving and grooving to what the day had in store for us. We were puddy in love for one another and nothing could taint the moments we shared on this day.”

Bailey’s recommendation for engaged {couples} is to deal with your self and your associate. “This is your day and while I know it can be stressful trying to plan and include everyone and every detail you imagined, focus on what is important. You and your partner, joining together. I promise it makes the day so much more special.”

Thanks a lot to Bailey and Derek for sharing their romantic Irish elopement with us, and to Lauren Carroll for offering the attractive imagery! There are much more pictures to swoon over within the gallery under.

For extra inspiration for small weddings see right here or take a look at our submit on Easy and Inexpensive Wedding DIYs You Can Do At Home Right Now.