Rathmullan House wedding – Relaxed wedding in Donegal

Rathmullan House is a fabulous Georgian House run by the Wheeler family in Donegal, overlooking the shores of Lough Swilly. It is a place of luxury that remains incredibly intimate—a rare find where you feel completely at home in a high-end setting. As a wedding venue, Rathmullan House offers a stunning setting surrounded by both beach and woodland, making it a dream for wedding photography. The atmosphere is relaxed, the staff is world-class, and the cuisine is famous for a reason. For Jane and Ian, it provided the perfect backdrop for both their civil ceremony and their outdoor drinks reception.

Advice from the bride to other couples who are going to get married in Rathmullan House 

The Vision

I had no clue what I wanted for my wedding. As much as I had badgered Ian for a proposal, I had actually never considered the aftermath! I knew I wanted to feel comfortable and at home: a relaxed setting with a small guest list and a dress that truly felt like me. Thankfully, after a bit of searching, I managed to find exactly that.

The Planning Process

I can’t say that I enjoyed the planning process at all, but I was fortunate to deal with great people and had pretty smooth sailing. We decided against a long engagement, starting our planning in September 2016 for a May 2017 date. My cousin bought me a wedding planner journal, which I highly recommend!

The proposal happened in Montenegro in August 2016, shortly after Ian locked himself out on our hotel balcony. Luckily, I opened the door to let him in; he then persuaded me to step outside, got down on one knee, and popped the question.

The Style: Dress & Groom

I visited three bridal boutiques in Northern Ireland, and while each shop was lovely, I found the experience disheartening. All the dresses were very formal and just didn’t look right on me. I began searching online for ‘casual wedding dresses’ and ‘bohemian wedding dresses’ and discovered the designer Divine Atelier.

I eventually found the “Aimee” gown at Blackburn Bridal in London. I absolutely love this dress; there is something so ethereal and vintage about it. Since I couldn’t travel for alterations, I took it to a seamstress in Bradford-on-Avon. Ian chose a navy “Sharkskin” Paul Costelloe suit from House of Fraser, paired with a shirt, pocket square, and tie from William Suitor in Belfast.

Beautiful Bridesmaids

I never planned on having five bridesmaids, but I had to have them all! Finding their outfits was easily the hardest part. Coordinating five different body types—including one bridesmaid who was eight months pregnant—was a challenge from the get-go.

After months of searching for a specific cornflower blue, I found pleated satin skirts on ASOS. We paired them with plain camisole tops from Topshop, and my Mum had her dressmaker attach blue lace to the necklines. We finished the look with cardigans from Coast and hair clips from Hermione Harbutt. Our flowers were provided by Lavender Green Florists in Portrush; Jean was incredibly helpful, creating a simple, wild arrangement of Delphiniums and Roses.

Advice for Other Couples

Don’t give yourself unnecessary jobs! You have enough to do. If you’re thinking about making 100 pots of chilli jam, consider how essential that really is. My Aunt Lynda gave me a great tip: when putting the ring on your partner’s finger, only push it to the knuckle and let them do the rest. Finally, get rid of Pinterest and Instagram—just be yourself. Comparing your day to others doesn’t bring happiness!