Choosing Ireland for their destination wedding was easy for Shannon and Andrew, whose Irish roots were a deciding factor when choosing a wedding location.

They knew the beautiful country would offer a unique venue and the location would hold sentimental value to their heritage.

The couple said their friends and family were shocked when they told them where the wedding was going to be — but no one had a negative reaction other than fearing the couple would be upset by guests who were unable to attend.

Thankfully, Shannon and Andrew wanted a smaller, intimate wedding. They knew if they had their wedding in their hometown they would have faced pressure to have a large wedding, which would have stressed them out much more.

Instead, planning their destination wedding was close to stress-free for the couple. By hiring a wedding planner, the couple had a lot taken off their shoulders.

The couple says they listened to their wedding planner’s advice throughout the whole wedding planning process and the wedding planner made sure everything ran smoothly.

The one issue the couple ran into was practically solved by the wedding planner by the time they learned of it. One of their vendors had a family emergency, which caused her to be unable to work their wedding.

The vendor provided a recommendation, who the wedding planner vetted before telling the couple of the issue. By the time the couple knew there was a problem, they were also presented with a solution.

When the day came, everything fell into place. Their venue was in Northwest Ireland, meaning their guests had to coordinate travel from either Dublin or Belfast.

Half of the guests worked with the couple’s travel agent who planned a bus and driver from Dublin, and the other half rented cars to extend their trip past the wedding.

No one had issues with travel and the wedding worked out as planned. The only downside they saw of the entire event was that some guests were unable to make the trip, but overall Shannon and Andrew say a destination wedding a great idea.

Vendors: Photographer: Sarah Fyffe, Wedding Planner: Ali Philips at Engaging Events by Ali, Ceremony/Reception Site: Lough Eske Castle, Donegal, Ireland, Florist: Killybegs Flowers, Stationery: Clementine Ink, Cake: Lough Erne Cakes, Hair & Makeup: Harkin Hairdressing, Gown Designer: Badgley Mischka, Groom’s Designer: Vera Wang, Bridesmaids/Groomsmen’s Clothing Designer: Bridesmaid — Nouvelle Amsale, Groomsmen — Vera Wang, DJ: SM Entertains, Officiant: Ciaran McCauley at Marry Me Ireland, Tours and Travel: Susan Moynihan at The Honeymoonist