September 22, 2017

THE COUPLE

Both talented musicians -- she plays the harp and he plays the flute -- Lindsay Moynagh and Michael King first met at the tender ages of 15 and 16 when they were both cast in a show set to tour the UK. Fast friends from the start, the two did not become a couple until eight years later. "I can't believe we didn't fall for each other sooner," admits Lindsay. But during a glorious six-month trip around the world in 2013, Mike proposed.

THE INSPIRATION

As a professional wedding planner, stylist, and owner of House of Hannah, a popular event coordination and styling studio based in Ireland, Lindsay knew herself well enough to know that to be able to relax and actually enjoy her own wedding, a destination celebration was the answer. She and Mike both knew an entire wedding weekend would allow them quality time with family and friends, something they had missed the last few years while traveling so much to visit each other during their courtship (the two lived at opposite ends of the country.) "I knew if we had gotten married at home in Ireland I would be doing last-minute things right up until the night before," says Lindsay. "We wanted our wedding to be a big celebration, full of music and laughter, and the details were secondary." Both Lindsay and Mike wanted a traditional Catholic wedding, so coupled with impeccable choices in cuisine and gracious hospitality second to none, Italy was their perfect, romantic destination. When she visited Borgo di Tragliata - an organic farm as well as an ancient village - Lindsay knew it was "their" place. She immediately booked the entire village for the three-day event, where most of the 200 guests were able to stay onsite.

THE BRIDE WORE

So immersed in the bridal industry as a professional planner, Lindsay found zeroing in on her dream gown to be a bit of a challenge. Yet, somewhere in the back of her mind, a lovely, flowing Paolo Sebastian design featuring delicate lace and illusion kept calling to her, and following a Skype appointment with the designer, she was able to secure the gown of her dreams, despite being 10,000 miles away! She added an exquisite veil made for her first communion years before by her beloved Nana, who at age 94, is the also the namesake of Lindsay's business. The bride also borrowed her sister's earrings, and for something blue, added blue ribbons around the bouquets that gathered together a variety of garden flowers appearing freshly picked from the garden.

THE EVENT

Nothing speaks romance like Italy, and with the perfect combination of music, food, and ambiance, heralded by exquisitely personal invitations in the bride's favorite handmade paper, the bride and groom were blessed with an unforgettable day. Their music to marry by included a program chosen personally by Lindsay and Mike, and featured over 20 friends and family playing or singing during the ceremony. "We just really felt the love in the room and in the music," says Lindsay. "Our priest is a family friend and also a musician, so it was just so special." As the revelry continued, the reception dinner boasted typically Italian fare, including vegetables grown on the farm there at the venue, and served in a rustic setting under charming caf� lights. Dinner began with a lemon ravioli and a pear risotto followed by beef tournados and salmon kataifi. An enormous dessert buffet was highlighted by a divine salted chocolate caramel cake created by a friend of the bride's - and talented cake designer - who flew in from Ireland. The newlyweds exited to brightly lit sparklers beneath a star-filled sky, with memories of the sweetest destination wedding possible to carry home with them to Ireland.

-Martie Emory