Real Bride

#EnzoaniRealBride: Rachel & Alistair

Classically Elegant, Irish Country Castle Wedding

Spanning from a London stage production all the way to the breathtaking Irish countryside, Rachel and Alistair's love story is a gorgeous one. The couple married on the 28th August 2016 at the stunning, twelfth-century Darver Castle in County Louth, Ireland. Read on for a glimpse into Rachel and Alistair's beautiful nuptials -- and find out how Rachel chose her wedding dress: July from the 2015 Enzoani collection.

THE DRESS...

"It was the second shop I looked in, a 10 minute drive from my house in Northern Ireland -- Petticoat Lane Bridal in a beautiful village called Hillsborough. The store is actually owned by a girl who went to my school. (Northern Ireland is so small.)

[July] was the first dress I picked out and tried on in the beautiful boutique, and when I put it on, I instantly felt special. As I walked out, I said to my mum, 'I feel like a bride,' and she just said, 'Well, that's the one,' and that was it. I continued trying the other few gowns on, but nothing compared. The colouring was just beautiful. Being so pale, I couldn't pull off white, and it was so elegant with a little bit of sassiness."

THE LOVE STORY...

"We were both working on the London production of War Horse with the National Theatre -- I was the company physiotherapist and Alistair was one of actors. He used to annoy me because he talked during Pilates classes and messed around at the back. He came to Physio for non-show-related injuries and had a very confident persona."

"At the company Christmas dinner, we got to talking, I learned all about his family, and he turned out to be the most wonderful person. He asked me on a date in the New Year, we went to the Oxo Tower in London, and it went very quickly from there."

"He took me back there on our engagement night and proposed at the bus stop where we had our first kiss, before whisking me off by private car to a countryside hotel whilst playing James Bond themed tunes like 'Diamonds are Forever,' and so on. The next day, we caught a plane to Northern Ireland to celebrate with my family who were all thrilled. I'm Irish, so getting married was a childhood dream and to the most most amazing man who makes me laugh every day was the cherry on top!"

THE WEDDING DAY, MY MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT...

"The wedding overall was amazing! Everyone says it's the best day of your life and it really was. Getting ready at my family home with my family and bridesmaids was so lovely. The ceremony was officiated by my bridesmaid's dad and he made it so personal and special. Then my husband wrote and performed a song for me called, 'Yours to Keep.' It was something to remember forever. And then the band were just insanely energetic and good -- The Nooks!"

"My husband and I danced with our guesses all night, doing congas and Irish jigs. I even had a friend text to say she got shin splints from dancing so much. It was just perfect, and as soon as it was over, I wished I could do it again knowing how great it turned out."