On a summer evening in County Limerick, 125 wedding guests stepped through the stone corridors of Adare Manor expecting a stately Irish reception — candlelight, florals, and dinner inside one of Europe’s most storied estates. Just hours later, however, the 19th-century manor transformed into a re-creation of Miami’s famed nightclub, LIV, complete with a raised DJ platform, pulsing lights, and a mirrored circular bar.
For Limerick-based wedding planner Olivia Buckley, that contrast defined Quinn Schaedler and Matthew Brownstead’s celebration. “It was never about creating one static look,” she says. “We allowed the weekend to unfold in chapters.” The celebration balanced heritage and high energy: a traditional church ceremony, a garden-inspired reception, and a lively late-night party. Quinn and Matthew, who met as swimmers at the University of Virginia, also wanted the destination to carry meaning. Ireland honored Quinn’s maternal family roots while offering guests an immersive getaway. “They were very conscious that guests were travelling thousands of miles,” Olivia explains. “It mattered that the weekend felt expansive high-spirited, and distinctly Irish.”
An Irish Welcome
Built in the early 19th century by the 2nd Earl of Dunraven, Adare Manor was designed as a romantic Gothic Revival estate along the River Maigue. With its turrets, vaulted ceilings, and storybook stonework, the restored five-star resort feels tailormade for weddings. Today, the manor preserves its aristocratic grandeur while offering modern luxury — an ideal setting for both intimate “I dos” and showstopping celebration of royal proportions.
Quinn and Matthew discovered Adare Manor while exploring international venues, and a single glance at the 1862-built hotel sealed the deal. “We all fell in love just pulling up to the manor,” Quinn recalls. By reserving the property exclusively for two nights, they created a house-party atmosphere. Upon arrival, guests received Irish welcome pouches and monogrammed luggage tags, and a private lounge awaited those landing early from red-eye flights. “Nothing was generic,” Olivia says. “Every touchpoint said, ‘You are here because you matter.’”
Festivities unfolded across the estate. A bridal luncheon and wine tasting in the manor’s cellar opened the celebrations, followed by a rehearsal dinner in The Drawing Room. The welcome party featured Irish dancers Cairde and late-night gatherings, while Quinn and her bridesmaids adhered to an early bedtime, winding down with a viewing of Father of the Bride.
Church Bells & Bagpipes
The next day, guests gathered at a nearby church for the ceremony. Escorted down the aisle by her father, Quinn wore a lace-embellished gown by Elie Saab from Mark Ingram Atelier — the first dress she tried on — which Matthew didn’t see until the church doors opened. Keeping with the traditional tone, the couple intentionally skipped a first look. “We wanted to see each other down the aisle and have that suspense,” Quinn says. Leaning into Irish custom, bagpipers led the newlyweds’ joyful recessional as Mr. and Mrs.
Dinner in Bloom
Back at Adare Manor, guests entered a reception space transformed into a romantic indoor garden. Quinn’s vision was clear. “I wanted it to feel whimsical — like a magical garden, but still sophisticated and fun,” she says. Her favorite flower, hydrangea, anchored the design, suspended overhead and mirrored by blooms at each place setting. “The purpose was not just visual impact,” Olivia explains. “The overhead installations lowered the ceiling line to create intimacy at scale. Guests were not just looking at the design. They were inside it.”
Before the reception began, the couple shared a private reveal of the room. “Seeing the reception together before anyone else was so special,” Quinn says. “It was one moment we had just to ourselves.” Dinner highlighted Irish flavors alongside classic options, including fillet of beef, stone bass, and herb crusted Irish lamb. Signature cocktails reflected the couple’s favorites: a spicy margarita for Quinn and an Old Fashioned for Matthew. “We almost didn’t get one because everyone loved them so much,” Quinn says.
Dessert followed with a multi-tiered cake in flavors including strawberry shortcake and Guinness chocolate.
A Miami Moment
As the reception progressed, Olivia orchestrated the celebration’s most dramatic shift, recreating the energy of Miami nightclub LIV inside the historic estate. “Lighting was everything,” Olivia says. “We allowed the manor to become the backdrop and let the stage, bar, and booths command attention.” At the center stood a mirrored circular bar, flanked by two personalized booths reflecting the couple’s personalities: the warm, intimate “Bear’s Den” for Quinn and the cool, reflective “Ice Club” for Matthew, complete with a sculptural ice feature catching the light.
For Olivia, the wedding succeeded because it authentically reflected the couple. “Their love of Ireland shaped the setting. Their life in Miami shaped the after-party. Nothing was performative — every shift in tone reflected who they are.” The following day, the newlyweds bid farewell to guests with a relaxed pub gathering featuring Texas barbecue shipped overseas for a taste of home. Then the pair honeymooned at Lake Como’s Grand Hotel Victoria before returning stateside, carrying with them a wedding weekend that seamlessly wove together heritage and good ol fashioned fun.
Dinner Menu
Champagne sorbet: pureed summer berries, Kir Royale liqueur
Fillet of Irish beef: cep mushroom puree, broccoli sprouts, pommes anna, red wine jus
Herb-crusted lamb: cep mushroom puree, broccoli sprouts, pommes anna, thyme jus
Pan-roasted stone bass: cauliflower fregola, steamed clams, pickled cauliflower and grilled leeks
Strawberry cheesecake: cheesecake mousse, berry jam, vanilla sablé, strawberry sorbet
Lemon tart: caramelized meringue with lime sorbet
Cake
Tier One
- Flavor: Strawberry Shortcake
- Filling: Vanilla Bean Buttercream & Strawberries
Tier Two
- Flavor: Guinness Chocolate Cake
- Filling: Caramelised O’Connails White Chocolate Buttercream
Tier Three
- Flavor: Pink Gin & Prosecco Cake
- Filling: Summer Berry Buttercream
Tier Four
- Flavor: Champagne Cake
- Filling: Vanilla Bean Buttercream & Strawberry Preserve
Vendors
Planner and Designer: Olivia Buckley International // Venue: Adare Manor // Videographer: Muse of Marquise // Gown: Elie Saab from Mark Ingram Atelier // Makeup Artist: Michelle Kinsella Make-Up // Hair Stylist: Sian Sharkey Hair // Ceremony Music: Munster String Quartet // Party Band: Ambassador Band // DJ: DJ Charles // Floral Designer: All for Love, London // Stationery: Reeba Rose // Cake: Broken Spoon Cakes // Drapery & Lighting: Gorilla Design // Sound: Cavs Ireland // Irish Dancers: Cairde
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