Kate Middleton's Wedding Dress Inspired This Bride's Big-Day Look for Her Celebration in the Irish Countryside

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taupe colored letterpressed invitation suite with gold accents — Perry Vaile

The letterpressed invitation suite, embellished with gold foil by Kelsey Malie Calligraphy, featured elements that introduced the big day's theme and color palette: The taupe envelopes coordinated with fabric from Shannon's wedding dress, and the couple's new monogram (which would make an appearance during the party) was placed at the top. An illustration of the venue, Dromoland Castle, was splashed across the envelope liners, as well.

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Ireland, Through and Through

two sheep on grassy field in Ireland — Perry Vaile

Shannon's great-grandfather was from County Clare, Ireland, and both she and Eric grew up Catholic, so getting married in Ireland made sense. Plus, it was the perfect location for them to host their friends for a weekend of Irish festivities: On Thursday, Shannon's father chartered a trip for all celebrants to the Cliffs of Moher with a stop at Gus O'Connor's Pub for a bowl of soup and a pint of Guinness—followed by a pub crawl later that night in Ennis. (When in Ireland, right?) On Friday, the men played golf while the women attended a bridal luncheon, fascinators included. That night, during the rehearsal dinner, Irish dancers provided entertainment.

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Stunning Surroundings

bride and groom kissing in front of Dromoland Castle — Perry Vaile

The pair had a specific vision for their reception venue. They wanted "somewhere magical that would surprise our guests and make their long trip across the pond worth it," Shannon says. Enter the Dromoland Castle: It broke ground in the 16th century, and now serves as a five-star hotel. Guests either stayed there or at the nearby Inn at Dromoland.

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Making an Entrance

Ennis Cathedral front entry covered in greenery and floral arch — Perry Vaile

Shannon and Eric exchanged vows in a Catholic ceremony at Ennis Cathedral. To add to the pair's romantic vision, The Garden built a dramatic floral arch that framed the entrance; the lush arch gave off serious royal wedding vibes.

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This Is Us

mother and grandmother of the bride putting the bride's veil on — Perry Vaile

Shannon's mother and grandmother (who finally made it to Ireland after two cancelled flights!) helped her get ready before the ceremony. In fact, both women were there when Shannon chose her wedding dress, she says: "The day I found my gown was the only day my Grandma could come with us. She brought us good luck!"

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The First Look—Kind Of

bride and father of the bride first look — Perry Vaile

The couple didn't have (or want) a first look, so Shannon and her father shared their own version; she presented him with custom cuff links that read, "I loved you first. Love, Shannon" on one and the wedding date on the other.

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Royally Speaking

bride wearing a lace long sleeve sweetheart neckline Monique Lhuillier lace ball gown with long veil — Perry Vaile

Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, inspired Shannon's wedding dress, a lace Monique Lhuillier ball gown. It was a sweetheart strapless gown when she tried it on, but she added removable sleeves (which she took off post-ceremony) to embrace the cathedral setting. She knew it was the one "when I saw the look in my mom's eyes," she recalls. "I was Miss Georgia Teen USA when I was 15 years old, so we had a decade of experience gown shopping together. Once I knew I wanted a traditional lace dress by Monique, it was a unanimous decision." To finish the look, she added a dramatic veil and blusher.

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The Ladies

bridesmaids wearing floor length one-shoulder satin Jenny Yoo dresses — Perry Vaile

Shannon's bridesmaids wore one-shoulder satin Jenny Yoo dresses. "There is something Old-World about satin and the color resembled the castle walls," Shannons says. "Plus, I think one-shoulder looks good on everyone!"

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A Stroll Through the Gardens

bride and bridesmaids waking over brick bridge over lily pond — Perry Vaile

The women enjoyed walking through the castle grounds, which featured picturesque bridges and lily ponds, before the ceremony.

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True Romance

multi floral and greenery wedding bouquet — Perry Vaile

Shannon held a loose, organic mix of roses, white wax flowers, ammi visnage, astilbe, scabiosa, clematis, alche milla mollis, flowering oregano, eucalyptus, and button holes.

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Dapper Gentlemen

groom and groomsmen wearing black Ralph Lauren Purple Label tuxedos — Perry Vaile

Eric and his groomsmen all wore Ralph Lauren Purple Label tuxedos. Shannon gifted them black-and-white pocket squares from Ralph Lauren, where she currently works.

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Just the Two of Us

father of the bride walking bride down the aisle smiling — Perry Vaile

Shannon's father walked her down the aisle to Pachabel's "Canon in D."

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Sealed with a Kiss

bride and groom kiss during wedding ceremony in church — Perry Vaile

During the Catholic ceremony, Shannon's cousin, a professor of vocal performance at the University of Wisconsin, sang "Ave Maria," a family favorite.

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Let It Glow

tufted white sofa lounge area — Perry Vaile

The couple carried their fairy-tale theme straight into the reception hall, where tufted sofas, trailing flowers, and plenty of candlelight set a romantic scene.

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At the Center

tall greenery and floral table centerpieces — Perry Vaile

Dramatic tall centerpieces, which contained a mix of greenery and flowers, dotted the long tables.

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Table Talk

monogrammed hemstitch napkin topped placesetting — Perry Vaile

Each place setting was topped with a monogrammed hemstitch napkin and a letterpress menu, both of which were emblazoned with the couple's monogram. Gold-dusted white chocolate truffles did double duty as seating assignments and sweet treats.

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Celebratory Details

cabaret themed cocktail hour server holding tray of cigars — Perry Vaile

A cabaret-style server offered up Cuban cigars during cocktail hour.

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A Banner Day

wedding banner flags with crests designed from bride and groom's relationship — Perry Vaile

Flags, placed around the party space, featured a crest that contained emblems of the couple's relationship: a scale of justice for Eric, a lawyer; a silhouette of their beagle, Harvey; and elements of Shannon's family's coat of arms.

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Dressed to Impress

five tiered white silver and gold wedding cake — Perry Vaile

On the inside, the couple's five-tier cake contained layers of lemon and chocolate cake; on the outside, one layer was wrapped with fondant inspired by the lace used on Shannon's dress sleeves.

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Let's Dance

bride and groom share first dance on white tile dance floor surrounded by guests — Perry Vaile

During their first dance, the newlyweds swayed to Ray LaMontagne's "You Are the Best Thing," a tune they'd both heard live at Radio City Music Hall the year they got engaged.

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Light Show

bride and groom holding umbrellas watching fireworks — Perry Vaile

After Shannon changed into an ivory Ralph Lauren gown and Jimmy Choo pumps, the pair headed outside for a firework show—the ultimate way to wrap their epic celebration half-way across the world.