While we adore a colourful real wedding, we will always have a place in our hearts for an all-white, or monochrome black and white palette, particularly today’s real wedding which is a feast for the eyes! London couple Spencer & Casey tied the knot last summer with a utterly chic black and white Cabra Castle wedding celebration. From bridesmaids in white and a black velvet ribbon adorned wedding cake to their own stylish ensembles – these newlyweds chose an elegant monochrome wedding theme, which perfectly suited their classic historic venue. But beyond aesthetics, the goal for these lovebirds was to cultivate a homely, welcoming atmosphere where family and friends felt welcomed at their big Irish wedding weekend celebration. Well, judging by the below, mission accomplished! Francis Meaney was behind the lens capturing all the gorgeous details from this elegant Irish castle wedding and we can’t wait for you to see.
First things first, let’s get to know our couple a little better, shall we? Spencer & Casey both hail from London, but are now based in Essex. The pair first met while working at a local supermarket and had mutual friends. The first time Spencer saw Casey, he turned to his best friend and said, “I’m going to make her my girlfriend.” Determined to find out her full name, he got creative—buying alcohol on shift just so she’d have to sign the receipt. From there, it wasn’t long before he found her on social media and made his move!
The proposal happened while the couple were holidaying in Italy. Spencer proposed on a rooftop in Sorrento after dinner. He had to wait patiently (and nervously!) through a nine-course meal, hoping the rooftop would clear so he could pop the question with the stunning view of the sea and Mount Vesuvius in the background. Throughout the evening, he kept checking in with the staff, making sure everything was going to plan—all while trying to keep the ring box hidden. Thankfully, it all worked out!
Once engaged, the pair began planning a summer celebration in Ireland which the couple have special ties to. Casey’s family hails from Ireland—her dad is from Meath, and her mum is from Kingscourt in Cavan. For their great Irish wedding bash, the pair choose the wonderful Cabra Castle in Kingscourt, Co. Cavan, which is also close to the border of Meath. The bride says, “it was really important to showcase an authentic Irish wedding experience to Spencer’s family and our friends from England.”
Casey adds, “To make it feel like a full weekend celebration, we kicked things off with a pre-wedding get-together at Gartland’s pub in Kingscourt, which gave Casey’s Irish family a chance to meet everyone beforehand. By the time the wedding day arrived, it already felt like everyone knew each other, which was amazing. Then, on Sunday, we wrapped things up with a BBQ at Cabra—plenty of sore heads in tow! Our biggest priority was making sure we had an unforgettable weekend surrounded by our loved ones, and we definitely achieved that.”
As well as the perfect location, the bride had another special reason for loving their venue as she was a flower girl for her godmother Rebecca’s wedding at Cabra Castle when she was little, and from that moment, she always said she wanted to get married there one day. Since her mum’s family home is just up the road, it made the venue even more special—it meant the world to her mum to have the wedding there. “She loved playing tour guide for all our guests!”, the bride tells.
As for the look and feel they wanted to achieve on their day? The bride says, “We wanted the beauty of the castle and its grounds to take center stage, so we kept things classic with a black and white theme. Our main goal was for everyone to feel relaxed and just have a great time. We wanted it to feel like a big, joyful family gathering where everyone could let their hair down and enjoy the celebrations.” It certainly looks like they nailed it!
The couple tell us the venue really made them feel at home for the wedding weekend. “The staff at Cabra Castle were absolutely incredible—they went above and beyond to make sure everything was perfect. Our guests couldn’t stop raving about how friendly and attentive they were. A huge shoutout to Brenda, Emma, Bronagh, and the entire wedding team!”, Casey says.
On July 27, 2024, florals by Frog Prince beautifully framed the doorway as Casey walked down the aisle arm-in-arm with her mum and dad in front of 120 of their loved ones to the beautiful sounds of the Leinster String Quartet.
“Spencer’s three sisters did a reading called What Is Family, which was such a meaningful way to include them in the ceremony,” Casey remembers.
After being announced as officially married, the newlyweds joined their loved ones on the veranda at Cabra Castle where canapés and champagne was served in the sunshine. Groom Spencer tells us the weather may not just have been a streak of Irish luck! “Casey is a bit superstitious and saw a TikTok video about burying a sausage the night before the wedding for good weather. So, before heading to the pub on Friday night, she went out into the castle gardens—dressed in a white dress and heels, spoon in hand—and buried a sausage (much to the delight of any nearby dogs). And believe it or not, it worked! The sun came out just in time for our ceremony and drinks reception on the veranda, and as soon as we moved inside for the wedding breakfast, the rain started. We couldn’t have timed it better if we tried!”
Casey utterly wowed us in her breathtaking 3D floral-embellished, strapless Eva Lendal gown which she sourced at Love Bridal in London.
She completed her elegant bridal look with jewel-buckle kitten heels from Jimmy Choo and an incredibly sentimental something old – her nanny’s pearl necklace and matching earrings. “My Nanny had sadly passed away before the wedding, so having a piece of her there meant everything.”
The bridesmaids rocked all-white bridesmaids looks from ASOS, while groom Spencer looked incredibly dapper in his black tie ensemble from Moss Bros which he paired with Cartier cufflinks and black tassel loafers, also from Moss Bros.
One of the most magical parts of the day was the reveal of the dining room as guests went from a bright sunny drinks reception outside to a moody and romantic, candle lit reception space, twinkling with hundreds of candles and flowers.
Chic details, from their monochrome table plan and signage by Natalie Brady, to their showstopping wedding cake topped with black velvet bow by Denise O’Reilly Cake Design added personal touches throughout the space. For a pre, and post dinner surprise, guests were treated to to a fun wedding photo booth.
To kick off the night, the newlyweds had their first dance to Ben E. King’s Stand By Me before being joining by all their guests on the dancefloor. The celebrations continued with an after-party as Midlands DJs kept the energy alive, while a late-night menu ensured guests stayed fueled well into the evening. And when it was all said and done, the newlyweds departed for their honeymoon, journeying through the Maldives and Sri Lanka which the pair highly recommend. “We spent a week in the Maldives at JA Manafaru, the northernmost island—it truly felt like a deserted paradise. After that, we had a week in Sri Lanka, where we went on safaris and saw wild elephants, leopards, and bears. The two destinations were completely different but both absolutely incredible. We’d highly recommend doing something similar if you want a mix of relaxation and adventure!”
Looking back on their celebrations, the couple tell us they loved every bit of their wedding weekend, “One of the most special parts was seeing Spencer’s English family and Casey’s Irish family come together for the weekend. For many of them, it was their first time experiencing a traditional three-day Irish wedding, and it was amazing watching the two sides blend so seamlessly.”
After planning such a gorgeous day, the newlyweds have offered some great wedding advice, “Take it one step at a time—don’t try to plan everything in one day because it’s just not possible!”
They add, “Also, remember that only you know exactly how things are supposed to go. If something doesn’t go to plan, chances are, no one else will even notice. And on the day itself, you won’t either! So just go with the flow and enjoy every second.”
A very special thank you to Casey, Spencer and Francis Meaney for sharing this magical monochrome Cabra Castle wedding with One Fab Day. There are also plenty more gorgeous photos from their stunning summer celebration to check out in the gallery below!
Want more summer wedding inspiration? We have so many more gorgeous Summer Real Weddings that you need to check out.
