Connemara House Wedding in Topsfield, MA

Fiona and Thomas’ Connemara House wedding was one for the books! This venue, just a short drive north of Boston, has been on our wish list since they opened three years ago. When we drove up the winding drive to the Connemara House, we suddenly felt like we were in an Anne of Green Gables book! There is a large white farmhouse on the property, surrounded by lush apple orchards. Guests can play lawn games and enjoy cocktails next to an expansive sailcloth tent.

Although there are so many lovely spots for wedding pictures at Connemara, we were super excited to capture some portraits of this happy couple on Magnolia Beach in Gloucester after their Sacred Heart Church ceremony. This rocky beach is located on the north shore of Boston with views that literally took our breath away.

Scroll down to see all of our favorites from Fiona and Thomas’ magical wedding day!

More about Fiona and Thomas’ Connemara House wedding:

This wedding had one of the craziest wedding dress stories we’ve ever heard! Although Fiona and Thomas had planned on getting married in 2020, getting married a year later seemed like it was fate. The week before this wedding, Fiona was walking downtown in Gloucester and passed by the Bananas Vintage store. Although she already had a wedding dress (that she purchased two years ago!), there was a vintage 1960’s era wedding dress hanging in the window that stopped her in her tracks. Fiona is Irish, and when she saw the dress was embroidered with clovers, she bought it on the spot. Folks at the store told her it was such a tiny dress, it might not fit her, but when she brought it home and tried it on, it fit like a glove.

With drop sleeves and a sweeping train, this vintage wedding dress looked so stunning in photos. We have photographed 280 weddings, and this was the first time a bride found her wedding dress just days before the wedding day! After getting ready at her parents house, Fiona and her bridesmaids and parents walked four minutes down the street to the ceremony. Held at the Sacred Heart Church in Manchester, MA, guests gathered to celebrate the marriage of Fiona and Thomas with a full mass.

When the ceremony was over, we met Fiona and Thomas and their wedding party at Magnolia Beach for a few portraits. This was our first time to this location, and it was AHMAZING. With large rocks and tide pools, this ocean backdrop felt like a movie scene. Even with the full sun, the rocks bounced enough light to fill shadows and create the perfect glow on Fiona and Thomas!

Favorite things about this Topsfield, MA wedding:

One of my favorite things about this wedding were the oyster shell escort “cards” that Fiona made with her family. She used mod podge and a variety of patterned cocktail napkins to create these super unique and fun shells that served both as table assignments for guests and guest favors!

We also loved the mobile bar for this wedding, the Free Spirits VW bus! After cocktails, dinner and dancing was served under the sailcloth tent with a canopy of cafe lights above. Fiona put on her original wedding dress for part of the reception, and even wore a THIRD cocktail dress that she designed herself! Thanks to Samantha with Belle Terre Events for coordinating this day. Congrats to newlyweds Fiona and Thomas, who are hopefully having a wonderfully relaxing honeymoon!

Vendors who contributed to Fiona and Thomas’ wedding:

Coordinator – Belle Terre Events

Ceremony venue – Sacred Heart Church of Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA

Officiant – Father Paul Flammia

Reception venue – Connemara House Farm

Flowers – Savvy Flowers

Catering – Tim Hopkins

Hair and Makeup – The Artists

Fiona’s 1960’s wedding dress – Handmade / Purchased from Bananas

Fiona’s early reception dress – Richard Designs / Purchased at Atelier Cape Ann

Fiona’s party dress – Designed by Fiona, made a reality by Pins and Needles

Thomas and groomsmen attire – The Black Tux