Saoirse-Monica Jackson’s Fairytale Wedding: A Celtic Love Story in Couture
- BY MAMELLO MOKOENA
- Aug 27
- 4 min read
When Derry Girls star Saoirse-Monica Jackson tied the knot with her Scottish DJ beau Hector Barbour (known to dance floors worldwide as Denis Sulta), the result was nothing short of a fun-filled love letter to heritage, whimsy, and romance.
The three-day celebration at Dromquinna Manor in County Kerry was steeped in Celtic magic, from kilts and Guinness on tap to lilac florals honouring Saoirse’s grandmother. But at the heart of it all was a bride with a clear vision: a wedding that merged Irish storytelling, Scottish tradition, and her own playful sense of style.
The Dress of Dreams
The dress was no cookie-cutter bridal gowns. Designed by Annie’s Ibiza and styled by Katie Bryce, Saoirse’s dress was a love story in itself. With inspiration pulled from a Dior runway look and Zendaya’s red-carpet daring, Annie’s Ibiza crafted a bespoke gown that was equal parts fantasy and equal parts rebellious.
The design featured puffed sleeves, lace detailing, and a high corset back that gave way to a sweeping skirt, only for it to transform later into a shorter, flirty version that is perfect for dancing. Hidden within the dress was a reversible tartan corset, a cheeky nod to her new Scottish family that left Hector delightfully surprised.
Saoirse completed her Annie’s Ibiza gown with an off white pair of pointy toed, platform heels by Christian Louboutin. The perfect sky-high addition to the edgy and fun yet cute and sweet look.
And because fashion runs deep in family ties, Celtic brooches were sewn in to honour her mother’s gown, ensuring that tradition and modernity walked hand in hand down the aisle.
The Bridal Party Palette
Bridesmaids floated in jewel-toned emerald gowns by Rat & Boa, a vibrant contrast to the soft lilac florals spilling across the venue. Hector and his groomsmen stood proudly in kilts, bringing a strong thread of Scottish heritage into the Irish setting. The colour story, green, purple, tartan, was less about trend-following and more about weaving together personal histories in a kaleidoscope of culture.
Hector embraced his Scottish roots in a traditional kilt, paired with a sharp black jacket and sporran that gave his look both formality and flair. And a little detail that did not go unnoticed, was his lilac manicure. His groomsmen followed suit in kilts of coordinating tartans, creating a striking visual thread of heritage and unity that perfectly complemented the romantic Irish setting.
Beauty with a Romantic Edge
Just as Saoirse’s dress balanced structure and softness, her beauty look followed suit. Saoirse described her brief quite simply, “Celtic warrior princess”. So, the result was natural, dewy complexion and soft, petal-toned lips kept the romance intact, while her eyes carried a subtle smokiness that was perfect for candlelit moments. Her hair, swept back to showcase the drama of her puff sleeves and corsetry, felt effortlessly modern without overshadowing the gown.
For the evening reveal, the shorter dress paired beautifully with a loosened, lived-in hair look, because a bride who can twirl to a live band in tartan deserves beauty that dances with her.
Fashion Moments Beyond the Aisle
The style didn’t start at “I do”, however. For the Friday night welcome party, Saoirse leaned into playful bridal glamour with what she affectionately called her “DJ’s bride” dress; a lacy sheer number with a short underskirt and daring lace-up ties running up the front instead of the back, a cheeky twist on tradition. The look struck was flirty, sexy and fashion-forward. It set the tone for a weekend full of celebration. Hector kept things effortlessly cool in crisp white trousers paired with a Vivienne Westwood shirt and blazer, a look that was polished yet he stayed true to his DJ edge.
For Sunday, the last day of the three day celebration, Saoirse swapped couture for cool-girl chic, donning a Sandy Liang suit paired with Charles & Keith shoes, Missoma jewellery, and a playful Clio Peppiatt bag. Set against the candy-pink backdrop of O’Shea’s Pub in Sneem, it was a look that screamed modern bride: cheeky with vintage charm.
Florist Mark Grehan of The Garden created arrangements that felt freshly gathered from the Irish countryside, leaning into soft lilacs, whites, and lush greenery. The lilac tones honoured Saoirse’s grandmother’s favourite colour, while the greenery echoed the emerald gowns worn by the bridesmaids and the rolling lawns of Dromquinna Manor. Together with the deep hues of Hector’s tartan and the rich woods of the Manor, the florals wove seamlessly into the overall colour story. Lilac smoke after the ceremony added the perfect element of fun and flair.
From couture transformations to pub-side photo ops, Saoirse-Monica Jackson’s wedding was the perfect example of sentimentality and honouring tradition as well as having fun on your wedding day and it being all about letting you and your partner’s personalities shine through. Every detail, from tartan corsets to lilac smoke clouds, felt intentional, intimate, and unapologetically them. It was a reminder that the best weddings, much like the best fashion, don’t follow rules, they make their own.
