Brett Skirkanich and Jocelyn “Jos” White first met in 2016. By 2018, Jos already had a ring. For a full year and twelve international flights later, he kept it around, waiting for the right moment to propose. Ultimately, he found that right moment while he and Brett were at her family’s home. There was no pomp and circumstance, and it was perfect.
The couple kept their news off of social media and instead shared word of their engagement the old-fashioned way—by telling their friends and family in person. “It was wonderful to do it this way to really celebrate the engagement,” Brett says. “This kicked off the feeling of something very intimate and special, each guest invited heard the news in person from us or our parents as needed.”
They enlisted Tara Fay of Tara Fay Events to plan the Ireland wedding weekend with Barry McCall photographing all of the many highlights. Mark Grehan of The Garden designed the blooming floral arrangements. With details settled, the couple sent out their invitations by TPD Stationery for their June wedding.
The festivities began with a Friday pub lunch, followed by a welcome dinner. That night, the groom dressed in Ralph Lauren Purple Label and slid on the Patek Philippe watch his bride gifted him for the wedding. The bride-to-be consulted Over The Moon’s styling team to put together an Eleanor Balfour Valencia top from Over The Moon with John Paul Ataker pants and Aeyde heels. Jos completed the look with Bulgari bracelets given to her by Brett’s mother.
Brett sought something classic and unique and found that with Monique Lhuillier’s Bloom gown. She further customized it in the Ambrosia fabric with detachable sleeves and buttons along the back. Her mother gave her large pearl drop earrings pinpricked with diamonds, which brought Girl With A Pearl Earring inspiration to her bridal outfit. Her soon-to-be mother-in-law presented her with new bracelets. The finishing accessory was a veil, an heirloom from the groom’s family. As for shoes, they didn’t matter much to Brett because she went barefoot!
David Cashman styled her hair in a tousled updo, and Christine Lucignano applied her glowing makeup.
On June 4, 2022, the bride walked down the aisle while Mamisa Strings strummed. Ahead of the big day, the couple met with several local celebrants but wanted someone who knew them personally to conduct the short ceremony. They immediately thought of their planner, Tara Fay, and were delighted when she said yes. She led the ceremony, which followed Celtic tradition, and bound the couple with hand-fasting. “In Ireland, it’s not really a tradition to say you may now kiss the bride,” Brett notes. “However, as we were making our own traditions, we added this part to our ceremony.” Sealed with a kiss, they were pronounced husband and wife.
After, guests headed to the Killruddery House and Garden Orangerie for dinner and revelry. Brett changed into a two-piece outfit by Tadashi Shoji, which proved perfect for dancing and cutting their cake by Clare Ann Taylor.
The newlyweds joined guests for a Sunday Champagne brunch at the Wicklow Polo Club, catered by Claire Hanley. The beaming bride wore a long Emilia Wickstead top and cropped blazer by Mônot to greet and celebrate with their friends and family. London Essentials returned to play music for the event.
