Model Grace O'Mahony's Folkster Wedding Dress Journey

Saying 'yes to the dress' is one of the most magical parts of wedding planning. In the series The Dress, stylish real brides share their journey. Here, Irish model Grace O'Mahony details finding her dress for her fairytale destination wedding in Italy.

Bride Bio

Name: Grace O'Mahony Profession: Model with 1st Option (also have a family business in Kilkenny) From: Kilkenny Wedding Date: 5th May 2025 Wedding Venue: Antica Fattoria di Paterno Tuscany, Italy Instagram: @gracefomahony

The Love Story

Myself and Sam met when we were teenagers on a night out in Kilkenny and have been together ever since! Sam proposed in December 2023 in Vienna, getting down on one knee in a pathway lit up with fairy lights with the Rathausplatz in the background.

The Journey

I always knew what kind of shape/style I wanted for my wedding dress from years of wedding shoots. I've probably tried on hundreds of wedding dresses over the years. I've also worked with Folkster on shoots since I was 16. I already knew where I would go and what type of dress I wanted even long before I had gotten engaged. I only went to one store, Folkster! I knew it would be my go-to bridal shop. They are just incredible in there and it was so special being able to get my wedding dress from them after all the years working with them! I did my dress shopping 10 months before my wedding. I ordered the dress then just after that. I knew I would be quick making the decision. I found it very easy and straightforward. I was definitely more relaxed about it because of all the wedding shoots I had done prior to this... I think you just need to enjoy it and don't overthink it! You'll know what one you feel amazing in when you try it on. I definitely had the benefit of knowing what suited me and what style I wanted in advance, so I would definitely recommend future brides to try on a few different styles to start, and you will know what type you like and don't like on yourself! The dress I chose in Folkster ended up being the very first dress I tried on. I only tried on maybe six dresses in total!

The Vision

I wanted it to be elegant, timeless, and I also wanted to make sure I was comfortable! I wanted a detachable top made for it too so it meant I was getting two looks with the same dress.

The Style Support

I brought my sister and two of my other bridesmaids with me to the appointment. My other sister and bridesmaid live abroad so we kept them updated afterwards. I also had my mam on a video call during the whole appointment so she could see me trying them on too as she was too unwell at the time to come into the store, so it was lovely she was able to still be a part of the appointment.

The Decision

I knew the same day as the appointment which dress I had decided on. That evening I went through the ones I had tried on and myself and my mam both agreed the very first one I tried on was the one. I knew it was the one because once I had it on I knew I couldn't picture any other dress on me on my wedding day.