Meet Ciara and Aonghus! This creative couple choose to marry by the sea in a relaxed and casual wedding with lots of DIY elements and plenty of laughter from family and friends.
Couple: Ciara and Aonghus
Engagement length: 2 years
Wedding date: 2025-07-05
Wedding location: The Garryvoe Hotel, Cork
Wedding photographer: Drene Plunkett Photography
Ciara and Aonghus met in 2013 whilst at college in WIT. They began dating the following year and moved to Cork in 2017.
Ten years after originally meeting Aonghus had a surprise in-store for Ciara during a special holiday, she explains:
"Aonghus planned a 10-day trip around Italy in April 2023 as a Christmas present. We visited Venice, Bologna, Rome, Sorrento and Pompeii. He proposed in Parco Talon in Bologna after a bike ride and picnic."
Ciara and Aonghus planned a summer wedding by the sea with a relaxed and casual feel. They added unique DIY touches to the day by creating the flowers and wedding arch.
Ciara wore a Mori Lee dress from Vows in Blarney with pearl studded cathedral veil, whilst her bridesmaids chose mis-matched gowns to suit the laidback vibe. Aonghus wore a striking terracotta three piece suit with deep green tie.
"The ceremony was short and sweet, and personal to us. Reading one was an excerpt from one of our favourite songs A Little Bit of Everything, Dawes, reading two was All I Know About Love and the closing reading was a quote by Jim Henson. Niamh Murphy provided the music. My entrance song was Songbird by Fleetwood Mac, and we lit the memorial candle whilst an instrumental version of You’ll Never Walk Alone was played. During the signing of the register we had chosen Stand by Me by Florence & the Machine and the final song was Accidentally in Love by Counting Crows."
"Our photographer Dee was everything you hope for in a wedding photographer - knowledgeable, professional and completely in love with what she does. She had already scouted locations for our couple shots, and when she saw my denim “bridal” jacket her face just lit up! She really captured the vibe and was an absolute joy on the day."
The Garryvoe Hotel was the perfect choice for Ciara and Aonghus.
"The staff at the Garryvoe were so friendly and genuine, from our very first visit. The rooms were decorated
beautifully, particularly the library. The food was incredible, location was stunning and the bridal suite was an absolute dream. Nothing was ever too much trouble and all the staff seemed genuinely dedicated to making sure everyone had a phenomenal time."
Favourite Memory from the day
Staying up to watch the sunrise at 6am with 6 of our friends. We even had t-shirts made to commemorate it.
Our close friends Aisling and Eoin showing up to surprise us having only just had a baby 5 days earlier was pretty special. Little Éabha’s first wedding!
Advice for other couples
Don’t stress about pleasing everyone, just focus on what you both want on the day.
Recommended Suppliers
Photographer: Drene Plunkett Photography
Venue: Garryvoe Hotel
Musician: Niamh Murphy
Hair: Nichole Corcoran Hair and Makeup
Other Suppliers
Makeup: Andrea Murphy | Suits: Simply Suits | Celebrant: Orla McCarthy | Band: Daft Pop | DJ: DD Entertainment | Day 2 music: Blackbird | Day 2 food: Trawler Boyz
