SHE is a musician and he is a hotel manager, so their paths had crossed over the years at various weddings.

But their own special day came earlier this year, when Mairéad Scully, from Riverstick, and Cianan O’Leary, from Ballinhassig, wed on January 2, 2020.

Mairéad is a musician, the owner and director of Kinsale Music Academy and plays in The Aristocrats Wedding Band. Cianan is originally from Youghal and is currently the Food & Beverage Manager of the Midleton Park Hotel. The couple live in Douglas.

They got engaged on a trip to Boston in October, 2018. They were married in St Columba’s Church in Douglas, by family friend Fr Michael Irwin.

The bride’s dress was from ‘Say I Do’ in Midleton, altered to “absolute perfection” by ‘Urata Designs’ in Ballincollig. Cianan’s suit, and his groomsmen’a suits, were all from ‘Suited Menswear’ in Midleton.

Good friends of Mairéad did all the hair and make-up — Norah Hurley (owner of Biba Salon in Bishopstown) and Giada Orlandi, MUA.

The bouquet flowers were beautiful origami roses from ‘Sachiko Paper Crafts’.

Family members present included parents Seán and Áine Scully and Tony and Maura O’Leary. Mairéad’s brother Marc and sister-in-law Deirdre with their two sons, pageboys, Dara and Fionn. Cianan’s two sisters, Ciara, who was home from Qatar for the wedding, and Aideen, who made the amazing three-tiered cake. Also Cianan’s grandmother Alice Walsh, from Youghal, who is nearly 91! So a full 90 years between the youngest and eldest guest!

Mairéad continued: “We had an incredible group of about 15 musicians doing all the ceremony music — I called in favours from a large circle of musician friends.”

The reception was in The Radisson, Little Island: “I cannot speak highly enough of everyone there. From the moment we first met Joanne, our wedding coordinator, everything was perfect,” the bride said.

They had Briony O’Toole and Patrick Lucy for the drinks reception music and Conor O’Shea, The Loungeman, during the meal.

The Incredibles were the band and front woman Muireann Holly and Co provided an outstanding night, they even had all The Aristocrats up dancing! That was followed by the spectacular DJ Paudie Walsh.

Their first dance was Someone Like You by Van Morrison.

“Most memorable thing about the whole day was the atmosphere. We had a big crowd of 300 and every single person, including ourselves, had a ball from start to finish!” said Mairéad.