Wedding of the Week: Cork bride and groom hit the beach on their mountain bikes

IT’s not every day you see a bride and groom on the saddles of their bikes... but that was the case for Brian Hanley and Sinead O’Riordan.

The couple were married in the Sea Church in Ballycotton this summer, on a glorious day. Afterwards, they got some photographs taken on Ballynamona beach with their bikes, as they are both keen mountain bikers.

The couple from Little Island, who are building their forever home in Knockraha, have been on many adventures since they started dating back in 2009.

They got engaged during a trip abroad. Sinead recalled: “We were on a mountain biking holiday in France and got engaged on Lake Annecy while stand-up paddle boarding - I can’t swim so it was definitely memorable in more ways than one. We celebrated with friends after in a local bar.”

They had their ceremony in Sea Church Ballycotton in the old church on September 1.

Sinead said: “The ceremony was made more personal by Minister 4 Happiness - Aislinn Cambridge. 

She performed our love story ceremony. 

"My niece Alison played the aisle song on piano and Fever Pitch performed for the rest of ceremony.”

The bride got her dress in Say I Do Midleton, while the shoes were from Dune. Hair on the day was by the fab Hairy Fairy, Dawn Monaher. and make-up was by Makeup Genie, Karen Meldrum. Brian and the groomsmen were suited by Ray in Suits Direct.

Both immediate families were there, including Brian’s brother, and his family came back from Australia.

Sinead recalled: “The ceremony was so special as it detailed our love story - how we met, the engagement, our love for travel and adventure and mountain biking.

Aislinn, our celebrant, made a bespoke ceremony. My niece playing the aisle was also so memorable and emotional.”

They had their reception in the lovely Garryvoe Hotel.

The cake was by Baker Boy cakes and they used their own classic cars as bride and groom transport (1987 VW Golf and 1983 Fiat X1/9) .

The first dance was to The One I Love - David Gray.

As to the most memorable thing about the day?

We both would say the ceremony was personal to us, and being able to party and celebrate with our nearest and dearest. The weather added to it.

Photography was by Adrian O Neill of Stay Wild, while videography was by Brian Connelly of Arclight.