Wedding of the Week: Stunning vista of Galtee mountains was perfect backdrop

THE GALTEE mountains provided a stunning background to the wedding of this duo.

Sarah Foley-Whelan from outside Ballyhooly, married Shane Whelan from Askeaton in Limerick.

The couple live in Croom - the closest to the Cork border that Sarah could get Shane.

Recalling how they first met, Sarah said: “We met on Tinder over eight years ago. Shane asked me out on a physical date three times before I said yes. Little did he know I was suffering from a seriously bad stomach bug and didn’t want to gross him out. I’m lucky he was too tenacious and preserved.” 

 They got engaged on Christmas Eve 2020 on top of Seefin mountain in the Ballyhouras.

She said: “Shane had to bring it forward as the country went into another lockdown on St. Steven’s Day. 

It was a complete surprise as I wasn’t expecting it at all, I just thought we were going for a romantic hike before we went our separate homes for Christmas. 

"He put so much work into getting the ring and deciding on how to do it – it was perfect. He’d even gone down the week before, while I was working, to ask my dad for my hand.” 

 They were married on Saturday 27th of July.- a Saturday so as not to clash with the All Ireland.

"We had the most beautiful outdoor Civil ceremony looking at the Galtee mountains on the Veranda of Aherlow House Hotel."

The bride chose to wear a blue dress, made in Lithuania. She was full of praise for Wardrobebydulcinea “masters at alternative wedding dresses and so worth it.” Amethysthair (Amanda Gowers) did all the bridal hair while MUA was mother and daughter duo Jillian and Mary from Beauty FX in Curraghagalla. Shane’s suit was from Esquires Limerick.

They were joined by their families, both parents are married over 30 years.

The bride and groom have one sister each, so Sarah's sister Brenda was a bridesmaid and Shane’s sister Ciara stood with the Groomsmen as his best woman. Both sisters also acted as  witnesses.

The bridal party also included friends.

Recalling the ceremony, Sarah said: "We had a beautiful civil ceremony conducted by Nuala O’ Sullivan, who was also a secondary school teacher in the boys secondary school in Fermoy. She didn’t a brilliant job and made the ceremony really special and individual to us. 

We wrote our own personal vows which really elevated the ceremony but also involved a lot of tears – mostly from Shane has he’s a big softy!

The reception continued at Aherlow House Hotel, with amazing weather. Guests enjoyed the most amazing views across to the Galtee Mountains. 

"All the staff were amazing, especially our wedding coordinator Liam Barrett who executed my vision for the day amazingly. Nothing was too much trouble and he was just this lovely clam influence."

The cake was by Deborah Guerin (cakesmydeborah).

The band were Loose Cannons and were on unreal.

Their first dance was to The Voyage by Christy Moore. 

The bride and her dad built the wedding arches and Sarah also cleaned up old urns from the family farm and decorated with flowers.

Our florist, Willow_florals (Michelle Sheahan) who is also Shane’s cousin did the most amazing floral arrangements.

The bride  loved her bouquet so much that  she has sent it to be dried and pressure by Pressed Flowers by Nell.

As to what was the most memorable thing about the day?

Seeing Shane’s face when I walked down the aisle. He was very emotional even though he told me he wouldn’t be! Also, while we were declaring our legal vows to each other Shane’s “I do!” was said with a lot of gusto and it got a great laugh from the crowd!

The photographer on the day was James O’Driscoll (JODPhotography). see 

https://www.jodphotography.ie/