Wedding of the Week: Cork couple brought together through love of modified cars 

A love of modified cars brought Cork couple Therese Butler and Timmy O’Brien together.

Therese, originally from Bandon, and Timmy from Inchigeelagh, first met 15 years ago and today live near Macroom with their three children; Josh, Lauren and Shannon.

They got engaged at the Donegal Rally in June 2023.

“We were going for a spin up the mountains, the whole gang were there travelling in front, when Timmy pulled in and said the car is after breaking down. He asked me to get out to open the bonnet. Of course I did, thinking we would be stranded up there... I thought he was looking under the car, but he was actually down on one knee with a ring box in his hand and asked me to marry him. Of course I said yes! Everyone knew except me,” recalled Therese.

The couple were married on October 11, 2024, on their 15-year anniversary at Castletown-Kenneigh Church with their children involved in church duties on the day.

The maid of honour was Aine Hartnett and Therese’s bridesmaids were Lauren, Aoife, Rosie and Ellen.

Michael Twomey was man of honour and Timmy’s groomsmen were Conor, Johnny, Josh and Alan.

The couple’s daughter Shannon was flower girl and the page boy was Darragh.

“I remember walking up the aisle with my dad Christy,” said Therese, “we were both shaking like leaves but we made it.”

Aoife O’Connell performed the music at the church. “She gave us goosebumps,” the couple said.

Clodagh O’Brien, 14, played the couple’s parents’ wedding songs on violin while they were saying their vows. “That was very emotional for us and our parents,” they added.

The bride’s dress was from the Moderne, her shoes were from Sheen, and she had a pair of custom Air Force Ones with her married name and the date of the wedding in rhinestones.

Hair was by Eileen O’Hallahan, from Crossbarry Hair Salon, and make-up was by Emily Novatyniski, from Drinagh.

Flowers were by Florist4u_Tracey from Mahon.

After the ceremony, the couple held a reception for their guests at the Westlodge Hotel in Bantry. “From start to finish, Norma could not have done enough for us. The weather that day was unreal - we even did our photos on the grounds of the hotel.

“The trees were full of autumn leaves and the waterfall was absolutely amazing. No matter what we asked, we got. The service was second to none,” said Therese.

The couple’s wedding cake was by Scally’s SuperValu in Clonakilty.

Photography was done by Philip Cullinane from Bandon while the videography was by Greg Mulcahy.

The wedding invites were by James O’Donavan Caricatures.

The couple’s first dance was to a remixed version of Celine Dion’s Power Of Love, performed by their band Drops Of Green.

Among their most memorable moments were when they gathered outside with their friends that night with their surroundings illuminated with sparklers, and enjoying the fireworks the following night.

Therese and Timmy used their own cars for the weekend - Timmy’s Ford Sierra Sapphire and Therese’s Sierra Hatch.

“For our wedding, we did the envelope challenge every week,” explained Therese.

This involved the couple putting money aside into separate envelopes each week in the months ahead of their big day.

“We made so much of the stuff ourselves... Anywhere we could save money we did it and it really paid off.

“We were so thrilled there were no bills chasing us the day after,” said Therese.

Pictures: Philip Cullinane