Wedding of the Week: 'Unplugged' ceremony for Carrigaline couple who met online

Alyssa Hartnett and Martin O’Connor both went to the same school in Carrigaline, and in later years, even socialised in the same places.

However, it was online where they first connected 13 years ago.

The couple, who live in Carrigaline, got engaged in Kinsale in 2019 and welcomed their daughter, Grace, in 2020.

On May, 9 2025, they were wed at an intimate ceremony at the Carrigaline Court Hotel by celebrant Caroline Murphy.

“She made everything so special and personal. It was like a friend was marrying us,” the couple said.

Music was by violinist Áine O’Halloran.

The bride sourced her wedding gown online.

“I never wanted to go mad on my wedding dress, given the amount of time I’d be wearing it. I found a gem on SHEIN,” Alyssa explained.

The bride also sourced the bridesmaid dress for her sister, Emma, and the flowergirl dress for her daughter, Grace, from the site.

“I was so so happy with them,” she said.

Alyssa wore a custom head piece, created by Halo and Crown.

“I knew I wanted a head band. I had a vision and I found someone to bring my vision to life. Halo and Crown was so good to work with,” the bride said.

Make-up was by Ciara Moore. “She was just fab, knew exactly what we wanted,” Alyssa said.

Hair was by Alyssa’s friend Michelle Scully. “It was so special,” she said.

Flowers were by a very special family friend.

The groom’s suit was by Simply Suits.

The couple decided to have an ‘unplugged ceremony’ with no phones or photos.

“We wanted it intimate and for people to be present and I could not recommend it enough,” Alyssa said.

After the ceremony, the couple went to the nearby Ballea Castle for photographs, before returning to the hotel to join their 25 invited guests for their wedding banquet. Later, Alyssa and Martin were joined by more of their friends and family for an evening reception.

Their wedding cake and cupcakes were by Delphine Cuisine, a friend of the couple.

“She’s so talented I can’t recommend her enough. She’s also started her own stall on Saturday at Cobh market- you need to try her cakes,” Alyssa said.

Photos were by Dominic Dunne, who put the couple at ease right from the beginning. “We had such a laugh from the moment he brought out the camera,” they said.

Reflecting on their day, Alyssa and Martin said: “It was the most relaxed, fun, exciting day. I wouldn’t change a thing.”