Meet Marie and Brian, a fabulous couple who got married in a pink and gold themed wedding!
Couple: Marie and Brian
Engagement length: 2 years
Wedding date: 2022-07-29
Wedding location: The Dunloe Hotel and Gardens
Photographer: Val Zukowski
Videographer: Michael Black
Marie and Brian met while attending secondary school in Macroom, Cork! They got engaged while on summer holiday in Sorrento.
Marie says, “While on a day trip to the Island of Capri, Brian got down on one knee at the Island’s highest viewing point to my utter surprise.”
They planned a gorgeous pink and gold themed wedding!
“Pink and gold encapsulated the wedding invitations, bridesmaids’ dresses, the wedding flowers, the page boys’ ties, the flower girls’ satin belts, signage, ceremony booklets, the wedding reception and our wedding cake.”
Marie’s ivory wedding dress and veil was by Australian designer Anna Campbell.
Brian’s cream and navy suit was from Simply Suits, Cork City.
The bridesmaids wore blush pink dresses from Folkster and the groomsmen wore navy suits from Simply Suits, Cork.
“We celebrated our wedding in a small intimate ceremony in The Prince of Peace Church. Fr. Joe O Mahony, our Parish priest, married us. The window behind the altar revealed a stunning backdrop of a yellow field of barley, the Lakes of Killarney and the stunning Killarney mountains.”
They hosted a beautiful wedding reception at the Dunloe Hotel and Gardens, just a short five minute drive from the church.
“The hotel offered a wonderful backdrop of views of the Gap of Dunloe and stunning photo opportunities with the wonderful hundred year old oak tree, beautiful horses and hotel’s gardens. Our hotel guests still speak of the hotel’s stunning setting, the hotel’s five star hospitality and they are still raving about the wedding food.”
Their wedding was perfectly captured by Val Zukowski. This is what they had to say:
“Val was absolutely amazing at capturing our wedding day in a very natural way. We were drawn to Val’s skill at capturing natural photos with family and friends. Val took the most amazing photos with our family at the wedding venue. Val having done his research, suggested we head away to the Gap of Dunloe for couple only photos. The photos of Brian and myself up the Gap are simply gorgeous. The lake, the wind, the high mountains, the rugged terrain, and Val created some of most beautiful photography we have ever seen. Val’s professionalism, talent and warmth make the experience of working with him truly amazing.”
Their stunning video was the work of Michael Black!
“We are forever grateful to Michael for capturing such wonderful footage of our wedding day. The three minute highlights video is still to this day giving us goose pimples, it captured the day in such a true and genuine way. Michael’s choice of music with the highlights and long video is truly stunning, something we will cherish for the rest of our lives. Michael’s warmth, eye for detail and professionalism make the experience of working with him truly memorable.”
Marie and Brian went big on entertainment and treated their guests so well! They had father and daughter duo, Aoibhe and Brendan O’Connor for their ceremony music. Then a family friend, JP played a selection of their favourite songs on the piano during the drinks reception. The Love Bugs and their DJ entertained guests as they danced the night away!
For wedding favours, each guest received a pouch with three eucalyptus and peppermint love heart shaped wax melts – something the guests could enjoy in weeks and months after the wedding.
They have three favourite memories from their special day!
“Taking an hour to ourselves to go up The Gap of Dunloe to take some photos. It allowed us to be present with each other and have some time to ourselves.
Second favourite memory is cutting our wedding cake out in the balcony of the wedding venue. Our family and friends surrounded us with burning sparkles and we had the stunning hotel gardens as our back drop. It made for the most beautiful moment.
Third, I got one of Brian’s groomsmen to present him with a wonderful surprise on the morning of our wedding. It was an oil painting of our “love story” (done by Wedding Art). The hotel displayed this at our wedding reception and was a lovely focal point. It’s hanging up now over the mantelpiece in our sitting room and we admire it every day.”
We love asking newlyweds for their best wedding advice:
“I would say take time out of the day to spend some time alone. This could be to take some photographs or to have a drink together in your bridal suite. It allows the couple to be present and experience each others feelings.
Secondly, make sure to get plenty of sleep the days before your wedding as you will have a long few days and nights ahead of you.
Thirdly, as a bride on your wedding morning. Make sure you have some wholesome food just before you put on your dress. Plenty of energy will be needed. If nerves are preventing you from eating, maybe get one of your bridal party to have something nice to eat in your wedding transport for yourself and your husband to enjoy after your wedding ceremony.
Lastly, I would recommend waiting for two or three weeks to go on your honeymoon. You can be very tired after you wedding and day two festivities, so a little mini-moon in Ireland is lovely way to get some rest and relaxation in the days after your wedding.”
Recommended suppliers
Photographer: Val Zukowski
Videographer: Michael Black
Reception venue: The Dunloe Hotel and Gardens
Planner/coordinator: Pauline – The Dunloe Hotel and Gardens
Art: Wedding Art
Other suppliers
Ceremony venue: Prince of Peace Church, Fossa, Co. Kerry | Ceremony music: Aoibhe and Brendan O’Connor | Band and DJ: The Love Bugs | Hair: Sharon Noonan | Makeup: Jamie Davison | Dress: Anna Campbell’s | Suits: Simply Suits Cork | Bridesmaids: Folkster | Cake: Cathy McCarthy | Celebrant/solemniser: Fr. Joe O Mahony | Ceremony booklets: Killarney Printing | Invitations and Noticeboards: Appleberry Atelier | Jewellery/rings: Matthew Stephens Jewellers | Accessories: Rosie and Dott | Flowers: Shades of Bloom Killorglin
