“The excitement was building and we were looking out on the water from the penthouse suite, sipping champagne, eating delicious food and Bob Marley playing in the background…”
Bride & Groom: Sarah Dennehy & Michael Long
Length of engagement: 15 months | Wedding date: 12th April 2012
Wedding ceremony: Templenoe Church | Wedding venue: Parknasilla Resort, Sneem, Co. Kerry
Photographer: Andrew O’Dwyer Photography
We met… In Dingle on a night out. But only met again two years later in Dublin!
Our proposal… Mick proposed in the rain before a family dinner, at the spot where we had met five years previously. I was in my running gear and Mick was sick but he followed through with his plan and gave me an iPod with “Will you marry me?” engraved on it!
My dress… My dress was silk satin with french lace from House of Delphine, Co. Kerry.
What our bridal party wore… The bridesmaid wore seagreen satin dresses from Ghost and the groomsmen wore French Connection navy suits.
Our ceremony… Was a small church ceremony in Templenoe Church 15 minutes from the venue. We liked the fact that the church was only a few minutes from the venue, we knew we’d be anxious to get the party started after the ceremony so didn’t want to delay getting back to our venue!
We chose our photographer because… Andrew O’Dwyer was recommended to us by friends. We can now vouch that he is very relaxed and agreeable to deal with and was so discreet and helpful on the day. And not to forget talented… We were thrilled with the photos!
Our menu… We had Dingle bay crab to start, coriander and lime sorbet, choice of Steak or Halibut and French apple tarte to finish. We had a cheese board from Fallon & Byrne in Dublin and sandwiches and local chipotle for late food.
We chose our venue because… We chose it for number of reasons including: The history and the Old World feeling of the hotel; The stunning setting on the waters edge over looking Kenmare Bay and the fact that we would have exclusive use of the hotel on the day and night of the wedding. Also it has a range of on-site accommodation options for guests including self-catering and the predominantly local staff are renowned for their personalised service and local knowledge.
We were blessed with a gloriously sunny day but the venue has equal charm in unfavourable weather conditions.
Our honeymoon… We went to San Francisco for a few days, then Palm Springs for the music festival Coachella. Then on to Puerto Rico for a couple of nights before boarding a nine day cruise on the Caribbean. We docked in Baltimore then drove up to New York and spent the long weekend there before flying home.
My favourite part of the wedding day… For me it was the morning of the wedding. Everyone was in such high spirits, the excitement was building and we were looking out on the water from the penthouse suite, sipping champagne, eating delicious food and Bob Marley playing in the background! For Mick it was when I said “I do”!
My piece of advice for other brides… Practice walking up onto the altar, so you don’t trip (!)… and take at least three days off before the wedding to relax.
Photography by Andrew O’Dwyer Photography
