Wedding of the Week: From San Fran bike trip to big day for Cork-based couple

“We had cycled across the bridge on electric bikes and were on our way back when he dropped to one knee,” says Elaine. 

“Shane had made a wooden box with the words ‘Will you marry me?’ and ‘Golden Gate Bridge’ etched on it. There was a beautiful proposal ring inside.” 

Their first encounter occurred five thousand miles away, in Limerick, and 11 years before their August 4, 2022 engagement. 

Elaine, from outside Dunmanway in West Cork, and Shane, originally from Ardagh in Co Longford, met during their university days. 

“Shane was studying to become a woodwork teacher in UL and I was studying primary teaching in Mary I [Mary Immaculate College],” says Elaine.

They exchanged vows recently in St John’s Catholic Church, Waterford City, and held their reception in Faithlegg Hotel, Waterford.

Elaine’s parents Mary and Pat McCarthy and Shane’s mum and dad Christine and Mark McGlynn, helped them plan their dream wedding. 

“Our parents and bridal party were so helpful and supportive in the run-up to the big day. We are so grateful to them for everything,” says the bride.

Elaine chose her sisters Claire McCarthy Cahillane and Karen Uí Mhurchú, her friend Gráinne Crowley, and cousin Jennifer Doyle to be her bridesmaids.

Shane’s brother Cathal McGlynn was his best man and his friends Ronan Murray, John Harrington and John Maguire were the groomsmen.

The bride’s niece Liadhán Ní Mhurchú was the flower girl and nephews Jack, Charlie and Billy Cahillane were the pageboys.

The 200-acre grounds of the 18th-century, restored country mansion provided a picture-perfect backdrop as they posed for the cameras of their photographer Irina Duane (irinaduanephotography.com) and their videographer Alan Golden of Golden Moments Wedding Photography and Film (www.goldenmomentsphotography.ie). 

“The weather was perfect. The sun was shining and the sky was clear. We were so lucky. The drinks reception was in a marque outside — and we even had an ice-cream bike, which was a great hit!” 

Makeup artist Lizzy Desmond and hairstylist Lynsey O’Leary ensured the bride and her party were ready for their closeups. 

Matt O’Brien’s Fashions, Longford, kitted out the dapper groom and his attendants and Marie Murphy from Fleur de lis by Marie created the floral décor.

The Ian Hendricks Band helped the guests get into the swing of things on the dance floor. “We also had a selfie mirror to entertain our guests,” adds Elaine.

Elaine, a primary school teacher, and Shane, a secondary school teacher, plan to visit Canada (Toronto), the US (Chicago) and Jamaica on their honeymoon.

• If you would like your wedding featured in Weekend, email eve.kelliher@examiner.ie