Laura Larkin and Brian McCaffrey
3 May 2014
Christ the King Church, Tullycross
Reception at Renvyle House Hotel, Renvyle
Photography by Michelle Prunty
Laura and Brian are both natives of western Ireland—Laura is from Galway and Brian from Sligo—so their Connemara wedding displayed all the beauty of their roots with all the hope for a grand future together.
‘We met in our final year of college in NUI Galway in 2005,’ recalls Laura. ‘After college, I moved to Dublin to work with KPMG and Brian moved around Ireland working as a civil engineer, so we spent seven years driving up and down the country to see each other at weekends.’ Brian finally moved to Dublin in the summer of 2012, and the pair became engaged while on holiday in Dubai that October.
Laura always wanted to get married near home, but she also loved the idea of having a wedding in a place where the special day could be extended into a longer celebration. In that case, Brian’s and her guests from all over the world could enjoy the region. ‘My Dad was based in Clifden for a few years for work when I was young, so we spent a lot of time exploring Connemara, and it has a special place in my heart,’ Laura says. ‘I knew I would love to get married in Renvyle House. I love the location, the surroundings, the atmosphere, the service, the food—everything! So in November 2012, Brian and I drove down from Dublin to suss out Renvyle House as a venue, and he fell in love straight away. We didn’t look anywhere else!’
Along with the beautiful venue, Brian says what made the wedding day extra special was having all his and Laura’s friends and family there. ‘Our guests made huge efforts to travel to Renvyle from as far away as San Francisco, Chicago, Australia, Hong Kong, the UK, and all around Ireland,’ he says. ‘We knew the setting was so unique that our guests would feel that the long trip was worth it once they arrived.’
Thanks to the superb service and assistance of the Renvyle House staff, Brian says he and Laura felt relaxed and were able to enjoy their big day to the fullest, along with all their family and friends. ‘Our guests still comment on how much they enjoyed the weekend and always mention the good food and pints!’
Laura and Brian now reside in the Dublin suburb of Dundrum but say they love nothing more than traveling west as often as possible, and they are hoping to celebrate their two-year anniversary at Renvyle House soon.
—C—
Special Thanks
Photography: Michelle Prunty – www.MichellePrunty.com
Lodging: Renvyle House Hotel – www.Renvyle.com
Cake: Lemon drizzle and chocolate with Baileys buttercream tiers, made by Gift Cakes, Dublin – www.GiftCakes.ie
Music: Jenny O’Brien, ceremony; the Elastic Band, reception
Hair: Emer Coen
Makeup: Roisin Derrane
Flowers: Branch Flowers, Galway. Laura’s parents made the arch outside the church, while her aunt made the beautiful floral arrangements placed inside the church.