Real Weddings
At The Kinsale Hotel & Spa
A Day of Love For David & Stephanie
On a sun-drenched July day in 2024, David O’Sullivan and Stephanie Draper celebrated their love in an unforgettable wedding that blended cherished memories with new beginnings. Surrounded by family and friends, the couple shared their vows in the scenic Ballinspittle Church, a place that symbolised both their roots and the love they fostered over nearly a decade. They later celebrated their special day at the beautiful Kinsale Hotel and Spa.
The Meet: David, hailing from the breathtaking Old Head of Kinsale, and Stephanie, from Kilbrittain, first met at a local summer festival in July 2014. While participating in a thrilling car treasure hunt, fate intervened in a local pub, Hurleys in Ballinspittle, as their paths crossed through mutual friends. It was the spark of a beautiful journey that led to their first date, a memorable night where David accompanied Stephanie to her debutante ball, cementing their bond for years to come.
The Engagement: After eight years of laughter, love, and the joy of welcoming their son, Tadgh, into the world, David took the next step on Christmas Day in 2022. While walking along the stunning cliffs of the Old Head, he surprised Stephanie by dropping to one knee, asking her to be his forever, just as waves crashed against the rocky shoreline. The ring, a heartfelt selection from Hilsers in Bandon, became a symbol of their promise to each other. Fast forward to their wedding day, the couple welcomed 220 guests into the stunning Kinsale Hotel and Spa for a reception. As Stephanie prepared for her big moment, she was surrounded by her bridesmaids, creating joyous memories filled with laughter and song.
The Wedding: Walking down the aisle to “You Are the Reason” by Calum Scott, David’s heart swelled with emotion as he caught the first glimpse of his bride. For Stephanie, this moment was breathtaking, the culmination of their love story reflected in the smiles of their loved ones gathered in support. Following the ceremony, it was time to celebrate! Delighted guests enjoyed a sumptuous meal featuring a choice between beef and seabass, while the atmosphere in the room transformed with the lively music of the band. David and Stephanie’s first dance to Ed Sheeran’s “How Would You Feel” was a beautifully intimate moment that marked the beginning of their new life together, surrounded by the joyous cheers of their family and friends. Photos taken at the picturesque Old Head Golf Course, with the iconic lighthouse in the background, served as a stunning backdrop capturing the sheer bliss of the day. Family pictures taken at the hotel beautifully showcased the love that surrounded them, preserving those precious memories for years to come.
As they embark on the next chapter with their son Tadgh and their beloved dog Sparky, David and Stephanie O’Sullivan’s love story illustrates that true love, rooted in friendship and shared experiences, grows stronger with each passing day.
How was your experience with The Kinsale Hotel and Spa? “The Kinsale Hotel was a pleasure to deal with from the very beginning. Karolina went above and beyond to make sure that we had the best experience. The food was perfect from start to finish. The package we chose had everything we needed and more in it. As the hotel had fantastic facilities both indoor and outdoor features were used on the day. The view from the hotel is what really attracted us to using it for our wedding.”
Real Wedding Feature, Bride of Munster Magazine October 2024.
A Magical Wedding at Kinsale Hotel & Spa: Tara & David's Story
Tara and David’s love story began over a decade ago when they met through mutual friends during nights out at their local club. Whatstarted as chance encounters blossomed into a lifelong connection, culminating in a beautiful proposal on December 30th, 2021. David, knowing how much Tara valued intimacy, crafted the perfect moment by proposing during a private Christmas dinner, with the engagement ring—a design thoughtfully inspired by Tara's late mother's ring—hidden beneath their Christmas tree.
Their wedding, held at the stunning Kinsale Hotel & Spa, reflected their unique style and deep family connections. The couple's vision of a rustic, lace-infused celebration came to life against the hotel's breathtaking coastal backdrop. From the first visit, Tara and David knew Kinsale Hotel was "the one," captivated by its picturesque views, intimate atmosphere, and thoughtful details—like the elegant chairs in the function room that perfectly matched their vision without the need for covers.
The Venue That Stole Their Hearts
One of the biggest draws to Kinsale Hotel & Spa was its proximity to water, fulfilling the couple’s dream of a scenic, coastal wedding. The venue’s seclusion and spacious grounds offered a safe and fun environment for the 25 children in attendance, allowing them the freedom to enjoy the day while their parents relaxed. For Tara and David, the hotel's staff, including Karolina and Sarah, went above and beyond, making the planning process smooth and stress-free.
A Day Filled with Family, Love, and Joy
Family played an essential role in Tara and David’s celebration, with their loved ones at the heart of the day. The couple had over 120 guests, including many children, and ensured every detail was thoughtfully planned with them in mind. A fun kids’ games table, complete with bubbles and board games, kept the little ones entertained, while personalized touches like a Tayto wall and foam glow sticks brought laughter and joy for all ages.
Their ceremony was filled with sweet, unexpected moments. Tara remembers their three flower girls, especially two young ones who ran joyfully down the aisle hand-in-hand, bringing smiles and laughter to all in attendance. “We were both nervous, but once we sat down and held hands, the nerves disappeared. The love we felt from everyone was overwhelming,” Tara shares.
The intimacy of the function room was a highlight for the couple. “The view from the room was amazing, and even though it was large enough for all our guests, it still felt intimate. We could see everyone and really felt connected to the room,” David notes.
A Seamless Experience with Exceptional Service
Tara and David were particularly impressed with how smoothly their day unfolded, thanks to the attentive Kinsale Hotel & Spa team. From the handover of duties between staff members to ensuring the couple had food ready during the photo sessions, the attention to detail never wavered.
One standout moment for Tara was when, just before cutting the cake, Sarah from the hotel brought out food for the couple. “We were starving after a busy morning and it was such a thoughtful touch,” Tara laughs. The couple also appreciated how the hotel catered to dietary needs, ensuring their vegetarian and celiac guests enjoyed their meals as much as everyone else.
A Picture-Perfect Day
The grounds of Kinsale Hotel & Spa provided the perfect backdrop for their wedding photos, capturing the beauty of the day and the couple’s love for each other. Tara and David’s favourite photos include one of them entering the function room, surrounded by happy guests, and another of them dancing, lost in the moment, truly enjoying the joy of their day.
Reflecting on their experience, Tara and David wouldn’t change a thing. “The day flew by, but we soaked up every moment. Our guests are still talking about how much they enjoyed the wedding,” Tara says. Their advice to future couples is simple: “Live in the moment, let the hotel take care of the details, and don’t forget to enjoy yourself. You’re in great hands with Kinsale Hotel & Spa.”
For anyone considering Kinsale Hotel & Spa as their wedding venue, Tara and David wholeheartedly recommend it. “The views, the food, the staff—everything is exceptional. You’ll get stunning photos, and the team ensures every request is met. We would do it all over again exactly the same way.”
Tara and David’s wedding at Kinsale Hotel & Spa was truly a celebration of love, family, and cherished memories—a day they and their guests will remember forever.
Tara & Gary
Aoife & Martin
Tina & Killian
Tina & Killian’s Wedding shot by Mario Photo – Video Production, held at Kinsale Hotel & Spa 2019
Marian & Alan
Marian & Alan’s Wedding shot by Mario Photo – Video Production, held at Kinsale Hotel & Spa 2019
Carissa & Alex
A beautiful wedding video brought to us from www.urayweddings.com/ from Carissa & Alex's wedding held at Kinsale Hotel & Spa in 2019
Linda & Gary
“Linda and Gary’s love story started back in 2006 when a mutual friend introduced them, and it certainly was love at first sight. After eight amazing years together, including the birth of two beautiful children, Gary decided to complete their family (and Christmas celebrations) and got down on one knew, the rest … is history!
By the summer of 2015, wedding planning was well underway, the date was set, St. Patricks Church, Bandon was booked, now all they needed was a venue for their reception. After visiting the Kinsale Hotel & Spa for events held by friends and family, Linda & Gary knew that the attention to detail was fantastic, and after a visit with the wedding team, their minds (and date) were set!
While the Kinsale Hotel wedding team were busy looking after everything for their reception, social media directed Linda to a local event planner Epiphany Weddings and Events. After discussing her vision with Kelly, whose imagination and work ethic was second to none, Linda decided to leave the church décor to Epiphany, and completed the elegant theme with songstress and friend Angela Ryan who performed in the church.
Leading up to the big day, Linda & Gary made sure that they had all their personal touches in place, picking up smaller items to add those finishing touches to make their day the unique, elegant occasion that they had envisioned. Elegance and simplicity were also reflected in their colour scheme, choosing to go with an ivory on ivory timeless theme, perfect to look back on in years to come.
The couple wanted everyone to feel comfortable on their big day, so it was important to them to find a wedding photographer who would not only capture the beauty of their wedding day, but who could also engage with their guests. After meeting with Adrian O’Neill, and looking through his collection, they decided that he just had to be booked! One of the easiest decisions for Linda & Gary was their wedding cake, which was designed by the amazing Baker Boy Cakes.
Another huge decision to make your wedding, is your evening entertainment. Linda and Gary were lucky enough to attend a wedding in Killarney and were introduced to the popular wedding band Arklight, they were so impressed with their performance that less than 24 hours later, they were booked!
One of the final (and more important) decisions for Linda was where to go for her wedding dress. Like every bride, Linda wanted to feel glamourous on her big day, but also comfortable and able to enjoy a dance along with the rest of her guests. After looking through several bridal gown stores, Linda fell in love with a dress supplied by Diamond Bridal in Maylor Street, Cork, and simply knew this was the dress for her.
Once the bride was taken care of, it was time to look after the bridal party, with the ladies all in agreement when it came to style and colour, it was easy to find the right gowns from ASOS.
The focus was now on the men and he experts in Morleys were Gary’s first and last company of choice, with over thirty years of experience in tailoring and fitting, he was sure that his groomsmen would feel great throughout the day and evening celebrations.”
A word on the wedding coordinator:
“Having two young children doesn’t make any type of planning easy, especially planning a wedding with hundreds of guests, but the team at the Kinsale Hotel filled us with confidence and reassurance every step of the way.
From the moment we stepped out of the wedding car outside the hotel, to the moment we reluctantly left, we felt like we were the most important people ever to stay there!
No request was ever too much, and our expectations were exceeded time and time again.
We just can’t wait to stay again.”
Linda & Lee
Linda Fogarty and Lee Brockway made the trip from Wales to Cork for their humanist wedding ceremony in Kinsale.
They were wed at the Kinsale Hotel and Spa, in an outdoor ceremony, followed by a reception. Linda said: “Planning a wedding from abroad could have been very stressful, but our wonderful suppliers made it a breeze and it all went superbly on the day.”Linda is from Tower and Lee is from Cardiff, where they met seven years ago at a charity event.
Present on the day were the bride and groom’s brothers, David and Paul, as well as groomsmen and Linda’s stepdaughters, Megan and Carys, who she said played an important role. Lee’s stepmum was unfortunately unable to travel from Cardiff to be with them, but they Facetimed her for the ceremony and speeches to make sure she was still part of the day. “Friends are the family we choose for ourselves so it was great for us to have them involved” said Linda. “Leone Levis was my maid of honour along with Louise Scanlon and Theresa Bray-Ellis as bridesmaids, as well as Carys and Megan as junior bridesmaids. Lee had his longest best friend from Cardiff, Steve Martin, as his best man, as well as my brother David and his brother Paul as groomsmen.”
The couple had a humanist ceremony by Geraldine O’Neil and they included Irish and Welsh traditions — from reading poems and lighting candles to the Welsh love spoon! “It was really great having the ceremony and the reception in the one place. The location was spectacular and the weather absolutely added to that” said Linda. Christine O’Sullivan and her team from Creation Hair and Beauty did the hair and makeup. Their cake was from Trace of Cakes. The band were The Love Bugs, while their first dance was to The One from Kodaline. Laura & Benny Photography did pictures throughout the day, including a trip to Charles Fort, while DM wedding videos also captured every moment.
“To say it really was the best day of our lives is an understatement” added Linda. “I think out of all the wonderful memories, walking down the aisle and meeting each other at the top, turning and that first look at each other. It does take your breath away.”
Liz at Wonderous Weddings did the bouquets, button holes, corsages and ceremony flower arrangements, and Daisy Chain Kinsale did the table flowers for the reception — “all of whom helped ensure we had a stress free day and were allowed to have the best day of our lives” added Linda.
Bríd and Donal
The Kinsale Hotel and Spa proved the perfect backdrop for the wedding of Bríd Murphy and Donal O’Shaughnessy, who live in Limerick.
They met nine years ago in a bar in Sydney called the Three Wise Monkeys. She said: “We thought it was hilarious that we were both from Limerick and we had to move to Australia to find each other!”
They were engaged on September 1, 2019, on a Sunday stroll in their local walking spot, Curraghchase Forest Park in Kilcornan.
Bríd recalls: “We had the two kids with us, one up in arms and the other running around, when Donal said ‘What would make this more perfect…’ and produced the ring box. Although we had always planned on getting married, he still managed to make it a complete surprise!”
They had a beautiful outdoor ceremony at the Kinsale Hotel and Spa, overlooking Oysterhaven Bay, in October, 2020
The bride’s dress was Maven by Alyssa Kristin Bridal, from Bán Bridal in Limerick. She wore a flower crown made by Daisy Chain Kinsale, Carvela Sandals from Arnotts and jewellery from Silverwood in Limerick. Her make up was by the fabulous Jessica O’Sullivan (Portrait by Jessica), and hair was by Donna Masterson. Donal’s suit and shoes were from Mike O’Connell Menswear, Limerick
Due to Covid, the wedding was a small, intimate affair: “We just had our immediate families, a few aunts and uncles and a handful of friends there. Although we would have loved to have more of our nearest and dearest, it was still perfect.”
The bride’s sister Mairéad and her cousin Áine were bridesmaids and her niece Eabha was junior bridesmaid.
Donal had four groomsmen, his brothers Michael John and Jason and his two friends Darragh and Blaine.
The couple’s children, Fiadh and Donagh, stole the show as flower girl and page boy.
Recalling the day, Bríd said: “Our outdoor ceremony was the highlight of the day, the setting looking out over the bay was stunning and thankfully the weather was lovely too.”
Celebrant Mark Lovett made it very personal and memorable, incorporating family and friends.
Bríd was full of praise for the hotel: “We were treated like royalty, the staff were so friendly, professional and helpful. Alison the wedding coordinator, was absolutely fantastic, so calm and reassuring.”
The band were Tiny Giants and although it was a small wedding, the dance floor was never empty during the night.
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