Cork Couple Celebrates Dream Wedding in Scenic Outdoor Ceremony

In a picturesque setting at the Fernhill House Hotel in Clonakilty, Co Cork, Gemma Hayes and Paul O’Regan exchanged vows in a heartwarming outdoor humanist ceremony in July 2023. The couple described their wedding day as “a dream come true,” highlighting the personal touches that made the event special.

The ceremony was officiated by celebrant Norma McElligott and attended by close family and friends. Gemma, hailing from Carrignavar, chose her best friend Conor Cronin as her man of honour, while her college friends—Nicola Walsh and Alice O’Shaughnessy—along with cousin Ella Barty, served as bridesmaids. On the groom’s side, Kevin O’Regan, Paul’s brother, took on the role of best man. The wedding party included groomsmen Graham O’Regan, cousin Jack O’Shea, and nephew Sean O’Connell, with the couple’s relatives Addison Landon as the flower girl and Noah O’Connell as the pageboy.

After the ceremony, both sets of parents toasted the newlyweds’ future happiness during the reception, held at the same venue, where Gemma’s parents, Sally and John Hayes, and Paul’s parents, Deborah and Pat O’Regan, expressed their joy. The couple, who have known each other since they were 18, began dating in 2019 through Tinder.

The proposal was memorable, with Paul attempting to surprise Gemma with a bib on their dog Beamish that read, “Will you marry my dad?” Unfortunately, Gemma did not notice the message at first. Paul finally succeeded in proposing during a family holiday at Titchfield Haven beach in England in November 2023. “It was really special as family were able to celebrate with us,” Gemma recalled.

While Beamish and their cat Luna did not attend the wedding, the couple ensured they were remembered through a photograph of their pets featured on the wedding booklet. Gemma looked elegant in a dress from Sharon Hoey in Dublin, while Paul wore a suit from Red Church in Cork. The bride’s hair was styled by Christine O’Sullivan, and her makeup was done by Jessica O’Sullivan.

The couple chose Carys Ann Evans to perform the ceremony music, followed by the band The Aristocrats, leading into a lively reception with DJ Patrick Ahern. Kevin, the best man, delighted guests by singing “Mr. Brightside” by The Killers during the celebration.

Planning the wedding was a joyful experience for both Gemma and Paul. They enlisted the help of West Cork Flowers for floral decorations and had their wedding cake crafted by Paul’s aunt, Therese Landon. Photography was handled by Ted Murphy from tedmurphy.ie, while videography was provided by Ian Armstrong from Story Begins Wedding Films. Additionally, they collaborated with content creators Bethan + Mark Weddings to capture the day’s essence.

Gemma is a medical scientist working in the blood transfusion laboratory at Mercy University Hospital in Cork, while Paul serves as a data analyst for the Cystic Fibrosis Registry of Ireland. The couple enjoyed a honeymoon that included a relaxing stay in Mauritius followed by a thrilling safari in South Africa.

The wedding day was a reflection of Gemma and Paul’s journey together and their commitment to each other, marking the beginning of their new life as a married couple.