Cork couple Lisa and Cathal lean into a seasonal theme

A night out in Macroom 11 years ago led to love for Cork couple Lisa Gray and Cathal O’Riordan, who exchanged vows at Fota Island Resort.

Lisa, from Macroom, and Cathal, from Inchigeelagh, were married by celebrant Rosemary Hartigan in a civil ceremony followed by a reception at the five-star venue.

Bride Lisa Gray walks up the aisle on the arm of her dad Gerry Gray to bridegroom Cathal O’Riordan. Pictures: Sarah Kate Murphy, Sarah Kate Photography

Helping them plan the big day were both sets of parents, Anne and Gerry Gray and Mary and Diarmuid O’Riordan. The wedding party consisted of the couple’s closest friends, with Sarah Gray, Méabh Hourihan, and Órla Walsh as the bridesmaids and Seán Lehane, Gerry Noonan, and Darren O’Riordan as the groomsmen.

Lisa and Cathal got engaged in December 2023. “This was the year we bought and moved into our home. Cathal proposed in our new home by the Christmas tree,” says Lisa.

Lisa Gray and Cathal O’Riordan. Pictures: Sarah Kate Murphy, Sarah Kate Photography

They had originally considered tying the knot in Portugal. “We go there every year, but once we got planning, we decided to look closer to home and opted for an October wedding in Cork, to ensure all our loved ones could make it,” says Lisa.

Fota Island Resort ticked all the boxes. “We stayed at the venue the night before with our family and wedding party, which meant the morning was really calm and unhurried while we were getting ready.”

Lisa Gray and Cathal O’Riordan. Pictures: Sarah Kate Murphy, Sarah Kate Photography

The highlight of the entire occasion? “For me, it was walking down the aisle,” says Lisa. 

“It was probably the most daunting part of the day, as I was convinced I’d be an emotional wreck. But being there with my dad and seeing the smiling faces of our loved ones as we walked towards Cathal made it such a lovely, grounding moment. We walked down the aisle to Linger, played on the violin by Áine O’Halloran.”

Lisa Gray and Cathal O’Riordan. Pictures: Sarah Kate Murphy, Sarah Kate Photography

The “short and sweet” ceremony set the tone for a relaxed celebration, says the bride: “Like most weddings, it was an emotional day, but it was also full of laughter and fun — and the team at Fota were incredibly welcoming and looked after every detail so well.”

Lisa bought her super-elegant gown at The White & Gold during a Katherine Tash trunk show. 

Lisa Gray and Cathal O’Riordan. Pictures: Sarah Kate Murphy, Sarah Kate Photography

“I wanted something classic with a modern twist. The alterations were by Urata Designs in Ballincollig,” she says. “The bridesmaids’ dresses were from Dresscode, and all the jewellery for myself and the bridesmaids was Rosie & Dott.”

Cathal, who wore a deep-green tux, and his best man and groomsmen were all kitted out by Morley’s Cork.

Cathal O’Riordan with Mary O’Riordan.

Hairstylist Cathyanne Kelleher (@cathyanne.hairstylist) and makeup artist Jessica O’Sullivan (@portraitbyjessica) added to the glamour and fun. “They made the morning such a laugh, and a stress-free zone,” says Lisa.

The couple made the most of the “autumn vibe”, adds Lisa: “We leaned into the seasonal theme even more with our drinks reception cocktails — pumpkin spice margaritas and apple cinnamon whiskey sours.”

Lisa Gray and Cathal O’Riordan with their wedding party. Pictures: Sarah Kate Murphy

Photographer Sarah Kate Murphy (sarahkatephotography.ie) made the entire event feel “organic and effortless”, says Lisa.

“She was such a brilliant addition and slotted in like part of the family. The day goes by in such a blur, and we’re grateful that Sarah Kate captured both the big moments and the small details we didn’t even realise were happening at the time.”

The bride with her mother Anne Gray.

The couple paid tribute to all their vendors, including illustrator Lucia Moreno and florist Enchanted Flowers.

“We weren’t able to have our dog Daphne attend the wedding, so we tried our best to slot her in where we could, in the details like on cocktail stirrers and on the wedding cake,” says the bride.

Anne and Gerry Gray.
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