Wedding of the Week: Cork couple planned big day in 3 weeks

A Cork couple who planned their wedding in just over three weeks say that they couldn’t have asked for a better day.

Karen Barber, from Douglas, and Aurin O’Brien, from Kinsale, met online in 2021 and had their first date in Aurin’s home town.

The bride sourced her gown from Zara and paired it with a mesh skirt from Asos, while Aurin’s suit was from Simply Suits. 

The couple welcomed twin boys Brodie and Hughie in March, 2023, and got engaged in June, 2024, while on a family staycation in Crookhaven.

Today, they live in Grange and are planning to build a house in Kinsale.

Karen and Aurin had given notice of their intention to marry, and said that while they were keen to tie the knot, the wedding wasn’t at the top of their to-do list. However, when they learned of a cancellation at the registry office in Cork city in August, they jumped at the chance to say ‘I do’ this summer.

The couple were supported on the day by their friends and family. 

The couple visited the Maryborough House Hotel to view a small area where they could celebrate after the wedding with their family. “While we were there, we looked at an area called the Orangery. It was gorgeous, flowers hanging from the ceiling, and just a beautiful setting.”

The couple confirmed their restaurant booking with the hotel, but after a few days, decided to go back and book the Orangery instead, which allowed them to invite more than 100 of their closest friends and family to celebrate with them.

The couple held a reception for their guests after the wedding at the Maryborough House Hotel. 

The bride sourced her wedding dress in Zara which she paired with a mesh skirt from ASOS. “I had a party dress also for the silent disco and that was from Self Portrait with shoes from Coast,” said Karen.

“We were so lucky that with only three weeks’ notice given to our family and friends in the middle of summer that so many were able to join us,” the couple said. 

Make-up was by Alanna Killoughery and hair was by Kelly and Melissa Corrigan from Bounce by Mel. The bride’s nails were by her sister Louise, who goes by @Nails.at.11 on Instagram.

Aurin, his dad Billy, and groomsman Robert Foster sourced their suits in Simply Suits the Tuesday before the wedding.

The twins acted as Aurin’s ‘Best Men’ as his brother Jak, who lives in Canada, unfortunately couldn’t make the wedding with the tight timeline, explained the bride.

Maid of honour was the bride’s sister Louise while her bridesmaid was Ellen Coughlan. Karen’s niece Poppy was flowergirl while nephews Freddy and Jerry were also involved in the ceremony.

Karen and Aurin first met in 2021 and were wed in August. Pictures: Paul Villanueva, Shutter Magic

The wedding flowers were by Daisy Chain in Kinsale while the cake was by Sweet Smile Bakery.

Music after the meal was by Mick Grace followed by a silent disco by DD entertainment. The couple’s first dance was to a Metallica’s Nothing Else Matters, sang by Dermot Kennedy.

Photos were by Paul Villanueva, also known as Shutter Magic.

“We didn’t have much time to do a lot of research into vendors so any recommendations that we got from people we know, we got in touch with, and luckily most were available on the date and we were thrilled with everyone we used,” the couple said.

Looking back on the day, Karen and Aurin said that while the weeks leading to the big day were stressful, they were “totally worth it”.

“We were so lucky that with only three weeks’ notice given to our family and friends in the middle of summer, that so many were able to join us and we couldn’t have asked for a better day.

“The staff in the hotel couldn’t have been more accommodating and helpful, we mainly dealt with Roisin Moran in the run up to the day and she was great.”