Aideen O’Connor & Tommy McCarthy 

The Rose Hotel, Co. Kerry

Photos courtesy of Evelyn Woodard Photography

Kerry natives Aideen O’Connor and Tommy McCarthy had known each other for a while. Aideen works as a hairdresser for Tommy’s dad, so they were acquainted already but it wasn’t until a night out in Tralee in 2010 that they bumped into each other and discovered that they had a connection. They exchanged numbers that night and Tommy wasn’t in the door home when he text Aideen, not wanting her to get away. Aideen replied with “Who’s this?” and the rest is history.

The Engagement

Parents to seven-year-old, Louis and five-year-old, Ollie, Tommy and Aideen made their love officially in July 2017. After coming home from doing the weekly shop, Aideen found it strange that her other half was blaring Bruno Mars’ song “I think I want to Marry Me” throughout their new home. As she approached the sitting room, she noticed flowers on the floor and fairy lights and candles lighting throughout the room and there she found Tommy down on one knee.

Wedding Details

On November 26, 2021 Aideen and Tommy tied the knot in Ardfert Church and held their reception at the Rose Hotel in Tralee. They had 151 guests in attendance, and it was the most amazing day ever.

Aideen walked up the aisle to ‘I guess I’m in love’ by Clinton Kane and their first dance as man and wife was ‘Say you won't let go’ by James Arthur.

Aideen’s favourite memory was “standing with my dad waiting to walk up the aisle this rush of emotions came over me and it was so special to have my dad by my side and walking up to marry my best friend.” Tommys mom, Assumpta, passed away in 2005 and as a memory to her they had her photo displayed and a canvas asking guests to take a shot of her favourite liquor Crème de Menthe.

Really thinking outside the box for their special day, Aideen, Tommy and their boys drove to every beach in Kerry, collected stones to use as place names on the day, creating a lovely memory as a family that they will cherish forever.

Advice

“Don’t worry about the little things it will all work out. Stop and have moments throughout the day as a couple, take it all in because these moments paused as a couple on the day become your favourite memories.”

Suppliers

Engagement rings: Gears Jewellers, Dublin

Wedding rings: Aideens – Gear Jewellers, Dublin & Tommys – Billy Nolans in Tralee

Dress: Finesse in Listowel- “I had the most amazing experience, Liz and Mags were an absolute pleasure to deal with.”

Bridesmaids' dresses: Folkster, Kilkenny

Cake: Heavenly Baked

Wedding Celebrant: Fr Sean Joans

Ceremony music: Danny Goggin

Photographer’s proper business name: Evelyn Woodard Photography

Videographer: Kevin Daly

DJ: Alan Farmer

Band: Truly Diverse

Florist: Pat Clapham

Décor company: My mom’s best friend’s Deirdre Donaghy & Breda King

Hair: Cathriona Rohan

Make- Up: Aine McMahon

Invitations: Angela Keane - illustration

Honeymoon: New York

How was your experience with the Rose Hotel?

“From the moment we contacted The Rose Hotel about booking our wedding it was perfect, our wedding coordinator was a pleasure to deal with leading up to the wedding nothing was too big of an ask. On the day our complementary Car & Driver was amazing his fun, chilled vibe was exactly what was needed. The meal was outstanding, and the service couldn’t have been more perfect the timing of everything was spot on, people are still raving about how good the food was. The turnaround from meal to dancing was so fast and it stopped the dreaded lull from happening. There really is nothing I could fault about the rose hotel everything was amazing 10/10. Thank you so much to Mark, Dave and all the team at The Rose Hotel.”

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