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Irish Examiner
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Wedding of the Week: J1 in San Fran leads to Kerry proposal and big day in Clare
Once school's out, it's summer romance season. For Megan Lawlor and James Ensor, their sunshine chapters have unfolded into a life-long love story. Megan, a primary school teacher, says: 'We met in San Francisco while we were on our J1 in the summer of 2016. We were introduced by a mutual friend, Tomás Barry.' Six years later, another holiday trip set the scene for the engagement. As Megan and James — who works for Google — motored around Kerry in a campervan, they decided to stop off at Dingle marina, which is where James popped the question in August 2022. Megan Lawlor and James Ensor. Pictures: Awake and Dreaming Their pal Tomás played a key role yet again, as groomsman; as Megan, from Ballinasloe, Co Galway, and James, from Sandymount, Dublin, were married recently by celebrant Gráinne McGibney, Atlantic Vows, at the Armada Hotel, Spanish Point, Co Clare — with a reception at the same venue. 'Gráinne made the ceremony so personal. Everyone was raving about how great she was,' says Megan. 'A golf cart transported me, my dad, and the bridal party the short journey across from Armada House [where they got ready] to the Armada Hotel. The ceremony music was by Rachel Goode and the flowers were kindly sourced and arranged by the groom's mother, Lydia Ensor.' Megan Lawlor and James Ensor. Pictures: Awake and Dreaming Lydia and the groom's father Simon Ensor, along with Megan's parents Caroline and Robert Lawlor, celebrated with the newlyweds, as did the bride's grandfather, James Lawlor Sr. 'It was very special to have my grandfather in attendance on the day, in his 87th year,' says Megan. 'The speeches were also a highlight, especially my dad's — as I am an only child, it was an emotional day for him and my mam.' Megan's close friends Áine Kinsella, Ciara Corbett, Claire Keane, Jane Corbett, and her cousin Sinéad Doherty were her bridesmaids. James had his friends by his side also, with Christian Stevens as best man and Andrew Cloonan, William Shanahan, and Oran Mulvey joining Tomás as groomsmen. Megan Lawlor and James Ensor. Pictures: Awake and Dreaming Their big day was 'full of laughter, love and lots of dancing', says Megan: 'The food at the Armada Hotel was a standout highlight for the guests, especially the drinks reception snacks [tacos and bao buns] and the duck starter at the meal.' Brian Dalton performed the entertainment for the drinks reception. 'He set the perfect vibe, accompanied by his friend Johnny,' says Megan. Mixtape had everyone dancing later in the evening. 'Our first dance song was an acoustic version of Times Like These by the Foo Fighters [James's favourite band].' Megan Lawlor and James Ensor. Pictures: Awake and Dreaming Megan bought her dream dress at The One by Sinead Corcoran in Rathmines: 'It is called 'The Hamilton' by Moira Hughes and was so comfy to wear! The veil and earrings were from Kyna Maree online, and I wore shoes from Asos.' Eilish Moran was the makeup artist. 'My own hairdresser from Dublin, Kelly Griffin, assisted by her friend Ruth, did my hair,' says Megan. Megan Lawlor and James Ensor with their wedding party. Pictures: Awake and Dreaming The groomsmen's suits were from Tector, Rathmines. Photography was by David Olsthoorn and Laurie Brosnan of Awake and Dreaming ( with videographer Kevin Caffrey of Little Bear Film. The newlyweds spent a week in Morocco as 'part one' of their honeymoon. 'We plan to go away somewhere else in the summer for 'Honeymoon: Part Two'.' says Megan. She and James live in Harold's Cross, Dublin, in the house they bought and renovated last year. If you would like your wedding to feature in Weekend, email
Irish Examiner
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Wedding of the Week: Torc Mountain proposal and Dingle vows for West Cork couple
They had just returned to Ireland after hiking through some of Vietnam's steepest terrains. So you'd imagine West Cork duo Therese Hurley and David Harrington would have a little downtime in their sights. You'd think. 'He made me climb up Torc Mountain in Killarney,' says Therese. Therese Hurley and David Harrington. Pictures: Awake and Dreaming Summit reached, David sank to one knee to pop the question. And no sooner were they running down that Kerry hill than they were rising to their next adrenaline-pumped challenge — organising the big day of their dreams. 'Once we got engaged, I couldn't wait to plan the wedding, so we decided, let's do it!' says Therese, from Glengarriff. 'We had a very short engagement — only seven months from that day, July 11, 2024.' Therese, who works in finance, and David, a secondary school teacher, started dating almost a decade ago. Therese Hurley and David Harrington. Pictures: Awake and Dreaming 'I was working behind a bar in Glengarriff when we first set eyes on each other, but our first meet-up was in Havana Browns nightclub in Cork City,' says Therese. The couple have lived in Glengarriff for the past five years, but the Kingdom beckoned once again for their 'I dos' as Therese and David, from Adrigole, were wed in St Mary's Church in Dingle, by Fr Michael Moynihan and held their reception in the Dingle Skellig Hotel. Therese Hurley and David Harrington. Pictures: Awake and Dreaming 'We wanted somewhere far enough away from home that it could be treated like a mini-holiday for ourselves and everyone. The minute we landed into the outstanding Dingle Skellig [during the search for a reception venue], we knew it was the venue for us.' Celebrating with them on their big day were the bride's father, Gerard Hurley, and the groom's parents, Margaret and William Harrington, and his grandmother, Mary Harrington. Very much in their thoughts on the occasion was the bride's mother, the late Theresa Hurley. Therese Hurley and David Harrington. Pictures: Awake and Dreaming The bride and groom chauffeured themselves. 'It was lovely to be able to have time for ourselves,' says Therese. 'We had the amazing Sirona Strings in the church and drinks reception followed by the super Bentley Boys for our band and DJ.' Dawn [O'Connor], Dingle Blooms, created the floral décor. 'We had the best day, it was relaxed and fun and chilled out,' adds Therese. Therese Hurley and David Harrington. Pictures: Awake and Dreaming Little details spark big memories. 'People are still talking about the delicious ham rolls at the drinks reception!' says the bride. Therese's sisters, Mary Hilda Hurley, Brid Hurley and Kathleen Hurley, were her bridesmaids, David's brother Liam Harrington was his best man, and his friends Connie O'Shea and Eoin Green O'Sullivan were the groomsmen. Therese Hurley and David Harrington. Pictures: Awake and Dreaming 'We had our nieces and nephews as flowergirls and pageboys, Tess Creedon, Hailey Harrington, Colm and Gerard Whooley and Fiadh Whooley,' adds Therese. The bride sourced her dress from Say I Do in Midleton. 'In other places, I was considered a 'rush bride', but not in Say I Do. Once we settled on the design I wanted, it was then sent off to Barcelona and designed by the amazing Jesus Peiro, so it was a very personal dress for me,' says Therese. Therese Hurley and David Harrington. Pictures: Awake and Dreaming 'I loved my dress. I wanted to be 'me' and it was me. The lads' suits were all from Simply Suits, Co Cork, where the staff were also amazing.' Therese's makeup artist was Annette O'Brien, and the bridal hairstylist was Tricia. O'Sullivan. Husband-and-wife team Dave Olsthoorn and Laurie Brosnan of Awake & Dreaming ( captured the wedding on camera, and Seaforest Films provided the videography. Therese Hurley and David Harrington. Pictures: Awake and Dreaming 'We enjoyed our 'day two' in Paul Geaney's bar in Dingle, where we kept the party going,' says the bride. The newlyweds holidayed in Lanzarote after the wedding and look forward to their honeymoon in the coming months. If you would like your wedding featured in Weekend email
