‘Of course, the answer was yes’

Aileen Delaney and Kevin Cahill recently said ‘I do’ surrounded by their loved ones in Kinsale.

The couple told us all about their big day and what made it so special.

They said: “We met online three years ago after matching on Tinder and started texting straight away. The very next evening, we met face-to-face, and within two weeks, we’d already been on eight dates. Since this all happened during lockdown, some of our dates took place in rather unusual settings. After eight months, we moved into our new home together, and five months later, on Christmas Eve, Kevin proposed. We’d decided to spend Christmas in Galway and during the holiday, he got down on one knee with the ring. Of course, the answer was yes.”

The wedding theme was simple and classic, with a personal, creative touch from Aileen. She handcrafted some of the decorations herself, including 12 What Love Is boards and charming rustic Thank You tags for the napkins, adding a beautifully personal and heartfelt element to the day.

What were the most important elements you wanted to include in your wedding?

“Our children,” they said.

The couple had stayed at The Kinsale Hotel & Spa a few times before choosing it as their venue, and every visit left a lasting impression.

They said: “The staff’s warmth and outstanding service always stood out to us. One day, we spotted on their Instagram that they were hosting a wedding showcase, so we decided to make the trip down from Tipperary. The moment we walked through the doors, Aileen’s face lit up, and we knew without question that this was the perfect place for our big day.

“The ballroom offers stunning views of Oyster Bay, with its large doors opening onto a terrace complete with comfortable seating. It also boasts a fabulous lobby, where you can enjoy Oyster Bay’s views on one side and a beautiful waterfall on the other. Adding to its charm, the venue features a picturesque forest that serves as the perfect setting for unforgettable photos.”

They added: “Our first impression of the venue was overwhelmingly positive, and it only grew stronger with each visit. The staff were exceptional, the facilities top-notch, and the atmosphere warm and inviting, making it the perfect choice for our special day. After our initial consultation with Karolina, the hotel's wedding coordinator, she understood exactly what we needed and made the entire planning process seamless.

“Karolina was always available to answer our questions or offer thoughtful advice. As the big day approached, Karolina was incredibly hands-on and went above and beyond to make sure everything was as special as they’d imagined.

“On the morning of the wedding, Karolina took charge of setting up the ballroom, arranging all the decorations with incredible expertise and ensuring we had nothing to worry about. John, the Duty Manager and Ronan the General Manager, were equally attentive and always on hand to make sure everything ran smoothly and stress-free for both of them.

“One of the highlights of our day was being able to have our ceremony outdoors. The setting was absolutely perfect, and it added a unique and memorable touch to the occasion. We would do it again in a heartbeat and no, we wouldn’t change anything!” they said.