Mary & Eric

Thirteen years ago, the love between entrepeneur Eric and Mary, an oncology nurse, first blossomed when he offered to buy her a cup of coffee in a car dealership (where the coffee was free). Their paths crossed again seven years later, and it wasn’t long before Eric proposed to Mary in the church his grandfather built in the mountains of Montana. Although the couple hail from Montana, in the States, they both boast strong Irish roots and always harboured a wish to be married against the scenic backdrop of an Irish landscape. A traditional Christian ceremony in a non-traditional location was Mary and Eric’s dream, and they realised it in spades, with the help of wedding planner Alise Taggart, who helped them plan a dreamy outdoor wedding in Barley Lake, Glengarriff, West Cork. The intimate ceremony overlooked Barley Lake, and Mary’s brother-in-law officiated the ceremony. Drinks and canapés were then served in a rented private house overlooking the water as local musicians played traditional Irish tunes and vows were exchanged.

A short drive and a bit of a hike up the mountain was required for the small wedding party to reach the scenic outdoor ceremony – Mary’s mother even took off her shoes to walk her daughter barefoot over the boulders; Mary’s stunningly simple dress was by Ulla Johnson, while Eric wore Maurizio Baldassari, Eton, and Hudson; unique place settings with calligraphed names on local mussel shells were created by wedding planner Alise Taggart, who also arranged the gorgeous flowers.