Claire Dowling and Mark Geary Celebrate September Wedding with Garryvoe Hotel Reception
Claire Dowling and Mark Geary married in September at Star of the Sea Church in Ballycotton, Co Cork, before hosting their wedding reception at the Garryvoe Hotel, irishexaminer.com reported. The couple, who reside in Lehenaghmore in Cork City, incorporated a surprise fireworks display outside for their guests under the pretense of sparklers before returning indoors for the evening band.
Family Roles and Ceremony Music Featured at Ballycotton Nuptials
Canon Jim O’Donovan officiated the ceremony. The bride was accompanied up the aisle by her father, Bill Dowling, and celebrated alongside her mother, Marie Dowling, and the groom’s parents, Kaye and Maurice Geary. The bride’s sister, Diane Dowling, served as maid of honour, joined by bridesmaids Niamh Dowling, Sarah Dowling, Aoife Houston, and Triona Murphy. Flower girls included the couple’s daughter, Aoibhín Geary, and niece, Nollaig Dowling. The groom’s brother Glen Geary served as best man, with groomsmen Roy and Colin Geary, pageboys Rory Geary, Oliver Dowling, and Zachary Dowling, and the couple’s son, Tiernan Geary, acting as little best man. Pizzazz Violin provided music for the ceremony and drinks reception. Diane Dowling led the responsorial psalm, Here I Am, Lord,
accompanied by uncle Niall O’Riordan on guitar, a song the couple later revisited during a 4am sing-song.
Dating App Origins Lead to San Francisco Proposal
Both finance professionals, the couple connected on the Hinge dating app and went on their first date in August 2021 at The Oyster Tavern in Cork, irishexaminer.com reported. Mark Geary proposed in January of the previous year during a California holiday while Claire was pregnant with their second child, Tiernan. Following a visit to San Francisco Zoo, he proposed on a nearby beach while pretending to take a selfie with their daughter Aoibhín, having transported the ring from Keanes Jewellers in Cork.
Wedding Attire and Big Day Vendors
The newlyweds traveled in a maroon 1963 Jaguar MK2 provided by Cork Wedding Cars. The bride wore a Martin Thornburg-designed Delphi gown from Cinderella’s Closet in Cork, later changing into a silk halterneck dress from Memories Bridal Boutique in Cork. The groom and groomsmen wore suits from Morleys in Cork. Matt Brooker served as the wedding photographer, while Evergreen By Kellie acted as content creator. The hair and makeup team included Lynn O’Leary, Jessica O’Sullivan, and Andrea Murphy. Auntie Katie’s Wedding Babysitters looked after the couple’s children during the evening. Florist4u handled bouquets and décor, Total Event Rental managed linen hire, Emerald Fireworks orchestrated the display, and Trace of Cakes baked the gluten-free wedding cake. The couple honeymooned in Corfu.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Cork Wedding
Where did Claire Dowling and Mark Geary hold their wedding reception?
The couple held their wedding reception at the Garryvoe Hotel in County Cork after marrying at Star of the Sea Church in Ballycotton.
When did the couple first meet and get engaged?
They connected on the Hinge dating app and went on their first date in August 2021 at The Oyster Tavern in Cork before getting engaged in January of the following year on a beach in San Francisco.
Who performed the music during the ceremony?
Violin duo Pizzazz Violin performed at the ceremony and drinks reception, while the bride’s sister Diane Dowling led the responsorial psalm accompanied by uncle Niall O’Riordan on guitar.
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