Wedding of the Week: From an ocean liner to 'I do' at Cork's Gougane Barra

Brittany Wyllie and Stephen Hanafin met while working on cruise ships and returned to the scene of their first date to exchange vows 

Brittany Wyllie and Stephen Hanafin. Pictures: Sarah Kate Murphy, sarahkatephotography.ie

Brittany Wyllie and Stephen Hanafin visited Gougane Barra on their first date and loved the setting so much that they returned to the lakeside setting to exchange wedding vows.

The couple met on an ocean liner in 2015.

“We were working on Princess Cruises, Stephen was a deck officer and I was a dancer,” says Brittany, who is from Vancouver, British Columbia in Canada. “Now I am an interior designer and Stephen is a ferry captain.”

Stephen, from Castletownbere, in West Cork, popped the question five years later.

“We got engaged on Dursey Island in December 2020,” says Brittany.

They were married at St Finbarr’s Oratory on August 26 by Fr Jim Lenihan.

Brittany Wyllie and Stephen Hanafin. Pictures: Sarah Kate Murphy, sarahkatephotography.ie

“Gougane Barra was one of the first places Stephen took me to when I first visited Ireland, and we spent our engagement night at Muckross Park Hotel so it was very fitting,” says the bride.

“We really wanted to give both our out-of-town and local guests the opportunity to see more of Ireland, so our vision was to get married in a scenic location [Gougane Barra], and to go to Killarney for the reception.”

The couple’s wedding photographer, Sarah Kate Murphy of sarahkatephotography.ie, captured every fun moment on camera.

“Sarah Kate, our photographer stands out to both of us. We had expressed concern that we are both very awkward in photos and she made us both feel so relaxed and as if we weren’t being photographed at all,” says Brittany.

Brittany Wyllie and Stephen Hanafin. Pictures: Sarah Kate Murphy, sarahkatephotography.ie

“Her biggest priority was that we spend time with our family and friends — she gave us the space to enjoy our day while she did her brilliant work behind the scenes.”

The couple describe their big day as relaxed and stress-free.

“All our vendors, along with our parents and wedding party, did so much for us,” adds the bride. “It was surprisingly stress-free and we just had the best time.”

Not even the odd downpour could dampen their glee. “We were trying to time the breaks in the rain when walking to the church,” says Brittany. “We were told there was a break and took our chances, as soon as we left Gougane Barra Hotel to walk over to the church the rain had, of course, started up again. It was a speed walk to get to the aisle but was very memorable.”

Brittany Wyllie with her bridal party. Pictures: Sarah Kate Murphy, sarahkatephotography.ie

The groom and his party were dapper thanks to Morleys, Cork.

“I bought my dress off the rack at a local shop where I’m from, in Canada,” adds the super-elegant bride. The floral arrangements were by Floweryard, and West Cork Weddings provided the videography.

Carys Ann Evans performed on the harp during the marriage ceremony and on piano during the drinks reception.

The couple found the team at their five-star reception venue to be the perfect wedding planners. “Orla and Niall from Muckross Park Hotel were absolutely
incredible.

Brittany Wyllie and Stephen Hanafin. Pictures: Sarah Kate Murphy, sarahkatephotography.ie

“They did so much behind the scenes on the day of the wedding we felt like guests ourselves and that was the most amazing feeling — to know they had everything under control.”

The newlyweds, who live in Vancouver Island, Canada, enjoyed a mini-moon in Portugal and have yet to choose a destination for their honeymoon, next year.

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