Wedding of the Week: From Torc Mountain to the Inca Trail for Briana and Shane

Dingle vows and adventure honeymoon in South America follow Killarney proposal

Briana Kelly and Shane Kelly. Pictures: Evelyn Woodard

Considering they both have a passion for the great outdoors, a proposal after a mountain hike was the sweetest thing for Briana Kelly and Shane Kelly.

The couple, who also share the same surname, got engaged after climbing Torc Mountain in Killarney.

Briana Kelly and Shane Kelly. Pictures: Evelyn Woodard

The newlyweds had no hesitation in hoisting their backpacks and heading off on another adventure — this time across South America — soon after exchanging vows in West Kerry.

“We love travelling and the outdoors,” says Briana. “We spent nine weeks backpacking across South America — not a typical honeymoon.

Briana with her father Dermot Kelly. Pictures: Evelyn Woodard

“We spent a lot of time hiking in South America also, including the Inca Trail and Patagonia. We travelled Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina and Brazil.”

Briana, from Kilcummin, Killarney, Co Kerry, and Shane, from Ballydesmond, Mallow, Co Cork, first met through mutual friends eight years ago.

They were wed in St Mary’s Church in Dingle where Briana’s uncles, Fr Larry Kelly and Fr Seamus Kelly, performed the Mass.

Briana with her mother Aine Kelly. Pictures: Evelyn Woodard

The reception took place in the Dingle Skellig Hotel and leading the celebrations were Briana’s parents Aine and Dermot Kelly and Shane’s parents Siobhan and Eamon Kelly.

Briana’s only sister Siobhan Kiely was her maid of honour and the bride chose her goddaughter Beibhinn Kiely to be her junior bridesmaid.

Shane’s only brother Donal Kelly was by his side as the best man. The newlyweds had two pageboys, Briana’s godson Luke Kelly and Shane’s nephew Danny Kelly.

Renowned photographer Evelyn Woodard was behind the lens (Instagram: @ev_woodard and website: evelynwoodardphotographer.com) while videographer Wedding Stories by Maurice (Instagram: @weddingstoriesbymaurice) also captured the big day on camera.

The bride and groom enjoyed welcoming friends and relatives “from all over the globe”, according to Briana.

Briana Kelly and Shane Kelly. Pictures: Evelyn Woodard

“The guests who travelled farthest to be with us were a couple who flew from Tasmania for the wedding,” says the bride.

Briana looked super-elegant in an Alexandra Grecco gown sourced in The White & Gold in Kinsale (Instagram: @thewhiteandgoldbridal). “I loved the simplicity of this designer,” says Briana.

Shane cut a dash thanks to Morley’s Formal Hire in Cork where Joe Fitzgerald was on hand to advise (Instagram: @morleysformalhirecork).

Briana Kelly and Shane Kelly. Pictures: Evelyn Woodard

The bridal hair and makeup team were Mairead O’Keeffe (Instagram: @sophisticutsnewmarket) and Katie Griffin (Instagram: @katiegriffin_mua).

Florist Dawn Gallagher O’Connor from Dingle Blooms (Instagram: @dingleblooms_wedding_florist) was key to devising the dream decor.

Briana works in HR and Shane works with his family business Kelly Brothers (Instagram: @kellys_ballydesmond).

Briana Kelly and Shane Kelly. Pictures: Evelyn Woodard

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