Wedding of the Week: Best day ever? A piece of cake for Sarah and Kevin

"Kevin popped the question in the lead-up to Christmas 2022, on a beach stroll. “It was the same beach we went to on our first date,” says Sarah."

Sun, 06 Oct, 2024 - 15:16

Eve Kelliher

Cork couple Sarah Coughlan and Kevin Baxter said their ‘I do’s’ exactly 10 years after they first saw one another.

Sarah, from Frankfield, and Kevin, from Carrigaline, met when in the same circle of friends and were married at Inish Beg estate, Baltimore, West Cork, on September 20, in a ceremony led by Alison Driscoll, of Bespoke Words.

The reception was in the Octagon at Inish Beg, where the bride’s parents, Trish and Brian, and the groom’s, Audrey and Brian, led the toasts.

Sarah’s cousin and goddaughter, Sofia Garcia Byrne, and a schoolfriend, Claire Morrison, arrived from Spain and London, respectively, to take on bridesmaid duties; school friend Katelyn O’Mahony was the third.

Kieran Sheehan and Jack Boland, Kevin’s college buddy, were groomsmen.

Kevin popped the question in the lead-up to Christmas 2022, on a beach stroll. “It was the same beach we went to on our first date,” says Sarah.

“He asked me to marry him as we were sitting on the same rock we’d sat on years before. It was the best Christmas present ever!”

Their big day exceeded expectations, “We never thought we would be the couple to say it was the best day of our lives, but it was exactly what we wanted,” says Sarah.

“The whole day, from start to finish, was relaxed and full of laughter and fun. The sun was shining and the moods were high all around!”

Sarah Kate Murphy captured it all for posterity on camera and the couple’s wedding co-ordinator at Inish Beg, Sasha, ensured the day went to plan.

“All our vendors pulled it out of the bag, but two people who stood out to us were Sarah and Sasha,” says the bride.

“Sarah came in like a little bubble of fun and craic and just seamlessly blended in with us all, like she was one of our friends.

"She has the rare gift of making you feel like you’re having the time of your life, while, at the same time, she’s doing her jobs and getting her shots. And Sasha is a godsend for anyone getting married at Inish Beg.”

Sarah Coughlan in a Benke dress from Modeca.

Sarah looked super-elegant in a Benke dress by Modeca, from Memories bridal boutique in Cork. Maria Coleman was her makeup artist, while the hairstyling was by Honeybee Bridal Hair.

“They hyped me up so much I was floating by the time they left!” says Sarah.

Kevin was dapper, thanks to Saville Menswear, Cork, and Ruth Fortune Flowers created the décor.

Dining was another highlight: “The food was important to us; nothing worse than a hungry wedding guest! The Whole Hog catered the meal and the day-two barbecue and everyone was raving about them!

Sarah Coughlan and Kevin Baxter with their repsective parties.

"We did a dessert table and asked all our friends and family to bake their favourite and bring it along. We had brownies, pavlova, chunky cookies, berry roulade and loads more.”

And there was music. “Our friends and family threw themselves in to party mode and we went from a trad session at the drinks reception to enjoying a classic rock band, The Hollyz, for the afters!” says Sarah.

The couple enjoyed a mini-moon in Kerry. “We went to Parknasilla in Kenmare after the wedding, to relax and it was incredible. We are heading on a big trip next April and spending three weeks in Malaysia,” says Sarah.

Sarah is an area manager for Kids Inc and Kevin is a day supervisor at Midleton Distillery. They live in Carrigaline.