Wedding of the Week: Delicious celebrations at Ballymaloe for Shauna and Shane

Shauna Fagan, Douglas, and Shane Fleming, Ballycotton, are married at The Carrigaun Room, Ballymaloe, Co Cork

Sat, 26 Apr, 2025 - 02:00

Eve Kelliher

Sweethearts from their student years, Cork couple Shauna Fagan and Shane Fleming got engaged in December 2022.

Shauna, from Douglas, and Shane, from Ballycotton, were thrilled their two daughters, Ava and Jenny, could be at the heart of the action as they said “I do” recently at The Carrigaun Room at Ballymaloe, Cork.

Shauna Fagan and Shane Fleming with Ava and Jenny Fagan Fleming. Pictures: Studio Lordan

“I won’t lie, planning a wedding with two little ones didn’t come without its challenges,” says Shauna.

The couple started dating in the summer of 2016. “We were both in third year at college at University College Cork,” says Shauna. “Fast-forward nine years later and here we are tying the knot. We had our two little girls, Ava, who is two, and Jenny, who just turned one, as our flower girls. Jenny just started walking in the few weeks leading up to the wedding — perfect timing to walk up the aisle!

Shauna Fagan and Shane Fleming. Pictures: Studio Lordan

The couple were married by celebrant Norma McElligott. “It was a very personal ceremony, during which our godmothers, Anne Marie Guilfoyle and Tina Maye, and two of our siblings, Kate Fleming and Peter Fagan, read and spoke. Shane and I also exchanged our vows,” says the bride.

“My brother Peter Fagan concluded the ceremony with an amazing speech that was a highlight of the day. He really stole the show.”

Aine O’Halloran, Violini, performed for both the ceremony and reception. “Our music choices were also very personal,” says Shauna. “We did things slightly differently. My two younger brothers, Peter and Conor Fagan, were my bridesmen and Shane’s younger sisters, Kate and Rachel Fleming, were his groomsmaids.”

“The staff in Ballymaloe were incredible, a credit to the profession and the food spoke for itself, absolutely delicious!”

Shauna Fagan and Shane Fleming with Peter and Conor Fagan and Kate and Rachel Fleming. Pictures: Studio Lordan

Photographer Sean Lordan ( studiolordan.com) and videographer Joseph Berg from Wedding Films by B&G captured the occasion on camera. “We honestly had the best day, it exceeded all our expectations! From the get-go, it was filled with love, fun and laughter,” says the bride.

The Pa Fitz Wedding Band and DJ proved to be floor fillers. Also helping ensure the event was a success were both sets of parents, Jennifer and Peter Fagan and Cathy Maye and Seán Fleming.

Shauna looked chic in an Avalia (Bianco Evento) two-piece corset-style top and pleated Lilly Bridalfashion skirt from the White Ivy Bridal Boutique, Kenmare, Co Kerry. “I wore a Bianco Evento veil and the shoes were by Avalia (Bianco Evento) too,” says Shauna.

“Kathrin and Rouven [Haas] of the White Ivy were an absolute delight, as I went dress shopping with my mom and my babies in tow.

“Shane’s and my brother’s tuxedos were from Morleys in Cork City.” Emily Colbert was the bridal hairstylist with makeup by Joey Smiddy, Shanagarry Beauty Studio.

The floral décor was by Ballymaloe’s in-house florist Iona Murray.

Amanda Landers, Sugar & Slice, Cloyne, Co Cork, baked the wedding cake.

The newlyweds hosted a “day two” celebration in the Blackbird Bar, Ballycotton. “Trawler Boyz did our catering and Claire Murphy performed, singing and playing guitar,” says Shauna.