Wedding of the Week: Piano tunes and singsong in early hours hit right note for guests
Jessica Tuite and James Barry. Pictures: Sean Lordan, Studio Lordan
Sweethearts since their secondary school days, Limerick couple Jessica Tuite and James Barry were wed 15 years after their paths first crossed at Castletroy College.
A sunshine holiday in Portugal set the scene for their engagement in August 2024, on Praia dos Caneiros, the Algarve. “James proposed on the beach,” says Jessica.
The weather gods were at the ready yet again for the nuptials, as they switched their favourable gaze to Kerry on Friday, April 24, 2026, when the couple exchanged vows in an outdoor ceremony at Sheen Falls Lodge, Kenmare, led by celebrant Dave Allman.
The bride arrived for the “I dos” in the hotel’s green vintage Buick. “There were some fabulous words of wisdom shared during the ceremony by my cousins Holly Irwin and Nicole Tuite and James’s godson Ronan Lavin,” says Jessica. “The beautiful reflection was read by James’s sister Anita Neville.”
Jessica’s aunt Eilish McCarthy and James’s sister Gerada Lavin were the witnesses, and Claire Sheerin was the wedding singer.
The five-star venue was also the setting for the reception, where Jessica’s parents, Sinead and Marcus Tuite, and James’s dad, Joe Barry, and Jessica’s grandmothers, Ann McCarthy and Teresa Tuite O’Connor, were at the heart of the action. In fact, Jessica says she could not have planned the big day without her mother’s organisational knowhow. “The wedding wouldn’t have been what it was without her,” she says. The groom adds: “Jessica’s mother Sinead was exceptional. She thought of absolutely everything.”
Jessica’s friends Ruth Kavanagh, Lauren Sinnott, Orlaith Morgan, Leah McNamara, and Laura Breen were by her side as bridesmaids. James’s friend Jeffrey Enright was his best man, and his brother Joe Barry was his groomsman, along with friends Paudie Callinan, Jack Tiernan, and Mark McCarthy. Jessica’s cousin Harry O’Sullivan was the pageboy, and James’s niece and goddaughter Lucy Neville was the flower girl. “Our vision was a magical day filled with love, laughter, plenty of music, and dancing. James loves music, and I was a competitive dancer throughout my childhood,” says the bride.
Jessica looked super-elegant in a Milla Nova gown she bought in Belfast’s Verona Bridal boutique, and James wore a suit from Esquire, Limerick.
Mother-and-daughter duo Janice McLoughlin and Abbie Dervereux, Dublin, were the hair and make-up team.
Capturing all the memories on camera were photographer Sean Lordantarget="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> and videographer Maurice O’Carroll.
Wedding band Spring Break kept the fun going until the small hours, with the newlyweds taking to the floor to Stargazing, by Myles Smith, for their first dance. “James played a few songs on the piano in the early hours of the morning,” says Jessica. “There was a big singsong with guests gathering around the piano. It was a special moment.”
Flowers from the Secret Garden, Cork, devised the floral décor, and the stationery and signage were by Katelyn Barry, of Pretty Glam Creations. Tracy Desmond Bell, of Trace of Cakes, designed and baked the wedding cake.
The newlyweds honeymooned in California, Hawaii, and New York.
Jessica is an adult educator for Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board as well as a teacher for the Eilish McCarthy School of Dance, based in both Limerick and Cork, while James is a sales manager for HubSpot.
They live in Castletroy. “We bought our home in Kylemore, Monaleen, in June 2024,” adds Jessica.
- If you would like your wedding in Weekend, email eve.kelliher@examiner.ie
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