Wedding of the Week: Cork couple's chance karaoke encounter hit the right note

Nicole O’Callaghan and Sean Canty who were married in St Columba’s Church, Douglas, and held their reception at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Little Island

Nicole O’Callaghan and Sean Canty. Pictures: Dermotsullivan.com

Sat, 22 Aug, 2026 - 01:00

Eve Kelliher

Sunny Portugal set the scene for Cork couple Nicole O’Callaghan and Sean Canty’s first encounter.

Nicole, from Douglas, and Sean, from Ballyvolane, were enjoying a night out in Albufeira in August 2019 when their paths crossed.

“We met in a small karaoke bar. I happened to know one of his friends, who introduced us,” says Nicole.

Just over five years later, they got engaged on a weekend trip to Manchester in December 2024, and exchanged wedding vows in St Columba’s Church in Douglas in May of this year, where they were married by Fr Teddy O’Sullivan.

The bride’s aunt, Caroline O’Callaghan, accompanied by organist Jean Downey, was the singer for the ceremony.

“The day was everything we had hoped for and more,” says Nicole.

Relatives and pals stayed on the right side of superstition to ensure the day’s success.

Nicole O’Callaghan and Sean Canty with their wedding party and wedding guests. Pictures: Dermotsullivan.com

“The weather was scorching all week and according to the forecast, our wedding day was the only day showing rain, so our family and friends had about 10 Infant of Prague statues placed outside in the lead-up to the wedding!” adds the bride.

Photographer Dermot Sullivan and videographer Dan Devane were behind the cameras.

“Thankfully, the rain held off exactly when we needed it to, allowing us to enjoy the day and get all of our photographs,” says the bride.

The Radisson Blu Hotel in Little Island was the reception venue, where the newlyweds’ parents, Colette and James O’Callaghan and Lisa and John Canty, helped them lead the celebrations. Nicole’s sister, Jessica O’Callaghan, was her maid of honour, and her friend Aoife Deasy was her bridesmaid. Sean’s brother Dean Canty was his best man, and his friend Jack Daly was his groomsman.

Nicole said “yes to the dress” in Youghal’s Amore Bridalwear: “I had gone to the store with the image of the exact dress I wanted in mind and fell in love with it the second I saw it.”

Nicole O’Callaghan and her dad James O'Callaghan walk up the aisle. Pictures: Dermotsullivan.com

Sean and his attendants were kitted out at Morley’s, Cork.

The hair and make-up team were from DH1 Hair Salon, Dublin Hill, Cork, and Allure Makeup.

“Maria was my makeup artist, and my own hairstylist, Lynsey from DH1, did my hair,” says Nicole.

The Derek Burke Band ensured the dance floor was full.

Nicole O’Callaghan and Sean Canty were married by Fr Teddy O'Sullivan. Pictures: Dermotsullivan.com

Tracey Wallace of Florist4UCork created the floral arrangements and decor, and Ruairi’s Kitchen made the wedding cake. The newlyweds enjoyed a mini-moon in the five-star Europe Hotel and Resort in Killarney, Co Kerry, and then jetted off to Alcúdia, Majorca, and Ibiza.

Both Nicole and Sean work for Johnson & Johnson in Ringaskiddy.