Set against the beautiful grounds of Lough Rynn Castle, Emma Flynn, Associate Director in Banking, and Graeme Mulcair, Relationship Manager in Finance, celebrated their wedding on 1st May 2026. Having met while working at the same firm in Dublin in 2018, the couple later made their return to Ireland for the wedding a particularly special occasion, shot by Anna G and planned by Weddings By Dearbháile.
"Graeme is from Limerick, so I'm sure he felt honoured to meet a Leitrim woman, considering we're a ‘rare breed!’" After living near Merrion Square in Dublin, the couple eventually relocated to Dubai, where they embraced the adventure of living abroad and exploring the region together.
The proposal took place in Lisbon after Graeme suggested adding a few days in the city before meeting Emma’s parents in the Algarve. What Emma thought was a group boat trip turned out to be a private charter on a beautiful old sailing boat, where Graeme got down on one knee. "I was even more suspicious when the champagne started flowing before we'd even left the dock!" The boat owner’s children secretly captured photographs and videos of the proposal, before the couple spent the following two weeks celebrating their engagement with family in the Algarve.
Emma took a consistent approach to her pre-wedding beauty routine, with daily SPF, a hat in the sun and gradual additions to her skincare. Six months before the wedding, she began a series of treatments, including Profhilo, HIFU, Fotona 4D, and regular HydraFacials, while keeping her wedding-day makeup classic, with plenty of blush. "I loved it and looked forward to that little bit of self-care every day." For the big day, Ruth and June looked after her hair and makeup, creating a relaxed atmosphere while helping Emma feel confident and like herself.
"We both love perfume, so we wanted to pick scents that would always remind us of our wedding day." Emma chose Musc K by Ella K after exploring several Middle Eastern perfumeries, while Graeme wore Straight to Heaven by Kilian, with its notes of cedarwood, rum and vanilla.
Emma found her wedding dress on her first bridal shopping trip, when her mum and aunts travelled to Dubai for a week and joined her for several appointments. The second dress she tried on immediately felt right, thanks to its elegant and timeless design, and she decided not to alter a single detail. "I knew straight away it was the one." Having her family there to share the moment made finding her dress even more special, while for the afterparty she changed into a short sequined dress by Retrofête.
Graeme chose a made-to-measure double-breasted tuxedo in midnight blue from Louis Copeland & Sons. A longtime customer of the brand, he wanted something classic but with a subtle point of difference from traditional black tie, completing the look with a hand-tied bow tie and patent-leather monk-strap shoes. "It felt formal and elegant, while the midnight blue added a touch of individuality compared to a classic black tux."
Emma’s bridesmaids were her sisters Laura and Ellen, cousins Evanna and Aubrey, and best friends Katie and Dearbhaile. Despite living abroad, the group remained closely involved throughout the wedding planning, with the girls organising multiple hen parties and helping Emma from both home and overseas. "I wanted everyone to feel comfortable, confident and like themselves." Emma chose a tulip-shaped dress in a chocolate plum shade, allowing the colour to complement each of her bridesmaids while keeping the overall look cohesive.
The ceremony was designed to be personal and centred around family, with bright pink and red florals from Clarin and Vanessa transforming the church and Dublin Gospel Choir providing the music. The Aisle created the mass booklets, while Emma’s uncle, Fr. Tomas Flynn, officiated the ceremony. "One of the most meaningful parts of the day was having Emma's uncle, Fr. Tomas Flynn, officiate our wedding." From signing the register to hearing Queen of the May performed in honour of Emma’s grandmother Mary, the ceremony was filled with family connections and personal details.
Lough Rynn Castle had always been Emma’s first choice, having grown up visiting the estate and knowing its place in her family history. Getting married in the same church as her parents and other family members added another layer of significance, while the castle’s architecture, interiors, grounds and Secret Garden made it an easy choice for the couple. "Lough Rynn was always top of my list." Graeme quickly agreed, and the couple were particularly lucky with the weather, which allowed their guests to enjoy the estate and provided the perfect backdrop for photographs.
Joe Petit & The Dream Band provided the entertainment, keeping the dance floor busy from the beginning of the evening. Their dinner show was another standout, bringing guests to their feet before dinner had even been served. "One guest joked that they'd ‘never seen a dance floor full before the soup course!’" The band’s ability to read the room and keep the energy moving meant there was never a lull in the celebrations.
Having wedding planner Dearbhaile oversee the final preparations and coordinate the day was one of Emma and Graeme’s best decisions, allowing them to enjoy the wedding without worrying about logistics. Emma also designed a silk neck scarf as a personalised wedding favour, while a photobooth with instant prints kept guests entertained throughout the evening. "At the end of the night, we were gifted a scrapbook filled with photos and messages from our guests, and it's something we'll treasure forever and love looking back on."
- Gráinne