Pharmacist Molly Quinn married engineer Michael Quinn on 5th June 2026, celebrating their wedding at Tankardstown House in County Meath. Their elegant summer celebration brought together classic black-tie styling, beautiful floral arrangements and plenty of personal touches, with a traditional church ceremony followed by a lively reception, captured beautifully by Hannah McKernan Photography.
Molly and Michael first met in the summer of 2019, while Michael was studying at university in England and Molly was studying back home in Ireland. They kept in touch throughout the summer, and when Michael returned home at Christmas, they went on a few more dates. Although they knew a long-distance relationship wouldn't necessarily be easy, they were both determined to make it work. As it happened, the COVID pandemic began in March 2020, bringing Michael home from university to continue his studies online. While they were delighted to have him back, lockdown soon meant they found themselves in another kind of long-distance relationship, unable to see each other in person for eight weeks. As Molly explains, "It definitely wasn’t how we imagined the beginning of our relationship would be, but we made it through those eight weeks and, looking back, it was a pretty good indicator that we were meant to be."
Michael planned a surprise getaway for the proposal, asking Molly to pack her bags without revealing their destination. They eventually arrived at Mount Juliet in County Kilkenny, where they would spend two nights. After checking in, Michael revealed that he had arranged a private picnic in one of the hotel's beautiful gardens. The concierge brought them there in the hotel car, and unbeknownst to Molly, the staff had secretly placed the engagement ring inside the picnic basket. As they sat down to enjoy their afternoon, Michael eventually got down on one knee and proposed. Of course, Molly said yes! The excitement meant very little of the picnic was actually eaten, although the champagne certainly didn't go to waste. They spent the next two nights celebrating their engagement, including a special Michelin-starred meal in the hotel's signature restaurant, before returning home to County Armagh to celebrate with family and friends.
In the lead-up to the wedding, Molly focused on achieving healthy, glowing skin rather than making any drastic changes to her beauty routine. She began preparing well in advance, incorporating a series of BBL (BroadBand Light) facials with Rachel at Dr McNally’s Rejuvenate Clinic in Belfast. The treatments made a noticeable difference to her complexion, helping to improve pigmentation and create the natural glow she wanted for the big day. As the wedding approached, she also enjoyed a couple of Hydrafacials to keep her skin clear and hydrated.
Consistency was key to her skincare preparations, particularly when it came to SPF. Molly incorporated Biologique Recherche Lotion P50W into her routine and was religious about applying Beauty of Joseon every day. For her bridal makeup, she wanted to feel like herself while still enjoying a little extra glamour. After discovering KLM Beauty and falling in love with their natural yet glamorous style, she booked a trial with Lorna and knew immediately they were the right fit. She loved the finished look and felt completely confident on the day.
For her hair, Molly had followed Jolene Feenan’s work on several brides and knew her soft, natural style was exactly what she wanted. She wanted to avoid anything too stiff or over-styled, choosing a look that reflected how she normally wore her hair. As she explains, "Overall, my beauty journey was all about enhancing what I already had and making sure I felt like the very best version of myself on the day."
Her parents gifted her wedding fragrance, Delina Exclusif by Parfums de Marly, making it an especially sentimental choice. Molly wanted a completely new scent for the occasion, rather than one already associated with everyday life. Its fresh, elegant and feminine notes were exactly what she had in mind. She loved the idea that wearing it again in the future would instantly bring back memories of their wedding day. Michael chose Maison Francis Kurkdjian Oud Satin Mood, giving them both a special fragrance to associate with the celebrations.
Although Molly had a fairly clear vision for her wedding dress, she stayed open-minded throughout the shopping process. Her search took her to several bridal boutiques, where she tried everything from traditional ballgowns to sequined designs. In the end, she returned to her original idea: something elegant and modern, but still timeless. Initially, she attended appointments with her mother, Michael’s mother and her two bridesmaids, before eventually enjoying some one-on-one shopping trips with her mum. After exploring so many different styles, she realised that the dress she loved most was the one that felt most like her.
She chose a beautiful gown in luxurious Italian satin, featuring a structured corseted bodice and gathered detailing. The contemporary tulle shawl, which gathered at the biceps and flowed into a train, added an extra element of interest while keeping the overall look elegant. For the ceremony, she paired the dress with a pearl veil before changing into the tulle shawl for the drinks reception, giving her bridal look a different feel for the celebrations.
Michael's wedding attire was equally timeless. The couple had always envisioned classic black tuxedos, and their first stop for suit shopping was Bogart's in Newry. As soon as Michael tried on the Herbie Frogg tuxedo, they knew it was exactly what they wanted. The team, especially Neil, made the process straightforward, helping dress Michael, his two groomsmen, the father of the groom, and the father of the bride. Michael opted for a three-piece tuxedo, while the rest of the wedding party wore the two-piece version. The classic black tailoring complemented the overall aesthetic beautifully and ensured everyone looked perfectly coordinated.
Molly's bridesmaids were her best friend from school, Róise, and Michael's sister, Sophie. She wanted both to feel just as beautiful and comfortable as she did, although finding the right dresses proved more challenging than expected. Molly had a very particular shade in mind and struggled to find the exact colour and style she had envisioned. Eventually, she decided to have the dresses made bespoke, giving her the freedom to create the look she wanted. After discovering Ellen Lambert online, she found the inspiration she needed to bring everything together. Seeing Róise and Sophie wearing their finished dresses on the day made all the searching worthwhile.
The couple exchanged vows in a traditional religious ceremony at St Patrick's Church in Crossmaglen, Molly's local parish. Led by Fr Dermot Maloney, the ceremony was everything they had hoped for, with beautiful music from D Strings and stunning floral arrangements by Kim Marie creating a special atmosphere. For Molly and Michael, one of the most memorable moments was seeing each other for the first time as Molly walked down the aisle. After months of planning and anticipation, it was the moment the day finally felt real. Walking back down the aisle together as husband and wife, surrounded by their family and friends, was another highlight they will always treasure.
When choosing their reception venue, Tankardstown House topped their list after plenty of online research. Just a few weeks after getting engaged, they visited with their families and were immediately taken by the estate's grandeur and elegance. From the beautiful Drawing Rooms in the Manor House to the incredible food and natural light in the Orangery, everything felt exactly right. They loved the balance of elegance and warmth throughout the property and knew after that first viewing that they didn't need to look anywhere else.
Entertainment was another important part of the celebrations, and the couple spent plenty of time researching bands, DJs, and other options before settling on their line-up. The Bentley Boys provided saxophone and piano during the drinks reception, creating a welcoming atmosphere that complemented the setting perfectly. D Strings, who had also performed during the ceremony, continued their musical contribution during dinner, providing beautiful background music and keeping the atmosphere lively throughout the meal.
For the evening reception, The Bentley Boys returned to kick off the celebrations. Having watched their performances online, Molly and Michael knew they would bring the energy they wanted, and they certainly delivered. The dancefloor remained full throughout the night as the band played the couple's favourite songs.
Looking back, Molly and Michael agree that choosing Tankardstown House was one of their best decisions. The venue brought everything together so beautifully, creating a day that went beyond their expectations. They were equally delighted with their choice of photographer, Hannah McKernan. Neither of them would usually say they particularly enjoy having their photographs taken, but Hannah made them feel completely at ease from beginning to end. She captured the celebrations naturally and beautifully, and they hardly noticed the camera.
- Gráinne