Saoirse Perry, a librarian, and Cillian Byrne, a Financial Analyst, tied the knot on 13 June 2026 at Boyne Hill House. Their romantic summer celebration featured an outdoor humanist ceremony, pastel pink bridesmaid dresses, a beautiful string quartet, and a party that kept guests dancing into the night, beautifully captured by Kat Mervyn Photography. After meeting as teenagers, the couple brought their love story full circle with a day filled with personal details, a little vintage glamour and their beloved Staffie, Roscoe, by their side.
The couple first met in 2012 on a night out in Quinns Pub in Drumcondra. They were just 19 and 20 at the time, although Saoirse remembers Cillian seeming particularly confident, charming and inquisitive. He asked her plenty of questions, following advice his dad had given him about chatting up na cailíní. When he finally asked for her number, Saoirse decided not to make it easy. Instead, she told him, “You can find me on Facebook!” Sure enough, he sent her a friend request the very next day, and the rest is history.
After ten years together, Cillian proposed on 28 August in Lagos, Portugal. Saoirse has always had a grá for jewellery, antiques and rings, so finding the perfect engagement ring was never going to be straightforward. For several years, she had admired pieces in Dublin’s antique jewellers before falling in love with a unique ruby-set cluster ring that was more than 100 years old. She pointed it out to Cillian, who took note and never mentioned it again. Portugal had long felt like a home away from home for the couple, making the clifftops of Lagos the perfect place for the proposal. The moment was intimate, with just the two of them overlooking the breathtaking scenery. Saoirse’s parents later flew out to join them, making an already unforgettable trip even more special.
But perhaps the most impressive part of the engagement story was Cillian’s hiding place of choice. He kept the ring tucked away inside the extractor fan for a full year before popping the question. Saoirse was amazed by his creativity, although equally surprised that an extractor fan could apparently double as a secure hiding place for valuables, particularly when the other person doesn't cook too often!
When it came to bridal beauty, Saoirse wanted to look like the best version of herself rather than undergo a dramatic transformation. Her priorities were glowing skin, creamy blonde hair, and fabulous nails and brows. After their trial, makeup artist Laura Ward knew exactly what she wanted, leaving Saoirse relaxed and confident on the morning of the wedding. Her hair required a little more discipline in the months leading up to the big day. Anna at Komb Hairdressers put Saoirse on a strict hair-care regime to maintain its condition and achieve the perfect shade of blonde, before June stepped in to create soft Hollywood waves that lasted until the following morning. Saoirse completed her bridal look with Prada Paradoxe, a fragrance she felt perfectly suited the day's warm, romantic, vintage-inspired feel.
Saoirse approached finding her wedding dress with equal parts excitement and nerves. She began her search at Angelo Bridal on Dorset Street, having heard wonderful things about its designers and welcoming staff. What she expected to be the first of several bridal appointments turned out to be her last. After trying on around six to eight dresses, including styles she had never imagined would suit her, she found the one.
“The minute I put that dress on, I felt a million dollars,” she recalled. With its romantic details and a little sass, the gown was everything she had hoped for. Her mum, mother-in-law and sister joined her for the appointment, making the experience relaxed, fun and full of laughs. For something she had initially found daunting, Saoirse couldn't have asked for a better experience.
Cillian kept things a little more straightforward, opting for a classic tuxedo from CT2 Suits in Blanchardstown. Meanwhile, Saoirse initially insisted she wouldn't end up with an ever-growing list of bridesmaids. Famous last words! Her bridal party included her younger sister Aoibhe, sister-in-law Rebecca, and close friends Paul, Sadhbh and Roisin. The group had known each other for years, and Saoirse wanted the people closest to her to be part of such an important day.
With some of her bridal party living abroad in the lead-up to the wedding, her sister stepped up as Maid of Honour, with support from both mums. Saoirse eventually found the perfect dresses for her bridesmaids at Coast, choosing light pastel-pink gowns with sweet bows at the back. Comfort and movement were key, as she wanted everyone to feel fabulous and ready to dance. The pink also complemented the wedding décor and the beautiful pink Manor House at Boyne Hill House. Bridesman Paul opted for a tuxedo similar to those worn by the groomsmen.
For their ceremony, the couple chose a humanist celebration led by their friend and celebrant Lorraine Walker. They agreed early in the planning process that they wanted an outdoor ceremony, surrounded by the estate's natural beauty. With the Boyne River flowing in the background and ancient trees surrounding the secret garden, the setting was everything they had imagined. Saoirse admitted to checking the weather forecast obsessively in the two weeks before the wedding, but June delivered the sunshine they had hoped for.
The Aria String Quartet performed for guests, accompanied the bridal party down the aisle and played throughout the celebrations. Saoirse made her entrance to Lana Del Rey's Young and Beautiful, setting the tone for a romantic ceremony that guests later said felt like a wedding abroad. With the sun shining, birds singing and music drifting through the garden, the atmosphere was truly special.
One of the couple's favourite memories came later, during their photography and videography session around the estate. With photographer Kat and videographer Eoghan keeping things relaxed and fun, Saoirse and Cillian could wander hand in hand, take in their surroundings, and enjoy a rare moment together as newlyweds. Their beloved elderly Staffie, Roscoe, joined them too. Having him there was incredibly important to the couple, and the resulting photographs captured a treasured moment with their favourite old-timer by their side.
Boyne Hill House was the clear winner when the couple began looking for their reception venue. After visiting several options, they knew almost immediately that they had found the one. They both looked at each other and mouthed, “this one”, a rare moment of instant agreement during the planning process! The estate's grounds felt almost like something from a fairytale, yet still warm and lived-in rather than overly perfect. The Manor House, with its decorative ornaments, fabulous wallpaper and charming rooms, gave guests plenty of space to explore and mingle. Throughout the reception, friends and family wandered between rooms, chatted at the old-style bar and enjoyed canapés and cocktails in the sunshine. Later, guests had room to dance, relax, and catch up, making the venue feel welcoming to everyone.
While the setting and décor were a huge draw, the team at Boyne Hill House truly sealed the deal. From their first visit through to the day after the wedding, Saoirse and Cillian felt supported at every stage. The team encouraged them to visit throughout the two years of planning, taking the time to get to know them so they would feel at home when the big day arrived. For the couple, that personal touch made all the difference.
The celebrations continued into the evening with After Dark, a Kilkenny band recommended by a friend. Rather than relying solely on recordings and video clips, Saoirse and Cillian travelled to see the band perform live at The Laurel's Pub in Clondalkin Village. They loved not only the music but also how the musicians connected with their audience, and they returned to see them several times before the wedding. On the night, After Dark delivered a brilliant set spanning Bruno Mars, Queen, Stereophonics and The Chemical Brothers, with plenty more in between. The couple couldn't recommend them highly enough, and the band's energy helped keep the celebrations going long into the night.
Looking back, Saoirse and Cillian agree that choosing a venue with an outdoor ceremony space was one of their best decisions. Whatever the weather, exchanging vows surrounded by nature feels special, and the sunshine on their wedding day made the setting all the more memorable. Their biggest piece of advice for other couples, however, is to avoid getting too caught up in wedding inspiration online. Saoirse loved browsing Pinterest for ideas, but found that constantly comparing plans to picture-perfect mood boards could set unrealistic expectations. Her advice is to enjoy the inspiration while keeping a realistic sense of what works for you.
- Gráinne