Set on an enchanted 310-acre private island accessible only by ferry, Waterford Castle Resort was the magical venue for the wedding of head of events, Sharon Donnelly, to project engineer Michael Cross on September 12th 2025. Captured by Irina Duane Photography and featured in the Spring issue of SOCIAL & PERSONAL Weddings, with a timeless Vivienne Westwood, a mix of blush flowers and beautifully low-key engagement, you're going to adore this late summer celebration!

The couple met in their early twenties, having both moved to London to carve out new careers. A mutual friend introduced them, and it felt easy from the very beginning. The friendship grew into something more without either Sharon or Michael having to overthink it. Fast forward 11 years: they've created a home together, and in the very same year they finally decided to get married, the pair welcomed their little girl, Lyla, into the world.

"Michael proposed in August 2023 during a trip to Otranto, a coastal town in Puglia, Italy. We were celebrating nine years together. On our first evening, as the sun was setting, Michael surprised me on the rooftop terrace of our apartment. It could not have been more low-key or more perfect for us. No crowd, no pressure, just the two of us sharing a beer while we watched the sun go down."

Sharon has always admired the elegance of a slicked-back bridal look, but deep down, she knew she would feel most like herself with a really great blow-dry and Hollywood glam style. "Elaine Kavanagh created exactly that—classic, polished, and full of movement. Makeup was a similar story. I do not wear heavy makeup, and I didn’t want to look like an entirely different version of myself. I found Dawn Fahy on Instagram and instantly loved her emphasis on radiant, natural-looking skin." When they did the trial, Sharon knew straightaway it was the perfect match. She kept everything soft and fresh, making sure our bride still looked like herself, only brighter and more polished.

"I had previously worked for Vivienne Westwood, and so when it came to choosing my wedding dress, it was really always going to be a Westwood creation. I’d been lucky to have worn the Cocotte silhouette over the years and knew its structure and elegance were utterly exceptional and incredibly flattering with my figure. So obviously, it was the very first bridal gown I tried on at the Davies Street boutique. From the moment I looked at myself in the dress, I was head over heels in love with its timelessness and obvious historical influences. Instead of a traditional veil, I chose a chapel-length chiffon scarf. Rosie, who took care of me through the fittings, was truly incredible. I bought the dress while three months pregnant, which felt like a gamble at the time, but Rosie made everything feel manageable. She approached the fittings with so much patience and expertise, adjusting the gown to ensure it would work for my body five months after giving birth. Thanks to her expertise and care, I really did feel amazing on the day."

Michael wanted something refined yet relaxed, choosing a linen-blend fabric to keep the look breathable and contemporary. He gravitated towards colour over traditional black or navy, eventually discovering Suit Supply’s custom service. He selected a rich, deep-green E. Thomas silk-wool-linen blend, paired with a champagne tie and customised every detail of the three-piece suit, including monogramming, a subtle touch that made it feel uniquely his own.

Shron's bridal party was a mix of family and lifelong friends. Her maid of honour was her older sister, Amanda, and her bridesmaids were childhood friends from Waterford, GQ and Kate, as well as Robyn, whom she met while working at Vivienne Westwood. "When it came to choosing their dresses, it was so important to me that everyone felt comfortable and confident on the day. We selected the fabric and shade from Maids to Measure in Chelsea, then let each bridesmaid choose the silhouette that felt best on them."

"We were married in a deeply personal humanist ceremony in the great hall of the castle, conducted by our wonderful celebrant, Jessica Statham, who captured our story with warmth and sincerity. Renowned Irish harpist and composer Denise Kelly performed throughout, setting an emotional tone with music such as Elton John's "Your Song" and "Raglan Road." One of the moments we loved most was being piped out by Pat Murphy. It was a joyful nod to my Scottish heritage and instantly lifted the whole room, setting the tone for the celebrations that followed."

Waterford, especially Dunmore East, holds a special place in the couple's hearts, as it’s where Sharon's family is from and where some of their happiest memories have been made over the years. So when it came to choosing a wedding location, nowhere else felt quite right. Waterford Castle stood out immediately. Its 16th-century roots give the place a sense of quiet importance without ever feeling stuffy. Having the entire island and castle to themselves made the day feel intimate, magical, and completely removed from the outside world. "Gillian and her exceptional team run weddings with military-level precision; no issue was too small, and no ask was too big. Even the lead-up felt easy thanks to how organised and reassuring they were. They made us feel so welcome from our first meeting!"

"We both love live music, and so it was an absolute priority for the day. We knew we wanted the energy and atmosphere of a brass band, and after discovering All Talk, we were blown away by their repertoire and style. They brought the party to life from the very first song. Throughout the ceremony and drinks reception, the music flowed so naturally. Denise, Pat Murphy and the Honeyvoom Duo created such a lovely mix of sounds from start to finish. It gave the whole wedding a soundtrack that felt really personal. There was never a quiet or awkward moment, just a really lovely rhythm to the whole day."

"Our best decision was asking guests to make a weekend of it, and exploring Dunmore East was one of the highlights. Day Two was so relaxed and fun. We hired a pop-up sauna from hotpod.ie, everyone took a dip in the sea, and we finished the evening with a BBQ and live music at The Strand Inn Hotel. It was low-key, easy-going and the perfect contrast to the more structured atmosphere of the wedding day. People kept saying it was their favourite part of the whole weekend, which made us so glad we planned it that way."

"The one detail we do regret was leaving most of our speech-writing to the week before. We spent several late evenings typing and editing when we absolutely should have been relaxing with a glass of wine. But it all came together in the end and gave us something to laugh about afterwards."

- Gráinne