Musicians Sorcha and Andy Dempsey celebrated their wedding at Ballykealey House on 19th June 2026, bringing together their shared love of music, food and a good party, captured by MDA Productions. After first crossing paths through Irish vocal ensemble ANÚNA, the couple began dating in 2019 after reconnecting a few years later. "In April 2019, we went on our first date to Doyles on College Green. We share a ridiculously similar sense of humour, and we bonded over our shared love for good food!"
Their first meeting had actually taken place years earlier, when Andy joined some ANÚNA members for a drink after rehearsal. It was a casual, platonic encounter that only became significant when Andy later joined the ensemble himself. From singing together to eventually becoming a couple, music has remained a constant throughout their relationship. "A very fun and very platonic first encounter - we like to think of this chance meeting as a small peep into the future."
The proposal was a carefully planned surprise that began with what Sorcha thought was a spa weekend in Wicklow. Instead, Andy whisked her to New York for their fifth anniversary, where he had secretly arranged the proposal with the help of friends based in the city. "Right at The Lake with the San Remo & Dakota buildings across the way, Andy proposed. Sorcha cried but eventually said, 'Always, always yes'. The couple spent the rest of the weekend enjoying their surprise trip before finally making it to that spa weekend in Wicklow when they returned home.
Sorcha kept her beauty routine relatively simple, focusing on consistent skincare in the months leading up to the wedding. She also had a fresh set of Gold Fever extensions from her longtime hairdresser, Edel Hunter, while Andy stuck to a straightforward routine of cleanser, retinoid, and SPF, alongside good food, gym sessions, and plenty of hydration. "My skin was fresh, hydrated and glowing on the day!"
For her wedding scent, Sorcha opted for Jo Malone’s English Pear & Sweet Pea after trying the brand’s Wedding Scent Experience in Brown Thomas. Andy took a different approach with Tom Ford Black Orchid, creating a combination they felt worked particularly well. "I landed on English Pear and Sweet Pea. Familiar but new and special for the big day."
Sorcha knew early on that she wanted lace, sleeves and a square neckline, inspired by dresses she had seen online. When Suzanne Neville released the Florescence collection, she immediately fell for the style and booked her first appointment at Sharon Hoey’s, where she tried it on first. "I got teary in it again, and so there was just no question." With only one bridal appointment needed to find her dress, Sorcha later worked with Orla to make a few personal adjustments, including removing the belt and slightly shortening the train.
Andy wanted a classic black tuxedo but chose a double-breasted style to add something different. After several disappointing shopping experiences, he found the right fit and service at Best Menswear in Blanchardstown and chose a made-to-measure suit with custom details. "I leaned into the slightly retro look and went with a slightly wider-fitting seat in the trousers, an oversized bow tie and clean and simple patent-leather oxfords for the shoes."
Sorcha’s bridal party was made up of her older sister, her best friend and her niece as Junior Bridesmaid. After initially wavering over the colour, she returned to navy, pairing it with white florals and gold accents for a warm, rich palette. "I worried it wouldn’t be right for a summer wedding, but I eventually came right back to it because it was still sitting with me, so I thought, no, it must be right!"
Music was always going to play a major role in the ceremony, particularly with both Sorcha and Andy working in the industry. Celebrant Mark helped shape a ceremony that balanced humour with the more meaningful moments, while friends and fellow musicians performed throughout. "Our favourite part was another operation by Andy as a surprise for Sorcha." The couple’s a cappella group Ardú had originally agreed to perform one song, but Andy secretly arranged for them to sing ‘Real Love’ by The Beatles, a song that held special meaning for the couple.
Ballykealy House was the first venue Sorcha and Andy viewed, and while Andy was initially tempted to shop around, Sorcha immediately felt it was the right choice. The team's hospitality, food, and flexibility helped seal the deal, and the ability to host the wedding in the beautiful Barn was another major draw. "This was one of those ‘we knew it when we saw it’ moments - Ballykealey was the first venue we looked at." The couple particularly praised the staff, who helped with everything from menu tweaks and the rehearsal dinner to setting up their personal details the day before.
The entertainment reflected the couple’s musical background, with The Tenters Gypsy Jazz providing the soundtrack for the drinks reception and The Good Hustle taking over for the evening. Their friend Colin Norton DJed later in the night, while Andy even joined the wedding band for a couple of songs. "They were nothing short of epic and had our dancefloor full the entire night. The room was electric."
For Sorcha and Andy, choosing to hold their ceremony inside Ballykealy’s Barn was one of their best decisions, particularly given the unpredictable Irish weather. The vintage car was another favourite, giving them the chance to enjoy an open-top drive back to Dublin as newlyweds. "Every decision we made for our wedding was the best one!"
- Gráinne