A Classic Wedding at Galway Bay Hotel in Salthill, Galway, Ireland

Shannon Tyrell (30) and Morgan O'Toole (36) wanted their wedding to be classic and intimate as well as reflective of both their backgrounds. Since Morgan is from Ireland (and that’s where they met when Shannon was in law school at the National University of Ireland) they chose it as their location. The gorgeous, quaint Catholic church, St. Patrick’s Garrison Church, was only a few blocks from Morgan’s family home, and the reception at Galway Bay Hotel overlooks Galway Bay and is arguably one of the most scenic hotels on Ireland’s west coast. To add a little Canadian flair (where Shannon is from), the couple gave guests glass maple leaf jars filled with maple syrup from Shannon’s parents’ maple bush. Galway Bay Hotel also flew the Canadian flag alongside the Irish flag at the hotel entrance! Kinvara Flowers added a little romance to the classic wedding with beautiful floral arrangements, and Phillipa Maitland Photography captured all the details of the day. The couple used a soft color palette of ivory and blush with a hint of gold, but really focused on the celebration. “We didn't have one particular theme,” Shannon says. “Our main focus was to ensure we had a great Irish and Canadian celebration, and that our guests had a good time and those who traveled had an unforgettable visit to Ireland. We put a lot of emphasis on ensuring we had a good party the evening of the wedding and the night after (a good Irish wedding lasts a few days). We made sure we had plenty of food, drink and a good band.”