Location: Church of the Holy Rosary, Doolin, Co.Clare

Well , where do I even start! Firstly, a huge congrats to Lydia and Trevor who were married today. There always a number of couples whom I grow close to every year and Lycia and Trevor are definitely a couple whom I see myself being in contact with for life.

I first met them in person at the Ultimate weddings Live in Limerick where they came especially to hear me sing a requested song for them. There were a few tears and that had them sold I think… The same song was Lydia’s entrance song.. ‘All the Ways you wander’ originally by John Spillane.

Lydia and Trevor had such personal ideas for their ceremony music which made my job even more enjoyable. I love when a couple have their own tastes and are passionate about the songs they pick. That’s how I would describe this couple. Very passionate , fun and madly in love with each other and life.

There was such a lovely atmosphere in the church and how could there not be with all of their family and friends so excited just like Trevor and Lydia were.

Myself and Mike had a little giggle at Trevor as he had an awful case of the shakes lighting the individual candles but by the unity candle he was singing along with me as I sang ‘On raglan Road’.

Lydia’s entrance was breath taking and I have popped a link to that below. You will see in the video that the priest invites the couple to light the individual candles straight away. When and if this happens, we continue with the entrance song until the couple are in their seats as stopping and starting a new song can interrupt the flow. Lydia and Trevor had chosen ‘Mo Ghile Mear’ for the individual candles but instead we moved this to the Sign of Peace as I knew it was an important song for them.

Myself and Mike were also joined by my dear friend and fellow ceremony singer/pianist, Jenny O’Brien. Jenny’s beautiful piano playing and harmonies really added to the music.

Entrance – All the way you wander – Piano

Individual Candle – Mo Ghile Mear (Entrance song continued)

Psalm – You are mine – Guitar

Unity Candle – On Raglan Road – Piano

Offertory – Lydia’s Father performed ‘The lonesome boatman’ on the whistle

Sign of Peace – Ag criost an Siol ( Mo Ghile Mear )

Communion – Nella Fantasia – Piano , How Great Thou Art – Guitar

Register – When we were young, Yours, At Eirinn, Feels like home. ( Only two of these were required)

Exit – Everything.

Lydia and Trevor, Thank you so much for having myself , Jenny and Mike be part of your day. You truly are two wonderful people! Enjoy the honeymoon and Lydia , make sure to send on some more videos of Trevor singing along to all my videos! Ill never let you away with that one Trev!

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Location: St Michaels, Foxford, Co.Mayo

Grainne and Michael tied the knot in Foxford church. Even before I arrived at the church I could tell it was going to be a great day because as I was driving in towards the town I spotted a bride and groom made out of haystacks .

What an absolutely fantastic idea and great way to welcome guests from abroad.

The Church itself is so beautiful and has a wonderful spacious gallery for musicians and singers. Another plus is that the stairs up to the gallery isn’t a death trap like many other churches.  The gallery door was also unlocked for us. Its small things like this that make a singers life so much easier and it saves a lot of time for us also.

Grainne Chose some wonderful songs for the ceremony. She walked up the aisle to the wedding classic ‘How Long will I love you’. The priest invited the couple to light the individual candle straight away so Mike kept playing whilst they did that and we ended the song after they had reached their seats. Grainne had picked ‘The Prayer’ for the individual candle but because the Priest did things a little differently we went along with what he was doing and continued with the entrance. We then included ‘The Prayer’ further on in the ceremony at communion time. This happens sometimes where the musicians need to be adaptable with the Priest or Celebrant but also make sure that songs that the couple pick get performed.

Other songs included:

Psalm – The Clouds Veil

Unity Candle – Your Song

Offertory – Warm (The Coronas)

Sign of Peace – Never Change (Picture This)

Communion – Still Falling for you, The Prayer, Beyond Rainbows End ( This was especially for Grainne’s Dad who has sadly passed away. It was a beautiful tribute. See the wonderful lyrics below.

I have gone from sight but I am waiting
Waiting just beyond the rainbow’s end
I’m happy in this place I have come too
Because I’m here with my forever friend
Now all your thoughts of me let them be joyful
Of things we’ve done & happy times we’ve shared
So don’t be sad dear ones because I’ve left you
Please laugh & talk of me as if I am there

Just look up in the sky I am the sunshine
I’m the mist that rises on the summers morn
I’m the gentle breeze that cools the autumn evening
When the bird sing in the trees I am their song
This journey I have made one day you’ll make it
You too will be with my forever friend
It’s then once more that we will be together
I’ll meet you just beyond the rainbow’s end
It’s then once more that we will be together
I’ll meet you just beyond the rainbow’s end
Yes I am waiting… just beyond the rainbow’s end.

Signing of the Register – Every time we touch, Lucky (Jason Mraz) , Feeling Good.

Exit – Your World (Declan O Rourke)

Thank you so much to Grainne and Michael for having myself and Mike provide the music for your special day. Also thank you for choosing such wonderful songs. Some of which I don’t know previous to this and am now delighted to add to my repertoire. Wishing you both a life time of happiness , love and most importantly laughter!

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Location: St John’s Church, Ballybunion, Co. Kerry

Linda and Kieran were married on Friday the 23rd of June in the beautiful St John’s church , Ballybunion. Unfortunately for me, I was sick with a chest infection but was still able to perform on the day and Linda made it so easy for me as she chose my absolute favourite wedding songs to sing.

Entrance- I’m yours ( a slow piano version) This was a wonderful song to walk up the aisle to.

Psalm- Amazing Grace. This is such a traditional, well known hymn. Perfect for weddings and it can also be sung as gaeilge.

Unity Candle – How long will I love you. A wedding classic!

Offertory – Nessun Dorma ( a slow unaccompanied version which is perfect for the offertory procession)

Communion – In the arms of an Angel, A thousand years.

Register – When we were young, All Of Me, Skinny Love, Only Love

Exit – Signed sealed delivered

At communion we only needed the first song and the signing of the register was over in a jiffy so we only needed one song here too. These two parts of the ceremony can go on for some time though but it does vary from wedding to wedding.. and of course from photographer to photographer.

I have popped some photos below and a few clips of me on the day.

Its times like this I thank my folks for years of singing lessons and training and of course, it makes me even more grateful to study voice at third level as it really has all given me the tools to be able to work through any sickness that may effect my voice. I hope Linda and Kieran had an amazing day. Thank you so so much for having me be part of it!

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Location: Ceremony in Lecanvey Church followed by reception in the Castlecourt Hotel , Westport.

June 16th is a very special day for me … my birthday. This year my birthday fell on a Friday which means I had the pleasure of working. Kelly and Martin were Married in Lecanvey Church on June 16th 2017.
Lecanvey is a short 5 minute drive outside Westport town. The landscape and scenery is absolutely stunning. Kelly and Martin are a fabulous couple who chose some wonderful songs for their ceremony.
Entrance – Should I fall behind – Bruce Springsteen
Individual Candles – She Moved through the fair
Unity Candle – The book of Love
Offertory – Ag Críost an síol
Sign of Peace – Amazing Grace
Communion – Danny Boy /Maidin I mBearra.
Register – Yellow, Here comes the sun, Everywhere
Exit – Friday I’m in love.

I was accompanied on guitar by Mike for the ceremony and then I carried on to join Kelly and Martin in the Castlecourt Hotel Westport for the pre-reception.

I love playing during the pre-reception as everyone is so much more relaxed and you can feel such love and excitement in the room. Kelly’s mum also remembered it was my birthday and kept sending other guests over to wish me a happy birthday which was so lovely. The Castlecourt is a fabulous Hotel and as usual, the pre-drinks area was set up beautifully with amazing staff on hand at all times.

Some people might not see the point of pre-reception music but when you see the mother of the Bride dancing and singing along and the little kiddies dancing in the middle of the room it just lifts the atmosphere even more.
As always, I like to introduce the couple when they arrive to the hotel and always play a livelier song when they do arrive so they are dancing their way in to greet their guests who are ready and waiting. to clap and cheer as they arrive.
For Kelly and Martin’s entrance I played ‘Marry You’ by Bruno Mars. It was a lovely moment as one of their little guests who was only about 2 or 3 came up to greet martin and started dancing.
I have popped some photos below of Kelly and Martin’s day. They are a fab couple and I thank them so much for allowing me to be part of their day, I’m sure they had an absolute ball celebrating with their family and friends in  to the early hours of the morning!

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Photographer: Elizabeth Toher Photography.

Elaine and Ian’s ceremony was held in the stunning Ballintubber Abbey.

This is one of my favourite settings in Ireland. Not only is the Abbey itself beautiful, but the staff and caretakers are always on hand for each ceremony to make sure it runs smoothly. Elaine walked up the aisle to an acoustic piano version of ‘Marry You’ by Bruno Mars.

Tears rolled down Ian’s face as he saw his bride walk up the aisle. This was one of the most emotional weddings I have performed at.

During the Communion I performed one Elaine’s favourite hymns ‘How great thou art’ and it was a joy to see her mouth the words along with me with a smile on her face.

During the unity candle lighting I performed ‘Somewhere only we know’ by Lily Allen which I could tell meant alot to the couple making this another beautiful moment.

For the signing of the register Elaine chose some beautiful classics including ‘Somewhere over the rainbow’.

For the recessional Ian and Elaine chose a piece I had never even heard before let alone sing. ‘Love shine a light’ by Katrina and the Waves. This was such a great upbeat recessional that I really enjoyed singing.

Thanks to Ian and Elaine for having me sing for their special day and for choosing such a great music program!

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Location: St Mary’s Church, Listowel, Co.Kerry

Photographer: John Kelleher

Aysa was a very organized bride. When choosing her music she was as cool as a cucumber and chose some beautiful classics and wedding favourites.

Aysa and her four bridesmaids walked up the aisle to ‘Canon in D’ by Pachelbel. This was just magical as it suited the magnificent setting of St Mary’s Church in Listowel.

For the psalm, Aysa wanted me to recommend something so I chose ‘You are mine’ by David Haas. This is a beautiful hymn  with lyrics suited for a wedding. “I will come to you in the silence, I will lift you from all your fear…”

Aysa chose Bach’s ‘Ave Maria’ for the offertory which again really suited the beautiful church. This version of Ave Maria is a personal favourite and is one of pieces that gets the most compliments and best reaction from couples and guests.

For the signing of the register Aysa and Padraig chose some modern ceremony music. If you are having a religious ceremony some Priests may be more strict on what songs they allow. Leaving the more modern pieces to the signing of the register is a good option because the religious ceremony itself is over at this point.

As Aysa and Padraig signed on the dotted line I performed Ellie Gouldings wedding favourite, ‘How long will I love You’. The happy couple then walked out with their gorgeous son Callum to an acoustic piano version of ‘Marry you’ by Bruno Mars.

Check out the video to hear Kayla singing a clip of ‘How long will I love you’ Live!

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