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Marin McCarthy and Rob Page from Minnesota first saw their wedding venue when they arrived in Co Clare the week before their big day at Trump International Golf Links & Hotel, Doonbeg on October 11th, 2014.
Their mothers, Cindy Page and Diane McCarthy, are friends and had come to Ireland the previous January on a mission.
“We trusted our moms and the planner Michelle McDermott, who all did an amazing job,” said Marin, who spent a year studying at DCU and has been visiting Ireland since she was eight.
She and Rob were in high school together but romance only blossomed after college when they met at a bar in Minneapolis.
Was it love at second sight? “I’m not sure about that,” said the bride, “but I did realise that night how much I enjoyed spending time with him and what an amazing person he was.” Rob proposed, after three and a half years together, during a McCarthy-Page family Thanksgiving break in North Carolina.
The four-day wedding extravaganza started with a “welcome party” – whiskey tasting, oysters, Guinness – at Trump’s Bar for the 135 guests who travelled from the US. The following evening the groom’s parents hosted a rehearsal dinner in Morrissey’s Restaurant, Doonbeg.
That sunny Saturday, Rob and Marin – in a Monique Lhuillier gown, green Burberry heels, carrying a Lily of the Valley bouquet – were married at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, Quilty. A harpist, pianist and one of the five bridesmaids, Briana, provided the music during the ceremony.
The bridesmaids were gifted with green Persol sunglasses, green shawls and J Crew jewellery, with “Doonbeg” ties and belts for the groomsmen.
According to the bride, “we were most shocked at how laid-back everything was. By having our wedding in Ireland, we were able to spend valuable time with loved ones who flew so far to be with us. At so many weddings we go to, you’re lucky to say hi to the bride and groom.”
After a champagne brunch the next day, there was a head-clearing trip to the Cliffs of Moher before the newlyweds jetted off to Nice, France for a week. “I’ll never forget the feeling of having an entire room filled with loved ones,” said Marin.
We’d love to hear your wedding story. If you’d like to share it with our readers email weddings@irishtimes.com with a photograph and a little information about your big day
