Wedding Day

Virginia Park Lodge

Ceremony

Cocktail Hour

Reception

After Party

Day 2 Party

Our Wedding

The Chair That Started It all ...

It had all the makings of a small town love story. Elena worked summers at Jake’s Seafood in Hull during college, right across the street from where Brian grew up. They even overlapped at Emmanuel College for a semester without ever meeting, which could have been fate or just two people who weren’t paying much attention.

They finally met at a friend’s graduation party in the summer of 2014, although whether Brian was actually invited is still up for debate.

After a night of talking, Elena fell for Brian… literally. Leaning back in a lawn chair, laughing and ignoring Brian’s warning to be careful, she suddenly went straight to the ground when the chair collapsed. Brian offered a hand up, trying not to look too pleased with himself, while Elena made it very clear what she thought of his warning. Somehow, that was the start of everything.

A few years later, Elena moved to Dublin for her master’s, and Brian started spending more and more time there. With Elena’s family in Ireland, visits naturally turned into family gatherings, nights out with friends, and plenty of pints. Before long, Ireland started to feel like a second home, not just for Elena, but for both of them.

By fall 2025, Brian decided it was time to pop the question. He picked Scituate Lighthouse, one of their favorite spots. In true Brian and Elena fashion, a major storm rolled in that day. But through the rain and the wind, Elena said yes.

Getting married in Ireland feels like a full circle moment. Together, they can’t wait to celebrate with their family and friends in a place that has become such a special part of their story. Hopefully, this time with sturdier chairs.

Our Story

Photos

Wedding Party

Dress Code

Flying to Ireland ✈️For guests traveling from the United States, the most convenient airport is Dublin Airport (DUB). It is Ireland’s largest international airport and offers many direct flights from major US cities.

Getting to Virginia Park from Dublin Airport

Rental Car 🚗Drive time: ~50 minutesThe drive is straightforward via the M3/N3. Rental car desks are located in the Arrivals areas of both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Most cars in Ireland are manual, so if you’d prefer an automatic, be sure to request one when booking.

Taxi 🚕Travel time: ~1 hourFollow the “Taxis” signs after you exit the arrivals area. Taxi ranks are located directly outside the Arrivals exits at both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.

Getting to Virginia Park from Dublin City Center

Rental Car 🚙Drive time: ~1 hourRoute via the M3/N3 heading toward Cavan.

Taxi 🚕Travel time: ~1 hourPointer: If calling a taxi from Dublin city center, we recommend using the Free Now app. Ireland also has Uber, but it is not as widely used as in the States, so availability may be more limited.

Public Transportation 🚌Travel time: ~2 hoursTake Bus Éireann Route 109X from Dublin city centre to Virginia, then take a short taxi ride (5–10 minutes) from Virginia town to Virginia Park Lodge.

Travel

Virginia Park Lodge offers a range of accommodations. Options include rooms in the Main House, Courtyard Cottages, Shepherd’s Huts, and Woodland Cabins.

We’ll share more information about on-site accommodation options by mid- to late November, along with details on nearby options. Please check back here then!

Accommodation

Some of our Dublin Favorites 

Landmarks & History

Trinity College Dublin: Take a wander around the beautiful grounds of Ireland’s oldest university and visit the Book of Kells while you’re there.Dublin Castle: Right in the heart of the city, Dublin Castle is a lovely place to explore some of Dublin’s history and architecture.Kilmainham Gaol: A fascinating and moving insight into Ireland’s history and its journey towards independence.Guinness Storehouse: Fun one for Guinness lovers, with a tour of the brewery’s history and a pint with some of the best views over Dublin from the Gravity Bar.Jameson Distillery: Head to Smithfield for a guided tour and tasting at the home of Jameson, with plenty of history and a little whiskey along the way.St. Stephen’s Green: A lovely spot for a walk or coffee in the middle of the city, just a short stroll from Grafton Street.Grafton Street: One of Dublin’s best known streets for shopping, cafes, restaurants and a bit of people watching.National Gallery of Ireland: Great option for a quieter afternoon, with an impressive collection of Irish and European art.Phoenix Park: One of the largest enclosed public parks in Europe, great for a walk or bike ride. It’s also home to Dublin Zoo, making it a great option if you’re visiting with children.

Pubs We Love

Toners: Great outdoor courtyard and relaxed atmosphere.Walsh’s: A Stoneybatter local that quickly became one of our go-to neighborhood spots for a pint.O’Donoghue’s: Live Irish music, an outdoor area and plenty of atmosphere. It's been our post Dublin Marathon spot for the last couple of years.John Kehoe’s: Tucked just off Grafton Street.The Old Spot: Cozy gastro-pub in Ballsbridge with great food.Grogan's: Very central, casual and always a good shout.Gravediggers: A proper old Dublin pub beside Glasnevin Cemetery, known for its Guinness and traditional pub food.The Hairy Lemon: A quirky pub on Stephen Street Lower with loads of character and a lively atmosphere.

Places to Eat & Drink

The Pepper Pot: Tucked inside Powerscourt Townhouse, a lovely spot for coffee, lunch, and their homemade cakes.Avoca: Always a good stop for coffee or something to eat, with a great bakery and plenty to browse while you’re there.Sprout &amp; Co: Salad spot with locations across the city, perfect for a quick healthy bite!Bread 41: Great spot for fresh bread and pastries.Kaph: Small coffee spot just off Grafton Street. Clement &amp; Pekoe: Cozy spot for really good coffee and tea, tucked away on Essex Street.Two Boys Brew: Great for a relaxed brunch, with great coffee and a lovely menu.Belfes: In the Westbury Hotel, and a good option for brunch, dinner or a drink.The Schoolhouse: An old schoolhouse by the canal, with a relaxed bar and restaurant.Pickle: Indian restaurant on Camden Street. So so good!Kerala Kitchen: Another great Indian spot on Lower Baggot Street.Dunne &amp; Crescenzi: A little taste of Italy in the city, with great food, wine and a lovely atmosphere.Winding Stair: Dublin favorite overlooking the Ha’penny Bridge and the Liffey.Bunsen: Great burger spot.Fish Shop: Located in Smithfield. Definitely one for fish lovers.Uno Mas: Spanish inspired restaurant on Aungier Street, with a great menu and a lovely atmosphere. Booking ahead is a good idea.Pichet: Lovely French-style bistro on Trinity Street. Great for a nice dinner without feeling overly formal.Murphy’s Ice Cream: Must try on Wicklow street. Trust us!

Shopping

Grafton Street: Dublin’s main shopping street, with a mix of familiar favorites, Irish brands, and plenty of street performers along the way.Brown Thomas: Dublin’s iconic department store on Grafton Street, with designer fashion, beauty, homeware and more.Kilkenny Design: Great place to pick up beautifully made Irish gifts, homeware and crafts.Powerscourt Townhouse: A lovely place to wander around, with independent boutiques, Irish designers, and cafes.Irish Design Shop: A favorite for contemporary Irish design, with beautifully made jewelry, ceramics, prints, homeware and gifts.Industry &amp; Co: A beautifully curated shop on Drury Street with a mix of Irish and international design, homeware and gifts.Jam Art Factory: A great spot for contemporary Irish art, prints and gifts, with work from a range of Irish artists and designers.George’s Street Arcade: Worth a wander for its mix of independent shops, vintage finds, jewelry, art and little treasures.

Trips from Dublin

Howth: A lovely seaside escape just outside the city. Walk along the cliffs, wander around the harbor, and stop for some fresh seafood before heading back into Dublin. It’s around 30–40 minutes from the city centre by DART.Bray to Greystones Cliff Walk: One of our favourite coastal walks, with beautiful views over the Irish Sea. Take the DART to Bray, walk along the coast to Greystones, and get the train back from there. And don’t forget to grab a 99 when you’re there!Galway: If you have a few days to spare, head west to Galway. Spend some time wandering around the city, enjoying the pubs, restaurants and traditional music, and take a trip out to the Cliffs of Moher while you’re there. It’s around 2 to 2.5 hours from Dublin by train.Kilkenny: A beautiful medieval city that’s easy to explore on foot, with a lovely castle, small shops, pubs and restaurants. Around 1.5 hours from Dublin by train.Wicklow &amp; Glendalough: A beautiful escape into the Wicklow Mountains, with stunning scenery, walking trails and the historic monastic site at Glendalough.Kildare: A good option for a relaxed day outside Dublin, with the beautiful Japanese Gardens, Kildare Village for shopping, and plenty of countryside to explore.County Kerry: If you have a few extra days, we really recommend making the trip down to Kerry. We spent some time there a couple of summers back, including a trip out to Dingle, and couldn’t recommend it enough.

Things to do in Cavan 

Virginia Golf Course: A nine-hole course on the grounds of Virginia Park Lodge, offering beautiful views across Lough Ramor and the surrounding estate.Deerpark Forest: Beautiful woodland walks right on the lodge’s doorstep, with trails winding through the historic grounds and alongside Lough Ramor.Ramor Watersports Club: Located on Lough Ramor, the club offers a range of watersports including sailing and waterskiing for those looking to get out on the water.Clay Pigeon Shooting: Try your hand at clay pigeon shooting on the estate, available to arrange during your stay.More to Come...

Elena & Brian

Elena & Brian

Accommodation