Liam and Marisa both grew up in Virginia. After college graduation, one of their mutual friends (unknown to them) stirred up a plan to set them up. Liam and Marisa planned to meet but Marisa was remorsfully three hours late due to a longer than anticipated hair appointment. However, Liam’s patience paid off as the sparks flew, eventually leading to a love story culminating in a beautiful destination wedding in Ireland.

Widely known as a university town, Maynooth is set in the north of County Kildare, just west of Dublin. Not unlike many rural towns in Ireland, Maynooth is home to a number of historic properties ranging from museums to castles and storied choir chapels with lofted ceilings. Among these properties is Carton House, which came under the management of Fairmont in 2021. Once a place for Irish royalty, Carton House became the setting where Marisa and Liam would feel nothing less than regal on the day of their destination wedding in Ireland. 

“When we decided we wanted to get married in Ireland, Liam went straight to Carton House,” Marisa says. In fact, Liam has family in Maynooth, making the venue and location an even better fit. 

However, the couple hoped to have a traditional Catholic ceremony, leading them to the nearby St.Mary’s Cathedral. Luckily, it sat just an eight-minute drive away from Carton House. 

With the venues selected, Liam and Marisa’s focus shifted to hiring a planner who could help them figure out the major details. Luckily, Tara of Tara Fay Events came onto the scene and took a huge weight off the coupe’s shoulders.

As a result, the couple shifted to planning the sentimental elements like welcome bags and fun factors like fashion! Marisa worked to curate a welcome tote with a drawing of Carton House on the bag filled with lots of Irish treats including Crisps (potato chips) and chocolate. The couple also included little cookies made with an image of their dog, Guinness, on them. “My dress was Justin Alexander and I found it at Elegance by Roya in Tysons, Virginia,” Marisa says. “It was the first shop and the first dress I tried on!” Bridal party dresses from Amsale offered a subtle presence so as not to take away from the destination and scenery of Carton House. The men wore black tuxes with custom tartan pants from Indochino to complete the look.

On the wedding day, everyone entered through the church archway adorned with a grand floral structure. Although the ceremony was everything the couple envisioned and more, Marisa admits her favorite moment of the day was the after-party. “All formalities were done and everyone had so much fun and was able to enjoy themselves to the fullest,” the bride says. 

Thinking back on the event as a whole, Marisa and Liam are happy to have included tributes to their destination along the way, in their stationery suite, featured drink (Guinness, of course), and entertainment with drummers and a saxophonist. The entire event culminated in a farewell day exploring Dublin, sightseeing, shopping and partying in an Irish pub!

Vendors: Photography: Story of Eve; Planner: Tara Fay Events; Stationery: Aimee Willow Designs; Ceremony Venue: St Mary’s Cathedral; Reception Venue: Carton House; Hair: David Cashman; Makeup: Christine Lucignano; Florals: Mark of The Garden; Music: Carly Coonagh; DJ: Gordon Johnson; Cake: Clare Anne Taylor; Shoes: Gucci; Dress: Justin Alexander; Wedding PR: Bridal Bar