Marian & Manas' Sea Church Wedding: A Rainbow Confetti Love Story


Right, so you know the way some people get engaged, book a venue, and then spend two years obsessing over napkin colours? Yeah, Marian and Manas were not those people. In fact, they had the dress sorted before the proposal (manifestation at its finest), and they knew exactly what they wanted: a relaxed, warm, fun-filled day by the sea, with plenty of rainbow confetti, good food, and zero faff. And where better to do this than the charmingly atmospheric

 Sea Church Wedding venue in Ballycotton?


A Morning Preparation Without the Usual Fuss

Marian and Manas were delightfully low-maintenance on the prep front. No pre-dawn makeup squads or tense hair-styling emergencies—just the two of them rocking up, ready to get hitched, in fact Marian was still getting ready at the venue thats how laid back they were, Manas, dapper in his Huey Lam suit, awaited her arrival.

Sea Church Wedding Photos by Sarah Kate Photography

An exterior view of a stone church building with a tower and surrounding gardens.
A modern grey sign for Sea Church featuring a minimalist steeple design.
Sea church
Sea Church
A dramatic stained glass church window framed by red curtains.
A decorative tag tied with white ribbon to a dark vase on a wooden surface.
A boutonniere being pinned to a grey suit jacket.
Two guests wearing boutonnieres stand together at a wedding reception with pendant lights and warm decor.
View of an indoor wedding ceremony with orange curtains and checkered floor in an intimate venue.
Wedding ceremony in progress viewed through arched doorway with orange curtains and checkered flooring.
Hands holding photo collage of family memories and moments.
Wedding guests seated on wooden chairs during ceremony in historic venue.
Wedding ceremony taking place in vintage venue with checkered floors and wooden panels.
Blessing the ring at Sea Church Wedding Venue, Ballycotton
Wedding procession walking down aisle with beautiful floral bouquet in historic venue.

The Ceremony: Love, Laughter & Maybe a Bit of Python


The ceremony kicked off at the very reasonable hour of 11 am, with celebrant Ealish Whillock presiding over the proceedings. It was everything you’d want from a cute alternative wedding venue—heartfelt, funny, and deeply personal.


There may have been a subtle Monty Python reference slipped in somewhere, much to the delight of the guests (and yours truly). And let’s be real—any wedding that includes a subtle nod to The Holy Grail is bound to be a banger.

Confetti Chaos & Family Moments


Now, if there’s one thing Marian and Manas wanted, it was the scutting. For the uninitiated, that’s the Irish art of catching people mid-laugh, mid-chaos, and mid-Wait, what’s happening?! Their rainbow confetti moment was a particular highlight—children gleefully chucking handfuls of the stuff at the happy couple like tiny, overenthusiastic parade coordinators. Family was central to the day, with Marian’s parents and Manas’ dad getting prime spots in the photos, alongside friends who’d traveled from Canada and mainland Europe. One particularly special detail? Marian’s bangle—a family heirloom passed down from her grandmother to her mother and now worn on her wedding day.

Group photo of wedding party gathered outside historic stone church building.
Couple embracing on coastal clifftop path with wild grasses and ocean view.
Sea Church Wedding Photos by Sarah Kate Photography
Young child in floral shirt smiling against natural grass background.
Sea Church Wedding Photos by Sarah Kate Photography
Family sharing tender moment together on coastal path with ocean view.
Children playing and running together on paved path surrounded by tall grass.
Young girl in pink dress and white bow smiling beside wire fence.
Couple in casual attire smiling together on stone paved walkway with garden background.
Sea Church Wedding Photos by Sarah Kate Photography
Couple posing together on coastal path with ocean and wild grasses in background.
Sea Church Wedding Photos by Sarah Kate Photography
Fun decorations at Sea Church Wedding Venue, Ballycotton
Sea Church Wedding Photos by Sarah Kate Photography
Speeches at Sea Church Wedding Venue, Ballycotton

Apple Sponge & Spotify Playlists

Now, let’s talk about the reception, which seamlessly rolled on from the ceremony because why complicate things? The star of the culinary show? Aside from the epic food at Sea Church, Marian’s mam’s legendary apple sponge, proving yet again that Irish mammies will always outshine any artisan wedding cake designer. Music was courtesy of Spotify—because, really, when your taste is this eclectic, why leave it to a band?


Sunsets, Ballycotton Cliff Walk & Surprises (Possibly)

As the evening carried on, there was murmuring of a possible surprise during the speeches—nothing too elaborate, but with this pair, you just never know. As for photos? We had free rein to get as creative (or as wacky) as we wanted. Unfortunately the weather didnt play balls and the sunset never delivered, we were grabbing them for some breathtaking shots along Ballycotton Cliff Walk and by the Pier, some of the guests even took a boat ride out to Ballycotton Lighthouse —a dream spot for any Wedding photographer Ballycotton.

Romantic coastal scene with couple embracing by stone wall overlooking ocean.
Sea Church Wedding Photos by Sarah Kate Photography
Blue fishing boat docked at harbor with green fishing nets and orange life preservers.
Sea Church Wedding Photos by Sarah Kate Photography
Couple in formal attire standing together in windy coastal setting.
Sea Church Wedding Photos by Sarah Kate Photography
Woman wearing ornate red paisley shawl against stone wall with pink flowers.
Person in red shawl standing among garden flowers against stone wall background.
Figure in rust-colored wrap standing by coastal stone wall with flower bouquet.
Bride at Sea Church Wedding Photos by Sarah Kate Photography
Wind-swept scene with person holding bouquet by coastal wall.
Joyful moment captured on coastal clifftop with dramatic ocean backdrop.
Rocky coastline with crashing waves against rugged cliffs and ocean spray on a misty day.
Bride and groom at Sea Church Wedding Photos, Ballycotton by Sarah Kate Photography
Bride and groom at Sea Church Wedding Photos, Ballycotton by Sarah Kate Photography

Happily Ever After, With a Side of Bourdain


In the end, the day was exactly what it set out to be—full of love, laughter, and zero stress. Marian and Manas spent the day doing what they love most: adventuring (this time into marriage), eating good food, and laughing with their nearest and dearest. If we had to sum it up in a song? To The Bone by Sammy Copley, or We’re Lucky by Modest Mouse—because these two truly are.


As for their dream dinner guests—Anthony Bourdain, Amy Goodman, and Andy Warhol—well, you just know that would be an unreal evening. But until that happens, they’ve got each other, a Spotify playlist, and a lifetime of scutting ahead.


Sláinte to the happy couple and to all future DIY wedding dreamers at Sea Church Ballycotton!

To book your Ballycotton Wedding Photographer

FAQ: Getting Married at Sea Church, Ballycotton


Thinking about tying the knot at Sea Church Ballycotton? Great choice! It’s charming, atmospheric, and has the added bonus of sea views without the stress of a rogue seagull nicking your bouquet. Here’s what you need to know:


1. Can I have my whole wedding day at Sea Church?

Absolutely! You can have your ceremony, reception, and all the joyous bits in between at Sea Church. No need for guests to traipse between venues—just seamless celebrations from "I do" to "last orders, please!" Find out more here.


2. Can I get epic wedding photos near Sea Church?

Oh, 100%. Ballycotton is a Wedding photographer Ballycotton dream—sea cliffs, rolling waves, and that magical golden hour glow. We can pop down to the Ballycotton Cliff Walk for those jaw-dropping, windswept newlywed shots. No modeling experience required—just a willingness to twirl in a suit or dress!


3. Is Sea Church suitable for a DIY wedding?

Yes! If you love a bit of personal flair, Sea Church is a cute alternative wedding venue that lends itself perfectly to DIY touches—whether it’s homemade centrepieces, hand-lettered signs, or your mam’s famous apple sponge standing in for a wedding cake (10/10, highly recommended).


4. What’s the vibe like at Sea Church?

Think cosy but grand, historic but modern, and full of charm. The venue itself is a restored church with a warm, intimate feel—ideal for couples who want a relaxed but stylish setting. No cold, draughty chapel vibes here, just a place where laughter bounces off the walls and happy tears flow freely.


5. Will there be enough room for my big Irish wedding?

Sea Church is perfect for intimate to mid-sized weddings, so if you’re inviting 50 of your nearest and dearest (or 50 people you think are your nearest and dearest but will be reevaluating after the speeches), it’s just right. It’s spacious without feeling cavernous and intimate without feeling cramped—like Goldilocks’ dream wedding venue.


Need more info?

 Check out Sea Church Weddings here and start planning your Ballycotton dream day!