Photographs courtesy of SOSAC Photography
Catching each other’s eyes from across the dancefloor in Dublin City, New Yorker Ruben Armando and Kilkenny native Felix Sheridan had experienced a ‘love at first sight’ encounter. New Yorker Ruben was in Ireland’s vibrant capital for just three days and Felix gladly offered to spend their first date showing him the sights before heading back to the Big Apple. It was obvious there was a connection between them the boys decided to do long-distance between New York and Ireland before Felix made the move to America.
Ruben decided to pop the questions when the boys were back in Dublin where they first met and proposed to Felix at the beautiful St. Stephens Green in the city centre, and spent the day celebrating with close family and friends. With the proposal celebrations setting the tone for the beautiful wedding that was to be planned, deciding on Ireland as the destination for their big day was not a difficult decision for them, as Ireland’s ‘Yes’ vote in the Same Sex Marriage Referendum in 2015 made them feel accepted and loved on our beautiful island.
“We really wanted to marry in a place where the entire population voted in favor of equal rights and it wasn’t handed down by the courts. Plus, we wanted the fairy-tale. A reception in a castle. A ceremony in a church with beautiful stained glass. A wedding that would be a reflection us and our stories”, Ruben shared.
Finding the perfect venue for their fairy tale day proved to be easier than expected when Felix’s mom recommended Castlemartyr Resort in Co. Cork.
“As soon as we arrived on the grounds, we were in love. It was secluded and felt magical as you drove through the iron gates, it housed castle ruins and most importantly had a ballroom that was modern and had beautiful big windows with views of the Irish countryside. Felix and I have stayed at five-star resorts around the world and Castlemartyr beat them all by a mile. The resort is beautiful, but not stuffy and uptight. It really does feel like you’re a guest at someone’s country estate. We knew our guests would appreciate the attention to detail discerning travellers expect.”
castlemartyrresort.ie
With their luxurious castle secured for the reception, the grooms found the perfect ceremony venue for their nuptials to complete their modern fairy-tale day. The Triskel Christchurch, a former church renovated into an events venue, was their dream setting for the ceremony. “It was everything we wanted. A beautiful church feel with red velvet pews and double height stained glass windows”, Ruben said.
On July 21, 2017 Felix and Ruben’s dream Irish wedding took place and the pair become husbands amongst their nearest and dearest in one of the most beautiful parts of the country. The grooms shared a meaningful ceremony filled with elements of their personalities and cultures, featuring readings in Spanish as a nod to Ruben’s Mexican ancestry and Celtic hand fasting to acknowledge Felix’s homeplace and its history. After saying ‘I do’, delightful celebrations began at Castlemartyr in a day that Felix and Ruben will never forget thanks to the service they received at the resort.
“Our wedding at Castlemartyr exceeded all of our expectations. Often, the goal of a venue on the couple’s wedding day is to make the couple feel like royalty. The difference at Castlemartyr is that every guest also felt like royalty. And, we’re not the only ones that think that, our guests regularly ask if we can do it all again!”, Ruben said.
It’s true what everyone says about the authentic Irish hospitality. Everyone was so incredibly welcoming to all the people who travelled from around the world and that’s a kindness that you can’t replicate or fake. Plus, no request from this high maintenance New Yorker was too big!
RUBEN
