Brian + Brian by Under the Veil

A summer wedding was always part of the dream.

Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…

We’re both originally from Ireland — Brian O’Sullivan from the lovely village of Ballygiblin in County Cork (a true country lad!) and Brian Lucey from lively Limerick City. We’ve been calling New Zealand home for the past seven years, where we both work as doctors. Brian Lucey is a General Practitioner, and Brian O’Sullivan is almost finished with his surgical training to become a General Surgeon. Our household is proudly ruled by our gorgeous cat, Kitty Minaj — our little diva and absolute pride and joy!

We love making the most of life — whether it’s heading out for a fun night with friends, hunting down the best food spots in Auckland, or spending a lazy day at the beach. And of course, no day is complete without plenty of cuddles with our little queen, Kitty.

How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?

We first met as trainee doctors in Tralee, County Kerry, and started dating in March 2018. Honestly, it felt like love at first sight + we’ve been inseparable ever since, like two peas in a pod! We spend most of our days laughing, joking, and just having as much fun as possible together.

Our first impressions of each other were definitely along the lines of, “Who is this person, and how can I feel this way so quickly?” We were instantly drawn to each other’s humour, kindness, charm, and confidence — and, of course, we both find each other completely irresistible!

What styling and visual elements worked best for you? (could be things, the florals, particular hire products or your marquee, etc., something the stylist created or simply just the scenic beauty of your location or the existing design of your venue).

The first thing we both knew was that our wedding had to be in Ireland. As much as we adore New Zealand’s beauty, our hearts will always belong to Ireland. A summer wedding was always part of the dream. We wanted to soak up every bit of daylight, never letting the celebrations end!

With most of our family and friends living back home, it really was a no-brainer. And if you’ve ever been to an Irish wedding, you’ll know — the party doesn’t stop when the music does!

We chose Tipperary because it’s right in the heart of Ireland, surrounded by lush greenery and charm. Cashel Palace instantly stole our hearts — we’d heard such wonderful things about its timeless elegance, the sense of quiet luxury, and that perfect blend of history and warmth. The hotel stands beneath the Rock of Cashel, an iconic Irish Castle that housed the High Kings of Munster many years ago. When we visited, the team’s hospitality was beyond incredible; it felt like stepping back in time, yet still so fresh and welcoming.

Our vision was chic and elegant, but never too formal — yes, it’s a grand Palladian manor steeped in history, but also the kind of place where you just know great craic is guaranteed!

Princess Diana once stayed there…. And if it’s good enough for her, well….

We wanted our day to have a touch of old Hollywood glamour while still staying true to our Irish roots. When we came across Maria Reidy on Instagram and met her over Zoom, there was an instant connection. As fate would have it, all three of us are from the west of Ireland, so chatting with her felt effortless — we could laugh, be ourselves, and say exactly what we thought. It was so refreshing! Plus, she was great craic… which was definitely a bonus!

And when we mentioned we wanted Kitty to feature heavily ( including her meowing cameo) she didn’t even flinch! She made it happen.

The moment we came across Under the Veil, we just knew. We’d seen their gorgeous work all over social media — light, summery, effortlessly glam — and thought, alright…. let’s dance!

The biggest thing we wanted from the day was for everyone to have an absolute ball. We wanted pure fun — and judging by the photos, we definitely got it! Everyone was smiling from ear to ear. Music played a huge part in that: the Shannon Gospel Choir brought unstoppable energy, Jo Petit + The Dreamband filled the room with soul, kept the dance floor alive all night, and the Nova String Quartet added a touch of elegance while playfully paying homage to pop culture. It was the perfect mix of class, fun, and total chaos!

Our celebrant was our lifelong best friend, Susan, who brought something truly indescribable to the day. People kept asking whether this was her full-time job—and whether she had any openings coming up! Her energy, heart, and humour made the ceremony unforgettable.

In the end, it all came down to our friends and family — the real stars of the show. And we’re including all the amazing vendors and the new friends we’ve made along the way, too. Because if you have the best wedding party in the world, you’re in for one unforgettable celebration!

What did you enjoy most about the planning process, and do you have any tips for couples starting their wedding planning journey?

People always say weddings are stressful, but honestly… not for us. Even being so far away, Maria had everything down to a tee. We had weekly Zooms where we hashed out all the details — and genuinely looked forward to catching up each time!

Our advice? Have as much fun as you can during the planning process. It’s all about the journey. As long as your guests are well fed, listening to great music, and surrounded by good company, everything else will fall perfectly into place.

Tell us about your vendors. Were there any standout suppliers you would like to make special mention of?

It’s impossible to name just one — it was the marriage of all their artistry that truly brought our vision to life. From Gorilla Design, who handled the stage production and left everyone in awe, to the absolutely stunning, timeless floral arrangements by Tina McGrath of The Wild Bunch — we’re still dreaming about those urns!

Even the smaller details made a huge impact: the elegant stationery by Deirdre of Last Colour Down, and having our very own monogram, which felt incredibly special. And we used this monogram on the stationery throughout our day, and even on our website and thank you cards. Each vendor saw the brief and somehow exceeded it, creating a day that was exactly — and somehow more than — what we had imagined.

Walking down the flower-strewn aisle in the beautiful marquee, with the Nova String Quartet playing softly in the background and the Rock of Cashel in view… it honestly felt like a dream.

Having a planner, Maria Reidy Events, brought all of these elements to life and ensured a cohesive look and feel to our day. Maria and her team were always there in the background, ensuring everything was running smoothly, including setting up our first dance outside in the gardens of Cashel Palace, surrounded by candlelight.

Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, and is there a story?

We had a clear idea in mind — showy, but not too in your face. Graceful, dignified, summery… and it had to be of great quality and beautifully structured. We went for a soft ivory palette to capture those summer vibes, with pronounced silk lapels for that extra touch of polish.

John, our incredible tailor, guided us through the entire process. He knew exactly what we were after. My late grandaunt had always been my style inspiration — she shaped so many of my fashion choices — so this felt like a little nod to her, too.

John had previously worked with Tom Ford, which instantly set the tone for our vision. He led us with such expertise (and charm!) through every fitting — and there was always a glass of bubbles waiting for us on those Saturday visits.

We finished the look with slightly oversized pure silk self-tie bow ties and cummerbunds for that extra wow factor. John, we’ll forever be in your debt — you truly made us feel like old Hollywood stars.

Tell us about your wedding and engagement rings.

Would you believe it — for our engagement, we had both planned to propose to each other on the same day! To our complete surprise, we each pulled out rings at the exact same moment… tears.

Brian O’Sullivan’s ring came from Jens Hansen in Nelson — fittingly, the same jeweller behind The One Ring from The Lord of the Rings (he’s a massive fan, after all). His ring was white gold, embedded with white diamonds. Brian Lucey’s ring was sourced all the way from Bulgaria — a striking yellow gold band set with a large emerald stone.

When it came to the wedding bands, Four Words in Auckland helped us create something timeless — matching classic yellow gold bands, slightly curved and perfectly identical. Simple yet elegant.

What were one or two elements that were most important to you both that you were happy to spend a little more on? (food, photography, florals, the venue, your outfits?).

Once we had the vision nailed — the venue, florals, stationery, and all the details — the most important thing for us was simple: we wanted our guests to have the time of their lives. Luckily, with the calibre of friends and family we have, that wasn’t too difficult!

We wanted everyone to be entertained from start to finish — well fed, well watered, and surrounded by music at every moment. Being both huge music lovers, we really focused on bringing some serious tunes to the day. The Shannon Gospel Choir completely lifted the roof of the marquee — the energy was electric!

One of the most special moments came later in the evening: our first dance, held outside in the gardens at dusk. We performed a choreographed routine with Jo Petit, surrounded by candles, music drifting through the air… it was pure bliss.

Was there a favourite moment (or two) that you will treasure always?

Walking down the aisle will forever be one of our most cherished moments. The aisle was beautifully adorned with the lushest flowers, and seeing our darling Susan waiting at the top filled our hearts completely. The smiles that surrounded us, the music that floated through the air, and the love that radiated from everyone — the energy was palpable.

We also made it our mission to steal a few quiet moments for ourselves on the day, and the Guinness bar downstairs turned out to be the perfect spot. We spent fifteen precious minutes together, just the two of us, taking it all in and pinching ourselves that it was really happening.

What does being married mean to you, and are there any special rituals you have that you would like to share?

Marriage means everything to us. Throughout life, people congratulate you on all sorts of achievements — finishing college, building a career, reaching new milestones — but nothing compares to the pride we feel in our relationship. It’s our most cherished achievement. We promise to spend our lives completely besotted with one another, continuing to laugh, love, and have the most fun along the way!