Otehei Bay

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Reception

Cake cut

First dance

Evening transfer back to Paihia and Russell

Our Wedding

Our Story

Our story begins at the Birkenhead RSA. Not many people can say they met at a Friday night dance these days but technically we did. It was the last day of work for the year. Claire had just started a new Placement Coordinator job at AUT and was meeting her friend Elisabeth for a quiet drink - or so she thought. Claire arrived a little late - not at all like her, to find Elisabeth at a table with three good looking guys - including an Irish fellow called Ciaran and his landlord James. A pleasant evening followed of chatting over a few drinks (more like shouting to be heard over the loud music) and dancing to the rock 'n' roll band. It was just before Christmas and Claire was heading up to Mouturua Island in the Bay of Islands where Elisabeth would later be visiting. Meanwhile, Ciaran and James were planning a camping trip around Northland in James' campervan. Claire and Elisabeth hatched a plan and invited the two guys to visit them for a night at the island. A huge weather bomb blew up and unfortunately Ciaran and James were stuck on the island for several days. In spite of the terrible weather, the four had a great time swimming in the rain, walking around the island in the rain, playing Cluedo and enjoying Ciaran's amazing cooking with Ciaran and Claire forming a great team in the kitchen. Once back in Auckland, Claire and Ciaran didn't waste any time getting together. Ciaran enjoyed showing yet another Kiwi their own country with camping trips to his favourite spots including Sullivans Bay, Tawharanui and Kai Iwi Lakes. There was much to explore together including discovering new restaurants and markets, bush walks, dive/snorkel trips to the Poor Knights Islands and skiing at Whakapapa. Getting engaged on Christmas Eve 2024 was the best present ever and we celebrated with a trip to Sydney to visit Claire's son Alex. With Ciaran's heart issue now resolved we have been enjoying getting back into hill walking and camping and are looking forward to beginning married life together as Mr &amp; Mrs Breathnach. Thank you for celebrating our special day with us in the beautiful Bay of Islands, a place that holds many special memories for us both over the years. We greatly value your support and friendship and whether from near or far it means a lot to us that you have travelled to be here with us on our wedding day.

Photos

Wedding Party

Q & A

Q + A

Transport

Explore/Fullers ferry departures from Russell/Paihia to Otehei Bay, Urupukapuka Island are at 5 pm from Paihia and 5.10 pm from Russell. We advise getting to the wharf 15 minutes prior to departure. You do not need to purchase a ticket and will be given a wristband on boarding the ferry. The evening transfer back to Paihia/Russell departs from Otehei Bay at 11.30 pm. Find more information about Explore ferries and Otehei Bay on the Explore website: <a href="https://www.exploregroup.co.nz/bay-of-islands/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.exploregroup.co.nz/bay-of-islands/</a>

Travel

Things to do

Welcome to the beautiful and sunny (hopefully) Bay of Islands. With opportunites for boating, swimming, fishing, walking and diving, it's great place to spend a bit of time. The Bay of Islands is rich in history, with key sites including the Waitangi Treaty Grounds (where NZ's founding treaty was signed), and Kerikeri (NZ's oldest stone building - the Stone Store, historic Mission House and Haruru falls). Be sure to take a trip to historic and picturesque Russell, just a short 15 minute ferry ride from Paihia where you can visit Pompallier Mission (French Catholic mission, printery, gardens) and Flagstaff Hill. A marine wildlife hotspot, the Bay of Islands is famous for its resident bottlenose dolphins, with pods often seen alongside visiting whales (Bryde's, Pilot, Humpback), plus seals, penguins, and abundant fish life including stingrays and snapper. Islands such as Urupukapuka and Moturua are home to many species of rare and endangered birds including kiwi, saddlebacks, karkariki and dotterel, thanks to conservation projects like Project Island Song. Useful links:Project Island song: <a href="https://projectislandsong.co.nz/land-birds/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://projectislandsong.co.nz/land-birds/</a>Walks and hikes: <a href="https://www.paihiatop10.co.nz/things-to-do/bay-of-islands-activities/walks" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.paihiatop10.co.nz/things-to-do/bay-of-islands-activities/walks</a>Department of Conservation heritage sites in Northland: <a href="https://www.doc.govt.nz/our-work/heritage/by-region/northland/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.doc.govt.nz/our-work/heritage/by-region/northland/</a>Waitangi Treaty Gounds: <a href="https://www.waitangi.org.nz" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.waitangi.org.nz</a>Heritage New Zealand visit Northland: <a href="https://www.visitheritage.co.nz/visit/northland" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.visitheritage.co.nz/visit/northland</a>The 10 best Northland region sites (Tripadvisor): <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.co.nz/Attractions-g1747761-Activities-c47-Northland_Region_North_Island.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.tripadvisor.co.nz/Attractions-g1747761-Activities-c47-Northland_Region_North_Island.html</a>

Things to Do

Registry

Guide to Wedding-Appropriate Casual Attire

What to Wear to a Backyard Wedding

How to Level-Up Casual Wedding Attire

We want you to be comfortable at our wedding. The dress code is Smart Casual Attire.For MenWe suggest long- or short-sleeved shirts paired with slacks or shorts.For WomenYou already know....!Hopefully the weather will play ball and it should be warm and sunny.So be prepared and bring a hat, sunscreen...bug spray and an umbrella..!

Dress Code

Wedding Day Schedule

5.00 pm............ExploreFullers ferry departure from Paihia5.10 pm............Explore/Fullers ferry departure from Russell5.50 pm............Guests seated for ceremony6.00 pm............Ceremony begins6.30 pm............Ceremony concludes7.00/7.15 pm......Guests seated for dinner in cafe7.45 pm............Buffet served8.15 pm............Buffet closed8.20 pm............Cake cut9.00 pm............First dance11.30 pm...........Evening transfer back to Paihia and Russell

Sunday Schedule

Hole in the Rock cruise on Te Papahu ferry with an optional visit to Moturua Island for a swim/ walk/sausage sizzle. 10.30 am............Departure from Paihia10.40 am............Russell pick up11.05 am............Moturua Island pick up11.10 am............Hole in the rock cruise1.00 pm.............Moturua Island drop off for swim/walk/sausage sizzle1.15 pm..............Terminates at Otehei Bay3.30 pm..............Transfer from Moturua Island to Otehei Bay Pax (ferry) will then transfer you back to Paihia/Russell on the 1.45 pm, 4.15 pm or 5.45 pm from Otehei Bay.

Schedule

Contact us

Thank you for visiting our website. We're looking forward to seeing you on the big day. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact us by phone or email. We'd love to hear from you. Ciaran Breathnach.............ciaranb52@hotmail.com; (+64) 021 387 695Claire Jones......................claireibrown68@gmail.com; (+64) 021 234 6780

Ciaran & Claire

Ciaran & Claire

Photos