WHEN Séamus Breen met Arnoldo Sandoval amidst the quiet, locked-down streets of New York City in May 2020, little did they know that a three day wedding was awaiting them six years later.
Convoy native Séamus and New York born Arnoldo have built a life together in Fairfield, Connecticut with their three beloved dogs, Billie, Nora and Evee.
The newlyweds have only recently returned home after a lavish and family-centred wedding in the Mount Errigal Hotel in Letterkenny.
They got married on the 4th of July, a fitting date to coincide with Independence Day in the United States.
Their love story is truly modern as they first set eyes on each other after swiping right on Tinder.
They bonded over their shared dislike of RuPaul’s Drag Race and six years on, Séamus and Arnoldo’s relationship has blossomed with many adventures along the way.
Arnoldo proposed to Séamus at home with their pets three years ago and the rest is history.
As they now plan for an unforgettable honeymoon to Tokyo, the couple are reflecting on their whirlwind wedding journey.
Séamus told the Donegal News that coming home to Donegal to get married was a no-brainer as it was “symbolic” for him to return proud of his identity from growing up.
The couple invited almost 300 of their nearest and dearest to their wedding with guests travelling from countries including Canada, Australia, France, India, Poland, Scotland, and Georgia.
To help the international guests become familiar with their new surroundings, Séamus and Arnoldo devised a comprehensive magazine booklet for everyone attending.
The wedding not only united two people in marriage, but it also brought Irish and Mexican cultures close together.
Arnoldo is a first-generation American citizen born to Mexican parents and many of his family visited Ireland for the first time for the occasion.
“Mexican people love family and partying,” he said.
“The two families absolutely loved each other. I think the Irish guests were surprised at how similar they were.”
On the poignant occassion, the couple held close to their hearts their loved ones who have sadly passed away, including Séamus’s parents, Ann and Michael.
The wedding followed a classy black-and-white theme and the couple have praised the Mount Errigal staff and vendors for catering to their every need.
“Conor and Kiera were incredible and Bronagh was so professional,” said Séamus.
“They did everything possible to make the day special. They made everything so easy for us.
“Clara Agnew Floristry organised the flowers, we’d like to give a special mention to her.”
The celebration was defined by warmth, family roots and of course ‘craic’, a word which the couple made sure to include in their Irish guide for guests.
The heart of the weekend unfolded at the Mount Errigal Hotel, beginning with the ceremony at 3pm in the hotel’s Great Room. It was deeply personal, officiated by Gillian Kelly, a close friend of the couple, while Seamus’ niece AJ and Arnoldo’s sister Brianna delivered readings.
Following a lively, jazz-fueled cocktail hour at Lillie’s Bistro, the party moved to the Glendowan Room for dinner. Guests dined on crisp Caesar salad with roast chicken, butternut squash soup and a choice of roast sirloin of prime Irish beef or grilled fillet of seabass, before finishing with a classic, warm sticky toffee pudding.
After cutting their wedding cake, Arnoldo and Séamus took to the floor for their first dance. A night of partying ensued, soundtracked by the Bentley Boys and rounded off by a late-night live saxophonist and DJ set.
They even had Irish dancers and a tattoo parlour in the mix.
“One thing about the dancefloor is that it never stopped!” said Arnoldo.
On Sunday, the crowd headed to The White Horse Inn in Convoy for a barbeque, live music and plenty of Guinness.
The venue was sentimental as Séamus grew up in the house directly behind the pub, which was founded by his grandfather in 1945 and is run today by his brother, Willie.
On Monday, two tour buses took guests on a sightseeing journey through the rugged Donegal landscape, stopping at Glenveagh National Park, Errigal mountain and Slieve League Cliffs before closing the weekend with a final buffet at the historic Lough Eske Castle.
From a quiet Manhattan rooftop date to a beautiful Donegal wedding, Arnoldo and Séamus prove that love has no borders and that sometimes, Tinder actually works.
