A celebrity wedding in Ireland, an officiant famous around the world, and a Celtic guitar ceremony in a stunning wedding venue in the heart of the Boyne Valley. Here's how live music came together with Jason Sudeikis to create one of the most memorable wedding ceremonies I've ever been part of.
A Ted Lasso Wedding at Boyne Hill House
On 20th September 2025, Ted Lasso co-creator and star Brendan Hunt, known to millions as Coach Beard, married actress Shannon Nelson at Boyne Hill House in County Meath. Officiating the wedding ceremony was none other than Jason Sudeikis, Ted Lasso himself, and much of the cast of the hit Apple TV series was among the guests.
I had the privilege of being the ceremony guitarist for Brendan and Shannon's wedding day. Some ceremonies are beautiful, some are moving, and some are genuinely funny. This one was all three, and it remains one of the most unique and memorable ceremonies imaginable.
Boyne Hill House: The Perfect Setting for a Destination Wedding in Ireland
For a transatlantic celebration like this one, the venue has to do a lot of heavy lifting. Boyne Hill House Estate is set in 38 acres of parkland, about 35 minutes from Dublin, which makes it an easy destination wedding in Ireland for guests flying in from abroad while still feeling wonderfully removed from everyday life.
The estate combines historic charm with modern amenities. At its heart is the main house, a beautifully renovated manor house full of period glamour, tastefully decorated to complement its original Georgian features. Boyne Hill House offers complete private access to the entire estate for weddings, so the couple and their guests have the venue to themselves for the duration of the celebrations. For a high-profile wedding like Brendan and Shannon's, that kind of privacy matters.
The Wedding Ceremony: Celtic Guitar and Live Vocals
Brendan and Shannon chose a civil ceremony at Boyne Hill House, and the music was a core part of how the ceremony was shaped.
The ceremony featured a combination of live instrumental Celtic guitar arrangements and vocal performances from guest singers from the Ted Lasso cast. The Celtic guitar arrangements in particular brought a real sense of place and occasion to the day. For a couple and a guest list largely arriving from the other side of the Atlantic, the music helped ground the whole celebration in the natural beauty of the Irish countryside.
That's what I love about Celtic guitar at weddings in Ireland: it doesn't just sound beautiful, it tells everyone exactly where they are. Paired with live vocals from friends of the couple, it made the ceremony feel both deeply personal and unmistakably Irish.
Working Side by Side with Jason Sudeikis
A ceremony that combines live instrumental music, guest singers and an officiant who is also one of the best-known comedic actors in the world doesn't just happen. Jason Sudeikis and I worked closely together throughout the ceremony, coordinating every musical moment so it landed perfectly alongside the proceedings.
Jason's officiating was brilliant, heartfelt and hilarious in equal measure. Knowing when to let a laugh breathe, when to bring the music in, and when to hold back for a quiet moment was central to the success of the ceremony. Working with him side by side, we were able to create a seamless flow from start to finish, and I think the photo of the two of us together on the day captures something of the warmth and camaraderie that made the whole experience so special.
What Made Brendan and Shannon's Wedding Day So Special
A world-famous cast, an iconic officiant, a stunning Irish country house and a musical programme that combined the warmth of Celtic guitar with live vocal performances: all of it came together into something genuinely extraordinary.
But what stays with me most isn't the celebrity side of the day. It's how relaxed, joyful and real it felt. Guests were encouraged to wear bright colours and bold patterns, the laughter flowed freely, and underneath it all was a couple surrounded by people who clearly adore them. As a luxury wedding guitarist in Ireland, I play at many beautiful weddings, but this one was truly one of a kind.
A huge thank you also to Tiger Lily Entertainment and Infusion Weddings, who were part of the team making the big day happen.
Romantic Settings for a Boyne Hill House Wedding Ceremony
Boyne Hill House offers multiple ceremony options, with both outdoor and indoor spaces licensed for civil ceremonies.
The Secret Garden: a Victorian walled garden suitable for outdoor ceremonies, complete with a waterfall and scenic bridge. It's a picturesque backdrop for a magical ceremony surrounded by greenery.
The Conservatory: with exposed stone walls and fairy lights, the Conservatory has a romantic, intimate atmosphere and is connected to the Manor House by a secret tunnel.
Indoor ceremony spaces: for couples who want a weather-proof option without losing any of the character of the house.
Inside the Manor House: A Luxurious Retreat for the Bridal Party
The Manor House is a luxurious retreat and relaxing space for the bridal party and the wider wedding party. It includes eight bedroom suites, a bridal suite, a bridal beauty room, a sitting room, a dining room, and a bar and games room.
The bridal beauty room is the perfect space for getting ready on the morning of the wedding, while the sitting room and dining room keep the warmth and elegance of a classic country house. There's also a cinema room on the estate, which makes it easy for guests of all ages to find their own corner during a wedding weekend.
Drinks Reception and Bars: Rustic Charm and Period Glamour
Boyne Hill House has some of the most characterful bars of any wedding venue in Ireland:
The Gunroom Bar is the perfect space for an intimate celebration or a stylish drinks reception to welcome guests.
The Blushing Groom Bar has the rustic charm of a traditional Irish country bar, with exposed stone-cut walls, and is where the celebrations typically continue with music and dancing after dinner.
Between the stone-cut buildings, the picturesque courtyard and the period glamour of the main house, the whole estate gives guests plenty to explore between the ceremony and the wedding meal.
Culinary Delights: The Wedding Dinner at Boyne Hill House
The Boyne View Banqueting Suite accommodates up to 170 guests. Styled with crisp white linen, Chiavari chairs, natural tones and white fabric draping, it creates an elegant setting for the wedding dinner.
Food is a real strength of the estate. The chefs use seasonal produce sourced locally, and couples can work with the in-house planner to customise their wedding menu, including a five-course meal. A pre-wedding food and wine tasting experience is also offered, so couples can be confident in every course before the big day.
Guest Accommodation, Wellness and Accessibility
Boyne Hill House is well suited to turning a wedding into a full weekend:
There are 43 guest bedrooms across the estate, including the bedroom suites in the Manor House and rooms in the courtyard mews.
Wellness amenities include a Woodland Soak & Sauna, a lovely way for guests to unwind the day after the wedding.
Accessibility features include wheelchair lifts and accessible ground-floor rooms.
The grounds also offer diverse photo opportunities, from the extensive gardens and Victorian walled garden to the parkland surrounding the house, making it easy to capture beautiful wedding photographs throughout the day.
Planning Your Boyne Hill House Wedding
Boyne Hill House offers dedicated wedding coordinators who help couples plan every detail, from the ceremony to the final dance. A team that goes the extra mile makes a real difference, especially for destination weddings where couples plan from abroad.
The best way to experience the house estate is in person. Boyne Hill House offers private viewings for couples to explore the venue, as well as wedding showcases with refreshments and tours that help couples visualise their wedding there. Booking a showcase visit in advance is recommended.
If you'd like to read about another real wedding at this venue, take a look at my previous Boyne Hill House wedding story on the blog.
Live Music for Your Wedding Ceremony in Ireland
If you're planning a wedding at Boyne Hill House, or a destination wedding anywhere in Ireland, and want ceremony music that feels personal, Irish and perfectly timed, I'd love to hear about your plans. Whether you're dreaming of Celtic guitar arrangements, a ceremony with live vocals from friends and family, or close coordination with your officiant so every musical moment lands just right, I'll help you shape a ceremony your guests will remember.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did Brendan Hunt and Shannon Nelson get married?
Brendan Hunt and Shannon Nelson married at Boyne Hill House in County Meath, Ireland, on 20th September 2025.
Who officiated Brendan Hunt's wedding?
His Ted Lasso co-star Jason Sudeikis officiated the ceremony.
Where is Boyne Hill House?
Boyne Hill House Estate is in County Meath, about 35 minutes from Dublin, set in 38 acres of parkland.
How many guests can Boyne Hill House accommodate?
The Boyne View Banqueting Suite accommodates up to 170 guests, and there are 43 guest bedrooms on the estate.
Can you have an outdoor ceremony at Boyne Hill House?
Yes. The Secret Garden, a Victorian walled garden with a waterfall and bridge, is suitable for outdoor ceremonies, and there are also licensed indoor ceremony spaces.
What kind of music works best for a wedding ceremony in Ireland?
Celtic guitar arrangements are a beautiful choice for an Irish wedding ceremony, especially for destination weddings, because they give the day a real sense of place. They can be combined with live vocals or contemporary pieces to make the ceremony feel personal to the couple.
