photo by Kirsten Getchell

For Shannon McMahon Lichte, writing Irish Wedding Traditions was a labor of love. As a newly engaged bride-to-be, McMahon Lichte went looking for a book about Irish Wedding customs. Her exhaustive search ended at The Irish Book Shop in New York City, where an exasperated saleswoman exclaimed: Ah no, Ah no...nothing Dear. We get three wee brides a week looking for a book on Irish wedding customs and I wish you’d write one! McMahon Lichte began gathering the many customs which are included in Irish Wedding Traditions. A six week honeymoon in Ireland is where she found many of the Irish traditions and charming wedding stories that make up the book. This is McMahon Lichte’s first foray into non-fiction book writing. Previously, she has worked at a variety of jobs in entertainment business; including writing, producing films and directing in the theater. As a writer, McMahon Lichte has written two original screenplays, NEW HARMONY, a wedding movie; and SPY BABY and action comedy. With screenwriter Steve Rogers, (HOPE FLOATS, EARTHLY POSSESSIONS), she was hired to rewrite his original screenplay KATE AND LEOPOLD for Miramax films. McMahon Lichte had a two year stint at Fortis Films, Sandra Bullock’s production company. While at Fortis, McMahon Lichte was the associate producer on the film MAKING SANDWICHES; Ms. Bullock’s writing/directing debut. Other duties at Fortis Films included story analysis and research for Bullock’s film IN LOVE AND WAR; as well as working as a speech writer for Bullock’s public appearances and providing coverage for screenplays and novels submitted to the company. Previous to Fortis Films, McMahon Lichte was the assistant to film director Phil Joanou, working with him on the film FINAL ANALYSIS and the television series WILD PALMS She also worked at the William Morris Agency as the assistant to literary agent Bobbi Thompson. McMahon Lichte began her career as an actress and theatre director. She has appeared in films, television and on the New York stage. She is a founding member of the Red Earth Ensemble Theatre Company and is a graduate of the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre. She lives in New York and Los Angeles with her husband, theater director Richard Lichte.