Why have one wedding, when you can have two?
We came across Maire and Martin when a passersby videoed them walking the streets of Cork in Ireland! We just had to share their stunning wedding days – yes DAYS with you!
How did he pop the big question?
We got engaged last year in Lake Tahoe in California. We were out kayaking on the lake and when we pulled up the kayaks, I went for a short walk. When I came back, Martin had secretly buried rings in the sand. I had no idea he was planning it and was so shocked. Turns out he was carrying the rings all week and looking for the perfect opportunity to propose!
When and where did you get married?
We were supposed to get married in May, in Malta. Unfortunately, we had to cancel our big wedding due to the 2020 pandemic. As I work as a nurse, I ended up working on my original wedding day and had chocolate and crisps with the girls in the staff room as my wedding lunch!
We took it in our stride though and decided if we were to do something this year, it would be very low key due to the uncertainty of the current situation. We eloped one Monday in October to the registry office and did the legal end with just the two of us.
We were lucky then to have a small wedding ceremony days later in the Hayfield Manor in Cork where I got to wear my original dress. The Manor is an outstanding hotel and they couldn’t do enough for us.
How many guests did you have?
20 altogether in keeping with coronavirus restrictions in Ireland. Mostly immediate family and it was so intimate and beautiful.
What was your theme?
For our Monday elopement, we decided to keep it vintage and fun. A 1950s vintage feel. I have always loved looking at photos of the simple weddings my grandparents used to have years ago, and I feel the pandemic has taught us to enjoy the little things more. I want my grandkids to look back on our wedding photos and feel the same way I felt about my grandparents’ photos. Bring it back to the basics.
Saying yes to the dress…
My wedding dress I wore on Wednesday was coincidentally by the same designer my Mam had for her wedding 40years ago-Pronovias. It was my something old, something new! I loved it and loved the train. My vintage dress and accessories for the Monday were all purchased off light in the box and I only ordered them a month before my wedding. Very last minute, but I loved them so much.
The finishing touches…
I wanted comfortable shoes that had a vintage feel to them and the Rainbow Club ‘Blake’ shoes were exactly what I was looking for. I wore them all day on Monday around the city and normally my feet would hurt after heels but they were so comfortable. My bridal accessories on Wednesday were by a fabulous accessory company in Ireland called Rosie and Dott.
I purchased my shoes from a bridal shop called The Moderne, in Cork City.
What was the best part of the day?
Cheesy as it sounds, getting married to the love of my life. After all the ups and downs of the year, we came to the conclusion that it’s just about the two of us and anything extra that happens is a bonus. Also, I never dreamed I’d have two entirely separate days! We were happy just to have the simple Monday and really didn’t think at one point our ceremony day would go ahead with our loved ones too because of the current situation. That was such a bonus!
What’s your advice for brides to be?
Forget about all the fuss and stress and just focus on what really matters to you with your wedding. Bring it back to the two of you because at the end of the day, what matters is investing in the marriage, not the wedding. Accept that things will go wrong and just laugh it off because it’s all part of the story.
Words from Maire…
Planning a pandemic wedding is crazy stressful but it’s achievable and even with ups and downs and cancellations, you will get there. It will still be so beautiful.
Suppliers:
Photographer: Shane O Sullivan ‘sosac photography’
Venue: Hayfield Manor, Cork
Elopement Wedding Dress: Light In The Box
Manor House Wedding Dress: Aibheil in Adare, Limerick
Shoes: Blake by Rainbow Club
Shoe Shop: The Moderne
Bridesmaids dresses: Folkster
Accessories: Rosie and Dott
Flowers: Bloomsday Flowers
Cake: Baker Boy Cakes
Celebrant: Kathy Bradley ‘I do Marry u’
Entertainment: Magician Ger Kearney
Singing Chef: John Frawley
Hair: Aisling Kelleher
MUA: Makeup by Lola
