Magic in Meath: Donal went for a fry and came back with a ring
Donal and Mary on their wedding day. Photography by Will O'Reilly, visit willoreilly.com
Photography by Will O'Reilly, visit willoreilly.com
Photography by Will O'Reilly, visit willoreilly.com
Photography by Will O'Reilly, visit willoreilly.com
Photography by Will O'Reilly, visit willoreilly.com
Photography by Will O'Reilly, visit willoreilly.com
Photography by Will O'Reilly, visit willoreilly.com
Photography by Will O'Reilly, visit willoreilly.com
Donal, a quantity surveyor, and Mary, a primary school teacher, met through their local GAA club while in their teens. The pair were friends for years before their relationship began in their 20s. After years together the couple bought their first home and, while in the midst of renovations, Donal got up very early one Saturday morning "to buy food for a fry up". He didn't arrive at the shop however - instead Donal went to Mary's parents' house to seek her father's blessing to propose (who he then had to rouse out of bed with a fib about a plumbing emergency). When Donal arrived back to his and Mary's home, he proposed to the love of his life - she is still waiting on that fry though!
The pair had a Catholic ceremony in St Patrick's Church in Slane, Co Meath, before holding their reception at the Millhouse, conveniently located just down the road. Mary and Donal had sought a venue that would be exclusive to them on the day and when they viewed the Millhouse, the staff and the beautiful setting sold it to them.
Donal and Mary named their tables after songs that meant something to them, and together they made the centrepieces and sweets jars for the tables. The pair also had ducks as cake toppers because of a running joke in Mary's family that Donal loves ducks.
The bridesmaids wore peach-coloured tea-length dresses from ChiChi London, while the bride found her gown at Frilly Frocks in Drogheda. Mary's unique headpiece was handmade by a friend's sister, Muire O'Hara.
Newlyweds Donal and Mary honeymooned in Salzburg and Munich for just over a week to relax and unwind after their special day.
* Words by Dee Finnerty. Photography by Will O'Reilly, visit willoreilly.com. If you would like your wedding featured here, email weddings@independent.ie
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