IT’S not every day you get a four-legged pooch as your ring bearer... but Orla and Colin Sammon could not exclude their precious dogs in their special day.

Orla (nee Downey) is from Cork city and Colin is from Newmarket-on-Fergus, County Clare, where they are both living now. They met on Tinder.

Orla explains: “We had matched on Tinder and got chatting. Then one day Colin opened an email from Tinder that deleted his Tinder account.”

He didn’t have Orla’s number at the time so went to his brother for help to see if he could get his app back. When that didn’t work he downloaded it again and swiped until he found her!

The couple enjoyed their first date at a Gavin James concert in the INEC in Killarney. Colin brought her back to The Kingdom to propose.

They were married on February 1, in Orla’s home church of Ballinlough, Cork, followed by a reception in the Vienna Woods Hotel.

The bride got her dress in the Moderne in Cork city. Her jewellery, Colin’s pocket watch and grooms men gifts were from Tadgh O’Flynn’s jewellers in Ennis. The suits were from Gentleman’s Quarters in Cork city. Jessica O’Sullivan did make-up while Lynsey O’Leary did hair.

Florist Tracey (Florist 4 u) did an amazing job on the flowers. Anna and Ernest (Talaga Image) were the videographers, while Laura and Benny did a great job on the photographs.

The wedding couple were joined by Orla’s parents and Colin’s mom, as well as their siblings. Unfortunately Colin’s dad passed away two years ago and in his memory they lit a special candle.

Their dogs also played a part in the special day: “We both really wanted to include our dogs in our big day. Thankfully our priest Fr O’Donovan didn’t mind us having our English bulldog Winston as our ring bearer.

“We also brought our other dog Jessie down so she could be part of our big day too. We both love dogs and couldn’t have not included them on our wedding day. They were very well behaved and we got some gorgeous pictures with them that we’ll have forever.”

The reception was hosted in the Vienna Woods Hotel, who the couple said were amazing. Route 66 were the band and the dance floor was full all night long. Their first dance was Nervous by Gavin James.

As to the highlight of the day?

“It’s hard to pick one. Winston walking up the aisle with the rings was probably something I’ll never forget. Both of our grandmothers were able to watch the ceremony online as they were unable to travel for the day.”