Wedding of the Week: An Easter proposal

THERE was a special New Year’s wedding celebration for this couple, who got engaged last Easter.

Claire Fennell and Darren Roche live in Grange, Fermoy, where he hails from. Claire is from Dungarvan, County Waterford.

The couple met in the queue for Voodoo Rooms in Cork in October, 2013. They bumped into each other later on in the nightclub and exchanged numbers.

Claire said: “We got engaged last Easter (April 23, 2019) at home. Cathal, our little boy who was only a year and a half at the time, helped his dad bring me the ring. It was just us, at home together, it was lovely.

“We got married in the Sacred Heart Church, Western Road, Cork, on New Year’s Eve, 2019.

“I had two wedding dresses — a long, traditional style dress for the ceremony and a shorter one for dancing later in the evening. Both dresses and my veil were bought in The Moderne, Cork. Alterations were by Maya O’Brien Alterations, Cork.

Hair was by Hairsyles By Dana, Cork. Make-up was done by Leon Sheehan, Kinsale, Cork.

Suits were from Morley’s, Grand Parade, Cork.

Joining them on the special day were Darren’s family, dad (Pat), mum (Margaret), brothers (Devon and John), Best friend (Seán McCarthy) and the bride and groom’s little boy, Cathal.

While Claire’s family included dad (Ed), mam (Geraldine), and sisters (Aoife, Ruth and Anna). Also present was her Gran (Mary, aged 85) who looked amazing on the day.

“All of my sisters were in Australia during the year when we got engaged and it was wonderful to have them all at home for Christmas and in the run up to the wedding, and for the day itself.”

Fr Terry O’ Brien (MSC) officiated at the ceremony in The Sacred Heart Church, Western Road.

They had their wedding reception at The Kinsale Hotel & Spa and were full of praise for the venue: “Everything was perfect for us. We couldn’t recommend it highly enough.”

Flowers were from Darling Buds, the car was from East Cork Wedding Cars, cake was from Cata’s Cakes, Dungarvan, Co Waterford, while the band was the amazing Love Bugs. The couple’s first song was Van Morrisson, Have I Told You Lately”.

The videographer and DJ was Anthony Fleming and the photographer was Dermot O’Sullivan.

The couple had huge firecracker balloons at midnight from Red Balloon, Ballincollig, to ring in the new year.

* We are seeking Cork couples to feature in our Wedding of the Week. Email elaine.duggan@theecho.ie