Wedding of the Week: Best friends and soulmates met while working at University College Cork

BEST friends and soulmates Áine Reilly and Mark O Flynn, who recently married, initially met through work, at UCC.

Áine is from Ballincollig while Mark is from Turners Cross. Recalling how they got together, the bride said: “We had been on a work night out and we ended up texting a few times after that, not realising that there was a spark. We planned to meet up a few times but it never happened. But the texts kept on going.

“Another night out and we shared a kiss, a very nervous kiss, and things led from there - more dates and laughter.”

This week the couple feature in our Wedding of the Week.

Mark had planned on proposing at a family get-together – a meal had been booked, flowers and prosecco bought. But when he went to collect the engagement ring, it wasn’t ready.

So, two weeks later, they had a Sunday lunch at home with family instead – all finished off by Mark proposing while loading the dishwasher! There were family hugs, phone calls and videos to tell everyone the good news.

They had a civil ceremony, followed by wedding reception at the Oriel House Hotel, Ballincollig. They fell in love with the venue at a wedding fair. Áine said: “The smiles and warmth we felt that day... we were so happy with everything.”

They were married on August 25, 2023, in sunny 18 degrees heat.

The bride wore a dress she found in TK Maxx: “It caught my eye and little did I know that was the one.”

There was live music throughout the meal by Conor O’Shea/The Lounge Man, and by dessert everyone was on their feet. The band for the evening were J90, and gave an amazing performance.

The couple had two first dances, so to speak. One with The Lounge Man - That’s Amore, Mark’s dad’s Michael’s favourite song. Everyone had the napkins twirling. The second dance was to J90’s rendition of Thinking Out Loud.

As to the highlights from the day?

Áine said: “It was entering the room and the emotions that went through me that I was so happy, happiness I had not felt before and the love for my husband-to-be.”

Mark added: “For me it was hearing a guest say ‘Wow’ when the doors opened, and then seeing Áine walking up the isle with her mom and dad Mr and Mrs Reilly was very emotional and I was the happiest man on the planet at that time.”

For their honeymoon, they are planning on going to New York with their kids Sarah and Peter, seeing all the tourist sites, and then going on a cruise from Orlando for six nights.