Wedding of the Week: A surprise proposal and a day to remember...

GOING to the chapel was a short walk for bride-to-be Emma Foolkes on the morning of her wedding - as her mum lives just around the corner.

Emma, from Clarkes Road, Ballyphehane, married Timmy O’Shea, from Glasheen, on August 26 at the Church of the Assumption.

Emma works for Pepsi and Timmy works with the family business, Premet Fabrications. They live with their two boys, Lenny and Louis, in Lehenaghbeg.

They first met on a night out, when Timmy’s sister introduced them. The bride recalled: “We started talking and the rest is history!”

Timmy had originally planned on proposing on December 28, 2021 - but Covid got in the way. He had planned a surprise trip to the Savoy Hotel in Limerick.

“ We had to postpone this trip as we both got Covid on Christmas Day. We spent 17 days in isolation, rescheduled the trip and on January 21, 2022, we headed to Limerick.”

They were shopping in the city when they passed Matthew Stephens jewellers, one of Emma’s favourite shops, when Timmy asked her to marry him. They went in and picked out a ring.

They were married in the Church of the Assumption, Ballyphehane, by Fr Greg Howard.

The bride wore her dress from Memories Bridal Boutique, by Australian designer Madi Lane. Shoes were ASOS, jewellery by Rosie and Dott. Timmy bought his suit from Simply Suits on the Kinsale Road and the groomsmen’s suits were hired from Morley’s. Bridesmaids’ dresses wore Folkster.

Hair for the wedding party and wider circle was by Ciara and Sarah from 3 Degrees, and also Julie Creamer. Make-up was by Sarah Cummins and Louise Hanover (Make-up by Louise).

Among those present were family who travelled from Australia, Germany and France - including cousin Yvonne, who Emma had not seen in 22 years. Another guest of honour was Timmy’s grandad Neil.

The reception was hosted in the Radisson Blu Hotel, Little Island. The cake was made by Amy O’Sullivan (cakes by Amy), the Volkswagen Bus, ‘Shelly’, was provided by Kieran in Mercier Vintage Vehicles. Florist was Florist 4U. The band was Sax And The City from Westmeath. The couple had their first dance to Power of Love by Celine Dion.

What was the most memorable thing about the day?

Emma is a life-long Irish dancer and teacher with the Cowhie Ryan School of Dancing who performed at the wedding. The bride joined in at the end.