Wedding of the Week: College night out in An Brog led to marriage of Cork couple

A COUPLE who met on a college night out in An Brog, 12 years ago, were married recently.

Tara O’Donovan, from Mayfield, and John Vaughan, from Ballyvolane, where the couple now live, were engaged on December 4, 2021, in the Dean Hotel while celebrating 10 years together.

They feature in our Wedding of the Week, today.

Tara recalled: “We both met on a college night out in the An Brog bar 12 years ago. John made the first move and came over to my table and since then we have been inseparable.”

They were married at Our Lady Crowned Church, Mayfield, on Saturday, December 16, 2023.

The bride wore a dress from Vows in Blarney from the Stella York collection. The suits from Morleys were charcoal colour, with burgandy ties to match the bridesmaids’ velvet dresses.

Groomsmen were Tadgh Vaughan (best man and brother), Killian O’Keefe and James Hopkins, who travelled all the way from Russia to be a part of the special day.

The bride’s make-up was by Claire O’Donovan from The Crazy Dolls.

The bridal party had three bridesmaids, Tara’s twin sister Aisling O’Donovan, sister Niamh O’Donovan, and friend Renee Collins. Flower girl was godchild and niece Pria Bell.

The wedding reception was held in the Clubhouse in Fota Island Resort.

It was extra special and it was decorated beautifully for Christmas time. We had a Christmas-themed cake that had a snowman and snowwoman as the cake toppers, and decorated beautifully with snowflakes by Rachel and the team at Healys Bakery in Blackpool - it was very festive.

A wine colour 1933 Austin 26 vintage car added to the festive colour theme.

Entertainment was by DJ Patrick Ahern.

Tara recalled: “My sister Niamh also sang a song by Tina Turner, Simply The Best, which was a lovely surprise.”

Their first dance was to Frank Sinatra’s Strangers In The Night, Tara added: “I felt mirrored the night we first met.”

The wedding ceremony was beautiful, really stood out. 

"The day itself was like a fairy tale, especially having our wedding around Christmas time with our nearest and dearest to celebrate with us made it that bit more special. The food was amazing in the Clubhouse and all the guests really enjoyed it too.”

And there is more excitement to come for the family this year. Tara said: “My twin is next to get married, on August 3, 2024, down in the Celtic Ross Hotel, she will be marrying John’s brother Tadgh Vaughan. Two twin sisters marrying two brothers.”