Wedding of the Week: Random text led to romance and a Cork wedding

A POSITIVE and joyous occasion: That was how Claire Palmer-Panagiodis and Nicolas Panagiodis described their wedding day.

It was important for the couple to come together with close family and friends to mark their special day this year, as 2023 had been an extremely difficult one for the couple.

Claire lost her beloved dad Paudie Palmer suddenly, while four months later, Nicolas’ dad Jacques also passed away. Both men, with huge personalities, were very much missed on the day, but remained in their thoughts.

Claire is from Innishannon, while Nicolas has lived in Greystones since he was five - where the couple now live.

Claire explains how they first got together. 

I was texted by a random number back in 2008. We became friends and finally made the decision in 2016 to give it a go. Been together since.

They got engaged on December 19, 2021, in Scotland, on Powfoot Beach. They were married in St Mary’s Church, Innishannon, followed by a reception in Actons Hotel in Kinsale on March 9, 2024.

The bride’s make-up and hair were by Mary T Allen (Powder and Plait) and Aisling Kelleher (polkadotdreamingweddings).

Florist was Ailish Calnan (@floral_sculpture on Instagram) while music was by Helen and Lauren O’Brien and Andrea Murphy, who also sang at Claire’s dad’s funeral.

“So to have them with me on a special day was keeping dad’s memory alive. I walked up the church to You’ll Be In My Heart (listen to it, you’ll understand why I chose that).”

The bride said everyone at Acton’s Hotel “was absolutely amazing from start to finish”.

Cars were from Karen and Steven Robertson of All Events Limousines.

The cake was by the Baker Boy and was perfect.

The band were the Pearls and the couple’s first dance was to the song Pointless, by Lewis Capaldi.

As to the most memorable part of the day?

Claire said: “Everyone in that room was our close family and friends, and they all too have been affected and felt the loss of Paudie and Jacques.

We wanted to be able to be in each other’s company for a positive and joyous occasion and I think we achieved that. We all had an amazing time.

A stand-out moment was when Claire booked a surprise for Nic, the Singers Secreto.

The bride and groom would like to express all their gratitude to the vendors, who went above and beyond, especially when having to reschedule the new date for the wedding.

Claire said: “It was important to me that everyone we had booked previously were all still available as dad was involved with all the bookings. It would have broken my heart even more if I lost a vendor.”

Claire takes part in the Hell and Back fundraiser today. See here for more.