'From the moment we met, I just knew he was the one'

“From the moment I met him, I knew he was the one.”

So said Elaine Jordan, from Passage West, who married Dave Cantwell, from Waterfall. The couple now live in Cork city, while they try find their forever home with little dog Teddy.

Elaine recalled: “We first met in 2015 while I was studying for my Leaving Cert. I met Dave at the library, turns out Dave knew lads that were in my year at the time, and from the moment we met I just knew he was the one.

“Dave popped the question down in Manor Hotel in Tralee on November 19, 2021, after six years of being together. We weren’t even engaged a week and I had booked the church, I was so excited to marry him.”

They were wed in St Mary’s Church, Passage West, on May 18, 2024.

The bride got her wedding dress in Vow. It was A-line with glitter sparkles going through it. The veil was cathedral length. Shoes came from Australia, with pearl detailing that matched the dress.

Molly Houlihan, from Kida hair salon on Washington Street, did the bride’s hair, while Karen Cronin did the make-up.

The groom sourced suits for himself and the wedding party at Simply Suits.

Recalling guests who were able to attend, Elaine said: “To have my Nana and Granda at my wedding was a highlight.

“Our parents played a huge role in our wedding, they helped so much, especially my dad, he helped with bringing all the equipment and supplies down to Vienna Woods.

“For Dave, his key family member that was there was his uncle Bob, he has a close bond with him.”

The ceremony itself was very special.

Elaine said: “The church I got married in was where my mum and dad got married 37 years ago. I also was christened there, had my Communion and also Confirmation, and I had to have my wedding there also. It holds a special place in my heart.”

This was followed by a reception in Vienna Woods Hotel, Glanmire.

Tracey, from Trace of cakes, did the wedding cake, while Michael of Event motors supplied the wedding car. The band was J90 and the first dance was to Tom Walker’s Better Half Of Me. The father/daughter dance was to I Loved Her First, by Heartland.

Elaine said: “Everything was a huge highlight, from the moment I walked up the aisle with my dad and saw Dave at the top, I was so ready for our new chapter. It’s a day we will cherish for the rest of our lives. We would do it all over again.”