Wedding of the Week: Couple met while working as camp counsellors in US

Sat, 07 Dec, 2024 - 06:05

Joni Gambošová (nee Hendrick), from Glenville, and her husband Tomáš Gamboš, from Nove Zamky, Slovakia, tied the knot recently.

“Women in Slovakia take on ‘ová’ at the end of their surnames, hence the differing surnames,” explained Joni.

The couple first met in the summer of 2019 while both working as camp counsellors in Missouri, USA.

“I was dressed as the character Dobby from Harry Potter when we first met, which helped break the ice and got us talking and laughing with one another,” Joni said.

Tomáš moved to Ireland four years ago and the couple have been living in Glenville ever since.

He popped the question to Joni after three years together, on a beach while on holiday in Dubrovnik, Croatia. They were married on July 6 in Slovakia.

“We had both our ceremony and reception at a gorgeous vineyard venue called Chateau Ruban in a small village called Ruban,” said Joni.

Joni Gambošová and Tomáš Gamboš on their wedding day.

The wedding was attended by the couple’s closest family and friends.

“Unfortunately, my grandparents weren’t able to make the trip over, so we had the ceremony live-streamed so they could tune in from home and feel a part of the big day,” Joni added.

The ceremony was held in both Slovak and English, which Joni said was really interesting for the guests and meant both families could understand everything.

“It is tradition for the groom to walk down the aisle escorted by his mother before the bride is escorted down by her father in Slovakia, so we did that,” said Joni.

The bride wore a champagne dress from Say I Do in Midleton. “It was one of the first dresses I tried on and I knew it was the one immediately! My shoes were champagne satin heels thrifted from a local charity shop and all of my jewellery was either gifts from family/friends or borrowed from my mother.

“My best friend’s mother is a hairdresser so she did mine and my bridesmaids’ hair as well as attending the wedding, and my make-up was done by a local make-up artist from Tomas’ home town. Tomas’ suit was from Suits.ie in Blackpool and his shoes/accessories were either thrifted or stuff he already owned,” the bride said.

Joni Gambošová and Tomáš Gamboš with their bridal party.

Joni had six bridesmaids, including her sister who was maid of honour.

The reception was held outside at the vineyard in a marquee that was draped with flowers and fairy lights.

“It was a gorgeous sunny day so we had to make the most of the weather and have it outside. The venue is also in quite an isolated area so it meant at night-time we could see the stars which was great,” Joni said.

The wedding cake was made by a family friend and the couple didn’t get to see it until it was brought out to be cut.

Joni and Tomáš had no idea what their cake would look like until it was brought out to be cut.

“Thankfully, it exceeded all my expectations and was so delicious. We also had a cake made of cheese for people who prefer something a bit more savoury which went down a treat,” added the bride.

Their photographer was Martin Žikavsk.

Music was by The Ian Hendrick Band - the bride’s father is the frontman of the band.