Wedding bells for couple who met on Tinder during pandemic 

A match on Tinder at the height of the pandemic led to wedding bells for Richie Laide and Sarah O’Dwyer.

Richie, from Mahon, and Sarah, from Tipperary town, shared a walk down the Marina for their first date.

The couple got engaged in August 2023, just after Sarah’s 30th birthday, and moved into their forever home later that year.

They were married at The Lakeside Hotel in Ballina/Killaloe on November 8, 2024.

“We had a civil ceremony in the hotel, with Catherine Lewis as our celebrant. She is also the wedding co-ordinator at the hotel and went above and beyond for us.

“We got ready in the hotel separately on the morning of the wedding, and had a first look before the ceremony. Catherine made sure everything went off without a hitch, and orchestrated it so that we could have the special moment before the ceremony together,” the couple said.

The bride wore an off-the-shoulder gown from Folkster in Kilkenny. Her veil was borrowed from a friend and her accessories were from Ania Hale.

Makeup and hair were both by FMN Studio in Mungret. Nails were by Nailz by Estera based in Turner's Cross. Sarah’s wedding and engagement rings were from Keanes in Cork.

The groom’s tux and shoes were from Red Church in Cork. His watch and wedding ring were from Michel's in Cork.

The couple was supported on the day by Richie's parents Kathleen and Mick, and sister Orna as well as Sarah's parents Tom and Bridget, sister Áine and brother Kevin.

Sarah’s sister, Áine was her maid of honour and her friends Kim Bergin and Sarah Ryan were bridesmaids.

Richie’s best man was Kevin Downey, and his groomsmen were Peter Travers and Stephen Connolly.

Sarah was walked down the aisle by both her dad, Tom, and brother, Kevin.

The couple’s mothers were involved in candle lighting during the ceremony.

“We had a wonderful local harpist play and sing at the ceremony - Ciara O'Sullivan,” the couple said.

Sarah's dad surprised everyone, especially the couple, when he made his way to the front of the room during the ceremony and performed an original piece that he wrote for the couple for their wedding day. There wasn't a dry eye in the room.

“We also did a traditional hand-fasting ceremony where members of the bridal party placed ribbon over our hands, which we then pulled together, in reference to tying the knot,” they added.

After the ceremony, the couple held a reception for their guests at the hotel.

Ciara O'Sullivan, who had performed at the ceremony, was joined at the drinks reception by Eoin O'Neill and Clara Buteler, as well as Sarah's dad Tom and her cousin Stephanie Moore for some trad tunes.

Panic Animal later ensured all the guests were on the dancefloor for the evening.

Sarah and Richie’s first dance was to Heaven by Bryan Adams.

The couple opted for wheels of cheese in the shape of a cake instead of a traditional cake, which their bridesmaid, Kim, carefully decorated.

“We then cut it at the drinks reception so people could enjoy the cheese throughout the day. There was none left over the following morning, so it definitely went down a treat,” they said.

The “beautiful” wedding flowers were by Sarah’s aunt Jane O'Dwyer while Event Hub also provided a fun photobooth during the evening.

The couple sourced personalised signage and their “brilliant” GAA-ticket style wedding invites from Wedding Scribblers.

Photos were by Tony Clancy.

Asked what was the most memorable thing about the day, Sarah said that the first look, her dad’s song, and later being on the dancefloor with her new husband, surrounded by their guests, were moments she won’t forget.

For Richie? “When I went to get something out of my car and Sarah screamed out the window at me from the bridal suite to not run away,” he laughed.

The groom said the first look was particularly memorable.

“What was supposed to be a private and intimate moment, only for us to turn around and see most of our guests staring out at us and waving! It put us all at ease for the day and had everyone laughing,” he said.

The speeches were a highlight for the couple too. “They had us all laughing.”