Wedding of the Week: Cork couple found love in the local Co-op 

While the local Co-op might seem an unlikely place to find love, that was not the case for Alyson Shorten and Andrew Fehily.

Alyson, from the Newcestown area, and Andrew, from near Coppeen, first met at the Bandon Co-op in Enniskeane. At the time, Andrew, a truck driver for his family business SD Deliveries, was collecting and delivering to the Co-op where Alyson was working. She is now an agricultural consultant and helps run her family’s agricultural contracting business.

The couple got to know each other through Macra and their first date saw them take a spin to Kinsale and Inchydoney. “Near the water and sand was always our thing,” said Alyson.

It was by the water that Andrew popped the question to Alyson in 2023.

“It was St Patrick’s Day. It was a beautiful sunny day, and the wind was blowing the sand. Andrew was acting a bit funny, and I said to him ‘You are hardly going to propose’... and propose he did!,” Alyson recalled.

The couple were married at St Patrick’s Church, Farranthomas, Newcestown, on New Year’s Eve 2024, just a month after moving into their new home.

The bride truly made an entrance, driving a New Holland T7.245 tractor with her father to the church. Alyson’s mum and dad both walked her up the aisle.

The couple were supported on the day by their closest family and friends, including Alyson’s granny and Andrew’s grandad.

The bride’s gown was from Vows while her shoes were from The Perfect Bridal Company. Hair was by Una O’Sullivan, Clonakilty; tan was by Alannah Long, nails were by Miriam Hodnett, and make-up was by Hidden Beauty by Cathy Duggan Rathmore.

The groom’s suit was from Deasy Suit Hire and the buttonholes were by ‘Blooms by Brenda’ in Carrigaline.

Music at the ceremony was by singer Niamh Desmond Collins and organist Thomas Hosford. “They both lit up the church and made it extra special for us,” the couple said.

Their engagement ring and wedding bands were custom made by Desmond Jewellers Bandon. Alyson’s wedding band, her something old, was made from her great grandmother’s ring while Andrew’s ring was made from his father’s wedding ring. “We couldn’t recommend Gregory enough,” said the couple.

After the ceremony, the couple held a reception for their guests at the Westlodge Hotel in Bantry.

Alyson had a surprise for Andrew at the church - a Scania V8 lorry. “We drove to Bantry and honked the horn in every town on the way,” she said.

“It absolutely poured rain for the whole day but it didn’t dampen our spirits and we enjoyed the day to the full. Wish we could do it all over again.”

The couple’s friend, Colleen, from Colleen’s Cake Creations, made them ‘something blue’- their wedding cake, while Alyson’s aunt made the fruit cake. The couple’s first dance was to Shania Twain’s You’re Still The One, although this quickly turned into a jive.

Asked what was the most memorable thing about their day, the couple said it was having all the people they love in one room together. That, and taking pictures in the rain.

The couple’s photographer was Darren Maher while the videographer was JH Video.

Alyson said: “We enjoyed every minute of it (taking pictures in the rain). The photographer asked why and I said I just want to remember every part of the day. He said ‘what about the dress’ and I said ‘what about it!’”

And their advice to other couples? ”Keep things simple, don’t get bogged down in the little bits. Once the main items are sorted the rest falls into place. As someone told me, you are paying your suppliers so they are the ones that should be doing the stressing.”