Wedding of the Week: Cork couple first met while working as bouncers

Tracey Smiddy and David Hackett first met 13 years ago when they were both working as bouncers in Cork.

Tracey, from Shanagarry, and David, from Mayfield, hit it off and even dated briefly before Tracey moved to Waterford.

“He was never far from my mind, and he says the same about me,” said Tracey of that time.

She moved back to Cork, and when David reached out, she said “we both knew instantly we were meant to be together.” The couple got engaged in February, 2024.

“With the help of our eldest daughter, Dave got down on one knee and asked me to be his wife. I was not overly impressed with the proposal as we were running late to catch a flight. It wasn’t till we landed in Scotland that it had hit me he had asked me to marry him,” said Tracey.

The couple was joined by their family and friends earlier this month when they tied the knot in Tracey’s home town of Shanagarry.

The bride sourced her gown from Diamond Bridal. “Grace helped me pick out the dress. It was the first dress I tried on, and there was no changing my mind.” Make-up was by Angie Budden, while hair was by Hair By Mar.

David’s suit was from Suits.ie.

The couple was supported on the day by Maid of Honour Angie Dalton and bridesmaid Mary O’Riordan, while the best man and groomsmen were David’s brothers Steve and Sean, respectively.

The couple’s daughters, Robyn and Harper, and Tracey’s niece Quinn were flowergirls, while the pageboy was Dave’s nephew, Sean.

Music at the church was by “the amazingly talented” Linda Cusack, while flowers were by Mary and Kate’s Flowers in Cloyne.

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

Family and friends enjoyed a host of entertainment with music from Claire Murphy at the reception, and James Draws Faces at hand to create caricatures and drawings.

“We danced the night away with Flog the Dog and they had the dance floor full at all times,” the couple said.

The wedding cake was from Ruairi’s Kitchen in Douglas.

Photos on the day were by Laura and Benny Photography. “We braved the cliffs of Ballycotton to get some group photos. Thankfully, the sun came out just at the right moment,” Tracey and David said.

The couple, who now live in Castlemartyr, said the day “was magical” from start to finish.

Tracey added: “It was hands down the best day of my life.”