The couple: Sara-Jane Allen and Colin Gaffney
Length of engagement: 10 months | Wedding date: June 7th
Wedding ceremony: Civil Marriage Office | Wedding venue: The Merrion Hotel, Dublin
Photographer: Suzanne Thompson, Circus Photography
We met… Colin is a personal trainer and we met through my sister seven years ago. My sister worked with Colin and knew we would get along very well. I needed some help with my training and he kindly offered to give me a few training tips. He sent me a text asking me out with a ‘GULP’ in brackets after the question which I thought was both funny and endearing and I really thought he was someone I could get along with. Our first date on the 13th of September (two weeks after we met) and it was dinner which, was not at all awkward, especially when he admitted to me he had no black socks and was wearing sports socks with his jeans and shoes – Possibly the funniest dinner ever!
Our proposal… Colin decided to fake a course that he was requested to attend last minute to New York. I told him to go and that he would get the benefit out of it even though they only gave him two week’s notice! He came to me a couple of days later explaining that because of the short notice that partner’s were allowed to come along. I told him great but no thanks! I had been to NYC a few times and didn’t think it would be possible for work (little did I know). So my Mum told me I was mad to miss out on an all expenses trip but again I thought it was too short notice for work. I bit the bullet and asked my boss and she kindly and reluctantly (playing along) authorized the time off. Colin had to fly the day before me so he could have induction with the crew from the course and I would arrive the next day. Being Labour Day weekend I landed and the traffic was awful getting downtown. Colin was stressing as “we were going to be late for the dinner planned by the organization and the drinks at the Plaza”. I willed the bus to fly as I really thought I was going to Carrie Bradshaw myself around NYC that night. Instead post my “Carrie” drinks at the Plaza, Colin walked me through Central Park and proposed to me on a small bridge with the NY skyline in the background. I was in genuine shock and elation and will never forget after a dazed dinner coming back to the hotel to my own Build a Bear with a recorded message in it from Colin. Bliss… and original!
Our ceremony… Simple and quick – we wanted to get out into the wonderful sunshine and celebrate as soon as we could! Our theme was just “enjoying the day” and to encompass Dublin (where we are both from) into it with our choice of hotel.
Our honeymoon… We went to Thailand – Chiang Mai, Koh Samui and Bangkok in that order and I would love to go back very soon. It was the perfect place for adventure and luxury.
My dress, hair and make-up… My dress was from Reiss – I wanted the dress to be something I could wear again and that was easier having a civil ceremony. Louise Ivory from Silky Smooth did my hair and make-up. Louise came to my Mum’s house and did my Mum’s hair and make-up and mine and I could not have been happier.
We chose our photographer because… Suzanne (Circus Photography) has a great website and caters for all types of weddings which I didn’t find a lot of other photographers do. She has examples of civil ceremonies on her website too which made the choice a very easy one and a very successful one too. Coupled with being a very warm and nice person she made everyone feel at ease from the get go.
We chose our venue because… We really wanted to express the city we grew up in with the beautiful Georgian house coupled with an atmosphere I have not felt in any other hotel in Dublin. I was made to feel exquisite and looked after at The Merrion Hotel. Everything requested was not a problem or pre-empted. We started with pictures internally of the hotel followed by a Champagne reception and canapés by the pond sitting out in the glorious sun amongst the beautiful gardens. Everything was managed by the hotel and I felt full confidence in handing over my special day to The Merrion. We had the luxury of staying overnight and when I thought the day could not get any better it soared in the beyond of my imagination with an overnight in this hotel. It’s a special place for us now and it’s so great to have it so close to where we live so we can pop in for coffee, lunch or dinner and remember the amazing day we had.
My favourite part of the wedding day… Champagne outside in the gardens of The Merrion. What a great time to unwind after a hectic but amazing day!
My piece of advice for other brides… Don’t sweat the small stuff and make sure that you pick a hotel that will sweat it for you! Splash out on shoes… as if you are buying a wedding gown you will never wear it again.
