Wedding of the Week: Lessons in love as college sweethearts tie the knot

It was a case of love at first sight for college sweethearts Rachel Roche and Philip Horan.

Bandon, Co Cork, native Rachel and Phil, from Tralee, Co Kerry, first met in 2011 when they were studying to become primary school teachers at Mary Immaculate College, Limerick.

The couple, who are currently living and working in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, got engaged in Miami South Beach, Florida, at sunrise on August 17, 2017.

They were wed recently in St Patrick’s Church, Bandon, by family friend Fr Francis Nolan, Tralee.

Tenor Dan Twomey, accompanied by Antoinette Baker on piano, provided the vocals during the ceremony.

By their side on their big day were the bride’s sister and maid of honour Mairéad Roche and her friends and bridesmaids Mariga Nolan and Suzanne McCarthy as well as the groom’s brothers Chris Horan and Luke Horan (best man and groomsman respectively) and his friend Tomás Horgan (groomsman).

“Everything went off perfectly,” said Rachel.

“The church ceremony was lovely and personal and set the tone of the day.”

Photographer John Sexton played a key role and say the couple, “ran the show and ensured everyone was so relaxed”.

“It lashed rain all morning but dried up when we were leaving the church for the photos,” said Rachel.

“The army of Child of Prague statues worked wonders.”

Celebrations at the reception, at Fernill House Hotel in Clonakilty, started with a gin reception in the marquee erected in the grounds and wedding band Ocean’s Six and later DJ Sean Mahoney kept the dance-floor full throughout the evening.

The bride exuded star quality in a Rosa Clara number sourced in Cinderella’s Closet, Cork.

The bridal makeup was by Andrea Murphy with hairstyling by Dawn Monaher of the Hairy Fairy Hair Salon.

The groom and his party looked dapper in suits from Tony’s Menswear, Marlboro St, Cork.

Florist DJ Murphy, Bandon Garden Centre, designed the floral arrangements and videographer John O’Sullivan also ensured seamless coverage of the big day.

“He stayed late into the night as he had so much footage from the dance-floor!” said Rachel.

The newlyweds enjoyed a week’s mini-moon in Lake Como, Italy.

“We travel as much as we can in our spare time and since we were moving back to Abu Dhabi we wanted to spend most of our time with friends and family,” said Phil.

“We hope to travel to South America for our Christmas holidays.”

Rachel is currently on a career break from Scoil Chill Ruadháin, Brooklodge, Glanmire, and Phil from Scoil Naomh Michael, Upper Glanmire NS.

“We will reside in Abu Dhabi for the time being but Cork is our home,” said Rachel.