Wedding of the Week: City and seaside celebration for Cork couple
Laura O’Keeffe and Colin Lyons. Pictures: Seán Lordan.
A winter proposal during the pandemic lockdown led to summertime wedding bells this year for Cork couple Laura O’Keeffe and Colin Lyons.
The bride, from McCurtains Villas, College Road, and groom, from Elm Park, Wilton, exchanged vows in the Honan Chapel in UCC in May — a church just around the corner from Laura's family home.
As for how the pair met? “It’s an ongoing debate,” says the bride. “A few people take credit for setting us up. I worked with Colin's brother Eoin in SuperValu in Togher and started attending his football matches with my friend Jen — Colin has been playing senior football for St Finbarr’s for the past 19 years — apparently I chased him,” jokes Laura. (Colin still plays senior football and lines out in the county semi-final this Sunday against Castlehaven.)
They got engaged after 13 years together on Christmas Eve 2021 during lockdown at their home in Ballincollig with their daughter Katie, three. “We always go out for breakfast on Christmas Eve so when we returned home Colin had the house all decorated (with a little help from his sister Niamh) and was on one knee with Katie beside him. He had asked my dad's permission the day before which he said had made him more nervous than the actual proposal!”
Father-of-the-bride John O’Keeffe helped them plan and celebrate their big day, as did the groom’s parents Betty and Des Lyons.
The couple paid tribute to Laura’s mother, the late Catherine O’Keeffe, on the occasion. “It was my mom’s 12th anniversary the following week and we lit a candle to remember her during the ceremony,” says the bride.
After Laura and Colin were married by Fr James O’Donovan they made their way to West Cork for their sun-soaked reception, at Dunmore House Hotel, Clonakilty.
“I love being by the sea, it always reminds me of my mom. We fell in love with Dunmore House and its stunning views over the ocean. It was the perfect choice for us,” says Laura.
The bride’s sister Kim O’Keeffe arrived from Sydney to take on maid-of-honour duties while their cousin Danielle Long and Laura’s friend Gillian Kerrigan were the bridesmaids. “Gillian and I have been best friends since we started school together in St Maries of the Isle,” says Laura.
Colin’s brothers Brian and Eoin Lyons were joint-best men and his friend Ross O'Dwyer was his groomsman.
Laura and Colin’s daughter Katie and bridesmaid Danielle’s daughter Maya, also aged three, were the flower girls and Colin’s godson and nephew Ollie Lyons was the pageboys while his nephews Rónán and Liam Lyons were ushers.
“Having our daughter Katie with us to share the day was wonderful — she stole the show,” says Laura.
“We also had the Attridge Academy of Irish Dance (my former dance group) perform later that evening at the reception for us and I and my sister Kim performed with them. It was very special and everybody loved it.”
Their photographer, Seán Lordan of Studio Lordan, and videographer, Greg of DGVideo, were behind the lens.
Laura looked elegant in an Enzoani gown sourced at Diamond Bridal Cork. “Grace [Penney, Diamond Bridal] was so helpful and patient. She even hand-delivered the dress to my door the day before the wedding!” says Laura.
The bridal makeup was by The Makeup Doll (Nikki O’Leary) while the hairstyling was by the team from The Salon, Ballincollig, and Jill Wilde created floral arrangements and seaside-themed décor.
Colin and his attendants purchased their suits in Red Church, Cork.
The newlyweds and Katie honeymooned in Cala D’or in Majorca and a month later the bride and groom explored the Amalfi coast, visiting Sorrento and Positano.
- If you would like your wedding featured email eve.kelliher@examiner.ie
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