Wedding of the Week: Twice as nice as Cork lovebirds Jane and Graham say 'I do'

From a first date in Cork's Sin é bar to a proposal on the ski slopes in Austria

Sat, 14 Oct, 2023 - 02:00

Eve Kelliher

From an intimate garden micro-wedding to a showstopping summer celebration three years later, this Cork couple said their “I dos” in a way that was twice as nice.

Jane O’Keeffe and Graham Deane first tied the knot in what they describe as their pandemic nuptials, in 2020, and recently exchanged vows in a civil ceremony.

Jane O’Keeffe and Graham Deane with their daughter and flowergirl, Róisín. Pictures: Dermot Sullivan

“We had a small covid wedding in Graham’s parents’ garden in 2020 with 18 people present, but we were always going to have the big day too,” says Jane, from Grange.

So, she and Graham, from Rochestown, were married in a civil ceremony led by celebrant Nuala O’Sullivan on June 17 in Kinsale Hotel & Spa, which is where they also held their reception.

Jane O’Keeffe and Graham Deane with their wedding party. Pictures: Dermot Sullivan

Jane’s parents Mary and Jimmy and Graham’s mom Valerie and dad John also helped them plan the fun and their daughter and flower girl, Róisín, two, enjoyed a starring role.

The couple met online in 2017. “Our first date was at the Sin é bar in Cork,” says Jane.

Jane O’Keeffe and Graham Deane with their guests. Pictures: Dermot Sullivan

They discovered a shared passion for skiing and, two years later, Graham whisked Jane off to Austria’s Tyrol to pop the question.

“We got engaged in Mayrhofen in February 2019 at the top of the slopes,” says Jane.

“It was a complete surprise. Graham was so organised — he had even bought a proposal ring in Argos! When we arrived home, we went shopping for the engagement ring.”

As they drew up their dream wedding plan, the couple were keen for the event to be “a fun day with family and friends”, says Graham.

Jane O’Keeffe and Graham Deane. Pictures: Dermot Sullivan

“It was really lovely and emotional. Jane has recently been through a cancer diagnosis so it made the wedding even more important to us.

“Every single person who was there made it special for us. We wouldn’t change anything — it was truly amazing and relaxed and just so much fun.”

The groom and his party were dapper thanks to Simply Suits and the super-elegant bride sourced her wedding gown in Memories bridal boutique in Cork in 2019.

“I carried Róisín down the aisle and there was a chocolate cookie in her hand — the dress survived!” she laughs.

“Graham’s two brothers, Stephen and Shane, were his joint-best men and my bridesmaids were two close friends, Jackie Cassidy-Cullinane and Lorna Hogan.”

Jane’s chic hairdo was by Artisan, Douglas, with makeup by Susan from Crazy Dolls.

Jane O'Keeffe and Graham Deane with the O'Keeffe family.

Elegance Florist created the floral arrangements. Photographer Dermot Sullivan captured the wedding day on camera, as did the videographer, Niall, from Beginnings Film.

“Dermot was fantastic, the day ran so smoothly because of him,” adds Graham. “Niall, too, was an absolute gentleman, so kind and unobtrusive.”