Wedding of the Week: From one aisle to another for Donna and Wayne
Rain fell for 'just two minutes' during the outdoor ceremony, say Donna Brady and Wayne Whelan. Pictures: Hu O'Reilly
Their paths first crossed as teenagers when Donna Brady and Wayne Whelan were working in their local SuperValu in Donabate, in Co Dublin.
Back then, Donna and Wayne were both seeing other people but when they encountered one another again, almost a decade later, it was a different story.
“He had a girlfriend and I had a boyfriend when we first met. I always thought he was nice but that was about it! Eight or nine years later I was invited to a party by Wayne’s roommate who I worked with at the time,” says Donna.Â
“This time we both happened to be single, and he asked me out.”Â
Twelve months later they travelled through Asia and Australia together for a year with friends.Â
“We were together 11 years, had a little boy Morgan, bought a house, had our little girl Isla and then finally on Christmas Day 2021 he proposed during dinner when I least expected it. It was hilarious because I was just so shocked!” says Donna.
Both from Donabate, they travelled to Kilmessan, Co Meath, this summer to exchange vows this summer at The Station House Hotel.
“We were married there on June 18 which was our daughter’s fourth birthday as well,” says Donna.
The hotel's natural woodland amphitheatre, The Turntable, provided a magical setting as celebrant Ann Dempsey performed the ceremony.
“Ann was absolutely brilliant. She took care of everything so we had very little to do as she was so on top of things for us,” adds the bride.
“The reception took place in The Station House also and we had an amazing room, which was in the Carriage Suite. The food was wonderful, and the staff were so professional.”Â
Capturing every special moment on camera was their photographer, Hu O’Reilly, (huoreilly.com and Instagram and Facebook @huoreillyphoto) “We had photos taken in our home for Wayne and in my mam’s house for the bridal party,” says Donna. “Hu was recommended to us by some friends and when I saw his work I knew I wanted him to be our photographer.”Â
Donna’s parents Adrienne and Derek and Wayne’s dad Eamon helped the couple toast to their future happiness, as did the bridesmaids, Donna’s sister Jessica and friends Ashley and Ciara, and the groomsmen, Wayne’s brother Sean and friends Ian and Ronan, as well as the bride’s sisters Mia and Georgia and her brother Michael.
“The day was so much fun, it only rained for about two minutes during the ceremony,” says Donna.
“Everyone who came made the day special. We had people fly all the way to Ireland just to celebrate our big day and we’re so grateful to them — our friends from the UK that we met in Australia, Wayne’s brother and his girlfriend that live in Bahrain all travelled to be with us and it was so nice to have everyone together.” Later that evening, their wedding band, Pink Champagne, had everyone on their feet.
Donna sourced her sleek gown in Wed2Be Dublin Bridal Shop, Drumcondra. The bridal hairstyling was by Shirleen O’Hara (@shirleybassii) and Ciara O'Toole (@ciara_makeup) was to hand with the makeup brushes.Â
La Luna Floral Studio (@lalunafloralstudio) created the décor look and Susan Barron (@cakesbysusieb) baked the wedding cake.
The groom and his party cut a dash thanks to Protocol For Men (@protocolformen).
The honeymoon took the newlyweds to Italy. “We went away for two weeks to Lake Garda in Italy with our kids and family. It was an amazing holiday and we’ll definitely go back there,” says the bride.
Donna works in childcare and Wayne is an assistant manager with SuperValu.
- If you would like your wedding in Weekend featured email eve.kelliher@examiner.ie
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