Wedding of the Week: Christmas Eve proposal for Julie and Andrew
Julie McGrath and Andrew Dollard. Pictures: Black Diamond Photography
CHRISTMAS EVE is a super-special time for Julie McGrath and Andrew Dollard.
Julie, from Ardfert, Co Kerry, and Andrew from Portlaoise, Co Laois, got engaged on December 24, 2020.
Andrew, who works for Irish Rail in Dublin, popped the question after he and Julie, who is the equine concierge at the Cashel Palace Hotel in Tipperary, arrived back to their home in Portlaoise after a festive lunch out. “Initially Andrew had a weekend away booked at Ashford Castle for New Year’s Eve but everything was shutting down as we were heading into lockdown,” says Julie.
“When we arrived back at the house, there was a runway of candles all the way to the Christmas tree as well as flowers, balloons, champagne — the works! — around the tree! I was blown away. I turned around in shock and Andrew was down on one knee.”
The couple were married in The Lodge at Ballygarry Estate Hotel in Tralee, Co Kerry, Elizabeth Drew from Spiritual Ceremonies.
Julie walked down the aisle in a Eugenie dress by Vera Wang which she sourced in The White Room in Mullingar, Co Westmeath.
The groom cut a dash in a suit from Saville Menswear, Cork City, and the groomsmen’s suits were from Ryle Menswear, Tralee.
Kaspar Sarovarcenko from Black Diamond Photography (blackdiamondphotography.ie) was behind the camera and Mike Kelly Weddings provided the videography.
Photos were taken at Julie’s parental home in Ardfert followed by a pit stop at their family business, the Oyster Tavern Bar & Seafood Restaurant, for champagne.
Helping them celebrate were the bride’s parents Margot and Jim McGrath and the groom’s mothers and father Marie and Andrew Dollard.
“Andrew was my first love. We first met back in 2006 when I was only 15 and Andrew was 19,” says Julie.
“I met him through one of my oldest friends Nikki, also from Laois, who I would visit on the school holidays. We were at a house party when Andrew walked in, full of divilment, so handsome and confident. We connected straight away.”
Years later, fate brought them back together. “I got a random message on Facebook,” says Julie.
“It meant a lot to us to get married. Life gave us a second chance at being together again and to say ‘I do’ to each other was just the best feeling.
“We love music and a good dance, so we had undercover [performing] waiters the Diva Waiters and a lively band called Blessed and a DJ till the early hours.”
The bride paid tribute to her aunt, Betty, who passed away before the wedding took place. “She was a very important person in my life. I got the most gorgeous bouquet charm from Rosie & Dott with her picture in it so she could walk with me every step of the way,” says Julie.
“The Diva Waiters sang her favourite song ‘Dancing Queen’ by Abba and everyone sang and danced their hearts out.” Maura Sheehy of Maura’s Cottage Flowers, Tralee, created the seasonal, sustainable floral décor.
The newlyweds honeymooned in Dubai and Bali. “We found out we were pregnant in Bali! We have a baby girl arriving in early January,” says Julie.
- If you would like your wedding featured email eve.kelliher@examiner.ie
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