Wedding of the Week: It's a love story for Waterford bride Laura with Taylor Swift themed-hen 

'I was absolutely obsessed from the get-go. My poor family can confirm I listened to Taylor Swift every day throughout my teens'

Laura Mahon and Matthew Doncel. Pictures: Bokeh

SHE was a Swiftie “even before Taylor Swift had an album out”, so for Laura Mahon there was only ever going to be one theme for her hen night.

Laura, from Waterford city, who was married last September to Matthew Doncel, from Killarney, Co Kerry, says of the pre-wedding celebration with her pals: “It was called Laura’s Hen: The Eras Tour.” 

Laura Mahon on her Taylor Swift-themed hen night.

Laura, a speech and language therapist, and Matthew, a manager at the Law Reform Commission, live in Dublin and have been together for a decade.

“We met on a night out in Copper's [Copper Face Jacks] in 2014 and got to know one another as friends as both of us played lacrosse for UCD. We started going out a few months later,” says Laura.

Laura Mahon and Matthew Doncel. Pictures: Bokeh Photography

They were married in a registry office ceremony in Dublin attended by family and their wedding party — and returned to the Jackson Court Hotel nightclub for a photo on the day. 

A week later couple then had another wedding celebration in Jack’s Coastguard Restaurant, Co Kerry.

Laura Mahon and Matthew Doncel with their wedding party in Cromane, Co Kerry. Pictures: Bokeh

Laura has been “a huge Taylor Swift fan from Day One”, she says. “I discovered her on YouTube before she was really famous, back in her country days, and was absolutely obsessed from the get-go. My poor family can confirm that I listened to Taylor every day throughout my teens!” 

The hen night took place in Dublin. “I didn't want to make anyone travel for the hen because weddings are already such an expense for guests,” says Laura. 

Laura Mahon had a Taylor Swift-themed hen celebration.

“It started with a brunch with plenty of Taylor decorations including Taylor cupcakes with mirror balls. The staff at the brunch spot actually played Taylor for as long as we were there too. We had karaoke after dinner where, unsurprisingly, we sang a lot of Taylor. We then danced the night away at Swiftogeddon, a nightclub event in which they exclusively play Taylor Swift all night.” 

Their wedding did not have a theme but obviously the bride’s favourite artist “featured heavily”, she says. “She was referenced in two of the speeches,” she says.

Laura Mahon and Matthew Doncel. Pictures: Bokeh Photography

Their first dance was to the Taylor Swift anthem Lover. “And of course, our DJ played lots of Taylor for the dance floor!” Celebrating with them on both occasions were the bride’s parents Gráinne and John Mahon and the groom’s mother and father Josephine and Smith Doncel.

Laura’s close friends were by her side, with Jayne Mulhall as the maid of honour and Ali Cloonan and Róisín O'Mara as the bridesmaids.

Laura Mahon chose a colourful veil for her big day. Pictures: Bokeh Photography

The groom’s pal Mícheál O'Sé was the best man and his friends Jamie McLoughlin and Darious Lacey joined forces with the groom’s brothers Nathaniel and Christopher Doncel in the role of groomsmen.

“Our vision was really just to have a big party with our friends and family!” 

After their Dublin marriage ceremony, Laura Mahon and Matthew Doncel return for a photo to where they first met. Pictures: Bokeh Photography

Laura looked stunning in a dress from Wed2B. “It was the very first dress I looked at! It's my veil that I love more than my dress though, to be honest. My veil was made by an amazing company called Belle Botanical Creations." 

The bridal makeup was by Maeve Carey with hairstyling by Amy O’Donoghue.

The photography team Bokeh captured the big day on camera. “Bokeh were not only incredibly talented, but also were such fun on the day.” Maura's Cottage Flowers created the bouquets and floral décor.

Laura Mahon and Matthew Doncel at Cromane Beach, Co Kerry. Pictures: Bokeh

Simply Suits in Killarney ensured the groom and his party looked suave.

The couple chose wedding band VaVaVoom. “The dancefloor was hopping from start to finish!” says Lara. “They were nearly as entertaining as The Eras tour!” 

Laura is looking forward to seeing her idol next Sunday night in Dublin: “Getting tickets was a massive operation, with multiple people involved. I went to the Speak Now and the 1989 tours when she came to Ireland. Both were absolutely incredible experiences!” 

She has already seen The Eras tour in Lisbon and plans to travel to Poland to catch it in Warsaw too.

Laura Mahon and Matthew Doncel. Pictures: Bokeh Photography

Is Matthew a Swiftie?

“He had no choice! I think he has a bit of Stockholm Syndrome with me! He and our bridesmaid Ali will be coming to Warsaw with me too — it will be their first Taylor concert.” 

Laura and Matthew holidayed in Malta after the wedding and plan to honeymoon in Japan in October. “It’s a real bucket-list holiday," she said.

• If you would like your wedding featured email [e-mail]