Wedding of the Week: London couple Shermin and Graham tie the knot in a stunning Athy ceremony

Shermin Shams and Graham Syder. Pictures: Wonder and Magic
London-based Shermin Shams and Graham Syder returned to the groom’s native Athy, Co Kildare, to tie the knot.
The couple were married at The Abbey, Stanhope Street, Athy, by humanist celebrant Billy Hutchinson and held their reception in the same venue.Â
"I am from Surrey, England, originally Persian, and we first met in 2021, at work in London — but we always say we met on the steps outside Apollo Theatre in Victoria, London, as that is where our 'romance journey' began!" says Shermin.
And that fun voyage was to take them to Cornwall, two years later, where Graham proposed on November 20, 2023.Â

“We were on holiday and had hired a cottage. Graham decorated the cottage with candles and rose petals and that's when he popped the question,” says Shermin.
Next stop was Athy, Co Kildare, where their original vision for their big day was to host “an intimate wedding over three days in a venue that had everything and could be exclusive to us”, adds the bride. “It was important that the venue had rooms for guests to stay in as we had people coming internationally,” she says.

“Arizbeth [Juarez] from The Abbey made sure everything went smoothly and really looked after us — and of course our parents, having them with us on our special day, meant everything and more to us.”Â
Music for the event was by The Cellists, for the reception and ceremony and DJ and Sax and the bride herself ensured the day was a hit.Â

“I kept going to the DJ mic and telling everyone to get up and dance. It got to a point where people had to hide so I did not see them and ask them to get up!” she says.
Shermin wore a wedding dress by Evelie and Graham sourced his suit from boggi.com. Makeup artist Rachel Dwan ensured Shermin and her party were ready for their close-ups with Jemima Whyte as the hairstylist.

Any advice for other brides and grooms-to-be? “Very clichĂ©, but when the day comes, just enjoy every second. You have spent months planning but when the day comes, it’s your time to sit back and actually enjoy the day,” she says.Â
“We spent months being stressed over little things, but when the day came you find you are just so happy that the small stuff does not matter.”Â
Did the occasion live up to their expectations? “We’re biased, but it was the most perfect day from start to finish — this had a lot to do with our amazing suppliers,” says Shermin.
Emmylie Cruz and Richard Stokes of Wonder and Magic were behind the camera with Richard as the photographer and Emmylie as the videographer.

The floral arrangements were by frogprince.ie and a performance by Irish dance group Celtic Dance Co. dazzled friends and family. “Our guests loved this so much and it was one of the highlights of the day,” says Shermin.
All present also enjoyed posing at the photobooth. “This company also made us a book with all the pictures taken on the night and gifted to us which was such a special touch,” adds Shermin.Â
“We also had a sweet cart which also went down a treat with our guests.
“Instead of a guest book, we had people write us a message and put it inside a bottle. We loved this as we have the bottle now displayed in our home with fairy lights inside and it brings us joy every time we look at it.”Â
Home is in London, where they own a company, Kildare Project Management, focusing on commercial real estate.
They chose the Maldives as their honeymoon destination.
- If you would like your wedding featured in Weekend email eve.kelliher@examiner.ie