My Wedding Day with Diana Bunici: 'Our dogs wore their little tuxes — they were adorable'

Diana Bunici and Steve Garrigan with their dogs on their wedding day. Picture: Colin Ross

We got married on May 11, 2025, in Castle Leslie, in County Monaghan. It was honestly just the dream location. We fell in love with the lake on the grounds of the castle; Steve and I both love nature and being by the water.

We had a humanist ceremony by the lake. We really had our heart set on getting married outside. But, being Ireland, we knew that it was very much 50/50 if we’d get the weather. Luckily, someone up there did a favour for us, because it was just the nicest day ever and it meant we didn’t have to go with a plan B.

We worked with a wedding planner called Martina and she was just great. It meant we only had to worry about things like what we would wear and writing our vows. 

My dress was from Pronovias and I got it in Truly Bridal Boutique in Naas. I think I went to about eight or nine boutiques. It was fantastic to be able spend so much time with my mom, and my brother, who volunteered to drive me to all of these appointments.

Diana Bunici and Steve Garrigan in Castle Leslie on their wedding day. Photo: Colin Ross

The dress that I ended up wearing, I actually had a screenshot of it on my phone for about two months. I’d seen it on the hanger in Truly Bridal, but it looked a bit heavy, so I dismissed it. But then I wasn’t feeling the other dresses I was trying on, so my mom convinced me to try it, and, sure enough, when I put it on, I got the feeling I had been looking for.

I felt unexpectedly beautiful. It was a halter neck dress, kind of in between an A line and a ball gown. It had a beautiful flower detail on the neckline, with a very low back, and these beautiful straps holding it together. It was very heavy, but it was worth it. It’s not every day you get to wear something so spectacular.

Steve worked with Louis Copeland for his suit. It looks black in photos, but it was a very, very dark green. Steve is a musician and doesn’t feel comfortable in suits, but he looks fantastic in them. I’ve never seen him look as good as he did on our wedding day.

We have two little dogs, called Benny and Charlie. We would have loved them to have been more involved in the wedding, but Benny is a little wary of people and crowds, so we were lucky to find a fantastic dog sitter, called Melissa Ryan Gallagher, from PETigo. 

She kindly drove them to Monaghan for us, so that we could have our photos taken with them. She also made them two little tuxes and, oh my gosh, they were absolutely adorable.

On the morning of the wedding, I was feeling every emotion under the sun. I think I genuinely let out a sigh of relief when I got to the top of the aisle, which was at the end of three big sets of stairs. I walked the aisle with my mum and dad, and it was such a special moment.

Diana Bunici at Castle Leslie on her wedding day. Photo: Colin Ross

I think the ceremony is definitely one of my favourite parts of the day. We chose to sit and face our guests, and that was one of my favourite moments, just looking out and seeing all these beautiful, happy faces of all the people we love who’ve been there for us, who supported us over the years.

The ceremony was very personal. It was light-hearted and meaningful and emotional. I don’t think I said a full sentence without making some sort of fumble! We wrote our own vows, which was super sweet.

We also had a lot of poems and readings from our family members. Steve’s brother wrote a poem and my mom wrote a poem in Moldovan, where I’m from originally, and it was a really sweet moment.

We didn’t go OTT with entertainment on the day. We had the Avoca String Quartet play for our ceremony. David Doyle, who is in Avoca String Quartet, is one of Steve’s good friends. He would have joined Kodaline on stage over the years, as well. So, it was lovely to have him there, not only playing music, but getting to join in the celebration as well.

Diana Bunici and Steve Garrigan on their wedding day. Photo: Colin Ross

And then Steve performed a song that he wrote for me as part of his speech. It’s called Without You and it’s a beautiful love song. Steve wouldn’t be a fantastic speaker, but obviously he speaks through music. It just meant so much to me.

Then, for our reception, we had The Event Band. I saw them at a work event before we got engaged and they had such an amazing energy. They got everyone dancing. 

Then, they did the DJ, as well, and it was really good fun. We had him play some traditional Moldovan music and that’s a really great memory of just having the best time with my mother’s family.

Afterwards, we had a sing-song in one of the rooms in the castle. The party continued until about five in the morning, with Steve and some of his friends, who are also musicians, just jamming. It was such a wonderful day.

• Diana Bunici has launched a new podcast called The Delusional Optimist, where she explores fresh starts, reinvention and the messy middle of life.