Wedding of the Week: Cork flight attendant and pilot's love took flight when lockdown grounded the planes
Jenna Browne and Aodhán Lonergan. Pictures: Padraig Healy Wedding Photography
The bride’s a flight attendant and the groom’s a pilot, so Jenna Browne and Aodhán Lonergan are always asked if they met at an airport or on a plane.
Jenna, from Glanmire, Cork, and Aodhán, from Newry, Co Down, went on their first date, to Portmarnock Beach, in May 2020 and were married in St Mary’s Cathedral, Killarney, almost exactly six years later. “Everyone expects a crazy love story like something from a movie — when in fact the truth is quite the opposite,” says Jenna.
Because the couple’s paths crossed during what was one of the most difficult times the industry has ever experienced — the covid pandemic. “Although we didn’t quite ‘lose’ our jobs, we weren’t flying, and we certainly weren’t earning any money,” says Jenna. “The travel industry had collapsed the world had essentially closed down. A pilot and an air hostess brought very firmly back down to earth with a bang!
“But we ultimately got the gift of time — time to fall in love in the most real and grounded way.”
Since then, they’ve seen much of the world together. “We got engaged on September 6, 2024, in Positano in Italy,” says Jenna.
When the bride was fashionably late for her walk up the runway at St Mary’s Cathedral last month, their priest, Fr Joe McGrath, simply informed the congregation that the flight was delayed and pointed out the “emergency exits” as well as giving a safety demonstration.
Aodhán adds: “He was the star of the show. As he said himself, he keeps the holy parts holy, but boy does he make the funny parts hilarious! He even broke into song — by Elton John.”
They held their reception in The Great Southern Hotel, where the staff were “absolutely exceptional”, says the bride.
“Jenna spent every summer in Killarney with her family, and it was always such a special place to her,” says the groom.
Jenna’s friend Cliona O’Leary was her maid of honour, and her friends and colleagues Laura Murphy and Cian O’Shea were her bridesmaid and bridesman, respectively.
Aodhán’s twin brother, Caolán Lonergan, was his best man, and his friend and colleague Glenn Colgan, together with Jenna’s brother Cian Browne, were the groomsmen.
The couple’s niece and Aodhán’s godchild, Zara-Rose Lonergan, was the flowergirl. The newlyweds travelled in style in a two-seater soft-top Alfa Romeo, courtesy of Pristine Classic Occasions.
The bride wore a Randy Fenoli dress, which she bought in Diamond Bridal in Cork.
“Christine O’Sullivan looked after our hair, while Lizzie Desmond worked her magic on makeup. The men’s suits were bought from Freddie Hatchet in Dublin.
Also adding to the sense of fun and occasion was photographer Padraig Healy Padraighealy.com. “Quite simply, he is the best of the best at what he does,” says Jenna.
“Cal Callaghan, our videographer, is a true gent and genuinely had us laughing all day long.” Tie the Knot created the bouquets and floral décor, and content creator Maria from Just Murried was also crucial to the event’s success, adds Jenna: “She was my biggest hype woman, doing a daily countdown with me every morning.
“Our wedding band, Flake the Gander, are a group of lads I have known since my schooldays!”
The Dublin-based newlyweds honeymooned in the Maldives.
“We live in a newbuild house, not far from the airport,” says Jenna.
“That said, Cork is definitely calling our names for the future.”
- If you would like your wedding to feature in , email eve.kelliher@examiner.ie
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