Wedding of the Week: Tami and Dave’s big day a ‘relaxed affair’ without any faff or drama

Dave MacArdle and Tamsyn Brown, who were married in Dublin Registry Office, Grand Canal Street, and exchanged vows in a ceremony in the Elgin Valley in South Africa's Western Cape

Dave MacArdle and Tamsyn Brown. Pictures: Lauren Pretorius Photography

Sat, 18 Jul, 2026 - 01:00

Eve Kelliher

A magical hideaway is how Dave MacArdle and Tamsyn (Tami) Brown describe their wedding venue.

Dave, from Dundalk and Cork, and Tami, originally from Raffingora, Zimbabwe, were married in Dublin Registry Office on Grand Canal St in a ceremony attended by family and a few close friends — then celebrated in South Africa during the Easter holidays.

“We ‘Bumbled’ into each other online in late 2018 and enjoyed a ‘first meet’ lunch date at Union 8 in Kilmainham on Saturday, November 3, followed by a movie at the IFI in Temple Bar,” says Dave.

Five years later, South Africa, where Tami’s family is now based, formed the backdrop to their engagement, at a wine farm called Mont Marie, near Stellenbosch, on Tami’s birthday, on September 10, 2023. “I had had the ring especially made by Niamh Morrison of Hen Jewellery in Clonakilty,” says Dave.

Both were keen that their big day be a “relaxed affair”, they add. “We didn’t want a lot of faff and drama,” says Dave. Tami adds: “We have two small children, aged four and two, and so for that reason also it was important that there wasn’t too much pomp and ceremony.”

Tamsyn Brown and Dave MacArdle with Órlaith and Daniel MacArdle. Pictures: Lauren Pretorius Photo

The registry office service was “a surprisingly emotional and moving occasion”, says Dave. “We went for pints to Mulligan’s afterwards, had amazing food in Vintage Kitchen, had more friends join us that evening at O’Donoghues and enjoyed a night away from the kids in The Dean,” says Dave.

The celebration in South Africa took place at Old Mac Daddy in the Elgin Valley in the Western Cape. It’s a space filled with a collection of vintage Airstream Trailer Suites, each designed by an artist, designer, or creative.

They were married by celebrant Kim Brown in a blessing and exchange of vows. “The staff were incredible. Michell, Mike, and David helped make what was always going to be a memorable day a truly unforgettable one that brought so much joy to us,” says Tami.

Celebrating with them were Tami’s parents, Barbie and Bruce Brown, along with Dave’s mother, Mona Daly Fachler, while Dave’s brother Patrick was MC.

Tami wore a Folkster gown and Dave a made-to-measure Italian linen suit from Hunter Treacy Tailors, Dublin.

The bride descended the garden steps to the sound of The Gloaming, and At Last by Etta James was the soundtrack to the newlyweds’ first dance on their arrival at the reception, to ensure their photographer, Lauren Pretorius ( Laurenpretoriusphotography.co.za), captured it. “Our guests enjoyed a lamb braai (South African-style barbecue), and while our little girl Órlaith took nearly two traumatic hours to put down to sleep (she knew something was afoot) and Dave’s speech veered towards being too revealing at times he saved it by singing Declan O’Rourke’s Galileo to me, which brought the tears and the cheers,” says Tami.

The fun continued when the newlyweds and their guests woke the following morning. “Although that time of year is autumn in South Africa, we enjoyed two stunning days of sunshine (31 degrees on the wedding day), and we spent the day after the wedding on stand-up paddle boards and kayaks on the cool, clear waters of the dam, which comes complete with its own sandy beach, deck chairs, beach bar, and giant Zorb,” says Tami.

Tami is an occupational therapist at the Central Remedial Clinic in Clontarf and Dave is a radio presenter (Classic Hits) and broadcast journalist/reporter (RTÉ) and coach and training consultant (Communications Clinic). He was formerly the programme director of Cork’s RedFM and long-time host of the station’s drive show Dave Mac’s Drive. They live by the sea in Dublin 5.