Wedding of the week: ‘Dream team’ at floods-hit Cork store brought custom dress to life

“Thankfully, my dress escaped any damage — and everyone there was such a massive help to me during what was a very tough time for them.”

Lynda, from Clonakilty, Co Cork, and Conor Gannon, from Waterford City, were married in St Mary’s Church, Rossmore, Co Cork, by Fr Tom Hayes, and held their reception in Fernhill House Hotel, Clonakilty.

“The ceremony was beautiful and very personal and it was the perfect start to what was the best day of our lives,” says Conor, who works at Proofprint, Cork.

Helping them celebrate were Lynda’s parents Kathleen and Jim Galvin and Conor’s mother Patricia Gannon and her partner Pierce Connell. “Conor’s father sadly passed away a number of years ago and was remembered with a remembrance candle which was lit at the top table,” says the bride.

The bride’s niece Molly Kelly and Ava Bree Ward were the flower girls. Lynda’s nephews Sonny Kelly, Jack O’Connor and Paddy Kelly were the pageboys.

Conor’s brother Aidan Gannon was the best man and his cousins Daniel Ward, Jake Foley and Bill Meade were the groomsmen.

Lynda’s sister Elaine Kelly was her maid of honour. Her two other sisters, Karen Galvin and Lorraine O’Connor, and a childhood friend, Grainne Cullinane, were her bridesmaids.

Lynda and Grainne have been close pals since they were five years old. “We went to primary school and secondary school and studied in UL together. We both then went onto work in University Hospital Waterford after graduating,” says Lynda, now a midwife at Cork University Hospital.

And it was in Waterford that Lynda and Conor’s paths crossed.

Conor was a part-time barman in the Uluru Bar. “In 2017, on one of the few nights we were both off work, we met in the Apple market in Waterford city and finally plucked up the courage to speak to each other!” says Lynda. “We instantly hit it off and started dating.”

Following a move to Cork, Conor popped the question at James Fort, Kinsale, in March 2022. “Living in a two-bedroom apartment during covid lockdown would be a test for most couples but we passed with flying colours,” says Lynda.

The newlyweds now live in Knockea, Lyre, Clonakilty, where Lynda grew up.

The groom looked dapper in a suit from RedChurch, Cork and his party wore suits from Simply Suits, Cork. The bridal makeup was by Portrait by Jessica and Naoise Galvin and photographer Dermot Sullivan and videographer videographer Greg Mulcahy were also on standby.

The upstyles were by Lynda’s cousin Georgina Murray. “We gave them a good test on the dance floor that night,” the bride laughs. Catherine Twomey, West Cork Flowers, created the floral décor and the bridesmaid dresses were sourced in Folkster, Kilkenny. The couple honeymooned in New York.

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