Wedding of the Week: Westlife congratulations had Aoife and Martin flying without wings
Aoife Cork Reardens Martin Pictures: And Dermotsullivan Ivers Bar, Mcateer At
Love spun full circle for Aoife Ivers and Martin McAteer who returned to where it all started on their wedding day.
The couple, based in Midleton, Co Cork, were wed in the Honan Chapel at University College Cork and made an important stop-off at Reardens Bar, Cork, en route to their reception at Kinsale Hotel & Spa.
Because the Washington Street venue is there their paths first crossed, nine years before. “We first met when Aoife was out celebrating finishing her first-year college exams and I was on a Musgrave work night out,” says Martin, from Portarlington, Co Offaly.
Aoife, from Tower, Co Cork, adds: “Martin came up to me with his best chat-up line, and then we exchanged numbers and the rest is history!”
Another historic location set the scene for their engagement, six years later, while they strolled at sunset at Gougane Barra, County Cork, on December 19, 2021. “As I was taking a picture, I turned around to find Martin on one knee behind me,” says Aoife.
Photographer Dermot Sullivan and Greg Mulcahy were behind the lens when the couple exchanged vows in June this year.
Both sets of parents, Ethel and Michael Ivers and Louise and Joseph McAteer, helped them plan their big day, as did the bride’s sisters Aisling Ivers, maid of honour, and Claire Ivers, bridesmaid, and the couple’s wedding coordinator at Kinsale Hotel & Spa, Karolina Pastuszko.
The bride travelled to the church in style with her mother, Ethel, in a wedding car supplied by Kerry company Horans. “This was an amazing start to the best day. It was wonderful to have time with just the two of us, as my mother is my best friend,” says Aoife. “She is one person who made the lead-up and the day very special. My mother helped with every detail, from choosing a venue to being there for every dress fitting. She really is one in a million.”
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Aoife’s friends Stephanie O’Regan, Megan Murphy and Nicole Ni Laochdha were also bridesmaids. “Stephanie returned from Australia for the hen party in Paris and then for the wedding,” adds Aoife.
Martin chose his brother Alan McAteer to be his best man and his friends Jonathan Higgins, Mark Ward, James Ward, and Ian Comerford were his groomsmen.
The couple’s nephews, Flynn Aridi Ivers and Alex McAteer, were the pageboys.
Music played a huge part in the celebrations. “We had our church singer, Jessica Brett from Tipperary, play [Taylor Swift’s] 'Love Story' while we signed the register — as there is a line in the song, ‘We were both young when I first saw you’. It means a lot to us as we did get together very young and have grown and progressed in life together. And also: We’re both big Swifties!” says the bride.
Ukebox provided the reception music, while the main band Hell for Leather also supplied the DJ. At the barbecue the day after the wedding, which also took place at Kinsale Hotel & Spa, guests were entertained by Ryan O’Halloran and Portarlington band Hammer and Tongs. “Everyone was busting some moves and the entertainment went into the early hours,” says Aoife. “One guest danced with one leg in a cast — which was well decorated with glow sticks for the event.”
Westlife made an appearance by video to congratulate the newlyweds at the reception. “I’m a Westlife superfan so Martin organised this as a surprise,” says Aoife. “The groom, groomsmen and guests then broke into the chorus of 'Flying Without Wings'.”
Aoife looked stunning in a dress she sourced in Amore Bridal Dresswear in Youghal, County Cork, which she had custom-fit by Alterations by Kate, Ballincollig, Co Cork. Amanda Gowers was the bridal hairstylist, Jessica May Parker was her makeup artist and Mags Ahern created the floral décor. The groom and his party were dapper in tuxes from Morley’s Suit Hire, Cork.
The newlyweds honeymooned in Thailand and the Maldives.
- If you would like your wedding featured in Weekend, email eve.kelliher@examiner.ie
