Wedding of the Week: Selfies and surprise serenade on Rachel and Ronan's big day

Guests were kept up to speed at all times, as Ronan, a journalist, created a front-page-style order of ceremony. “We called it The Wedding Post and it was a fun project — and I’ll give Rachel credit for the idea!” says Ronan, who works for the Irish Examiner.

Ohio-born Rachel, a doctor, moved to Kildare in her childhood. She and Ronan met in 2021 and got engaged two years later, in Phoenix Park, the scene of their third date.

They were married earlier this year by celebrant Adrienne McDermott in The Abbey, which was also the reception venue. Rachel’s sister Karen Joyce and her friend Grace O’Flanagan were her bridesmaids and Ronan’s brothers Jason Smyth and Dylan Smyth were by his side as best man and groomsman.

Helping them organise the event were mother-of-the-bride Thelma Joyce and the groom’s parents Brid and Donal Smyth. Rachel’s sister Karen lit a candle at the start of the ceremony in memory of anyone not present and it was later moved to the reception area of the venue.

Their father, the late Mike Joyce, was very much in their thoughts. “We lit the candle for my dad and all those who couldn’t be there,” says Rachel.

The venue is “timeless” and “spoke for itself”, adds Rachel. Maria Ryan at Bell Meadow Flowers was a perfect fit for the vibe they sought. 

“We didn’t want to include any décor that was going to be thrown away and we were keen to include local flowers,” says the bride. “We were buying roses the day before the wedding and getting greenery from my mum’s garden to decorate pew ends.”

Rachel wowed in a Susanna Rivieri dress (with alterations by Teresa’s Alterations, Clane) and did her own hairstyling, with makeup by Marina O’Callaghan from Stylicious.

Ronan, his party, and his dad were dapper in Remus Uomo suits. “We visited The Groom’s Room at Diffney on Mary Street in Dublin. Gary Broderick was extremely helpful throughout the whole process,” says Ronan.

He and Rachel named the tables at the reception after places they had visited while dating. “We met at a time when travel was limited — so when we got to travel on maybe our third or fourth date, we would take selfies when we visited every county,” says Rachel.

“Our last selfie of the year was on our wedding day, and we took it where our first date took place, in Trim.”

The couple didn’t want to dispense wedding favours that would “end up cluttering up people’s houses”, adds Ronan, so inspired by Etsy, they gave each guest a cookie featuring the selfie.

Marcin and Ola from M&M Photography (mmphotography.ie) were behind the camera and John Forde and the 52nd Street Band provided the music for the
ceremony and the reception. In addition, the bride surprised and impressed the guests when she performed a showstopping rendition of the James Brown classic I Got You (I Feel Good) with the band. “She did a brilliant job,” says the groom.

The newlyweds, who live in Kildare, will honeymoon in Kenya in January.

If you would like your wedding featured in Weekend email eve.kelliher@examiner.ie