Wedding of the Week: Cirque du Soleil-style fun for Rebecca and Charlie in Clonakilty
Mcvicker Charlie Pictures: Dermotsullivan And Rebecca Davis
Her passion for daredevil circus performances and awe-inspiring aerial acrobatics is rivalled only by her love for West Cork, so bride Rebecca McVicker and her bridegroom Charlie Davis said “I do” in Clonakilty.
Rebecca, from Galway, and Charlie, who are both based in his native Bristol, were married in Dunmore House Hotel by Niamh Callery and the hotel was also the reception venue.
“We chose West Cork because I lived in Cork for a few years and just loved it. Long-term, we hope to live there eventuality,” says Rebecca.
“I wanted to have a ceremony overlooking the sea and to have an aerial performance as aerial [a blanket term for aerial hoop, trapeze, and silks performances] has been a passion of mine for many years.”
From ceremony to Cirque to Soleil-style entertainment, an elaborate aerial silks and hoop showcase wowed guests after Rebecca and Charlie walked down the aisle as newlyweds — then the bride surprised everyone, including herself, by giving an impromptu dazzling display of her own.
“I was absolutely blown away by the performances but after seeing them, I couldn’t resist getting up on a hoop myself! I originally planned to just sit for a few pictures but ended up having a good spin while I was at it!
"I’ve met lots of friends through this wonderful community. I knew it was something I really wanted to share with our guests at the wedding but wasn’t sure if it would be possible until I got in contact with Tony at Acro Phobia Circus who provided the aerial A-frame and did all the rigging. Peter was our main contact at Dunmore House Hotel and was absolutely incredible.”
After dinner, another guest, Eimear Ní Mhaoldomhnaigh, performed a hypnotic fire dance before everyone hit the dance floor. "We danced our socks off to the amazing Girls That Mix who travelled over from the UK," says Rebecca.
She and Charlie first met while completing PhDs at Cardiff University’s chemistry department. “We went on our first date to a pub in Cardiff on Friday, September 13, 2013.
"Exactly 11 years later we got married on another Friday, September 13! It’s been a lucky day for us,” says Rebecca.
Charlie popped the question in December 2021, near Llandeilo in Wales. “He had planned to propose at the top of the mountain Cadair Idris but there were nine weather warnings that day so settled for proposing in the hotel!” says Rebecca. “He had been carrying the ring around for nearly a year at that point and didn't want to wait any longer.”
The groom’s mother Christine David and the bride’s parents Marian and Brian McVicker helped them plan their dream nuptials.
“Marian made the wedding cake but her dad did the icing — apparently being able to do a bit of plastering is a transferable skill,” says Charlie. The father-of-the-bride also built the flower arch “in a hexagon shape as a nod to the fact that we met studying chemistry and Marian did the flowers for the arch and the ceremony table”, adds the groom.
Rebecca was determined to wear a vintage-style tea-length gown, which she sourced from The Bridal Boutique in Bristol. “I love the full skirts of the 1950s as they are so fun to twirl in,” she says.
Sharon Hughes, Lisa Kinnavane, Barry McVicker and Lyle McVicker (the bride's brothers) took on the role of bridespeople with Michael Harris, James Gane, Debbie Ryder and Matthew Jackson as groomspeople.
Photographer Dermot Sullivan captured the occasion on camera and Aisling Kelleher was the bridal hairstylist.
Rebecca, who is employed in the pharmaceutical industry, and Charlie, who works for a microscopy company, honeymooned in Malaysia and New Zealand.
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