There was certainly no shortage of weddings this year, as some of the biggest names in showbiz tied the knot during the most romantic ceremonies we’ve ever seen. Whether they took place here or abroad, each and every one of the weddings had one thing in common; laughs and love filled the air, and smiles were a permanent fixture.
Let’s take a look back at some of the glorious big days.
Rachel Wyse
After first meeting her now husband over 15 years ago, it was an incredible day as Rachel Wyse wed Tim Gredley in the beautiful surrounds of Adare Manor. The Sky Sports presenter opted for a stunning white lace dress, while Tim looked dapper as ever in grey trousers and a navy morning suit jacket. The pair were joined a multitude of friends, family – and a few famous faces, including 2fm’s Eoghan McDermott. Gushing over the big day, Rachel said, “It was a weekend of love and laughter, surrounded by an incredible group of people.”
Allen Leech
Kicking off 2019 in style, Irish actor and Downton Abbey star Allen Leech wed his long-term love Jessica Blair Herman, during a romantic ceremony in the US. The happy couple said ‘I do’ at the Alisal Ranch and Resort in California, surrounded by their loved ones – but unfortunately, they weren’t blessed with the weather. “When you get married in California you expect sunshine but a little bit of Ireland blew over on the day and we had some heavy rain,” he told Hello Magazine.
When there was an issue with the string quartet due to the rain, the couple’s friends – Glee stars Darren Criss and Leah Michele – stepped in. “Darren and Lea are such great people and great friends, and they said, ‘Absolutely no problem’ when we told them the situation,” he said. “We grabbed a guitar and they ended up singing the music for our ceremony. Everyone said they had never been to a wedding where everyone was singing before the bride had even arrived.”
Terrie McEvoy
Soaking up the sun, Terrie McEvoy wed long-term love David Fitzpatrick during a romantic sea-front ceremony in Portugal over the summer. The pair wed in Monte Seco, Faro, where they spent a few days celebrating with their nearest and dearest. The beautiful bride opted for not one or two, but three incredible dresses for the occasion. As she walked up the aisle, Terrie stole the show in a panel dress with intricate lace detail on the train. Later that evening, the bride changed into another fitted dress, with beautiful floral detailing up the front, as she danced the night away with her new hubby and close pals, including influencers Grace Mongey, Lisa Jordan, Aideen Kate and Louise Cooney. On Saturday, Terrie went for something completely different, looking glamorous as ever in an embellished midi dress as she enjoyed a villa party. After the celebrations in Portugal, the newlyweds enjoyed an idyllic honeymoon around Europe.
Ailbhe Garrihy
Ailbhe Garrihy looked stunning as ever as she wed long-term love Ruaidhri Hehir during a romantic ceremony in Doolin, Co. Clare earlier this year. The three most important people in Ailbhe’s life were by her side for the entire weekend. Her sisters Aoibhin and Doireann plus best friend Serena stunned as bridesmaids, wearing sage colour skirts with an Aran style jumper on top, while Aoibhin’s daughter Hanorah looked cute as a button, as she acted as flowergirl. Aoibhin told us, “I wasn’t sure if she would be walking but she’s almost there and so it would be so sweet to see her waddle up the aisle in all her finery!”
Anna Geary
Happiness and joy filled the air, as Anna Geary wed Kevin Sexton during a romantic ceremony in Co. Cork. The happy couple tied the knot in her local church, before retiring to the Castlemartyr Hotel for a lavish reception. “We did exactly what we set out to do, which was to have a big party with all our loved ones. We had the time of our lives,” she beamed. The pair were joined by 140 of the closest friends and family for the big day, including Marty Morrisey, Mairead Ronan, Maia Dunphy and Rob Heffernan.
Kathryn Thomas
It was a weekend of incredible celebrations for Kathryn Thomas and Padraig McLoughlin, as they said ‘I do’ during a private humanist ceremony in Kilkea Castle, Co. Kildare. The happy couple were joined by 200 of their closest friends and family, as they marked the joyous occasion. “I still feel high as a kite! It was three days of complete and utter craic…the best three days of my life,” she told us afterwards.
The RTE star stunned in two bespoke gowns; the first designed by Umit Kutluk, and the second by Helen Cody, who also created a gorgeous little guna for their daughter Ellie. “I didn’t shed a tear, really, but every time I saw Ellie in her dress, it set me off,” the proud mum confessed.
Following the nuptials, the happy couple flew out to Italy for a gorgeous mini-moon, before jetting off to the island of Providenciales for their official honeymoon in December.
Amilia Keating
Fair City star Amilia Stewart wed her long-term love Conall Keating during a romantic ceremony in Sligo earlier this year. The pair, who are expecting their first child together, said ‘I do’ in front of their nearest and dearest at the idyllic Diamond Coast Hotel, where Amilia stunned in three different looks. The actress walked down the aisle in a breathtaking mermaid style gown, before later changing into a white jumpsuit so she could dance the night away. As the celebrations continued into the next day, Amilia opted for a 1950’s style tea dress, looking glamorous as ever.
Vogue Williams
After their first wedding in June 2018 on Spencer’s family estate in Scotland when Vogue was heavily pregnant, the pair decided to celebrate all over again, with a huge wedding and lavish reception in September of this year. This time around, the pair were joined by their adorable son Theodore as they said ‘I do’ during a ceremony that was officiated by their good pal, and reality star, Jamie Laing.
Ben Foden
After a whirlwind romance, Ben Foden wed partner of two weeks, Jackie Smith during a low-key ceremony in the US. They tied the knot on a yacht in Nantucket, Massachusetts, surrounded by only a handful of guests. “The world has a funny way of working things out,” he said. “Many people think I’m a bad person, but I met a girl who seriously swept me off my feet and in a time of hardship showed me love, a deep devoted love. People will say we are mad or crazy or even fools, but when someone like her comes into your life, why would I wait?”
Ben, who shares two children with ex-wife Una Healy, spoke to her ahead of the nuptials, and was thrilled when she gave her blessing. “The people who needed to know, such as close family and friends were told before anyone else and they are happy for me including my beautiful ex-wife Una Healy, who I love even more for her blessing. Jackie will be a great step mum to Aoife and Tadhg and offers me a future I can’t wait to explore with her. My heart is full and I honestly couldn’t be happier.”
Nadia Forde
Irish model and actress Nadia Forde wed Welsh rugby ace Dominic Day during a gorgeous Italian ceremony earlier this year. The pair tied the knot in Puglia over the summer, where Nadia opted for a sensational lace guna. The happy couple were joined by a number of their closest friends, family and a few celebrity guests, including Pippa O’Connor and Brian Dowling, as they became husband and wife.
Nadia and Dom, who have a beautiful little girl together named Wyatt, were sure to include her in the ceremony, and admit having her there on their wedding, was a special moment for them both. Speaking to VIP Magazine, Nadia told us, “She was part of our big day. I wouldn’t have it any other way. That was one of Dom’s highlights of the day, seeing her coming down the aisle. He lost it. It was really sweet.”
Gushing over their little girl, she continued, “We love her and love hanging out with her. She’s great fun.”
Jenny Dixon
Former Fair City star Jenny Dixon wed TD Tom Neville during a star-studded ceremony in Dublin at the end of July, surrounded by their closest friends and family. The happy couple married at Corpus Christi Church in Drumcondra before enjoying a lavish reception at Powerscourt Estate in Co. Wicklow, where they partied into the night. Shortly after their big day, the pair flew out abroad for a romantic mini-moon. Jenny and Tom travelled across the southern coast of Spain, before stopping off in Nerja for her co-star George McMahon’s wedding.
George McMahon
Soaking up the sunshine, George McMahon and his partner Rachel Smyth wed during a beautiful Spanish ceremony over the summer. The duo, who have a young daughter named Frankie, celebrated their nuptials in Nerja.
A whole host of famous faces also attended their big day, including Fair City co-stars Jenny Dixon, Ryan Andrews and Dave O’Sullivan, plus, Boyzone’s Keith Duffy who married the pair. Speaking to VIP ahead of their big day, George told us: “Keith’s a big part of our love story, he was there from the start of the Rachel and George story so we thought it would be very fitting to have him as part of our ceremony.”
Blathnaid Treacy
Blathnaid Treacy tied the knot with her long-term love Charlie Moon during a boho ceremony over the summer. Surrounded by 120 of their closest friends and family, the happy couple said their vows at Kippure Estate in Blessington on June 14th. “I think my feet are just about touching the ground now,” the beautiful bride told VIP Magazine. “It’s such a funny feeling, a real out of body experience. It’s such a gorgeously mad day where you’re surrounded by all the people you love, who are all so happy for you and directing all this positivity towards you.”