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TheMaltese Falcon When Sinéad and Phil were researching where to have their wedding, the idea of hosting their big day in Malta was too enticing to resist
Sinéad and Phil Where: Mgarr parish church and Castello Zamitello, Malta Photography: Rene Rossignaud HOW THEY MET: Fitness enthusiasts Sinéad and Phil met in 2005 at a sports centre where they both worked. Phil was a lifeguard and Sinead was a summer camp instructor. By the time the summer ended the couple knew they had to be together. 135
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THE PROPOSAL: Just before their anniversary, the couple decided to take a trip away to celebrate and it was then Phil picked his perfect moment to propose. Having swept Sinéad away for the night to a swanky hotel, the couple went for a picnic in Glendalough, Co. Wicklow. Phil recalls the happy moment: “I had packed a picnic and we set up a little spot in between the two lakes. We sat together and chatted in the sun after finishing our nice lunch, I could see clouds coming between the mountains in the distance and I knew we only had minutes before it was going to rain so I told Sinéad I had a little gift and asked to close her eyes and, as she did, I started to talk and the rest is a bit blank although we found ourselves hugging in the rain and the ring I had designed and had made was on her finger.” PLANNING THE WEDDING: “It took just over a year.” says Sinéad. “We went to a wedding fair in Dublin and picked up a leaflet on Malta weddings. That was in January 2010. From there, I saw an article in a bridal magazine about an Irish couple that had gotten married in Malta. From that magazine we got Malta wedding organiser Sarah
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Dress: Frilly Frocks, Louth, T: 041 9801 740, www.frillyfrocks.ie Menswear: Suit hire supplier from Malta – which saved having to travel with the suits Flowers: Supplier arranged by Malta wedding planner Sarah Young T: 00356 9925 3265; 00356 2138 2549, E: syoung@maltanet.net, www.weddingplannermalta.com Music: Female soloist and organist in the church, folklore duo upon arrival at the venue, walkabout musicians and DJ for the party after dinner Service: Organised by Sarah Young, Church service conducted by Fr. Tony Agius at the Mgarr Parish Church in Mgarr – a stone’s throw away from the Castello Reception: The Castello, organised by Sarah Young, wedding planner, as above Photographer: Rene Rossignaud, organised by wedding planner and chosen by bride and groom Videographer: As above. Honeymoon: Twelve night cruise around the Mediterranean
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Young's email and from then on everything was Malta, Malta, Malta... ANY STRESSES, DISASTERS OR FUNNY INSTANCES? “With Sarah Young in tow, planning the wedding was a breeze and there was very little to worry or stress about at all.” The couple had some difficulty finding suits to fit and suit four very differently sized groomsmen but it wasn’t a problem in the end. Sinéad fills us in on one humourous incident on the day: “We had our funny moment in the church as Phil gave me his right hand to put the ring on and he only realized when it was half way on his finger that it was the wrong hand; we all had a good laugh as he tried to sneakily change it over.” HIGHLIGHT OF THE DAY: “Saying ‘I do’ and kissing for the first time as husband and wife”.
REAL BRIDE’S ADVICE “Stay relaxed and only do what you both want to do. Having a wedding planner like Sarah Young really helps.”
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