Weddings
International Love When Galway native Irene moved to Dubai, she met the man of her dreams in South African Mark. Together with the team at Wedding Planner Malta, they organised their special day PHOTOGRAPHY: JULIAN CALABRESE
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The Couple
Irene & Mark
Irene Feeney, 35, Cabin Crew with Emirates Airlines and Mark Steele, 36, General Manager at Getty Images, Dubai A destination celebration with international flair in stunning Malta
rene struck up a friendship with Mark after meeting at a BBQ in Dubai, where she now lives, but it wasn’t until four years later that they realised they were meant to be together. Irene explains: “I knew Mark was the one at our first date on the 12th December 2008 when he brought me on a romantic picnic at Creek Park in Dubai. It was the most perfect day and I knew that I would spend the rest of my life with Mark.” After gaining Irene’s father’s blessing, Mark proposed and the newly engaged couple decided on a destination wedding in Malta. They immediately got in touch with Wedding Planner Malta to help them create their day, their way. They made two trips to the country to meet the team, see churches and reception locations, enjoy food tastings, have hair and makeup trials and make decisions on the finer details. “Sarah, Lisa and the team took all
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Weddings
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the stress and pressure off us and were always on hand to answer whatever questions or queries we had”, Irene says. The big day was stress free with only one minor set-back: “One of my good friends sprained her ankle the night before and had to visit the doctor the morning of the wedding. She still made it though and just hopped around for the day!” The day itself was packed full of personality and fun, as Irene explains: “As I’m Irish and Mark is South African, we had both Irish and South African music playing at dinner. We had great fun with the bridal party’s entrances into the reception room. The DJ read out funny intros and played different music for each. Maid of honour Rita and one of the best men Steve came out to LMFAO’s ‘Party Rockers’ - both wearing big Afro wigs - and did the ‘shuffle’ dance. Everybody loved it! I also made a spontaneous, impromptu speech which took Mark by surprise and I think he really appreciated it.” Irene’s tips for couples getting married include going with a wedding planner if you’re having a destination wedding and also to take time out during the day: “Take ten minutes, just the two of you, to get away from everyone and take it all in. You want to remember the whole day and the fact that everyone is there for you!” •
The Details Dress and Bridesmaids Dresses Vera Wang, verawang.com Shoes Vivienne Westwood, viviennewestwood.co.uk Flowergirls Next, next.co.uk Rings Cara Jewellers, carajewellers.com Favours Marie Keating Foundation, 01 628 3726, mariekeating.ie Service Lapsi Church, St. Julians, Malta Reception Castello Zamitello, Mgarr, Malta Menswear, Makeup, Hair, Flowers, Bridal Cars, Videographer and Music Sourced by Wedding Planner Malta Wedding Planner Sarah Young, 00356 9925 3265, weddingplannermalta.com Photographer Julian Calabrese, calabresefoto.com Honeymoon San Diego, Hawaii and Seattle
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