Irish Wedding Diary Autumn Issue 2016

Page 1

Ian & Ritchie were Married in Malta, on 2nd May 2016 organised by Maltese Wedding Planner Sarah Young

146 I IWD Travel I Wedding Abroad


I

an (25 from Letterkenny, Co.

no option for a same-sex union or marriage

wanted an intimate celebration with close

Donegal) and Richie (30 from

there at the time.”

family and friends. In total, 54 guests arrived

Portmarnock, Co. Dublin) have

for Malta for the big day, coming from Ireland,

been together for seven years.

Ian and Richie were introduced to Maltese

the UK, France, the USA and even Australia

They got engaged in Harvey’s Point

Wedding Planner, Sarah Young by Catherine

(Ian’s sister Rachel) and New Zealand (Ian’s

Hotel, Donegal on the 29th March 2014

Sherry, owner of Marry me in Lake Garda. Same

brother Kieran and his partner Gillian). “Many

– the same day same sex marriages were

Sex Unions were legalized in Malta in 2014. Ian

first performed in the UK. “I had planned

and Richie visited Malta in October 2015 and fell

a birthday weekend for Richie. I got the

in love with the island. “Malta was the perfect

shock of my life when he got down on one

choice for us! The sun, sea, English speakers

knee by Lough Eske in the pouring rain.”

and the euro currency were a big plus. We

Going to Malta allowed all our guests to bond over the course of 5-7 days

were impressed with the exceptional quality of

Sarah’s passion and love for her work really shines through in her personalised planning.

service from Sarah Young. She listened to what we wanted and delivered results far beyond our

of our friends couldn’t make it to Malta for a

expectations. Sarah’s passion and love for her

variety of reasons. We knew before we booked

work really shines through in her personalized

our venues that this was the reality of getting

planning. She only works with the best venues

married abroad.

and suppliers. We’d highly recommend Sarah

however, really enjoyed themselves. Going to

The idea of getting married in Ireland in the

to any couple – gay or straight. Hire her and

Malta allowed all our guests to bond over the

rain was really off-putting for Ian and Richie.

every detail will be taken care of.”

course of 5-7 days. Sarah and her team also

Those who did make it,

arranged a pre-wedding bar-be-que for us at a

They both wanted to have their special day somewhere sunny. “We began looking abroad,

Going abroad for their wedding was the best

lovely Villa in St. Julian’s – it was a great way

particularly at Italy, but unfortunately there was

decision Ian and Richie ever made. They

for everyone to meet before the wedding day.”

Wedding Abroad I IWD Travel I 147


Sarah showed Ian and Richie a selection of

- Ian) and DKNY (Navy blue - Richie). Both

Ryanair fly direct from Dublin to Malta in under

venue options when they first visited Malta.

wore John White finch tan shoes, matching tan

4 hours – another plus for Ian, Richie and

Ian loved a stunning Palazzo, while Richie’s

belts, DKNY petrol blue ties and white pocket

their guests. Their hotels were booked directly

favourite was a unique garden villa. “We felt

squares.

through Sarah Young who secured discounted rates. “We stayed in the St. George’s Bay in

both venues really showed off our different personalities. We decided to compromise and choose the two – Palazzo for the ceremony and The Garden Villa for the reception.”

They both wanted to have their special day somewhere sunny.

St. Julian’s - one of the main tourist areas of Malta. The island is located just below Italy in the Mediterranean. During our stay, we visited the capital city, Valletta and the ancient city of Mdina. They were stunning.”

Richie, a professional chef helped design the menu and three-tier cake fillings, all coordinated

An Irish photographer was picked from Sarah’s

by Sarah and the team at The Garden Villa. The

portfolio (originally from Lucan, Co. Dublin).

Ian and Richie spent their honeymoon in

couple chose a harpist for their ceremony at the

“He is based in Malta. He was very professional,

France cheering on the Boys in Green at Euro

Palazzo; a pianist at their dinner, followed by a

but friendly and easy going. He ensured we

2016. They plan to return to Malta for their first

DJ. Ian’s sister Laura and Richie’s brother Jorn

were completed relaxed and enjoyed the craic

wedding anniversary in May 2017.

were their witnesses on the day. The grooms’

with our guests. He captured the magic of the

www.weddingplannermalta.com

suits were from FCUK (Blue / white cotton shirt

day perfectly!”

148 I IWD Travel I Wedding Abroad


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