Our wedding story: Friends and family make it a very special day out

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Aveen Loy from Co Down and Hugh O’Connor from Co Limerick met through work in November 2010 and after a few coffee dates ended up in O’Donoghue’s on Baggot Street in Dublin city centre where they had their first kiss.

Fast-forward to August 2014 on Garnish Island where, in between rainy showers, Aveen accepted Hugh’s proposal.

They agreed on a winter wedding, withMarlfield House in Co Wexford the first venue they visited.

“The food was the star attraction and the Wicklow venison clinched it for us,” said Aveen.

The design of her dress from Dawn Fitzgerald Atelier in the Powerscourt Townhouse Centre was based on a combination of Fitzgerald’s evening gowns. Aveen is planning to have it altered in order to wear it again.

The groom and his groomsmen – brother John O’Connor and friends Mark Hehir, Peadar Waters and Paul Maloney – found their Magee suits at Billy Higgins Clothing in Limerick.

On the morning of the wedding, Aveen, her bridesmaids – sisters Aisling and Áine – and Hugh’s 96-year-old grandmother Maeve Lynch had their hair and make-up done by Michael Leong and Claire Lambe.

The flower-girls were nieces Kitty Ramiah and Doireann Carey.

During the final preparations, the couple exchanged gifts through their best man and maid of honour: an antique jewellery box for Aveen and a vintage watch for Hugh.

They were married in the Church of St Peter and St Paul in Kilanerin by Hugh’s uncles Fr Pat O’Connor and Fr Dennis O’Connor. Singing throughout the ceremony was the bride’s close friend Sarah McAnallen, accompanied by pianist Keith O’Connell.

Another friend Gráinne Butler made the cake. And with a “natural aesthetic” in mind for the flowers, Aveen was thrilled with Claire Ryan from the Informal Florist.

The reason they went with videographer Joseph Berg from B&G Productions was simple, Aveen says.

“I was watching my aunt’s wedding video at Christmas and realised the value it would have in years to come . . . there was people there on the day that we wanted to capture on film.”

The day after the wedding, the O’Connors met friends at Doheny & Nesbitt’s pub and spent a night at the Merrion Hotel before they set off on their honeymoon: trekking in Nepal with six friends, a wedding in Australia and some time on the beach in Yao Noi, Thailand.

Photographs: Dara Munnis Photography, daramunnisphotography.com

We’d love to hear your wedding story. If you’d like to share it with our readers email weddings@irishtimes.com with a photograph and a little information about your big day