Amanda and Cian tie the knot in lockdown wedding
By Mary Dennehy
SUPPORTING local was at the heart of a recent lockdown wedding, with the couple looking no further than their own community for their big day essentials.
Last Friday, Tallaght native Amanda Ni Cholmain married Cian Keating in an intimate civil marriage service and reception in Kilashee Hotel, Naas.
Amanda with Bridesmaids Julie, Rebecca, Rachel
Speaking with The Echo after tying the knot, Amanda, who grew up in Millbrook Lawns and now lives in Old Bawn with Cian, said despite the restrictions, the day was “perfect”.
“I was getting married that day whether there was six of us or 25”, Amanda said.
“I just wanted to be married to Cian.”
Current guidelines allowed for Amanda to have 25 of her original 100 people at her wedding.
However, 50 guests celebrated the happy union through Zoom, including Amanda’s nanny, who is a resident in Kiltipper Woods Care Centre in Tallaght.
Amanda and Cian enjoying their day.
According to Amanda, family and friends from home and abroad joined them through Zoom on the day.
“No matter where you were, you got that front row seat”, Amanda said.
“The Zoom experience was my favourite part of the day.
“We had around 50 logged in for the day and we included them in the day, helped them to feel connected.”
Amanda with mum Regina, stepdad Brendan, brother Sean and sister Rachel
Preparing for her wedding, Amanda looked close to home for her wedding essentials like flowers, cakes and suits.
“It was really important to me even before the pandemic to use local businesses, but in recent months it became even more important”, Amanda said.
“All of the businesses we used were great, everything was amazing.
“I think if the lockdown has thought us anything, it’s how important it is to support local.”
Some of the local businesses used by Amanda and Cian included All Suits in the Old Bawn Shopping Centre, Celine’s Flowers in the Village Green, Quigley’s in The Square for their cake and a Lucan company for a batch of personalised cupcakes.
Amanda said they opted for cupcakes so, everybody could have their own individual cake.
She also kept it simple when buying her wedding dress, which she found in charity shop Barnardos Bridal in Dun Laoghaire.
For her hens in September, when restrictions had been eased to Level 2, Amanda also looked close to home.
The bride-to-be had an outside lunch in Timbertrove in Killakee followed by a walk to the Hellfire Club and also enjoyed an evening dinner in Peachtree East in Tallaght.
While masks were a staple during their wedding day, and personalised handsanitisers Amanda and Cian’s wedding favours, the couple made the most of their special day – even the untraditional table quiz.
With no bands allowed under the current guidelines, Amanda’s sister and Maid of Honour, Rachel, held a table quiz in the evening.
“The day was absolutely perfect… and I found it really relaxing despite all of the restrictions and guidelines”, Amanda said.
By subscribing to The Echo you are supporting your local newspaper Click Here: Echo Online.
TAGS news
