The curtain rose on Anna O’Donoghue and Stephen (Steve) Neville’s wedding as they exchanged vows in Cork’s Lavit Gallery.
Anna, from Tralee, Co Kerry, and Steve, from Ballinlough, Cork City, were married by celebrant Linda Foley in an intimate ceremony in November 20 which was followed by a meal in The Metropole Hotel. “We split our wedding into two parts, affectionately called Act One and Act Two” says Anna.
“This was our legal ceremony, we’re having our wedding party, Act Two, next year in Hotel Doolin, Co Clare.”
Anna and Steve met in 2014, when they started working at Irish Examiner and bonded over a shared love of theatre and the arts.
Because they’re both journalists it’s not surprising their celebration has taken a narrative theme. “We wanted it to be a ‘story of us’, and city-esque,” says the bride.
Anna O’Donoghue and Steve Neville. Pictures: LoveLens
“There was only 20 people in attendance at the ceremony, our immediate families, bridal parties and respective partners; my parents, Theresa and Dan O’Donoghue, and Steve’s parents, Claire and John Neville.
“We also had my brother and sister-in-law, Alan and Amy O’Donoghue, and my three nephews Feidhlim, Lochlan and Donagh O’Donoghue, Steve’s brother, Peter Neville, and his twin brother Andrew Neville and Andrew’s wife Pamela.”
Anna O’Donoghue and Steve Neville. Pictures: LoveLens
Anna’s friends were by her side with Derwin Myers as her man of honour and her friend Carol Hurley as her maid of honour and John FitzGerald as bridesman and Clara Donnelly-Bykovskyy as bridesmaid.
Steve’s twin brother Andrew was his best man and his brother Peter was his groomsman.
Anna O’Donoghue and Steve Neville. Pictures: LoveLens
The photoshoot, led by Limerick content creators LoveLens (LoveLens.ie), took the duo on a whistlestop tour of their favourite haunts, many dotted along MacCurtain Street, including Sin É and The Everyman Theatre. “I have volunteered front of house at the Everyman every Thursday since I started work at The Irish Examiner,” says Anna.
The couple got engaged in 2024. “Steve popped the question in our newly purchased house in Donnybrook, Douglas, and surprised me with a sponsored seat in the Everyman.
Steve proposed Anna with a sponsored seat at Cork’s Everyman Theatre.
“The day afterwards, I purchased a ring for Steve and re-proposed to him,” says Anna.
Exactly a year later, theatre staff rolled out the red carpet to welcome them as newlyweds and Anna and Steve went on stage during their big-day photoshoot as they visited some their favourite places in Cork.
Anna O’Donoghue and Steve Neville. Pictures: LoveLens
The party headed for drinks to the nearby Shelbourne Bar. “It was very much a city wedding and MacCurtain Street is very much our story,” says Anna. Another city landmark the “Goldie Fish”, the gilded salmon-shaped weather vane on St Anne’s Church, Shandon, featured on decorative pins the groom and his party’s lapels.
The bride chose her dream dress in Memories Bridal Boutique, Tuckey Street, Cork, and Steve bought his suit in H&M.
Anna O’Donoghue. Pictures: LoveLens
“I made my bouquet myself,” she says. “Sandra Flynn did my make-up and Amy O’Donoghue did my hair — both Sandra and Amy are from Kerry.”
The father-of-the-groom, John Neville, a well-known singer-songwriter, sang the bride up the aisle, with a song he wrote himself, Bring ‘Em Up, and also performed with his friends and fellow Cork musicians afterwards in The Metropole.
And the stage is set for more fun and festivities next year as Anna and Steve look forward to their “hooley in Doolin” with their family and friends.
Anna O’Donoghue and Steve Neville. Pictures: LoveLens
If you would like your wedding to feature in Weekend email eve.kelliher@examiner.ie