When Orla Rall strolled into a Cork gym seeking a personal trainer, she little imagined they’d be striding down the aisle together as newlyweds eight years later.

The paths of Orla and Damien Long crossed in Sarsfields Hurling Club. “The minute I met Damien, I knew there was something special about him,” says Orla, from Mayfield, Cork.

Damien popped the question in May of last year when the couple were in Nerja, Spain. “There was no fancy setup, no ring, and definitely no big romantic speech. He simply looked at me and said: ‘Think it’s about time.’ And that was it!” says Orla. “The next morning, we found a jeweller in Nerja and picked out my ring together.”

Orla and Damien, from Ballincollig, Cork, returned to Nerja last month to exchange vows in the Church of El Salvador and held their reception at nearby Cochran’s Terrace Bar. “Our wedding day was everything,” says the bride. “There was so much laughter, so much love, so much joy — and so many tears. I honestly don’t think I’ve ever seen so many men crying in one room. The speeches were emotional, to say the least.”

Eighty-three friends and family members celebrated with Orla Rall and Damien Long in Nerja, Spain.Eighty-three friends and family members celebrated with Orla Rall and Damien Long in Nerja, Spain.

Accompanied by her twin daughters Gracie and Alex, 13, as her bridesmaids, Orla made her entrance to the wedding ceremony to ‘A Million Dreams’ from The Greatest Showman, played on violin. “Having my girls walk me up the aisle, so proud and emotional, and then give me away to their stepdad, who they absolutely adore, was a moment I will never forget,” says Orla. “My nieces, Kaci and Hayley, were our gorgeous flower girls.”

Orla Rall was accompanied up the aisle by her twin daughters and bridesmaids Gracie and Alex.Orla Rall was accompanied up the aisle by her twin daughters and bridesmaids Gracie and Alex.

Casey from Weddings by Casey, originally from Limerick and now living in Nerja, was the wedding planner. “My mum Phil, my four sisters, my youngest brother Shane, who is special needs and the only boy after four girls, along with my nieces, nephews, aunties and extended family, were all in Nerja to celebrate with us,” says Orla. “Damien had his mum Marie, his sister, brother, brother-in-law, niece, family and friends there.”

Orla Rall and Damien Long. Orla Rall and Damien Long.

Content creator Hayley Wilkins. Marbella Wedding Moments, captured the occasion on camera. “My dress came from the amazing girls at Diamond Bridal on Maylor Street, Cork,” says Orla. “It was only the second dress I tried on, and I just knew it was the one. My makeup was by Kellie Fitzgibbon, my Dublin friend.”

While the day was filled with joy, the couple say they also felt the presence of those they had lost. “My dad, John Rall, sadly, couldn’t be there to see me get married, but I have no doubt he was looking down on us from above and sharing that day with us in his own way,” says the bride.

Orla Rall.Orla Rall.

“And just like my dad, we know that Damien’s dad, Paddy Long, and Damien’s beautiful daughter Shaunagh were looking down on us that day.

“Shaunagh was only 17 when we sadly lost her. She will always be part of Damien, and she will always have a very special place in both our hearts. As Damien said so beautifully, he now has three daughters.”

Orla, a personal trainer and stylist who runs an online clothing shop, Orla’s Fashion Closet, and Damien, who owns two gyms in Glanmire, Damien Long Personal Training & Nutrition, live in Glanmire. “I am 47, and Damien is 51 years young, and we can now say we have found our happy ever after. It took us a few years, but we got there in the end,” says Orla. “It’s never too late, and you’re never too old to finally be happy.”