Rain didn’t dampen our spirits — a wet knot is harder to break

The bride and groom put their own spin on tradition as Mairéad Coleman and Jamie Monahan said: “I do.”

Mairéad, a veterinary nurse from Lismore, Co Waterford, and Jamie, an agricultural salesman from Bennettsbridge, Co Kilkenny, first spotted one another more than seven years ago. “We met in Brogan’s Bar in Kilkenny on a night out with friends in February 2018,” says Mairéad.

Mairead Coleman and Jamie Monahan with the wedding party.

They got engaged in the Cliff House Hotel, Ardmore, Co Waterford, in October 2023, and were married a year later in St Mary’s Church, Clogheen, by Fr Eamonn O’Gorman, Jamie’s former teacher.

“We’d imagined a traditional wedding day personal to us, which is why we chose St Mary’s Church as it is where Mairéad’s parents were married in 1981, 44 years ago,” says Jamie.

Mairead Coleman and Jamie Monahan with the groom’s father Tommy Monahan, the groom’s mother Margo Monahan and bride’s mother Noreen Coleman.

Mairéad also wanted a horseshoe to feature in proceedings, just as her mother had on her wedding day, so she wore one on her wrist for luck.

“A papal blessing was also something that my mother had for her wedding, so we also kept this tradition,” says the bride. The morning rain “didn’t dampen spirits”, according to Mairéad: “Jamie’s cousins told us on the day a wet knot is harder to break!”

Mairead Coleman and Jamie Monahan with the wedding party. 

As they took their places at the top of the aisle, she describes how both felt “absolutely ecstatic”.

“We were so happy that our wedding day was finally here and after all the planning. We couldn’t wait to become husband and wife and to celebrate with our family and friends.” Some 220 guests joined them for the big day, from across Ireland, the US, Turkey, and Britain.

Mairead Coleman and Jamie Monahan. 

The wedding transport was by The Limo Company in Ferrybank, Co Waterford, including a white 300C Chrysler for the bride and groom, a black Jaguar XF for the bridesmaids, and a black BMW 7 Series for the groomsmen.

Mairead Coleman and Jamie Monahan. 

The reception took place in the Newpark Hotel, Kilkenny. “Sinéad Fortune was exceptional to deal with, as were all the staff,” says Mairéad.

The bride’s mother, Noreen Coleman, and the groom’s parents, Margo Monahan and Tommy Monahan, along with his grandmother, Elizabeth (Rose) Hayes, led the celebrations.

Mairead Coleman and Jamie Monahan. 

Mairéad’s father, the late Michael Coleman, was very much in their thoughts.

The bride, who looked super-elegant in a dress by Sarah Foy Couture, adds: “Sarah embroidered a personalised quote my dad used to say onto my wedding dress, it was a lovely way to remember him on the day.”

Mairead Coleman and Jamie Monahan. 

Mairéad’s sisters, Marie and Emma Coleman, and her niece, Lauren Coleman, were her bridesmaids.

Jamie’s friends Stephen Comerford, Tony Hickey, and Chris Fitzpatrick were the groomsmen. Jamie’s niece and goddaughter was the flowergirl, and his nephew, Dylan Walsh, and Mairead’s nephew, Coady Coleman were the pageboys.

Mairead Coleman and Jamie Monahan. 

The groom and his party wore suits by David Hughes Formal Wear, Kilkenny. The bridal hairstyling was by Deirdre Barry, Lismore. Donna Nagel, Dungarvan, was the makeup artist.

McMahon Studios, Ballyporeen, Co Tipperary ( McMahonstudios.com) was the photography and videography team. Wonderous Weddings created the floral décor.

Mairead Coleman and Jamie Monahan.

Joanna McCabe, Wexford, was the church wedding singer. At the reception, the wedding band Fiesta, from Carlow, ensured the dance floor was full.

The couple “wanted to keep the guests’ bellies full all day”, so a sweet cart and other treats were to hand.

Mairead Coleman and Jamie Monahan. 

“Jamie loves his Tayto, so we had a ‘Tayto wall’,” says Mairéad.

“The Baker Boy, Cork, made our delicious wedding cake.”

Mairead Coleman and Jamie Monahan.

The newlyweds, who are building their forever home in Bennettsbridge, Co Kilkenny, honeymooned in Santorini for 10 days.

Mairead Coleman and Jamie Monahan.
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