Zara O’Dowd and Stephen Moynihan had three wishes for their big day: “Sunshine, sunshine, and more sunshine.”
The Cork-based couple knew from the start that a destination wedding was for them.
“We’re not huge party people, so we weren’t looking for anything too crazy — just a really fun few days celebrating with the people we love,” says the bride.
Zara, the daughter of Josephine O’Shea and the late Maurice O’Dowd, and Stephen, the son of Mary and Jim Moynihan, were married at Rocabella Santorini Hotel in Imerovigli, Santorini, Greece, a week after tying the knot in Cork.
Josephine O’Shea and Zara O’Dowd. Pictures: @GreecePhotographer
“Although our main wedding was in Santorini, we were legally married in Ireland the week before in a short ceremony in the city, followed by a lovely dinner at Man Friday in Kinsale,” says Zara.
“Stephen’s grandmother was supposed to attend our legal ceremony but sadly she had become too unwell. Afterwards, we went to visit her in hospital still wearing our wedding outfits. It was so special getting to spend that time with her.”
Zara O’Dowd and Stephen Moynihan with wedding guests. Pictures: @GreecePhotographer
Music played a key part of the Greek wedding.
“I walked down the aisle to Simply the Best on piano,” says Zara. “It’s a song that means so much to me, not only because it was my dad’s song but because it seems to show up at some of the most important moments in my life.
Zara O’Dowd. Pictures: @GreecePhotographer
“We kept a seat in the front row for my dad Maurice. I had a custom sign made that said ‘Reserved for Maurice O’Dowd’, with his photograph on the chair and a small basket beside it. It was important to me that he was still included in the day. Afterwards, the chair was moved to our dinner table, so he had a seat beside me for the rest of the evening.
“Just before walking down the aisle, I was very emotional. I had always imagined my dad walking me down the aisle, so it was difficult knowing he wouldn’t be there. My mom took his place, though, and I genuinely wouldn’t have wanted anybody else. She’s my best friend.”
Zara O’Dowd and Stephen Moynihan with wedding guests. Pictures: @GreecePhotographer
Musicians Ethera Music Events, Santorini, performed during the ceremony and also at cocktail hour, followed by Christos Aggouridakis on saxophone alongside a DJ.
Zara, from Castlemaine, Co Kerry, and Stephen, from Midleton, Co Cork, first met at a James Bay concert at the Marquee in Cork in June 2018 and got engaged seven years later in Spain.
The bride’s cousin Kaylin Griffin was her maid of honour, and her bridesmaids were Laura Gravite and Michaela McDonough. The groom’s brother Brian Moynihan was his best man, and John Hunter, Daire O’Carroll, and Tadhg Raleigh were the groomsmen.
Zara O’Dowd with her bridal party. Pictures: @GreecePhotographer
The bride’s nephew Declan McDonough was the pageboy, and the groom’s cousin Mia McCarthy-Calderon was the flowergirl.
Zara designed many of the details herself, including silk scarves for place settings.
“Because we couldn’t bring our dogs Poppy and Koda, we had custom tennis balls made with their names on them for guests to take home to their own dogs. We love getting pictures of all the dogs playing with them,” says the bride.
Zara wore a Martina Liana gown, while Stephen donned a Remus Uomo tux he bought at Red Church, Cork.
“As a plus-size bride, I found the options in Ireland quite limited, so I travelled over to Boston to visit my mom, and we road-tripped down to New Jersey to Brides by Young,” she says. “When I put it on, I closed my eyes, and when I opened them again, I got emotional; I just knew it was my dress.
“I’m also a shoe fanatic, so I saved up for a pair of Jimmy Choo heels. Unfortunately, I smashed my toe two days before the wedding — think blood pumping everywhere, very glamorous.
“I’d fallen in love with a pair of ivory Chanel flat slingbacks months earlier, so I decided to sell a load of bits and pieces on Vinted to put towards them.”