Wedding of the Week: ‘We were like movie stars in our own love story’ says Cork couple

This Cork couple first crossed paths at work.

Stephanie (Steph) Yates, a medical scientist, and Samuel Joseph (Sam) Dairiam, an emergency department doctor, met in May 2020.

“It was during covid, at Mercy University Hospital,” says Steph.

Italy’s Amalfi Coast was the backdrop for the engagement, three years later.

“Sam proposed on July 27, 2023, in Villa Cimbrone, Ravello,” says Steph. “We had gone to Italy for Sam’s birthday, so I didn’t expect it at all; we had the whole area to ourselves, just us looking out at the ocean.

Stephanie Yates and Samuel Joseph (Sam) Dairiam with their wedding guests at their Malaysian wedding.

Steph, from Little Island, Cork, and Sam, from Malaysia and Glanmire, were married in Ireland on May 15 and celebrated with a second blessing in Malaysia on June 27.

“As Sam is from Malaysia, we were lucky enough to celebrate our wedding twice,” says Steph.

The couple, who live in Cork, first exchanged vows in Our Lady Crowned Church in Mayfield in a Mass led by Fr Charles Kiely.

Stephanie Yates and Samuel Joseph (Sam) Dairiam. Pictures: Dermotsullivan.com

As musician Carys Ann Evans struck the first chords on the harp for the ceremony, the bride says she felt “completely happy — no nerves, just full of excitement for the day ahead; Sam had had a shot of Jameson to calm any nerves.”

The newlyweds were chauffeured to their reception at Innishannon House Hotel in a Jaguar MK2 from Cork Wedding Cars.

Stephanie (Steph) Yates and Samuel Joseph (Sam) Dairiam. Pictures: Dermotsullivan.com

Steph’s mother, Christine Yates, and Sam’s father, Felix Dairiam, toasted their happiness. The bride’s late father, Jim Yates, and the groom’s late mother, Judith Dairiam, were also in their thoughts. “They were looking down on us,” says Steph.

Kimona Daniel Bourne and Jaimee Deschamps were the maids of honour, and Marvin De Jesus and Abhishek Sharma were the best man and groomsman, with Kayniah Bourne and Millie Thomas as the flowergirls, and Khaz Bourne as the pageboy.

Steph Yates and Sam Dairiam with Kimona Daniel Bourne, Jaimee Deschamps, Marvin De Jesus and Abhishek Sharma. Pictures: Dermotsullivan.com

“So many people travelled from all over the world to celebrate with us; this made us feel so loved. We were like the United Nations,” says Steph.

The bride looked super-elegant in a Rosa Clará design.

“I bought my dress in Kenmare from the fabulous Kathrin and Rouven in The White Ivy Bridal Boutique — it was the only bridal shop I went to,” she says. “I went with my mom, and we fell in love with that dress.

Stephanie Yates. Pictures: Dermotsullivan.com

“Sam’s suit was bought in Malaysia. The best man and groomsman got their suits in Morley’s on Grand Parade, Cork. The flowergirls’ dresses were from Next, and the pageboy’s outfit was from The Baby Boutique, Castle St. Our Indian-style bridesmaid dresses were from Lashkaraa, India.”

Stephanie Yates with Kimona Daniel Bourne and Jaimee Deschamps. Pictures: Dermotsullivan.com

Photographer Dermot Sullivan ( Dermotsullivan.com) captured the big day on camera while Johnson Charles and Richie D’Souza, of RJ Creatives, were the videographers. The Aristocrats ensured the dance floor was full.

Stephanie Yates and Samuel Joseph (Sam) Dairiam. Pictures: Dermotsullivan.com

Steph and Sam’s second blessing and reception took place at the Eastern and Oriental Hotel in Penang.

“Sam is Indian, so it was wonderful to experience the Indian culture and hospitality,” says Steph. “I had an Indian-style dress made in India by Lashkaraa, and Sam had an Indian suit from Penang.

“The floral décor included a built backdrop just for us by Bryan Chew at O Hara Floris, and Light Feather Studios captured all our pictures and videos — we were like movie stars in our own love story.”

Stephanie Yates and Samuel Joseph (Sam) Dairiam.