Real Weddings

Angela Gallagher and Helen O’Reilly knew that they at least had a love of sports in common when they first met three years ago, at a rugby match in Aviva Stadium. They were together just over a year, when Helen popped the question, amid the historic surroundings of Bruges in Belgium. “I had the ring made in Antwerp and I proposed to her in a little stable whilst her favourite Christmas song, ‘Oh, Holy Night’, was playing.

When planning their reception, the three things they wanted to get absolutely right were the venue, band and food.

“We wanted a casual, informal type celebration so we needed a venue that could work around us, who would be prepared to let us put our stamp on the day and not restrict us to a standard package. Rathsallagh House was perfect for this.”

The wedding ceremony took place in the stunning Walled Garden. “We were coming in from two different sides of the garden to meet at the bottom of the aisle,” says Helen. “We were overwhelmed; full of pride and sheer happiness.”

Of prime importance to the couple was that the venue made same-sex couples feel welcome, not just the wedding coordinator, but all of the staffin the venue. “That was something Rathsallagh excelled at from the moment we stepped in the door,” says Helen.

The couple’s favourite memory of the day is tied up with the beautiful weather they were lucky enough to get. “The ceremony in the orchard garden is our best memory; the colours of the surrounding plants and flowers, with the sun shining down on us. In the company of our families and friends, it was magical.”