When Dublin meets London Sarah and Rossa’s love story began at a Christmas mixer and ended in a memorable wedding full of quirky details, heartfelt moments and cinematic flair Images courtesy of Daria & Wilson Photography Sarah and Rossa met at a Christmas singles event in Dublin in November 2022. “My mum bought me the ticket, so I have her to thank for introducing me to Rossa,” says Sarah. The evening followed a speed-dating format, with groups of three men and three women rotating tables. Originally from Dublin, Sarah had spent seven years living in London. Rossa, a Galway native who grew up in London, later studied at Trinity College Dublin and returned to Ireland. Fittingly, they met in the very pub where Sarah’s parents had celebrated their stag and hen parties in 1986. Toward the end of the night, the tables were shuffled and the pair found themselves sitting beside one another. Though both were a little weary by then, the spark was immediate, and they quickly discovered just how much they had in common. Rossa proposed in the wild hills of Connemara National Park on a road trip to Galway. He suggested a walk, and Sarah suspected he might propose because he dislikes walking. “I was still pleasantly surprised and overjoyed,” she says. “We came across a little bench, and a lovely dog-walker passed by and took our photo!” Rossa’s MBE entitled them to marry at St Paul’s Cathedral, with the team making the experience relaxed and special. For the reception, St. Ermin’s Hotel was beautiful with caring staff and a fascinating history of espionage and secret WWII meetings - a subject Rossa loves. It’s also named after an Irish saint. After the ceremony, two classic red London buses brought guests back to the Hotel, complete with enthusiastic tour guides sharing London espionage history. The couple wanted the day to feel whimsical, with tributes to favorite films and shows. “Rossa is a Doctor Who superfan, so we named the tables after planets from the show. I love Harry Potter and Titanic, so we had a playlist of instrumental songs during the wedding breakfast.” For an autumn palette, their florist created stunning displays using sea lavender, echoing Sarah’s favorite colour. The couple loved the catering on the day, especially the vegetarian and vegan options. Their cake, by Jen’s Cakery, was a stack of books named after cherished titles, reflecting their love of reading and writing. Harpist Amie True played during the drinks reception, followed by DJ Matt from With Love Events, who led the cakecutting, first dance and father-daughter dance. Sarah wore a Justin Alexander gown called Houston. “I had narrowed it down to three dresses but waited for Rossa’s mum to join me for the final ‘say yes!’ moment. When we saw a new collection, I tried on a dress and immediately felt like a princess - I knew it was the one!” Rossa wore a threepiece morning suit with a white waistcoat, tie, grey trousers, and black jacket. The groomsmen had grey waistcoats, trousers and purple corsages to complement Rossa. The bridesmaids looked stunning in dark purple infinity dresses, styled to suit each of their personal styles. “I wanted them to feel comfortable and happy -they looked incredible,” says the bride. The pair had many memorable moments throughout the day. This included the Rolls-Royce ride from the church to the hotel. “That buzzy feeling of just being married, alone time with Champagne, and knowing we had the rest of the day ahead was so special,” says Sarah. “It was thrilling! Our driver Jason was lovely, and seeing pedestrians wave at us made us feel like royalty.” REAL WEDDINGS 29
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTA0NTE=