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Two proposals, two rings and a Yes

Two proposals, two rings and a Yes

Two proposals, two rings and a Yes 

Claregalway Hotel, Co. Galway 

Tina Collins & Kate O Flaherty  

Photos by Cathy Gill  

Tina Collins and Kate O Flaherty of Mervue in County Galway first crossed paths while both working as childcare practitioners in The Little Acorn crèche. They bonded over their love of buying shoes and “Grey’s Anatomy”. Their relationship went from strength to strength and it wasn’t long until they became an official couple in December 2017.  

After two magical years of dating, Tina decided that a romantic road trip would be the perfect time to propose on the 26th of January 2019. They packed the car, and with the ring safely in her pocket they set off for the momentous journey. They were on the scenic route of the giants’ walkway in Co. Mayo when Tina was getting ready to pop the question. To her surprise, when she turned around, she was greeted with the sight of Kate down on one knee, with a ring asking Tina to marry her. I suppose they do say great minds think alike! Tina said yes straight away and then got down on one knee as well and produced her ring. After an emotional proposal, the date for the wedding was set for the 13th March 2020.  

Then something catapulted itself into their lives, and threw a complete spanner in the works for their big day which nobody could have predicted: a global pandemic. Their wedding date was the same day that Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced that Ireland was going into a lockdown to prevent the spread of Covid 19.  However, these women were determined that they were going ahead with the wedding and that they were going to make the most of it. They lost about 60 guests due to the restrictions, but they still had the most magical day and Tina says that for those who could not be there that they will celebrate again. A loving note was left on the table for her and Kate, from Tina’s aunt in New York who could not travel due to the restrictions.  

 Tina wore a dress from Belladonna Bride and Kate dazzled in one from Thistles. Kate is not one for dresses on a daily basis so she confessed that she felt “badass and beautiful,” and she couldn’t wait for Tina to see her. “When the time came to walk down the aisle, I was so nervous but when I linked onto my older brother and the music came on, I knew I was ready,” Kate says.  

The pictures were captured by the talented Cathy Gill on the day, and Mike Concannon was the videographer capturing the day for Tina and Kate to have forever more. The music was provided by Sean Slattery & the Connections and the couple had their first dance to “The Vow” by Ruth Anne.   

Despite the negativity in the world, the day was filed with love and laughter. Kate mistakenly saying the word waffle instead of lawfully gave the guests a giggle at the ceremony and lightened the mood of the day.  

 Tina and Kate say that they had the best wedding day despite all the odds and their advice for any couples planning their wedding is that you won’t be able to please everyone so do what you want and everything will fall into place.  

 

Cake: Caroline Collins Cakes  

LOVE lights: 4allyouroccassion 

After dinner entertainment: Love shack singing waiters

  

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