True Love Tuesday Marie & Aidan Quinn

Childhood Sweethearts

After a 12 year relationship, Marie & Aidan got married in St Patrick’s Cahpel, Dromintee and celebrated their wedding with over 200 guests.

Mr and Mrs Quinn became husband and wife in April 2018, but the pair had already spent their formidable years as a couple, as they became boyfriend and girlfriend some 12 years earlier, when they were just 16. “Aidan proposed on 22nd October 2016. He had booked a romantic moonlight tour of the city. It was freezing cold and we were wrapped up in hats and scarfs but we stopped at a quaint little restaurant by the river that had outside heaters and blankets “We went to a table outside, there was only one, so it was very private and intimate. There was a watermill outside so the sound of the river and watermill together was quite romantic and that’s when Aidan proposed with a pear-shaped diamond on a gold band, from Lunn’s Jewellers in Derry City.” And just 18 months later the pair tied the knot on 14th April 2018 at St Patrick’s Chapel, Dromintee, where 240 guests watched them say their vows before a reception at the Ballymascanlan House Hotel in Dundalk, Co. Louth. On the day,

Marie looked resplendent in a fitted, strapless gown from Ophelia Bridal, in Drogheda, Co. Louth. But it took a lot of dresses, and a change of mind, to find the perfect one. “I loved wedding dress shopping. We searched all around the country for my dress, from Ballybofey to Belfast, and had a great time. But it took quite a long time, 13 shops later in fact! “I had it in my head that I wanted lace, backless and fitted, however when I tried that style of dress on, they just didn’t work for me. I was asked by a sales assistant had I visited many shops and when I said 12-13 she said I was going off track with my dress and looking for the wrong dress. She was 100% right.“When I went to Ophelia Bridal, I had a 15-minute slot to try on one particular dress, again it was lace and backless and just didn’t work for me. “However, the dress on the mannequin kept catching my eye in the dressing room. It was completely different to what I thought I liked as it was strapless and had silk-like fabric. When I tried it on, I instantly loved it. “It is true what they say – the typical image of the wedding dress you have in your head, isn’t what you go for in the end!” Marie’s bridesmaids, her sister Catherine O’Hare and best friend Philomena Murray, wore blush pink dresses from Bridal by 7 in Newry, while the best man, Cathal Quinn (Aidan’s brother) and groomsman Thomas Carragher (best friend) were kitted out at O’Cathalain Menswear in Culloville.

The couple didn’t go with a specific theme either. “As a special touch, as Aidan is into GAA, we had a personalized O’Neills Size 5 Football with Aidan & Marie and our wedding date inscribed on it. All of the wedding party signed it and we now have it in a custom made box and shelf. “But we wanted a very much relaxed wedding that represented our laid-back personalities.” And they stayed fairly laid-back about the planning too. “In all, the whole experience wasn’t as stressful as we initially thought. We had 18 months of planning so we had plenty of time. “The only thing I can think of, at a push, is possibly trying to stick to the numbers that we had originally agreed but it’s hard to stick to a figure.” Talking of figures, Marie admits that they “just about” stuck to their budget! But the highlight was also “enjoying the day with friends and family” and they had a “brilliant” day. “I loved seeing it all come together on the day. There are so many things to think of and you wonder, ‘what if someone forgets to turn up on the day?’ However, thankfully everything ran smoothly.” On that note Marie advises, “Don’t worry, or stress out. Everything falls into place. And enjoy your day. It goes so quick, take a step back and take it all in.” The couple relaxed after their big day
with a honeymoon in the Riviera Maya, Mexico, where they indulged in plenty “of sunburn and cocktails!” Now home in Ireland, they are “happy to say we’ve had no arguments as yet and are just enjoying each other’s company.”