What a weekend we’ve had, celebrating the wedding of my beautiful daughter Lucy and her new husband and our son-in-law Laurence. Today is the first day that I’m starting to feel somewhat like myself. It was an absolute rollercoaster of emotions, and the day was just perfect in every way.
The wedding was in the Benwiskin Centre, which is great because it’s a blank canvas, and Lucy knew exactly what she wanted it to look like, so a few of us headed up the day before to decorate the hall. It was forest-themed, with little animals, pinecones and flowers, it was so pretty.
The joy of the Benwiskin Centre is all the room, Lucy and her bridesmaids were able to get their hair and make-up done in the lounge room, so there was plenty of space for them all. There are bedrooms there, so they had stayed the night, and you can read more about the centre here.
The weather hadn’t been great on the lead-up to the wedding, I knew about putting the Child of Prague out, but I didn’t have one, so Lucy told me that burying a sausage the night before is meant to help with good weather. There I was, out in the rain, with a packet of sausages! The cat (not our cat) decided to join me, and when I turned round, I found it horsing into the remaining sausages! The video above will give you an idea! The day was mostly dry, so the sausage worked!
The big day arrived, and after a few dodgy outfits, I found my dress in Next, I just blinged it up with a belt. I’m still not sure about the sleeves, which showed off my ‘farmer’s tan’ when I moved a certain way, but I felt comfortable in it.
I was surprised by how calm we were, it had been such a big buildup, with many sleepless nights, but we were OK on the day. We arrived at the venue, I thought we’d be early but most of the congregation were there already. Lucy was having the finishing touches on her hair, make-up and dress, she looked stunning. To be honest, she’s always stunning, but seeing her in her wedding dress choked me up.
I spent most of the afternoon with a lump in my throat, seeing Lucy walking up the aisle with her dad was such a special moment, and seeing Laurence’s face when he saw her in her dress for the first time. The service was perfect, it was a humanist wedding, and there was a harpist, this made it such a personal event. The service focused very much on the couple, it told the story of how they first met, and their life together so far. Lucy and Laurence’s vows were very special too; it was all just lovely.
Louise (Laurence’s mum) and I had quite a big role in the proceedings. We lit the unity candles, we witnessed the marriage, and we each had a reading to do. Louise read hers perfectly, and it was a very emotional one to read. You can find it here: https://onefabday.com/ceremony-reading-the-amber-spyglass-by-philip-pullman/
This was my reading I was doing quite well at reading it, until the end, and then I started crying, I even snorted at one point! Typical me, I can’t do anything with grace. Anyway, it’s done now.
After the ceremony there was prosecco and canapes, followed by an ice cream van, which caused great excitement, and there was an ice cream for everyone in the audience. The new Mr. and Mrs. Cole went off to get their photos taken, the Benwiskin Centre is just a short drive from the Gleniff Horseshoe, which is one of my favourite places in Sligo, and provides the perfect backdrop for photos.
The official photographer let me post some of the photos, and you can see them here, you can also see the photographer’s photo slideshow here. He did an amazing job. Andy also wrote his own blog, and added more photos: https://andyrobus.wordpress.com/2025/09/13/lucys-wedding/
When the happy couple came back, we went into the lounge for the speeches. I said a few words (never one to keep quiet!), Andy, Laurence, and Shane the best man also said speeches, and then we could all relax a bit as it was time for dinner.
The suppliers were brilliant; they came and went and did their jobs professionally and calmly. The food was Tex Mex, quirky and different, and all gorgeous. For dessert there were the most beautiful chocolate cakes.
One person that I want to thank personally is Olivia – Ireland West Weddings. When you are planning a wedding there is so much to think about, and it’s so overwhelming. Olivia was there from the beginning, she was there when the venue had to be changed (long story), when the caterer had to be changed (another long story), and she came along to see the venue with us, her knowledge and attention to detail too so much of the stress away. On the day of the wedding she was on hand to oversee everything, she gave the bridesmaid their cue to walk up the aisle, and she even rolled her sleeves up, and served dessert to the guests. Olivia went above and beyond, and you can find her here: https://www.irelandwestweddings.ie/
The actual wedding cake was a cheese cake! This was an inspired idea, who doesn’t love cheese? Lucy and Laurence cut the cake, and did their first dance, and a night of fun and celebrations commenced, including dances with cardboard cut-outs of Basil and Seamus the cats. The bar was open and in full-swing, and there were even Tayto sandwiches.
It was such a fantastic day, quirky, unusual, emotional, happy. Everything that you’d want a wedding to be. Huge congratulations to Lucy and Laurence, wishing you both a lifetime of happiness and everything you wish for yourselves.
Apologies for my bad photos, I took my camera with me, but it didn’t come out of the bag, so these are just photos from my phone.
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