Elaine & Stewart - The Landmark Hotel

I started a recent post with the line "it never rains, but it pours" - at 4am on the morning of Elaine's wedding, it was pouring though not raining, as the water tank in the attic burst, sending water cascading through the ceiling into the room where her and the bridesmaids' dresses were hanging. Not the ideal preparation for the big day, but thankfully the dresses were rescued unscathed. The watery theme continued however, as rain fell pretty consistently throughout the day.

Nothing was going to dampen Elaine's spirit though, she's a livewire, and the morning preparations were punctuated by regular outbreaks of song. Elaine is a regular performer with the Boyle Musical Society. I wondered if that was how she'd met Stewart. Carrick & Boyle are more known for their rivalry than their love affairs, but these two actually met in the Landmark Hotel nightclub when Stewart's killer chat-up line was enough to convince Elaine he was the man for her. So it was appropriate that their wedding reception was held in The Landmark to bring things round full circle.

Before that, the ceremony was enhanced by the Carrick Choir. This was my third time in the past year to have the pleasure of hearing them in full voice. The choir only performs at weddings for family members. If they performed more widely, I've no doubt they'd be booked every weekend. Our planned ramble through the town to the hotel was rained off, but the clouds parted long enough for me to take a stroll on the boardwalk with Elaine & Stewart before dinner. For the fourth wedding in a row, Niall Magahy was alongside me on video, Grainne from Enhance was on beauty & make-up, Emer from Grafters did hair, the colourful flowers were by Norma Duignan and Brian McDermott provided the music. I have to give a special mention to Sophie, who surely has a bright future as a model - the camera loves her as much as she loves it!