Sandra & Gary - Glasson Golf & Country Club

Castlepollard in Westmeath was the destination on Easter Monday for Sandra & Gary's wedding. My first stop was at Sandra's house, where there was great excitement, not least from her Mum's prize-winning golden retrievers Deise & Gizmo, who were very keen to escape from their room to join the party. I took a few minutes out from the bridal preparations to pop down the road to the village of Fore, and Gary's Auntie Ita's Pub, The Seven Wonders. I'd never been to Fore before, so I was surprised to discover that like the Ancient World, Fore too has Seven Wonders. They are - The Monastery In The Bog - The Mill Without a Race - The Water that Flows Uphill - The Tree That Will Not Burn - The Water That Will Not Boil - The Hermit In The Stone - The Stone Raised By St Fechin's Prayers. St Fechin seems to be in the thick of most of the wonders, so it might occur to you that maybe he was a very good publicist. If you'd like to find out more though, all the details are here

Sandra looked fantastic in a beautiful cowl-neck dress with lace detailing from the final collection by famous Spanish designer Manuel Mota. While everyone else admired her as she walked up the aisle, Gary kept his eyes firmly fixed forward. Some people say it's bad luck for the groom to look around at his bride before she arrives at the top of the aisle, and Gary definitely wasn't taking any chances.

The one thing we were all wondering about when we got to the Glasson Golf & Country Club was how it could be so cold in Ireland in April. The wind whipping off Lough Rea went through you like a knife, so everyone repaired to the drinks reception for some warmth and comfort. There was lots of that to be found at the chocolate counter, where the Easter Eggs were going like hot cakes. Just as the sign promised, the Easter Bunny showed up outside, to make sure everything was going to plan before he hopped off again.

Just before dinner we braved the wind and made a quick dash outside. Eamon from Big Apple was alongside me on video, and unlike the bridal party and me, he came prepared, with a woolly hat and a heavy coat. Then it was up to the function room for dinner and to get the party started. Entourage were providing the sounds. I'm sure the breeze drifting off the Mediterranean onto the shore in Sicily this week is a little warmer than Monday's from Lough Rea.