Joanne and Phil’s Humanist Wedding at Orocco Pier

This has to be the best chat up ever. 


Phil: ‘Would you like to come to the Bruce Springsteen gig with me?’
Joanne: ‘I’d love to but you’ll never get tickets!’
Phil: ‘Don’t worry: I know someone in the band…’

You’d never guess Phil was an Irishman would you? Sure, the craic was great at the Pier that day!

And he and Joanne played to a packed house that knew how to have a good time.

In a lovely twist to the usual entrance, Joanne came in on the arm of Phil’s son, Ruari.


Joanne’s matron of honour was Ann, her best friend in Scotland


While Dave’s best man was fellow Glimmer Twin, Dave Moloney. Their band played some great sets at the old Pink Elephant in Dublin back in the day supporting artistes like Thin Lizzy and the Boomtown Rats.


Una is Ann’s best friend in Ireland 

And Lee and Dan were Phil’s groom’s men

It was Ann who gave us our first reading…

From Beginning to End, by Robert Fulghum.

Una was joined by her husband Robert who brilliantly improvised some thoughts on marriage given that he only found out that he was doing so approximately ten seconds before he had to speak…


Then we had a real treat.

Toni Henry is an opera singer with an amazing voice: I don’t think he needed that mic at all!

 And then – after a short pause for a moment of silent contemplation – it was Vow Time!

They both wrote their own vows and I think Phil’s were particularly honest…

I know I will not always be 
what you want me to be,
I will infuriate you sometimes 
and forget to listen

but I will always love you
and I will strive to be 
the man that you believe I can be.


Joanne’s were equally moving.

I Promise to love you without reservation,
comfort you in times of distress,
encourage you to achieve all of your goals,
laugh with you, and cry with you,
grow with you in mind and spirit,
always be open and honest with you,
and cherish you,
and I will love you forever and a day!


When Joanne and Phil sent me these great shots by Sheila Galvin, they also sent me a few words.


‘We know it was a very magical day for us but honestly so many people made our wedding that much more than we could have ever dreamt of.   

From Tony – who is a class act – singing, to Robert and Una being the best double act, all on the hoof so to speak.

Also there are now lifelong friendships made, as people who had never met before are now in constant contact. 

We are so thrilled that we brought people from all over the world together.

Indeed you did, Joanne and Phil: it was a magical day wasn’t it? Thanks for allowing me to be part of it!

 And thanks again to Sheila Galvin for these great photos!


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