Wexford excel in awards shortlist
IN 2006 Niamh Callery had to cross the border and travel to Belfast to have a civil partnership with her wife, Aly, because at the time same-sex marriage wasn’t available in the Republic of Ireland, in any form.
Describing the occasion as a ‘very low-key affair’ Niamh says if she had the options which are available today she would have done things very differently.
And now, in her role as a wedding celebrant, she is passionate about giving people the option to have their wedding day exactly as they want it.
This passion had led to her being nominated in the Celebrant of the Year category in this year’s Irish Wedding Awards which take place on January 20 at the Crowne Plaza Dublin Hotel.
Discussing her work, Niamh said. ‘It’s wonderful that, as we head into a new decade, couples have so much choice allowing them to really create their wedding day exactly as they want it.
‘Having a celebrant led ceremony is the ultimate way to really shape and set the tone for the rest of your celebrations and to do it in a way that is meaningful but still reflects you.
‘I love when couples tell me that they were buzzing after their ceremony and that their guests kept telling them it was the best they were ever at. People remember how they felt, and those good feelings stay for a lifetime.
‘It’s wonderful to be able to create that space for people.’
And Niamh is just one of several Wexford people who have been recognised by the judging panel ahead of the awards.
Since forming in 2010 The Kavanagh Ensemble have made helped to make hundreds of special days that little bit more special.
And now, after a decade of performing at weddings across the country, the Blackwater-based quartet have been nominated in the Best Entertainment category.
Beth McNinch, Director of the Blackwater based Kavanagh Ensemble said, ‘For a string ensemble to be finalists in the Best Entertainment category is brilliant. We are up against some fantastic bands but we want to say a huge thank you to all our wonderful couples who nominated us for this award.
‘We are proud to have played at hundreds of Weddings around Ireland since we formed in 2010 and winning this award would be a great way to celebrate our tenth anniversary.’
The full list of Wexford businesses up for awards are as follows:
Wedding Boutique of the Year - Runaway Bride Wexford
Wedding Venue of the Year - Murphy’s Barn, Riverside Park Hotel & Leisure Club, Ashdown Park Hotel and Leisure Club.
Florist of the Year - The Flower Pot, Four Seasons Florist.
Cake Designer of the Year - Jenny’s Cupcakes, Mrs Doyle Bakes, Baker Baker.
Hair & Beauty Salon of the Year - Denise’s Beauty Clinic, The Powder Room Makeup Studio
Freelance Wedding Makeup Specialist of the Year - Sophie Wong MUA, ROY WONG Makeup Artistry
Wedding Entertainment of the Year - Kavanagh Ensemble
Creative Photographer of the Year - Forever Treasured, Alan Roche Photography
Wedding Videographer of the Year Noel O’Neill Video Services
Wedding Coordinator of the Year - Liz Fagan at Riverside Park Hotel
Wedding Specialist Supplier of the Year - All in One Event Hire
Celebrant of the Year - Rosemary Hartigan, Diane Goff of Goff Ceremonies, Niamh Callery of Anu Celebrancy
Wedding Accessories Provider of the Year - Leah’s ArtyCrafts
Romantic Wedding Venue of the Year - Newbay House Wexford.