The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Lisa and Patrick postpone wedding nuptials
IN just over a week’s time Lisa O’Shea and Patrick Palmer were due to be married – instead the COVID-19 pandemic has forced the couple to change the big day.
With new rules in place to limit gatherings to under 100 people, hundreds of couples have been forced to re-think their big day; some have rescheduled, others chose to get married with just family and a few friends.
Lisa from Kenmare and Patrick from Blackwater made the decision to cancel their wedding – due to take place on Friday, April 3 – to later this year, choosing Friday, August 21, as their new date.
“If we went ahead we wouldn’t have the people we wanted at our wedding. We have over 350 invited, and we would lose a lot of these people who we wanted to attend,” explained the brideto-be Lisa.
The travel ban also played a part in the couple’s decision as they have family in the US who would be unable to attend.
The couple were due to get married in the Kenmare Bay Hotel, and last week Lisa spoke to Sheila O’Reilly, the wedding co-ordinator, to change their plans and she helped them get a new date this year. It was then up to Lisa to change all the bookings to suit the new date – a busy week for the bride.
Instead of picking up her wedding dress for the big day in April she was cancelling and re-arranging music, photographer and videographer, flowers, cakes and the priest.
Unfortunately her much loved band were unavailable for the new date but with help she was able to locate a new band.
“Everyone was just so helpful. We went to Wedding Bands Association online and they were all really helpful and made suggestions.”
Lisa said it was definitely the right decision to make.
“We would prefer everyone to be happy and healthy imagine if you heard some-one had gotten it [Coronavirus] at your wedding.”
“It was beyond our control. I am devastated but I want everyone there to celebrate with us.”
And the new date may also allow the couples 14-month old Holly to join her sister, Michaela (8) to walk the couple down hte aisle.