And the bride wore wellies... couple squelch up the aisle as town is swept by floods
MAKING A SPLASH: Groom James Kavanagh carries his bride Aoife McGrath through the floods in Carlow
WEDDINGS are supposed to be a day to remember -- and one Carlow couple certainly won't be forgetting theirs anytime soon.
Gallant groom James Kavanagh (31) carried his bride Aoife McGrath (26) up the aisle to protect her from the torrential flood taking over the town.
At one stage, Aoife was even forced to don wellies to wade through the water.
But the couple, who have been together for 11 years weren't going to let the deluge stop them from proclaiming their love for each other in front of their family and friends.
They took the plunge in in Leghlinbridge's Lord Bagenal Hotel, where they had to canoe their way in just the day before for rehearsal.
As floods ravaged the country, the bride and groom found the courage to carry on with the wedding of their dreams, attended by 175 guests.
James is no stranger to attention, as his father is character singer Richie Kavanagh, with hits such as Aon Focal Eile under his belt.
The chart-topping singer explained that his loved-up son and daughter-in-law were determined the wedding would take place, come rain or shine.
"They were adamant it was going to go ahead, even if they needed a boat to get in there. But once they went in, they just knew it would be a good day.
"They were very positive about it all, they just had this confidence that the room would be okay and it was. The car park was completely flooded and the day before, they had to get a canoe to look at the place.
"They were a little worried when they saw how high the water went, but it was like Venice -- once you're inside, it works."
After the unique ceremony, the couple jetted off to Paris where they visited Eurodisney.
Stressed
James Keogh, of the hotel, said that huge efforts were put in place to give the couple the wedding of their dreams.
"Thank God it went well and everyone enjoyed themselves. I think I was more stressed than they were in the run up.
"That day, we managed to clear a lot of the area and the majority of people didn't get wet at all, once they left the car park."
cmcbride@herald.ie
- Caitlin McBride
