Ten years ago Steve, from Cork, moved to London where he teaches graduate recruits in corporate finance, and sales and trading, in British and US investment banks.
Two years ago he met Aleksandra (Ola), from Szczecin in Poland, on dating website eHarmony.com. Fourteen months later, Steve proposed with an antique ruby ring.
“Leading up to the big day, we certainly felt the burden of arranging three days of festivities with many international guests,” says Ola, who works for an NGO as a fundraiser. “Three hotels, six coach journeys, eight meals, two priests, three bands, one first dance . . . it was all worth it.”
On December 31st 2015, Ola and Steve were married at St John the Baptist Church in Kinsale. “There were floods all around Kinsale,” says Ola whose dress was by Tarik Ediz, “but not only did everyone make it there safely, the sun came out for the ceremony.”
Steve’s father Donal was the chauffeur and his mother Eleanor made the cake. His best man was his brother Michael. Sister-in-law Róisín sang with the bride’s friend Natalia while Steve’s friend Paul played the low whistle.
Ola’s sister and bridesmaid Kasia designed the wedding stationery, some of which was on display at the reception in Ballinacurra House. Their parents are Zofia and Jan.
The groom’s favourite part of the day was seeing Ola walk up the aisle with her father and the bride’s was when Steve declared his love for her in Polish during his speech.
The following night the couple hosted a céilí with Torc Traditional Irish Dance Group and jazz by the Chris McCarthy Trio. They spent two nights in Adare Manor and three nights in Ashford Castle for their honeymoon.
Photograph: Tomasz Kornas, tomaszkornas.com
