Real Weddings: Anna and Steve’s intimate Cork city celebration
Calling it their “Act 1”, Anna and Steve celebrated in Cork with an intimate ceremony at the Lavit Gallery, followed by portraits at The Everyman, which is the very spot where Steve proposed. The newlyweds then made their way through some of the city’s favourite haunts to continue the celebrations.
THE COUPLE
Anna O’Donoghue and Steve Neville, both working for The Irish Examiner.
THEY LIVE
In Cork. Steve is originally from there, but I (Anna) am originally from Kerry.
THE VENUE
This was our legal ceremony, or as we like to call it, “Act 1”, and it took place in the Lavit Gallery in Cork City. The celebration with all our friends and family, aka “Act 2”, will take place in Hotel Doolin later this year.
PHOTOGRAPHY
THEY MET
We met while working at The Irish Examiner.
THE PROPOSAL
Steve proposed by sponsoring a seat in The Everyman theatre in Cork. If we peek at the back of seat E20, you’ll see a plaque with the words “AOD, will you marry me? SN”.
THE WEDDING ATTIRE
My dress is from Memories Bridal in Cork City, and Steve’s suit was from H&M.
THE CEREMONY
We had an intimate ceremony of 18 people in the Lavitt Gallery with our celebrant, Linda Foley. Steve’s dad, John, sang as my dad, Dan, and I walked up a makeshift aisle. During the ceremony, Steve’s twin, Andrew, and my nephew, Feidhlim, read poems. Two musicians also played trad during the signing of the Green Book.
THE RECEPTION
We went for drinks in The Shelbourne before an intimate dinner in The Metropole Hotel.
THE ENTERTAINMENT
Steve’s dad, John Neville, played at the reception with his band Carousel.
THE DECOR
I made all of the decor, including my bouquet.
THEIR TOP TIPS
Do it YOUR way! You don’t need all the bells and whistles if you don’t want them.
THEY WISH THEY HAD
I wish I worried less about doing it differently. Although it’s not unusual in 2026, social pressures had me worried about how people would react to our legal ceremony ahead of the celebrations. But all our friends and family were over the moon for us and are ready to party later this year.
THEIR BEST MOMENTS
The staff of The Everyman surprised us by organising a break in Panto rehearsals to let us use the stage for our wedding portraits. They even welcomed us with a red carpet and some bubbles.
THE AISLE SONG
Steve’s dad sang The Lakes of Pontchartrain which sparked a spontaneous first dance. It was only afterwards that someone said to us that it was our first time dancing as a married couple.
THE CREW
Make-up: Sandra Flynn. Hair: Amy O’Donoghue. Wedding dress: Watters from Memories Bridal, Cork. Celebrant: Linda Foley. Groom’s suit: H&M.
See more photographs from Anna and Steve’s wedding below.
Photography by Lovelens.
Want to see your Real Wedding on IMAGE.ie? Email shayna.healy@image.ie with the subject line ‘Real Wedding’.
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