COVID, in a twist of fate, brought happiness and joy to my doorstep when I met Dana and Clinton. I was so delighted they chose me to be their wedding celebrant. Dana and Clinton travelled from Denver, Colorado to the Dingle Peninsula to get married. A day filled with love and friendship in an extraordinary location. Dana and Clinton planned to travel around Europe in 2020 but that didn’t happen. Clinton even had a plan to propose to Dana on the Dingle Peninsula. The proposal happened at home (just as romantic) but they were determined to get married abroad. Destination Ireland was their chosen location and they found Rahinnane Castle on the Dingle Peninsula (with the help of @dataandrafal photographers) – a truly magical spot for a wedding ceremony.
In true Irish style it was lashing rain an hour before the ceremony. But the luck of the Irish shone through, and the rain stopped for the hour at the castle. We climbed through a farmer’s field (and all that comes with that!!) and listened to the cows as they joined in at opportune moments throughout the ceremony.
A wonderful ceremony, crafted by Dana and Clinton, with so much laughter, and some tears, as they read their vows to each other surrounded by an incredible bunch of friends, with parents watching in from Denver.
We told the story of two people living in neighbouring towns but never met. They went to college in neighbouring towns but never met. Destiny would bring them together in the ironic setting of O’Ryan’s Irish Pub in Clinton’s hometown.
They sealed their bond in marriage with a handfasting ceremony, choosing colours that represent the values they bring to their marriage. Back down the hill, just as the rain returned, and straight to Murphy’s Bar in Dingle for the pints of Guinness.
This was a day of happiness, laughter, tears, friendship and love. This was not a day of grand pronouncements or recessional marches, it was simply a day of love. In a magical setting, in the stunning surroundings of the Dingle Peninsula, Dana and Clinton committed to each other to live a life of love and support for each other through the bond of marriage.
