You are most welcome Lael. We are delighted to hear you enjoy our efforts! Nollaig shona to you and do let us know if you are headed our way. We will be sure to have the kettle on for you.
The Wedding We Waited For!
Written by Vicky on May 07, 2025 | 14 Comments
It finally happened!
We have news - hear ye, hear ye! Gather round and share the love!
This spring, Gemma finally married her partner, Peter. After 16 years, they made it official, and it was a joy and an honour for us to be present.
At last...the relief!
Photo Credit: Eamonn Smyth Photography
The big day arrived!
On a slightly rainy Saturday towards the end of March, family and friends gathered beside the spectacular castle in Trim, County Meath, to celebrate a wonderful couple. We didn’t worry about the rain because they brought their own sunshine. Clichés exist for a reason, and they were all applicable: the bride was radiant, the groom was dashing, the attendants looked stunning, and their ceremony exemplified who Gemma and Peter are as individuals and how perfectly they complement each other. They are smart, witty, thoughtful, and kind-hearted people, and it was a bit magical to witness their partnership formalised.
If you had seen Peter's face when Gemma walked into the room on her father Terry's arm, you would know with 100% certainty what love and awe look like. Even if you were an alien from outer space who had never met a human being before, you'd know!
He's been looking at her like that for a long time...
Some background and context.
So, way back in the day, Gemma's brother, Shane, was close friends with Peter. When Shane decided to go traveling with no particular return date, Gemma decided that she wanted to spend more time with her brother before he left. Entering that friend group brought Peter and Gemma into contact, and the rest is, well, their history.
That history includes, apparently, Peter falling for Gemma very quickly and Gemma taking a little longer to reach the same conclusion. Over time, though, she decided to accept his invitation on a date. Lo and behold, they both met - under the clock at Cleary's, naturally - in unintentionally matching burgundy: her dress and his shirt! They took this as a good omen, and their first date was going to see a play at The Gate Theatre. (Remember this - it's important later on!)
Burgundy bridesmaids' dresses - a sweet nod to matching outfits on a first date! (Also, kudos to Caoimhe for wearing Converse with her bridesmaid's dress. It was a fabulous combination!)
Photo Credit: Eamonn Smyth Photography
All the world's a stage...
When you're dating a man who works at The Olympia Theatre in Dublin, concerts and shows will always be an important backdrop to your daily life. They have been a shared passion, and Gemma keeps a program for each that they attend in a special box, cataloguing all their outings. The tables at their Reception dinner were all named after shows they had seen together in the intervening years.
Unlike every other play they have seen together since, they didn't remember to bring a program home after that first date at The Gate Theatre. I wish I could even begin explaining Gemma's reaction to finding out that Peter had tracked down the original artwork for that first program and had it professionally printed to give her as a wedding gift at the end of his speech. She looked as if she might collapse. You could tell that nothing could have meant as much as adding the missing piece after all this time. It was perfect. Oddly, it seemed that many of us had something in our eyes just at that moment. Strange...
A family affair.
At the heart of it all, there was such loving pride in each other, their family, and the life they built together.
Gemma's daughter, Caoimhe, whom we met in Notes From Home previously, turned 19 two days after the wedding when the newlyweds were in Portugal, so there was a special birthday cake for her at the end of the speeches, and a resounding chorus of Happy Birthday, much to her embarrassment! She was three when she first met Peter, and it seems she was a fan from the start, telling an understandably cautious Gemma that she wanted to spend more time with Peter, and in her own way, giving her blessing. There is wisdom, we are told, from the mouths of babes. It seems like it might apply to toddlers, too.
Both Caoimhe and Layla helped with a sand ritual during the ceremony, amid much laughter.
Photo Credit: Eamonn Smyth Photography
Layla, their younger daughter, gave a speech as Gaelige during the ceremony, and despite her undoubted nerves, made her mam and dad very proud. It evident that the feeling was entirely mutual. Everyone was very emotional in the best possible way.
Layla.
Photo Credit: Kenn Yeates
The My Irish Jeweler celebration.
We are so lucky to hear incredible love stories almost daily, but I'd be lying if I said it wasn't awesome to share one of our own! We were all delighted that Gemma and Peter got to revel in their special day, and we particularly love that after several hectic months of planning, Gemma characterised the day as "very chilled-out." (I may have mentioned previously that Gemma is approximately 76% whirlwind most of the time, so to hear that it was a relatively relaxed day for her was a definite bonus.)
Decorous and restrained as always in our celebrations!
Back row: Dennise, Margaret, Jill, Ruth, Ciarán.
Front row: Gemma, Peter, Danny.
Photo Credit: Eamonn Smyth Photography
Raise your glass in a toast...
We want to take this opportunity to thank Gemma and Peter for sharing your big day with us, and for very graciously allowing me to pick the photographs to share with our community—it's exceedingly generous of you both. And perhaps you, Dear Reader, might join me in a toast to the happy couple? We send them a huge Comhgairdeas - congratulations - and the wish that their grá, dílseacht, agus cairdeas - love, loyalty, and friendship - will carry them through all their years to come!
Who knew the slightly soggy streets of Trim would be treated to a love like this?
Photo Credit: Eamonn Smyth Photography
P.S.
And because Gemma is inimitably Gemma and never misses an opportunity to share items from our range, she wants you to know that all of the groomsmen wore customised ogham cufflinks in sterling silver. The bridesmaids had customised ogham pendants in silver and gold! Caoimhe's necklace is this personalised and hand-engraved ogham piece. As usual, Tony engraved all of these pieces by hand.
Gemma chose a pair of dual Coat of Arms cufflinks as a unique wedding gift for the man she loves. Because when a Butler marries a Yeates, sure you'd have to!
The handsome groom getting ready to meet his fate!
Photo Credit: Eamonn Smyth Photography.
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Vicky
My Irish Jeweler
My Welsh grandmother introduced me to two of my great loves in life before I was four years of age: she taught me to read and, under careful supervision, permitted me to look through her jewelry box. Stories and shiny things have been my passions ever since!
In the forty years I have lived here, Ireland has changed dramatically in virtually every aspect. Among its constants, though, is a rich tradition of decorative adornment and storytelling in all its forms: from the ancient carvings at Newgrange, the beautiful golden torcs in the National Museum, and the world-famous Book of Kells, to our modern designers, writers, musicians, and craftspeople. Celtic creativity is more powerful today than ever, and that is why it's my honor to share our stories and witness yours.
Comments
Congratulations on the happy wedding! Thank you for sharing their story.
Hi Laelia,
Thank you for taking the time to visit with us! Gemma has been very touched by all the comments, emails, and good wishes she's received since we shared her wedding. She and Peter were very kind to share photos with us from what was a wonderful day!
A beautiful love story. Best wishes for a blessed life.
I passed your well wishes on to Gemma Sherry. Thank you!
Congratulations to Gemma & Peter!! Thank you for sharing their story. I loved the pics !
My granddaughter received her Ogham necklace from My Irish Jeweler for her birthday. She is 13 and not a big jewelry person, and she loved it. She especially liked the Ogham because no one will be able to read it, haha! It says peanut, because she will always be my peanut, Lord knows at 13 you can't have the world or your friends know that you are your Nana's peanut! :) Sheila Blackmur
Not sure how we missed your wonderful comment Sheila. You are 100% right. No self respecting teenager could have a necklace with peanut written on it, no matter how much they love their Nana ;) That's just one of the many reasons why we love ogham too! My own daughter has an ogham necklace- she is nearly 12 and is just entering those tricky years, but she still loves it. Thanks for sharing your lovely story.
Beautifully written--thank you for sharing this personal story. Sitting here in Southern Utah in the US grinning big after reading this lovely story of love and celebration!
That is so lovely to hear Carol. So glad you enjoyed Vicky's recap of the day. She has a way with words but she had great material to work with! A magic day.
After many years and one hand written page from my grandmother I actually found family still living on the old townland of Tornaroan in Ballycastle Co Antrim. Almost 300 years there
Wow what fantastic family history Mary! Wonderful that you were able to track down those deep roots. And Ballycastle is a wonderful part of the world to have ties to! Gorgeous!
Ask Gemma
I so enjoyed this story of love and celebration. It’s a cold day here in Oregon/USA…but reading these stories just keeps me engaged with Ireland. I SO want to get over there again…SOON. And this time…make time to actually visit your store in person.
All the offerings, blog, recipes, guides etc are what make you all a class act! Happy Holidays !