Real Grooms: Kevin Donnelly
Here’s an inspiring true story of triumph over adversity. Our real groom, Kevin Donnelly, wasn’t going to let the trifling matter of record-breaking treacherous weather, winter blizzards and unpassable roads stop his wedding from taking place. That’s the Great British Bulldog spirit for you! This gorgeous winter wedding wonderland was captured in style by the fabulous Anneli Marinovich Photography.
Your Name: Kevin Donnelly
Age: 34
Bride’s name: Jemma
Best man and ushers: Anthony Williams – Best Man; Mike La Bouchard, Simon Money, David Edwards, Jon Kerr – forced to turn back by snow on his way to the church – Ushers.
Where did you get married? Bisley Church
Where was your stag do – any scars?
My stag do was supposed to be a night of sensible, light drinking in Reading on 4th December. However, snow over the east of England put paid to it. So my stag do was me, a newspaper, several pints of Stella and a couple of bags of crisps – plain, I think.
What did the men wear on the day?
The dress code was black tie so it was black suits or dark grey suits with black neckties. In fact, because of the circumstances, it wasn’t really a priority, so my best man’s late arrival, in a blizzard, with his wife and children, was so wonderful and uplifting that his red bow tie seemed completely appropriate! My original idea had been for some kind of Jam circa 1980 look. However, although I did quite well on that front with a proper three-button mod type suit from Jeff Banks, I’m too old, too heavy and too bald to accurately represent Paul Weller in the Going Underground video. But it was the thought that counted.
What three pieces of advice would you give to other blokes going through the whole wedding thing now?
1. Be thankful for the wedding. I had no friends or family at my wedding, except for my parents, my sister and her fiancé and my best man, thanks to the oh so Christmassy wedding, and my parents only made it after a four hour journey from about 20 miles away. I – we – could have cancelled it or delayed it or just been really unhappy. But we made the best of it all and had a magnificent service and a fabulous day, made possible by the kindness of others and their determination to see our day. So – be thankful for what you have.
2. It is about the marriage, not the wedding. We had all sorts of things we wanted, but the key point was the moment of actual marriage. And when you think of it like that, everything else melts away and you realise what you are doing. Then you join yourself to this person and everything is different for ever.
3. Having said all that, the wedding is definitely the bride’s occasion. You need to be prepared to give the bride most of what she wants because she will be doing a lot of the organising work – and let it flow over you. With a great suit you will look amazing, but it is different for girls (as Joe Jackson once sang).
A word for the lady, come on, say something emotional about your bride…
I decided, as the snow fell all around us, and the empty pews rang with the silence of missing friends and families, that what would make this most special was seeing her for the first time that day only when she walked up to join me by the altar. And the moment was incredible. She was, quite literally, the most beautiful woman I have ever seen, with an elegant dress, stunning headpiece, and a look of sheer love on her face.
Staggered says:
Jemma and Kevin – you rock! Well done for persevering and getting your priorities 100% right. Our heartfelt congratulations to you both. Ultimately, it’s the big day that counts (with the stag do pranks coming a close second…).
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