'We finally got down the aisle'

When Amy Hutchinson said yes to David Fitzpatrick’s proposal of marriage in November 2018, neither realised that their wedding day would be delayed three times.

The Covid-19 pandemic was the cause of those postponed dates, but the couple have now sealed the deal.

They were married at the Cathedral of Christ the King in Mullingar on Thursday, and are off to Dubai for their honeymoon on Saturday next.

A Westmeath Examiner photographer was present when David surprised Amy, his “best friend/girlfriend” during her 30th birthday party in Kerrigan’s seven years ago, and photos were carried in the November 24 edition.

David contacted the Examiner office last week to say they were getting married, and that article from that time is important to the couple as some of their guests that night have since passed on.

Speaking after the big day, David said: “The wedding was everything we dreamed of. We’d tried to get married three times, but with Covid but it didn’t work out.”

He praised the team at Bloomfield House Hotel, where they had their reception, for their professionalism from when they visited on a wedding open day: “It just all fell into place and the day was beautiful. We had family and friends, it was fantastic, everyone said they had a lovely time.” David’s best man was Shane Ford, with whom he served in the army, and Amy’s maid of honour was her cousin Laura Hutchinson.

“Hopefully with the help of God, all goes well, we’ll be heading to Dubai this Saturday coming for our honeymoon for 10 days. We’re very happy we finally got down the aisle after a few years of trying.”