It is a sheer delight to share Donna and Tara’s real wedding, a joyful celebration of love, style, and personal touches. This lovely pair exchanged vows at Dublin City Hall before heading to their reception at The Clarence Hotel’s chic Rose Room, where every detail reflected their elegant yet effortless aesthetic. Cool, radiant, and brimming with personality, they carried a bouquet nodding to Donna’s South African heritage and included sweet something old and blue touches.
Their Dublin City wedding invite was simple: "dinner, wine, and a bit of craic"—a perfect reflection of the joyful, relaxed vibe that carried through the day. And for a fun surprise, the couple treated their guests to a fabulous drag queen performance! Their wedding album images, captured by Phil Voon of Give Us A Goo, are brimming with so much love—making it a true privilege to share their magical day with you.
Donna, originally from Johannesburg, and Tara, from Dublin, now call South Dublin home together. Their paths crossed in the most natural way—through a Meet Up group for like-minded people, not a dating app. Donna had gone along to one of the get-togethers and fate stepped in when she met Tara.
The connection was instant. They began texting, and one evening Donna asked Tara about her dream date. Tara’s reply? “Drinks on a beach in Fiji, haha.” Donna laughed and suggested something a little more local, so they met for drinks at Street66 in Dublin. From that night, the spark never faded—and as they say, they’ve never looked back.
When it came to asking the big question, Donna had everything perfectly planned. She had worked with Denise and the team at Rare Jewellers to design the ring, and her dream was to propose on Tiknock, a place that held such meaning in their dating journey.
But as life often does, it threw them a curveball. On the very weekend Donna had chosen, her parents, who had flown in specially had to stay at their home when their accommodation fell through due to Covid restrictions. Rather than delay the moment, Donna decided their home was the perfect place to begin the next chapter.
Tara, who had no idea the ring had already been completed and collected by Donna and her mum, was completely surprised. With champagne, sparkles, and plenty of tears of joy, their proposal became even more intimate and heartfelt than originally planned.
At first, Donna and Tara planned a simple ceremony at the registry office. But as the weeks and months unfolded, they realised just how many special people had walked alongside them in their personal and relationship journeys. Those loved ones had to be part of their day. So instead, they chose the beautifully historic Dublin City Hall as the place to say “I do”, a venue that reflected both the significance of the occasion and their desire for everyone to come exactly as they are, to celebrate love, laughter, and togetherness.
Donna and Tara tied the knot on 19th May, surrounded by 64 of their closest family and friends in a Humanist ceremony conducted by Emma Sides from Humanism.ie. One of Donna’s most special moments was being walked down the aisle by her mother. She had originally hoped both her parents could be there, but her father sadly passed before the wedding. Before his passing, he had gifted her a beautiful blue bracelet, which her mother presented to her that morning. “Although very emotional, it was a beautiful way of having him close,” Donna reflected. Her family continued to play a meaningful role throughout the ceremony, lighting the candle, carrying the rings, and proudly witnessing the couple’s union.
Another deeply moving touch came when Marion Nolan, who had actively canvassed for the marriage equality referendum, lit a candle during the ceremony. It was an incredibly meaningful gesture, symbolising not only the coming together of two families, but also the love, progress, and equality that made Donna and Tara’s union possible.
The ceremony was made even more personal with their chosen reading — a slightly adapted version of Robert Fulgham’s poem Union, where they left out the final line, “this is my husband.” This thoughtful change made the reading feel perfectly theirs, reflecting the uniqueness of their own love story.
Donna and Tara’s wedding style was effortlessly elegant, perfectly reflecting their personalities. Tara wore a chic, subtle fishtail gown with delicate pearl-edge detailing, sourced from Web2Be.com, paired with her mother’s shoes for a touch of “something old.” Her bridal accessories included a blue stone from Carraig Donn as her “something blue.”
Donna looked dashing in a tailored suit, with Zara trousers and a blazer from Amazon.ie, paired with shoes from Amazon.ie. Her accessories included a blue stone bracelet, purchased by her father during his illness and lovingly presented by her mother on the morning of the wedding—a deeply meaningful touch. Together, dressed in white and gold, the couple’s look was refined yet natural, complementing their relaxed, joyful, and love-filled celebration.
Tara carried a simple bouquet of Proteas, the national flower of South Africa, as a nod to her new wife Donna. As these blooms only appear between July and December, artificial flowers were used to capture their beauty and significance for the day.
After the ceremony, Donna and Tara, accompanied by their photographer Phil Voon of Give Us a Goo discovered via One Fab Day’s recommended supplier directory—took a ride around Dublin in a charming vintage camper van from Volks Weddings, also found through One Fab Day, capturing beautiful moments in the city’s iconic spots.
What made the day truly special was how deeply personal it felt. In the lead-up, Tara and her future mother-in-law, Mary, spent time making the decorations by hand—it wasn’t just about the details they created, but the bond they built during those quiet, shared moments. “Our wedding aesthetic wasn’t about following trends — it was about intentional choices filled with personal touches that truly reflected who we are,” Tara explains.
The couple then held their reception in the Rose Room at The Clarence Hotel. “We chose this venue for our wedding as it was perfectly located near City Hall,” they shared. “It has a beautifully refurbished private room with its own bar, easy elevator access, and views of the River Liffey. The space has an elegant, charming feel, making it ideal for celebrating with our loved ones.” Donna and Tara discovered The Clarence while searching on Google Maps for hotels or venues within walking distance of City Hall—and it was love at first sight.
Here, they celebrated with their nearest and dearest, creating a space filled with laughter, connection, and meaning. As the couple put it, “Soft pink tones wove their way through the celebration, adding gentle beauty to a day defined not by tradition, but by togetherness, freedom, and the deep love we share.”
The newlyweds made their grand reception entrance to Dreams by The Cranberries, setting the perfect celebratory tone. They cut their stunning wedding cake, gifted by Donna’s talented niece Felicity Reynolds, before sharing their first dance to This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) by Natalie Cole.
Great advice we were given was to relax and restore a couple of days before the wedding. “The lead-up is stressful, and you want to be completely present on the day. It goes so quickly, so be sure to enjoy and embrace every moment—and remember, it’s for you. You’ve most likely paid enough for it! Haha.”
The couple celebrated a few days later with a mini-moon in Corfu and then marked their one-year anniversary with a honeymoon in Phuket, Thailand. Donna and Tara recommend getting away, even for a short break afterwards. “It’s the perfect way to unwind and continue the celebration,” they shared.
We want to say a huge congratulations and thank you to our lovely couple Tara & Donna for sharing their joyful Dublin City wedding with One Fab Day! A very special thank you also to Phil Voon of Give Us A Goo for the wonderful photos, you can see even more in the gallery below.
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