The bride didn't wear white, she wasn't late and there was no tight security. There was even a small break in the clouds as Crona Byrne, daughter of Gay Byrne, arrived at St Enda's Church in Spiddal, Co Galway, yesterday for her wedding to a Limerick accountant Mr Philip Carney.
In fact, some of the 180 guests were almost caught out by the bride's punctuality, and were still chatting outside when she arrived. Just 15 minutes before, the President, Mrs McAleese, and her husband, Martin, had taken their seats for the ceremony, while other invited guests included the comedian Brendan Grace and his wife, Eileen, the Riverdance duo John McColgan and Moya Doherty, former Irish triple crown-winning rugby captain Dr Karl Mullen and his wife, Doreen, and several of Gay Byrne's colleagues from RTÉ.
Pupils from Scoil Einne National School in Spiddal were let off classes for the occasion, and were in time to catch sight of Ms Byrne's golden gown over a trouser suit, complete with a full-length veil which her mother, Ms Kathleen Watkins, had worn for her nuptials 40 years ago.
The bridesmaid, Sarah, daughter of the President, was also attracting attention. She has known Crona since she was a nanny to the McAleese family.
The youngest guest, Cian O'Byrne, slept through much of the proceedings, officiated by Father Ted O'Rahilly and Canon Brendan Kelly. The baby is the bride's first nephew, and the first grandchild for her parents.
After the church, and the photographs on Spiddal beach, the guests drove to the Connemara Coast Hotel in Furbo, owned by Mr Charlie Sinnott, for a meal which began with tartlet of sundried tomatoes and goats cheese, dressed with chilli and red pepper jam. This was followed by lemon sorbet, and home-made carrot and coriander soup. For the main course there was a choice of beef in red wine sauce or plaice stuffed with salmon mousse and served with a saffron cream sauce.
Those that could manage it finished off with a chocolate mousse tower with crispy waffles and Tia Maria anglaise.
The music included a karaoke session, during which the bride's father was reportedly overcome with shyness.
The party will continue today as the wedding couple and close family members travel to the Aran Islands.
