THIS looks like the model of a perfect business marriage an imaginative idea and an attractive entrepreneur have combined to create the newly formed Wedding List Company. Noticing a gap in the market, Ally Phelan has just set up her own organisation to assist affianced couples sort out the tricky business of advising friends what presents they'd like to receive. Accordingly, she has liaised with many, of the capital's most enticing emporia to discover what they have in store.
Wedding lists aren't a new idea, agrees Ms Phelan, but in this country they're still not widely used.1 However, she believes their time has come as more and more urbanites lead lives too busy to leave enough time for taking care of every last detail before a wedding. "It's all about convenience and practicality," says the Wedding List's boss, who's hoping that house buyers may also care to avail of her services. Aside from the customary plates and glassware, her lists are full of quirky, details such as chess sets, cigar snuffers and dictionaries.
A stalwart on the model circuit for the past three years and with no intention of giving up this aspect of her life for the time being Ally Phelan originally planned to study music at TCD but left after only a year to learn Italian in Milan it was there her modelling career began. Now settled back in Ireland, although she has a long standing boyfriend Stephen Firth, who's responsible for all those amusing advertising postcards now found in many restaurants Ms Phelan has no plans, to get married herself.
Maybe in five years time," she" says, "but I'm enjoying myself far too much now." Still, she will be able to practise her new skills close to home in the months ahead Mr Firth's sister Nicola is getting married next September and she has employed the services of the Wedding List Company.