‘They’ve actually really hit it off’ – Trinity College students marry in ‘fake’ wedding ceremony in aid of homeless and domestic violence
The ‘Big Fat Trinity Wedding’ – organised by students from the university – saw bride and groom, Máire Ní Ghuairim from Limerick and Luke Murphy from Dublin, unofficially tie the knot in front of more than 200 spectators in the Atrium Building on campus after months of preparation.Funds raised for the inaugural event – which currently stand at more than €7,000 – were raised through social events, campaigning and ticket sales and will be split between three charities: Dublin Simon Community, Women’s Aid and Free Legal Advice Centres (FLAC).From ring bearers and flower girls to wedding singers and staged objections, the ceremony had everything as the Trinity student community came together to pull off an ambitious gathering that was months in the making.The mastermind behind the whole thing, second-year Law and French student Labhraidh Ní Choisteala, came up with the idea in October and collaborated with Kitty Carolan and Bella McMahon to bring together three of the college’s biggest student societies: Law Society, Trinity Ents and Trinity FLAC.The process to pair up couples began in an earlier application phase where love’s hopefuls threw their hat into the ring.“This side of Christmas, then we basically decided that we were going to open up applications for the whole college. Anyone could apply and we ended up then with six couples,” she said."We had a form for people who are applying and they would fill out their hobbies and their interests. Then we basically took the forms and matched people up based on them.”Promotion for the wedding gained massive traction online, and Ms Ní Choisteala is shocked by the unprecedented attention it received.“The whole purpose of it was it was all for charity and all of our proceeds are going to charity. So we said that we would launch a really big social media campaign and now we've got nearly 50,000 views on some of our videos on Instagram for them.”The six couples selected to compete for the title of Big Fat Trinity Wedding newlyweds. Picture: InstagramOnce the six couples were paired off, each one was tasked with arranging their own efforts to raise as much money for charity as they could in order to be in contention for selection to become newlyweds at the much-anticipated event.In the final week before the wedding, stag and hen do’s and an engagement party were held. During the engagement party, a game of Mr and Mrs was played involving all six couples, and attendees voted for the couple with the most chemistry which Máire and Luke won outright.“We kept the groom away from the bride beforehand and we had the first look when she walked up the aisle,” Ms Ní Choisteala said.The parents of both students turned up to the event – Máire's mother took the day off work to be there and Luke’s mother was also in attendance with his sister who played the role of flower girl.Trinity College Provost Linda Doyle also turned up to support the cause.Speaking about the newlywed student couple, Ms Ní Choisteala said: "They've actually really hit it off, which is gas. I think this is the start of a love story. We think we're matchmakers.”
