Lisa and Dave were the third generation in Lisa’s family to marry at The Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin, following in the footsteps of her parents and grandparents. They celebrated with an intimate group of 13 close family members, including a few special cameos from their puppy Zola and Lisa’s nephew Max.
Couple: Lisa and David
Engagement length: 4 months
Wedding date: 2025-04-18
Wedding location: The Shelbourne
Photographer:
Lisa Chonier
Lisa and Dave were friends when they were 16, socialising in the same circles. Life eventually led them in different directions – Dave moved to Canada, and Lisa, after training as a Midwife, headed to Australia. In 2017, they reconnected in Melbourne while Dave was over with his family visiting his brother. When Lisa returned home in 2019 she made sure to pop by Dave’s new restaurant, Shaka Poké, for lunch. everything unfolded from there.
Not long after getting their new puppy Zola, Lisa and Dave planned a hike up the Fairy Castle Trail in Ticknock. Dave had organised everything, unaware that Storm Darragh was about to roll in. Despite the weather warnings, he insisted they go ahead. At the top of the trail, chilled to the bone but still smiling, Dave got down on one knee and asked Lisa to marry him. The storm meant they had the whole place to themselves, something they both loved.
Lisa and Dave were the third generation in Lisa’s family to marry at The Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin, following in the footsteps of her parents and grandparents. They celebrated with an intimate group of 13 close family members, including a few special cameos from their puppy Zola and Lisa’s nephew Max. The Constitution Room needed little embellishment, but vibrant florals in pinks, oranges, and reds added a joyful pop of colour. Each guest received a handwritten letter, and Lisa honoured her family’s legacy by placing her granny’s original 1950s wedding cake decorations on their cake. And keeping with family traditions, it rained all day but this didn’t stop it being the best day of our lives.
Lisa and Dave embraced a timeless and elegant style with classic black-tie wedding attire. Dave wore a sleek black suit with a bow tie, while Lisa opted for a chic white, mid-shin length dress from Brown Thomas, thoughtfully tailored to suit her own taste. The overall look was simple, sophisticated, and effortlessly true to who they are as a couple.
The wedding party also followed the black-tie theme, adding to the classic atmosphere of the day. There were beautiful pops of colour from the mother of the bride and Lisa’s future sister-in-law, Pippa.
The ceremony was intimate and relaxed, beautifully guided by their celebrant, Michael Grace, who captured Lisa and Dave’s unique love story with warmth and laughter. Personal readings added meaningful touches, including selections connected to music, one of Dave’s biggest passions. Lisa’s late granny Gan, a cherished source of love and support for both of them, was lovingly remembered throughout the day. Her favourite song, Harvest Moon, was played during the ceremony, creating a deeply special moment.
They tied the knot at The Shelbourne, the beautiful venue where Lisa’s parents and grandparents got married.
“Choosing The Shelbourne was an easy decision. From the moment we decided on a small, intimate wedding, it felt like the only place that truly made sense. Getting married in such a special, historic venue that holds deep meaning for our family made the day even more meaningful for us all.”
The festivities were beautifully captured by Lisa Chonier!
“We were recommended our photographer, also named Lisa, by our celebrant. After just one call, we knew she was the perfect fit – her relaxed and positive attitude was exactly what we wanted. Despite the rain (which seems to be a bit of a family wedding tradition!), she made sure it didn’t affect the photos at all. Lisa was wonderful with our puppy Zola and baby Max, blending seamlessly into the day like part of the family. She captured the love and joy in the room perfectly and was an absolute pleasure to work with.”
For their intimate wedding, Dave created the perfect playlist to set the background for their day. Thoughtful details included personalised letters at each place setting, photos of their parents and grandparents on their wedding days, and decorations from Lisa’s granny’s cake. A special tribute was made by opening a bottle of Jameson whiskey gifted to Lisa’s granny for her 90th birthday, which was shared with family at the end of the dinner.
A favourite memory for Lisa, and for all of the wedding guests, was the standout moment when Dave surprised her during the ceremony by singing Latch by Sam Smith with his guitar. It was an unforgettable and emotional surprise that made the day even more special.
Newlyweds give brilliant wedding day advice. Here’s what Lisa and Dave said:
“Everyone has their own style and vision for their wedding. We found that keeping things simple and staying true to our own tastes made the day feel effortlessly special and perfectly us.”
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Photographer: Lisa Chonier
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Venue: The Shelbourne | Hair: Gemma Murphy | Makeup: Nas Ghaedi | Dress: Brown Thomas | Celebrant: Michael Grace
