Tullamore couple marry in Little White Wedding Chapel in Vegas

A Tullamore couple who got together in the Tullamore Harriers nightclub seven years ago sealed the deal by getting married in the famous Little White Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas just over a week ago.

Speaking to the Offaly Independent newlyweds John Grennan (24) and Amy O’Meara (24) said their alternative wedding was “surreal”, but that they “wouldn’t change it for the world”.

John first spoke to Amy after being dared to by his friend Mark Bracken when she visited his then workplace, The Lantern on Kilbride Street, with her father Dinny. The couple became friends, and then more than that one fateful night in the Harriers disco.

Now seven years a couple, John and Amy had to go through some tough times before getting to their wedding day. The couple’s first born child had a rare heart defect and was stillborn in 2009, and John lost his gran Tessie Grennan just ten days later. The two came through the bad times stronger than ever however, and in 2009 they welcomed little Lola to the world.

John’s proposal in May 2011 was not romantic according to Amy, after he fell while down on one knee and she ended up hitting him with a door.

Their wedding day turns out to be both romantic and iconic however.

It was Amy who hit on the idea of getting married in Vegas, after John revealed last February he’d booked them a holiday there.

Arranging their Little White Wedding Chapel was done in the main by John. “I’m a better organiser,” he joked.

The couple flew out to Vegas on January 24 last along with Amy’s parents Paula and Dinny and her best friend Aileen Kirwan from Ballycumber, and returned for a big party in John’s current workplace The Central Hotel a week later.

The got married on January 26, with friends in The Lantern watching a live stream from the chapel.

“It was brilliant,” John said. “It was a bit surreal,” Amy added. “Seven minutes and we were married!”

The couple’s Tullamore wedding party last Saturday included a full casino as well as a photo booth, band and DJ.

They were joined for that party by their daughter Lola, who Amy said was only interested in putting on her own “princess dress”.

With life now back to normal after a whirlwind few weeks, John and Amy said being married feels not that different to before. “Just my hand feels heavier with jewellery,” quipped John.

The couple have thanked everyone who helped make their dream wedding come true and who celebrated with them last weekend.