Gate crashers are most welcome at this wedding

While most weddings cost tens of thousands of euro, one special mock wedding is set to raise more than €27,000 in memory of a special lady and in aid of a good cause.

You are cordially invited to a mock wedding in memory of Peggy Smith (née Brady) at the Lavey Inn next Saturday night.

The ‘I do’ ceremony will take a different course to that of the norm, as none of the guests attending know who the bride and groom will be.

Each ticket holder will serve as both guest and audience and sit down to a night of food, dancing and celebration.

The night is being organised in honour of Peggy Smith who passed away with cancer two years ago. In her fifties, Peggy was a much-loved mum, wife, sister, neighbour and friend to many, each of whom have come together to organise this special night in her memory. She was also a beloved childcare worker, and played a big part in the lives of many young people during her time at Laragh Childcare.

“A hell of a lot was thought of Peggy, she was loved far and wide,” her husband Feilim told the Celt.

“No matter where you were, if there was kids there, they’d always run up to her. They all knew her, she was really good.”

Her family wanted to raise money for Cavan Monaghan Palliative Care who looked after Peggy so well throughout her illness.

“When Peggy needed the help, palliative care was there,” Feilim described.

When Feilim saw a mock wedding fundraiser taking place down in Cork, he decided this would be a great idea for their fundraiser. After calling up to Declan Smith’s house, within a few hours the date was set, the venue was booked and food was arranged. Invitations (tickets) were snapped up, and the fundraiser has nearly raised €20,000 with more than a week to go until the big day.

The play, which follows a couple who meet in a pub and, with some financial incentive, end up getting married very soon after, was written by Adrian McCabe (Laz), Noleen and Benny Sexton.

With a cast of fifteen Lavey locals, those attending are in for some surprises on the night as nobody knows who will end up getting married on stage.

“It’ll be a good night for everybody, and it’s going to a good cause,” Feilim said, describing how he is very thankful to Cavan Monaghan Palliative Care for the support they showed to his family during a difficult time.

Feilim is “overwhelmed” and “shocked” with the support shown to the fundraiser to date and thanked everybody involved.

“It’s great that people want to help out and it shows the generosity of people,” he said.

The mock wedding will take place at The Lavey Inn on Saturday, April 18, at 6pm. Tickets can be purchased from any committee members, at The Lavey Inn and on the night, gate crashers are very welcome to this wedding.

Donations can be made here.