THE ultra smart wedding season kicked off officially with the alliance of Elaine Doody and Hugo Merry. Close on its stilettos followed the festive marriage of Mary O'Donovan, daughter of The O'Donovan and Madame O'Donovan, to Francis Chamberlain, grandson of Neville Chamberlain, in Skibbereen. Guests descended from all over Ireland, as well as from New York and London, where Mary works for Conran Octopus books and Francis is a barrister. Bridesmaids were the bride's sister Katharine, a European bank analyst, and Faith O'Grady of Lilliput Press.
Following the ceremony, there was a champagne reception in a marquee at the bride's parents' house in the heart of Somerville and Ross country for 250 guests, including best man Tom Somerville, who put up the groom's family in Castletownshend, as well as agent Amanda Greacen, writer Victoria Glendinning, Image editor Jane McDonnell and her husband, multimedia ace Donald Hickey. The Bagwell clan was there, along with the handsome father to be Ed Bonham Carter, the actress Helena's brother.
Afterwards, everyone slipped off to change into fancy dress for a dramatic dance complete with reels and caller. The London crowd looked particularly amazing, some having borrowed costumes from opera companies, but none more so than the bride. She donned a red wig and tiara but remained in her stunningly simple Empire dress.