A cancer-battling bride has fulfilled her final wish to marry her fiance of 17 years.
Loved-up Christine Gibbons, 38, and Vincent Callaghan, 43, tied the knot at a bitter sweet ceremony in St Francis Xavier’s Church in Dublin.
Christine has been bravely battling the killer disease but was devastatingly told by doctors in December that it is terminal, ‘Mirror’ reported.
But the beautiful bride was beaming yesterday as she said ‘I Do’ at 2pm, followed by a drinks reception at the plush Mansion House.
She told the Irish Mirror following the nuptials: “It was a beautiful ceremony. I’ve always wanted to get married since I was younger. After 20 years together it’s about time.
“I wouldn’t care if I was getting married in a barn.”
Her loving new husband Vincent added: “It was a great ceremony. We really appreciate it, we’re delighted.”
A kind-hearted group of local community representatives launched a campaign in January to give their neighbour her dream wedding.
And the couple was blown away by the generosity of local businesses.
Everything from the stunning dresses and suits, hair and make-up, horse and carriage, white doves, rings, cake, photographer, DJ and decorations were given free of charge.
Dublin Lord Mayor Christy Burke offered the wedding party the use of the luxurious Mansion House for a drinks reception and first dance.
Around 80 guests then sat down to a four-course turkey and ham meal at their local pub.
The blushing bride danced with her dad to the song ‘Your Wedding Day’ by Jimmy Buckley.
And groom Vincent, who is a karaoke lover, sang ‘If Tomorrow Never Comes’ by his idol Garth Brooks.
The Irish Mirror sat down with the loved-up couple a few weeks ago ahead of their big day.
Dubs Christine and Vincent ‘Vinny’ met 20 years ago after being introduced by Christine’s younger brother and have been inseparable since.
Vincent proposed to Christine on her 21st birthday.
Christine gushed: “I know this sounds corny but I knew when I met him that he was the one, I don’t know what it was, I just knew.
“I could tell him anything. He’s like a male version of me and I’m like a female version of him.”
Vincent, a chef, said Christine’s beauty first attracted him to her: “I could tell her anything… and of course she was gorgeous.”
The couple tried to have children for 17 years but were never blessed with kids.
Christine has never travelled outside of Ireland for a holiday but they plan to go to Roscommon for their honeymoon.
Christine added: “If there is anything left over from the wedding it will be donated to a cancer charity because I have cancer and so many people know someone with cancer.
“I’m overwhelmed by the generosity, people that don’t even know me donated.”
Local community representative for Dominick Street Lower, Gerry Carney, said the campaign to organise Christine’s dream wedding demonstrated the wonderful community spirit in the area.
He said: “We want to thank every single person who donated and helped out. It was a combined effort with the whole group.”
