Wedding Wednesday: 2 August 1954, Mary and Michael ever after

There has been a lot of loss in my family of late, and sometimes losing the ones we love can be so overwhelming that it is easy to forget the times of joy they knew in their lives. Although it is not the anniversary of my parents' wedding until the second day of August, today I am posting these photographs in celebration of the love and the life they had together. I am so very grateful to my mom for saving these precious photographs, leaving them to me, and thus granting me the privilege of being their future caretaker.

On the day my parents married, my mom Mary Jane Teresa Ball was aged 23 years, and my father Michael Francis Geraghty was 25 years old. Their future was all about possibility, and these photographs reflect the happiness they felt as they embarked on their new life together. The first image posted here is so very special to me. It features my maternal grandfather, Patrick Ball, whom I never had the opportunity to meet. He is escorting his second born daughter, and seventh born child, Mary Jane Teresa into Ringsend Roman Catholic Church, Dublin. This is one of the very few images I have of my grandfather.

If you have experienced loss in your family, take out the old photographs you have, and remember happy times. Even if you have not lost someone, take the opportunity now to look at old photographs with family members, to share their stories, to tell them that you love them.

On her father's arm, the stroll into the church.

The marriage ceremony as viewed from the choir loft of Ringsend Church.

Now husband and wife - Michael and Mary Geraghty

From left to right:
John Geraghty (Dad's brother), Michael Geraghty (my dad), Mary Ball (my mom), Kate Ball (Mary's sister).

After the church wedding, the very serious business of civil registration.

It's time to celebrate.

At the wedding breakfast, the cutting of the cake.

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