Newlyweds Tanya Gilmore and William West have been “totally overwhelmed” by all the congratulatory messages they have received following their weekend wedding, a closely guarded secret.

They decided to keep the event a low key affair, and only a handful of people, including the minister, Canon Brian Harper, had been in on their plans.

Even their mothers hadn’t known what was happening until they arrived at Magheracross Parish Church in Ballinamallard for the ceremony on Saturday evening, February 21.

Tanya’s mother, Mrs. Muriel Gilmore, and William’s mother, Mrs. Maureen West acted as the witnesses at the ceremony, which was conducted by Canon Harper.

“We wanted it kept quiet,” explained Tanya, adding that they wanted “a low key wedding”.

She disclosed that they had only started planning the wedding on February 2, 2015, and obviously there were plans to be made.

As well as making arrangements with the minister, they bought their wedding rings from the County Jewellers, they booked the honeymoon at Carefree Travel, and on Thursday February 5 they made a reservation at the MacNean Restaurant, thanks to a cancellation.

“We had an amazing time,” felt Tanya, who had told her mother she was taking her out for a meal on Saturday night with Mrs. West. And it wasn’t until she had parked the car in Ballinamallard that evening that she told her mother that she and William were getting married.

She was “very much” taken aback, admits Tanya, who had also been concerned about her mother’s sister who had been critically ill in South West Acute Hospital last weekend.

William’s mother had been brought to Magheracross under the pretence of going along to hear Tanya sing in the church, and she only learned what was happening once she was inside the church.

Ken McBride, the photographer, was dressed in a tuxedo as he was going to the Rotary Ball, so the penny was certainly starting to drop about what was taking place.

Tanya wore a knee length dress (grey with a gold lace covering, with tulle under the skirt) from Harry and George in Enniskillen, and she only bought her shoes last Thursday at Sloan’s in Enniskillen. She wore pearls in her hair which were worn by her sister Joanne on her wedding day. On Saturday afternoon, Noel in Studio 37 styled Tanya’s hair, and Adele at Clinique in Boots did her make-up and she hadn’t even told them what was happening! The bouquet was purchased on Saturday morning from Flowers by Sylvia. After the ceremony was conducted by Canon Harper, the bridal party travelled to MacNean Restaurant in Blacklion for the celebratory meal.

But there were a couple of stops en route. Tanya’s aunt, Charlotte Gilmore, aged 93, is in Millcroft Nursing Home, and she wanted her to be part of the wedding; they went to visit her, accompanied by Canon Harper, and Tanya says she was delighted.

Tanya wore a fur stole given to her about 10 years ago by Ken and Agnes McFarland and they also dropped in with them. “Ken was shocked and Agnes could not hold back the tears,” she said.

All in all, a lot of excitement has surrounded the well-known couple’s wedding.

In fact when Tanya returned to work at Blue Apple Dental and Implant Team in Belcoo on Tuesday, she was greeted with banners, balloons, cakes and lots of treats. (She hadn’t been able to join them on a night out on Friday past as she had her manicure and pedicure at the Killyhevlin, but hadn’t said a word.) Tanya, a daughter of Muriel and the late Tommy Gilmore, and William, a son of Maureen and the late Harry West, were together 13 years and 52 days when they got married; they met in Franco’s on January 1, 2002, and they got engaged on Christmas Eve 2003.

Their wedding day proved a delightful occasion for them, and it has also received a delightful response.

“I never thought about this,” admitted Tanya yesterday, who has been overwhelmed.

It has all been “a bit surreal,” added the new bride, who had to tell a few white lies to ensure that they could keep the special event a secret.

She said that they are very appreciative of everyone’s kind wishes following their marriage. In her words it “has been unreal” and they are “totally overwhelmed.” Summing up the event, yesterday, Wednesday, Canon Brian Harper felt it had been a “beautiful and meaningful occasion.” And it seems that the new Mr. and Mrs. West’s marriage has been a big hit on Magheracross Parish Church’s facebook page; a photograph put on at 8.30am last Sunday morning by Canon Harper had by yesterday received 7,300 views!