Finding the wedding dress of your dreams is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to completing your bridal style. There are so many other fun wedding-related events to plan looks for. From the engagement party and hen do to the civil ceremony and the rehearsal dinner, the day two as well as the long-awaited honeymoon – weddings can be a multi-event affair, and we get tonnes of emails asking for advice about what to wear. To inspire your style choices, we ask stylish brides to share their sartorial secrets as part of our My Wedding Wardrobe series.
In the latest instalment, we’re shining a spotlight on the fabulous bridal style of RTÉ Sport broadcaster and SPIN SouthWest presenter Valerie Wheeler. With celebrations on her home turf and abroad, she served up refined elegance alongside glittering glamour. Find out where she shopped, what she bought and how she styled her looks.
Name: Valerie Wheeler Profession: Radio Presenter & Sports Broadcaster From: Cork Wedding Date: 18/09/25 Wedding Venue: Vau Clifftop Portimão in the Algarve, Portugal Instagram: @valeriewheeler
Let’s get to know our bride… Valerie’s husband Gavin is a PGA Golf Professional in Ballyneety Driving Range in Co. Limerick and it was there that their paths first crossed. “One evening I went in to hit a few balls before I played in the Women’s Irish Open pro-am for some practice and spotted Gavin working there. I went home and creeped him on Instagram because I thought he was good looking! I was delighted to see that he was already following me so I waited a few days to follow him back (not to come across as too eager). Once I did, he slid into my DM’s and the rest in history!”
It came as a massive surprise when he popped the question, but it was the best one. Valerie reflects, “The proposal was the best I could ever imagine. We went to Miami and New York at Christmas time in 2024 for a lovely holiday! He had bought the ring in Matthew Stephens in Limerick and brought it with him. I had no idea he was going to propose on the trip. He was supposed to propose on NYE in New York but he lost his phone that morning so we were both miserable that day so he held off on his plans to do it then! On the 3rd of January we went to the top of the rock in New York to take in the views of the city. I turned around and there he was on his knee with the ring.”
She describes her personal style as basic, neutral and COMFY. “I don’t know if I have any style at all sometimes! Being on the breakfast show I would love to make more of an effort mid-week.”
When it came to her wedding wardrobe, she I liked to keep outfits simple and fun. “When you get engaged white seems to become your whole personality so I did lean into it! I loved it! I was constantly looking up white dresses, white shoes, bags, and accessories. I shopped mostly online as I find it quite hard to buy for myself in store. I am just under 5ft so not a lot of things suit or fit me in store. I went a bit over board buying bits especially white dresses. So my word of advice is to calm down when buying bits, I need to get some on Vinted now or Depop!”
The couple celebrated their exciting news with their loved ones at House Limerick which exudes relaxed glamour.
The bride-to-be kicked off her wedding looks with a sleek PrettyLittleThing mini dress and pearl-dappled heels from The Little White Dress bridal boutique in Limerick.
“They were so fab! Jenn helped me get them in my size as my feet are only a size 2!! It’s not easy get shoes that small.”
Valerie’s maid of honour had an incredible surprise hen organised and she was whisked away to Albufeira in Portugal with her favourite ladies.
“As you can see my bridesmaids had a fun look ready for me, a shirt with my lovely husband-to-be’s face on it! Shorts and shoes from Penneys!”
Night two included a cocktail making class and clubbing on the strip and the glowing bride wore a corset mini dress from PrettyLittleThing, knotted satin platform heels from ASOS, heart-shaped sunglasses and her girls gifted her a ‘Wifey’ bag from Amazon as a fun little extra.
For their sun-soaked pool party, Valerie wore a Bride swimsuit and a pearl-embellished sarong from Amazon.
“My maid of honour Amanda was amazing and basically dressed me for the hen. It was a wild hen party and we all needed about two weeks to recover. We went for four nights and made the most of it!”
The festivities weren’t over as Valerie wanted to throw a celebration at her parents house in Kerry for those who couldn’t make the destination hen. The bride-to-be wore a romantic flared dress from Penneys for the occasion.
“Of course I wanted to milk it and have two hens! You only get married once (I hope), we had a house party.“
The couple held their rehearsal dinner at Meshua in Portimão where the bride-to-be exuded minimalist elegance in a square-neck Oh Polly mini with chunky braid slides. With a stunning sea views and a chill vibe, they enjoyed a gorgeous meal with their parents and their bridal party. It was a magical start to their unforgettable celebration.
Sun, sea and sand… The couple tied the know at the spellbinding Algarve venue, the Vau Clifftop in Portimão.
A destination wedding wardrobe wouldn’t be complete without a chic and practical pair of sunglasses. Valerie opted for statement cat eye style from Jimmy Choo.
“Loved my pics with them. Plus hid all the happy tears shed!”
Her accessories also included a sparkling pair of Jimmy Choo heels with crystal wrap around straps.
“I was OBSESSED with my wedding shoes. They were gold and I knew I would re wear over and over again. Since the wedding they have had numerous outings at events like the GAA & Camogie All-Stars!
Valerie dreamt of a wedding day look that was plain, simple and classy. She exuded timeless grace wearing the dress of her dreams, the Tommie by Jane Hill. Crafted from bonded crepe, the fitted gown boasts a soft button corset with button-back detailing. Her romantic veil by Alexandra Grecco was the perfect finishing touch to her breathtaking bridal ensemble.
“This was my favourite look of them all! I wanted to look back at my pictures in 20 years and still love my dress. I knew I wanted square neck and buttons down the bum of it. I tried a few shops but I didn’t like anything until I spotted one online at the White and Gold in Kinsale. I booked an appointment. Met a wonderful girl called Jen who made my experience so special. It was just me and mam, we went and tried on maybe four dresses but the minute I tried on my Jane Hill. I knew it was my dress. I kept my dress a secret from everyone including my bridesmaids.”
Her bridal besties were absolutely radiant in butter yellow satin dresses from Abercrombie & Fitch which were accessorised with white bow heels from ASOS and Dew Drop Earrings by Rosie & Dott.
“I always wanted butter yellow the minute we decided to get married abroad. They were stunning.”
She dazzled in a Lipsy London glitter mini later on which was a bona fide wife of the party dress.
They continued the celebrations with a lively and joyful day two at the Irish Rover Bar in Portimão.
The newlywed structured Odd Muse dress and she recycled accessories she adored from her wedding wardrobe including Jimmy Choo sunglasses and her knotted satin platform heels.
“We brought the famous Nuno Ess down to throw one hell of a party.”
The wedding fun was far from over as they threw another celebration with all of their loved ones in the Strand Hotel in Limerick.
Valerie stunned in a sparkling Nadine Merabi mini dress and she gave her wedding shoes another outing!
“Have fun! Don’t go too over board like me or you will be left with loads and you won’t even get to wear half of them. Get what you like and want not what everyone else thinks you should have. And be comfortable. Keep it simple!”
We want to say a huge thank you to our fabulous bride Valerie, you can see even more pictures of her stunning style in the gallery below.
