When her relationship ended following a medical emergency involving her fiance, Bridget Devaney posted an unconventional proposal on her anonymous social media profile inviting people to Northern Ireland to celebrate her un-wedding. Eleven strangers answered the call, transforming heartbreak into an unforgettable week of companionship and adventure.
An Improbable Invitation
Following her separation, Bridget, who splits her time between the US and Killarney in the Republic of Ireland, felt left reeling until an April email from her wedding photographer prompted her to make a decision. Encouraged by a friend to advertise a female-only group trip online, she was soon overwhelmed by hundreds of inquiries from women who knew nothing about her identity.
Janae Pettit, a design consultant from Utah, discovered the invitation on April Fool’s Day. As she approached her 40th birthday while dealing with unexpected feelings of isolation, she decided the trip would serve as a birthday present to herself. Another participant, Shana Johnson from Minnesota, saw the online post and embraced the spontaneity of travelling to Ireland with a group of strangers before even discussing it with her partner.
Exploring the North Coast
Earlier this month, the group spent a week exploring the north coast, visiting the Giant’s Causeway, the Dark Hedges, and Londonderry. Despite initial nerves about meeting in person after only connecting online, the participants quickly bonded and felt like long-lost friends.
For Bridget, the week provided a chance to reframe memories of places she had planned to visit with her former fiance, culminating in a photoshoot on what would have been her wedding day. Rob Dight, founder of Epic Love Photography, had extended the couple’s deposit by two years after learning of the fiance’s injury, and later learned mid-shoot that the women had only met three days prior. Later in the week, the group participated in a wellness session focused on new beginnings that left everyone in tears.
Weeks after returning home, the group continues to message one another while planning future trips. Bridget noted that the experience taught her that support is always available for those willing to embrace vulnerability and put themselves out there.
