Ronan Keating and Storm Uechtritz tied the knot in a romantic outdoor ceremony overlooking the Scottish coast on 17 August 2015. The couple shared their pictures exclusively with HELLO!, which saw Ronan's son Jack, 16, as best man and daughters Missy, 14, and nine-year-old Ali as maid of honour and flower girl. "It was a perfect day. We always wanted the wedding party to be just us and the kids," Ronan shared. "It's so special for me that Storm would want the girls to be by her side. I'm so proud and honoured. It means the world to me."
In a day filled with laughter, tears and plenty of singing, the Boyzone star and his stunning bride exchanged vows in front of 170 family members and friends, many of whom had flown in from Ireland, the groom's country of birth, and Storm's native Australia. Guests included Ronan's bandmates Keith Duffy, Shane Lynch and Mikey Graham, Irish singer Brian McFadden and Australian singer and TV personality Dannii Minogue. There were also a few surprises, not least Ed Sheeran's arrival at the reception to sing for the first dance – much to the bride's amazement.
© Photo: InstagramRonan and Storm Keating married in Scotland in 2015
The wedding was held within the grounds of Archerfield, a magnificent country estate in East Lothian. For the open-air ceremony, which took place on a hill overlooking the water, guests were seated on white wooden chairs facing a beautiful floral arch made from silver birch branches and decorated with garden roses, hydrangea and scented eucalyptus – an Australian touch. "I wanted a part of home with me and Steven is my favourite Australian designer – I love him to pieces," said 34-year-old Storm. "I got measured in London, sent him photos and details of fabrics I liked, he sent me a sketch and then created it. I only tried it on for the first time a couple of weeks before the wedding and it fitted perfectly."
READ: Ronan Keating calls his wife Storm his 'one true love'
Accompanied by her father Gordon, Storm beamed as she walked slowly up the aisle and made her way towards Ronan, who told how he could barely keep his composure. "I went to turn around but my lip was already trembling and I knew I couldn't turn without crumbling, so I waited until she was beside me," he explained. "Then I turned to face her and she was so beautiful it was overwhelming. I couldn't help but cry." Storm was just as emotional, saying: "At first I wasn’t nervous at all – I was ready and bursting with happiness. But when I saw the kids standing beside their dad smiling through tears, it broke me. That's when I started to cry."
Turning to his bride, 38-year-old Ronan choked back tears and he told her: "I have never met another human being that understands me, loves me and needs me like you do. They say there are many fish in the sea, but I don't believe that. Yes, there are many people in this world, but to find all these elements in your soulmate, there can only be one." TV producer Storm, who met Ronan five years ago, when they were both working on the Australian X Factor, tearfully recalled how her life changed: "When I accepted a glass of champagne from a man I didn't know and began the most beautiful, unbroken conversation of my life. A conversation which, unbeknown to me then, was with the man who would steal my heart away forever and one day be my husband… and a man who would introduce me to three beautiful children that I would one day love and care for as if they were my own."
After the couple exchanged rings, the groom said: "I have never been so emotional. I couldn't speak without my voice breaking. It was beautiful and perfect because we finally got to make the ultimate promise to each other and in front of all the people who not only love us as individuals, but love who we are as a couple." The couple then decided to celebrate by the water, in a relaxed and romantic festival setting, rather than in the estate's grand Archerfield House further inland, the setting of the pre-wedding barbecue the night before. "This is a very special place for us because it's the first place that Storm and I went away together," Ronan said of their venue. "It's also neutral ground, neither Ireland nor Australia."
© Photo: HELLO!Dannii Minogue, who has appeared as a judge alongside Ronan on Australia's X Factor and who flew in for the wedding with her boyfriend, record producer Adrian Newman, shared: "Ronan and Storm are such a lovely couple and their relationship is so solid. It's been such a beautiful day and it's wonderful to see them so happy. I love how they make each other laugh - even during the ceremony they were still laughing and their speeches were just beautiful."
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The couple's thoughts were also with loved ones they had lost – Ronan's mother Marie, Boyzone star Stephen Gately and Storm's grandfather Alfred – all of whom were there in spirit, agreed the guests, and were even credited by the groom with providing the sunshine. "I know that my Mam, Steo [Stephen] and Storm's grandad had a hand in making sure the weather was perfect – the one thing that was out of our hands," said Ronan.
There was more laughter – and lots more tears – during the reception speeches, which saw Ronan telling his new wife: "I've seen a lot in my life. I've seen all sides, the good, the very bad, the innocent, the guilty, the happy and sad and I do feel I've finally arrived. I've found my ground, I've found my centre. You hear people say, 'You make me a better person.' The truth is, Storm, you make everything better. I never want a life, a day, a moment without you. From the moment we met, I knew. It's so exciting to think what's ahead. Whatever happens, I know I have you by my side."
Exclusive: Ronan Keating and wife Storm gush about parenthood
He also paid tribute to his children, whose mother is from a previous marriage. "You welcomed Storm into our lives and I must admit I was scared," he told them. "I'd heard so many stories about how tough it can be, but you were unbelievable right from the beginning. Thank you for being so amazing." To loud applause, best man Jack said: "I love my dad. There's only 22 years between us and we've grown up together. He's a dad, like an older brother and a best friend. On behalf of me, Missy and Ali, I want to say a big thanks to Storm for being so lovely to us over the past years and making our dad so happy."
Missy broke down in tears as she said of Storm: "I haven't met someone as kind, as caring, as giving and as beautiful before. My tears are tears of joy and happiness and maybe a little bit of jealousy too – because I seriously hope that one day I'll find someone and we will fall in love in the same way that you guys have." In his speech, Storm’s dad Gordon spoke warmly of Ronan. "I'd never heard of Boyzone, but over the years I've become more and more content, seeing and experiencing first-hand the love you have for each other," he said. "Even though Storm now lives on the other side of the world, after meeting the Keating clan, I know that she is surrounded by a loving family and for that I thank you all. Although I am in a sense losing a daughter, I am also gaining another son in Ronan."
Ronan's daughter Missy delivered a beautiful speech
When it was time for the first dance, it was Storm's turn to be surprised as Ed Sheeran appeared to a huge cheer. Armed with his guitar, he sang his hit Thinking Out Loud – the song Storm had anticipated dancing to, but with no idea a live performance was on the cards. Ronan explained how he and Ed hatched the plan. "Ed's a good friend and Thinking Out Loud is one of mine and Storm's songs. When we all caught up in New York City a couple of months ago, I sounded him out about doing it and he didn't hesitate. I was blown away. He is the most grounded, decent guy in the business and what a talent. Storm was speechless when Ed appeared. That doesn't happen often," he laughed, while Storm noted: "I had absolutely no idea that Ro and Ed had been planning this all along – I'm still in shock. It was such an incredibly sweet thing for both of them to do and the best surprise ever."
After it all, the newlyweds were happy to fly off to a secret location for their honeymoon. But before they did, Storm told hello!: "It was the greatest day of our lives and even more amazing than anything we could have ever hoped for. All the people that we love were together in one place and getting on like they've known each other for years, it was brilliant. There was just so much love in one place and it doesn't get any better than that." Ronan added: "I feel so honoured to call Storm my wife officially. She is my best friend, my soulmate and now my wife too."
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