Woman turns cancelled elopement into trip with 11 strangers in Northern Ireland
Bridget Devaney organised a week-long gathering in Northern Ireland after her original wedding plans were disrupted by her fiance's medical emergency.
Bridget Devaney, who lives between the United States and Killarney in the Republic of Ireland, organised a week-long trip to Northern Ireland in October with 11 women she had never met. According to a Times of India report, the group visited locations including the Giant's Causeway, the Dark Hedges and Londonderry.
The trip was arranged after Devaney's original plans to elope were disrupted by a medical emergency involving her fiance, which led to the couple separating. After receiving an email from her wedding photographer in April, Devaney decided to advertise a women-only group trip through an anonymous social media account.
The invitation received hundreds of inquiries from women in the US, Canada and Wales. Participants included Janae Pettit, a design consultant from Utah, and Shana Johnson from Minnesota. Pettit said she joined to travel and support Devaney, while Johnson said she wanted to explore travelling with an unfamiliar group.
The group participated in a photoshoot on what became known as Devaney's "non-wedding day". Photographer Rob Dight, who had originally been booked for the elopement, said he was surprised by how comfortable the women appeared with each other, noting they had only met three days prior to the shoot.
The week included a wellness session focused on new beginnings. Devaney said the experience showed her that support could come from unexpected places. The participants have continued to communicate through group messages and have discussed future trips.