Irish TV show to feature first-ever same-sex marriage

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The Irish version of the internationally popular TV show, ‘Don’t Tell the Bride’, will feature a gay couple of the first time.

Mark White and his partner Kerwin Villabolos met four years ago in The Dragon, which was on Dublin’s George Street until it closed.

Although they entered a civil partnership in 2014, the pair said they have been eager to get married since the referendum passed.

“Civil partnership was amazing,” said Mark.

“It made us a unit but I think marriage offers so much more.”

Kerwin added that “this is the real thing”.

The show, which doesn’t let the bride take part in any of the day’s organisation, will keep exactly the same format for the pair.

Like all contestants, both Mark and Kerwin have very different ideas of what their wedding day will look like.

Although Kerwin would prefer a “white, modern, sleek and classy” look, it’s ultimately Mark who wins with his dream of an 1916-themed ceremony.

Marriage equality became legal in Ireland last year, after a referendum saw the constitution changed in a world first.

The vote, which passed with over 62% of people in favour, removed the gender specific clause from Ireland’s constitution, instead making it between two people – regardless of sex.