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Shane popped the question while he and Gillian were on holiday together in Dubai last year. The couple were married at Ballintubber Abbey, where Shane's brother Liam was married the year before.

 

Around 400 fans gathered patiently outside Ballintubber Abbey from early Sunday morning, where security was more informal than previous high profile weddings.

 

Going against celebrity tradition, the couple waved good-bye to the million euro offers from magazines and instead opted for a day open to friends, family and fans. Shane and Gillian openly posed for photographs as did their celebrity pals. The the Filans asked that guests not send wedding presents but instead make a donation to the North West Hospice in Sligo.

 

Shane arrived stylishly in a 7 series BMW accompanied by his brother Finbarr, who was also his best man. Gillian arrived less than a half an hour later in a beautiful white horse drawn carriage.

 

Shane's groomsmen included two of his bandmates Kian and Mark, and guests at the wedding included Ronan and Yvonne Keating, Kerry and Bryan McFadden, Louis Walsh, Bertie Ahern, Nicky and Georgina Byrne, Bertie and Miriam Ahern, Denis Desmond and wife Caroline, and Kian Egan's actress girlfriend Jodi Albert.

Afterwards, Shane said: "Looking at Gillian at the altar was the best moment of my life. I was welling up during the service. I feel like the luckiest guy in the world and everything went according to plan. It was great to go out there and wave to the fans and also see all our friends and family enjoying our big day. Gillian felt like a princess and looked like one too."

The wedding reception was held in Ashford Castle, one of Ireland's most exclusive hotels. The lake there was specially lit up with multicoloured lights for the celebrations, which kicked off with a spectacular fireworks display followed by a champagne reception and five-course banquet.

Shane and Gillian were later on honeymoon in Hawaii.