Tell us a little about how you met
Lee and I met in Sydney, Australia in October 2010. I had arrived in Australia for a year’s working holiday with two friends. We checked into a hostel in Bondi Beach on our second day and the girls immediately spotted Lee and his friends in the hostel kitchen and proceeded to make friends. The boys took the three of us under their wing and showed us the sights and sounds of Bondi Junction. Then two days later when the girls and I were leaving Sydney to travel further up the Australian coast, we exchanged numbers. Lee and I stayed in touch with each other by text for the next three months - thank goodness for modern technology! I settled in Melbourne and soon afterward, Lee moved to Melbourne also. From then on we were inseparable.
Talk us through the proposal
Lee proposed in April 2015 in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. He surprised me on the balcony of our beautiful hotel room on the very first day. He was terrified to leave the ring in the room and knew he couldn’t hide it in the safe or I would find it. I loved that it was just the two of us together in that moment. We didn’t tell anyone about the engagement for a few days so we had time to really enjoy the significance of the event together.
Ceremony
The Ghost House
Reception
The Renaissance Suite
Why Galgorm Resort & Spa
We live in Canada so we knew organising a wedding from a distance would be difficult. Lee is from Derry so he knew of the Galgorm Resort & Spa and its great reputation. He suggested we look it up. After five minutes we knew it was the venue for us. It was so beautiful and offered all-inclusive packages that took away a lot of the hard work for overseas engaged couples. We did a bit more research but we couldn’t find a bad word about the venue, so we went ahead and booked very shortly afterward.
What made you choose a Resort location
There are lots of reasons why we wanted to book a resort location. I am from Kildare and Lee is from Derry so we were never going to be able to choose somewhere that suited both our guests. I loved that Galgorm offered varying types of accommodation to suit all types of guests and the spa facility gave them something extra to do when there was down time. It was wonderful to have everything in one place - once our guests arrived for the ceremony they didn’t have to leave again until the two-day event was over! Gillies Bar and the Mulberry Garden were the perfect locations for our day two. Every single person commented on the uniqueness of the venue and how perfect it was in every way.
Tell us the most memorable part of your day
Walking down the aisle and seeing Lee waiting for me and all my friends and families happy faces beaming back at me was the best feeling in the world. I had been planning the big day for over two years, I knew right then that it was all worth it. I was the happiest person in the whole world at the minute.
Advice for future couples
As soon as you book Galgorm, work with your wedding coordinator to get all the big decisions made. Don’t stress the small stuff, the coordinators plan weddings every day so they have a wealth of information available to you. It is like having your own wedding planner without the additional price tag.
Galgorm Wedding Planner
Donna & Laura
Wedding Stationery
Everly Invitations
Cake
Flowers
Entertainment
Mark Graham - Ceremony & Drinks Reception
Klass Wedding Band - Evening
Décor & Design
The Renaissance Suite needs very little extra done to it, I got wooden table numbers made on Etsy and got Sally's to dress the Galgorm’s glass candelabras. For the outside areas, Sally’s provided some additional flowers and Everly Invitations custom made me thank you tent cards for the tables.
Photographer
Videographer
Eoghan Carroll - weddingmovies.ie
Donation to St.John of God, Kildare Services
A glamorous grey, gold, and purple party
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