Tell us a little about how you met
We met in the Whistledown Hotel in Warrenpoint one day and got chatting, we decided we would meet up again after exchanging numbers, a week later we were back in the Whistledown having a lovely dinner, which was followed by an impromptu cinema date after dinner, that was the start of it, and we have never looked back.
Talk us through the proposal
It was my birthday and Colin had told me we were staying away, but it was a surprise, so we got in the car and we were driving south, Colin kept pulling over at the signs to keep me in suspense as to where we were going, we were driving for ages before we arrived in Adare, pulling up to Adare Manor I was convinced we were never going to be staying there, we were greeted at the gate and the man knew our names and that it was my birthday. I was so shocked, so we arrived at the hotel to be told “our room wasn’t ready” Colin decided we would take a wee tour of the golf course, which didn’t surprise me at all. We were driven around in a buggy and got out a few different holes for photos, I still didn’t suspect a thing, with Colin running a golf club himself this was normal practice. We had walked onto the 18th green and the manor was perfectly in the background and the sun was out, we were “getting our picture taken” again and I didn’t even twig, next thing Colin got down on one knee! It was surreal and didn’t even seem real as it was such a shock, once the shock wore off, of course, I said yes! It was one of the best trips, and a birthday we will never forget.
Ceremony
We held our ceremony in the Great Hall, we had Niamh McDowell singing for our guests and also singing while walking up the aisle, she was absolutely perfect. We had Charm Wedding Studio dress the great hall for the wedding ceremony.
Reception
Our reception was also held in the great hall, it was perfect for the number of guests we had. We had a lovely cocktail & beer reception with Niamh signing again for our guests, we also enlisted the help of JD Magicians to keep our guests entertained, Brooke Avenue was supplying ice cream outside, under shelter as it rained all day..
We had the most amazing wedding dinner and the most amazing desserts, the evening buffet was just as good! It was very important for us that we had good food, which was more than achieved, as all the guests enjoyed the meal, topped off with bottles of beer and Prosecco!
Between dinner and dessert, we had the best surprise, we had Conor from Singers Secreto who has been booked as a wedding present unbeknown to us. Conor had everyone on their feet working off their dinner to make room for dessert.
We had The Jukebox Jurors kick off the evening by performing our first dance and filling the dance floor for the rest of the evening until the dj took over, we had Bill from The Saxophone Lounge play with Superstar DJs who I had booked with Chris from the wedding shop NI. They kept the party going and the dance floor filled, such a perfect end to the most perfect day.
Why Galgorm?
We couldn’t have found a more perfect location for our wedding day, we fell in love with the great hall when we went to see it and the grounds are just amazing backdrops for photos, with the rain we didn’t get all the way round the grounds for photos but what we did get were absolutely amazing. The staff at Galgorm made everything run so smoothly.
What made you choose a Resort location
Being able to have our guests stay on-site was the main reason, but the resort was just amazing, so most of the guests took the opportunity to take a few nights out of it. We had dinner as a large group the second night too which was so good. Being able to stay in the red oaks and have the bridal party all together was perfect, it was so relaxing after the wedding being able to chill out in the spa knowing we were staying for another few nights.
Tell us the most memorable part of your day
The most memorable part of our day would be Conor from singers secreto, it was the best surprise and went down such a treat with all the guests – there are many highlights of the day, but this one just sticks out! Being able to spend so much time with family and friends was the best thing tho.
Advice for future couples
Enjoy your day! Don’t stress about the little things, it’s all about having fun and enjoying the day as a couple, and celebrating with your family and friends. The day goes by so fast and I’m so glad we have a wedding video to look back on for wee moments that you forget about.
Galgorm Wedding Planner
Our wedding planner was Donna Cunningham, and I don’t even know where to start, Donna kept me right in every aspect of the planning, she also kept me cool, calm and collected! It’s down to Donna the way the day came together and it was all just perfect! We couldn’t imagine working with a different wedding planner, Donna was the best! Everyone needs a Donna!
Wedding Stationery
I was so lucky to get Dandelion Designs to do the stationery, Seilin was so easy to work with and couldn’t have done any more to help me and keep me right, Seilin was so patient with me with the ever-changing guest list and my long list of stationery.. It was great being able to get everything to match all from one supplier!
Cake
Gemma Rea from “Cake Impact” in Annalong made the stunning cake, the flavours were so good and everyone loved the cake! Gemma took on the task of the slanted tier cake I had shown her, thinking she wouldn’t want to do it Gemma more than outdone herself, surpassing all my expectations. It was more than I’d ever imagined!
Flowers
Gerard’s Flowers in Magherafelt did the flowers and they were just amazing, Gerard toned them in so well with the dresses, and the beautiful stationery! The tones Gerard picked were beautiful and worked so well together
Entertainment
We have Chris at The Wedding Shop Ireland to thank for our entertainment, we put our faith in him and we booked the Jukebox Jurors and Superstar Deejays, we also booked our saxophone player with Chris too!
Décor & Design
We had Charm Wedding Studio dress our room for the ceremony & our reception, they draped the Great Hall & used a mix of cherry blossom trees & lanterns to make our room look absolutely stunning, it was just what we had pictured!
Photographer
I knew when I was booking everything for the wedding I wanted my uncle to take my photographs, it was just a matter of him saying yes, which he did and I have never been more grateful, all our photos are amazing and more than we ever expected
Videographer
We booked Greenhouse Wedding Films for our videographers, Rhys & Laura were both amazing to work with, and our video and sneak peak video were both just absolutely perfect! They captured our day just brilliantly!
Favours
For our favours we wanted to try and do something that helped out a charity, a charity close to our heart is Macmillan Cancer Support, we got little love bird pins and love hearts, and they worked perfectly as our favours.
Theme
We didn’t have a theme as such, just went for a modern, elegant look for our wedding room and worked in our stationery with autumn tones.
Wedding Dress & Accessories
I said “yes to the dress” in White Butterfly Bridal in Belfast – Jenny could not have been any more helpful and brilliant at what she does! Made it so easy for me to pick the right dress and it was so enjoyable! I loved every moment of wearing my dress – I didn’t want to take it off, Jenny helped me accessorise the dress with a full-length veil!
I absolutely love ruby shoo so I knew that’s the wedding shoes I had to get! I loved the rose gold ruby shoos I found and they matched my dress perfectly!
Millenary by Mairead helped finish off my look with two absolutely stunning bespoke headpieces! I want to wear them over and over again!
Hair
I brought my hairdressers from home – Sharon McKee & Lyndsey McConnell, mother & daughter duo, they are good family friends and I trusted them to make all the girls look great on the day – which they more than achieved!
Bridesmaid’s Dresses
I got my bridesmaids dresses in White Butterfly Bridal when I chose my own dress, at that time bridesmaids weren’t allowed to try on dresses as it was limited to 3 people per appointment, and I wanted my two aunts with me dress shopping – I saw the colour I loved and got them, thankfully the bridesmaids approved
Makeup
Louise Kearney did my makeup, I just love how she does my makeup – so I made sure well in advance to get Louise booked and make sure she would travel up to Galgorm for me, because there were so many of us for makeup I also asked Vanessa Wilson to do makeup for some of the bridal party, getting Megan Donaldson for the ladies on the Groom’s side for hair and makeup.
Groomswear
Dee Graham made the groom's suit and the rest of the men’s suits – Colin knew exactly what he wanted and Dee brought that bespoke suit to life, sorting the best man, groomsman & three fathers' suits too.
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