Imagine stepping into a whimsical world of vibrant hues as you relive the joyous celebration of WWW readers Romy and Ryan’s wedding on August 27th, 2018. The star-studded trio of yellow, orange, and red colours stole the show with its richness and playfulness. This dynamic duo chose to host their reception at Romy’s parents’ home, following a heartfelt church ceremony that set the tone for an unforgettable day. As the sun shone bright, they maximized their garden space by incorporating games and even a treehouse for the kids, creating a haven of fun and excitement. The real pièce de résistance, however, was the festival-like atmosphere, replete with loved ones, mouth-watering cuisine, and infectious joy. Romy’s stunning florals, the bridesmaids’ skirts, and the ribbons that wove their way throughout added to the visual feast. We’re equally impressed by the couple’s impeccable style choices – from the lanterns suspended within the stretch tent to the joyful confetti toss. Special thanks go out to Peter Mackey Photography for capturing these treasured moments with such flair.
The Proposal
Ryan obtained his mother’s engagement ring from my grandmother, after seeking permission from my father, to refurbish it as a proposal gift. The skilled Mairi did an excellent job restoring the ring. Ryan picked up the ring when it was ready and drove to my parents’ house to show my mother the refurbished engagement ring. Everything went smoothly until Ryan hit a literal wall – his car! He had accidentally dented the shared vehicle, which ruined his cover story. At my parents’ house, he managed to finalize the evening’s plans, including having my mother phone me to distract me from the potential dent and warn me about it. When I arrived back in Belfast after class, Ryan was waiting for me, looking anxious – which I initially attributed to the car dent. He had booked dinner, which I assumed was his apology, and as we rushed to our reservation an hour late, he suggested a detour through the park. This was the same park where we had our first date, so my suspicions were piqued. I asked him about the car, and he presented me with riddles to solve, similar to those on our first date. When I solved them, he revealed the entire story, made a heartfelt speech, got down on one knee, and proposed. I jokingly hesitated before exclaiming ‘yes’ soon after. We ended up missing our dinner reservation, so we celebrated at a nearby fast-food BBQ restaurant before heading to the Youth Club we help run. It was an eventful evening (especially for Ryan), but I cherished the thought and joy amidst the chaos!
The Vision
As we envisioned our special celebration, we sought an atmosphere where family, friends, and loved ones could come together in harmony. Our aim was to craft a day that would delight both the young and the old – kids and adults alike. A key aspect driving our planning was the desire for plenty of delicious food to be enjoyed by all.
Budget
Our budget was carefully crafted to prioritize what matters most: quality time with loved ones, delicious food, and a sense of community. To make our celebration more affordable, we got creative with DIY efforts like making our own decorations and stationery. We also leaned on the skills of friends and family members, who generously contributed their talents to help us save money. For instance, an aunt lent her expertise to whip up homemade jams and lemon curds for the favors, while many others pitched in to help with bunting-making and tent decorating. One friend, Jamie Smyth, even designed our custom cartoon, which adorned all of our handmade stationery. By tapping into these collective efforts, we were able to create a truly special day without breaking the bank.
The Venue
We decided to host our wedding celebrations in the garden of Romy’s parents’ house, which allowed us to create a relaxed atmosphere reminiscent of a festival. The fact that the tent was up for five days prior to the wedding meant that our friends and family could contribute to the decorations during decorating parties we hosted. In return, we treated them to delicious food, showing our appreciation for their hard work.Having the wedding at Romy’s parents’ house also had its advantages. Our guests felt more at ease, as if they were having a gathering at someone’s home. It was also convenient to have the bridal party’s essentials and emergency items stored away at the house, just in case we needed them. Maverick Marquees did an outstanding job setting up the tent and providing us with valuable contacts for tables, chairs, and designing a spacious dance floor that could accommodate our party.
Your Outfits & Accessories
Within just seven days of saying yes to Ryan’s proposal, I found myself trying on dresses left and right, searching for the perfect bohemian-inspired look with my mum by my side. We scoured several shops before stumbling upon Elody Bride, where we were met with an overwhelming array of stunning dresses that had me torn between them all.After much deliberation, I finally settled on the Lamour Dress by St Patrick, with my mum and bridesmaids offering their expert input. On the day of our wedding, I felt like a million bucks in it – it was truly the perfect choice.When it came to selecting a veil, I knew I wanted to keep the focus on my flowers-in-my-hair look, so I wasn’t too concerned about finding the ‘perfect’ veil initially. However, when I discovered that Elody Bride offered custom veil options, I jumped at the chance. Sharon’s expert touch and willingness to work with me brought my grandmother’s old wedding dress lace to life in a way that was truly special.I wanted my shoes to make a statement, so I opted for bright red numbers from New Look – they were surprisingly comfortable, too! My necklace of choice came courtesy of local Belfast designer Lines & Current, whose beautiful pieces I’d long admired.Ryan, on the other hand, looked dashing in his navy suit from Red Groomswear. The team at the shop, led by Adam, helped him find the perfect fit and even suggested the burgundy shoes that complemented it so well. His tie and pocket square came courtesy of Mrs Bow Tie, which offered a delightful array of brighter colours and unique designs for him to choose from.
Beauty
Gatsby & Beau’s Gemma Baker was responsible for crafting the bride’s bridal hair, with Britney lending her expertise to style the bridesmaids’, junior bridesmaids’, and mother of the bride’s locks. The incorporation of flowers in the hair was a deliberate choice, as it added an extra layer of whimsy and romance to the overall aesthetic. Meanwhile, Jenna Leathem, my talented cousin, brought out the best in our complexions with her skillful application of relaxed, natural makeup.
Groomsmen
Ryan’s groomsmen made a stylish statement by wearing tweed ties and navy blue waistcoats that provided a perfect contrast to his own tweed waistcoat, courtesy of Red Groomswear in Belfast.
Bridesmaids
To achieve the perfect balance of brightness without overwhelming the overall aesthetic, I opted for yellow as the primary colour for my bridesmaids’ attire. However, to avoid overpowering the look, we incorporated white tops from Massimo Dutti, which beautifully complemented the handmade skirts created by Sharon at Elody Bride. The unique fabric used in these skirts was sourced from Etsy, adding a touch of personalisation and uniqueness to each garment.
For the junior bridesmaids, we chose dresses from Monsoon that were expertly altered to fit their individual styles. To add a pop of colour and tie everything together, we added yellow skirts made from the same material as the original attire, creating a stunning visual cohesion.
The Readings & Music
As we exchanged vows at All Saints’ church, where we first met and regularly attend services, we felt incredibly blessed to have friends who played our chosen songs during the ceremony. The atmosphere was electric as two dear friends sang us down the aisle to Josh Garrell’s beautiful tune, ‘Heaven’s Knife’. We also had our own favorite hymns – ‘In Christ Alone’, ‘The Church’s One Foundation’, and ‘All I Have is Christ’ – which we chose to incorporate into the service. A particularly memorable moment was when our family and friends came together to sing ‘In Christ Alone’ in unison, filling the church with joy and harmony. The songs played during the signing of the register were ‘Far Kingdom’ and ‘This My Soul’ by The Gray Havens, an album that had become synonymous with our early dating days.Throughout the ceremony, we had readings from Genesis 2, Ephesians 5, and Revelation 19, which beautifully illustrated the biblical narrative of marriage. Our minister delivered a powerful sermon highlighting these passages and the hope they bring, leaving a lasting impression on all in attendance. It was undoubtedly the highlight of our special day – a celebration of love, joy, and commitment, with God at the center.
The Flowers
Our dear friend Kathryn truly went above and beyond when it came to crafting the perfect flowers for our special day. Her collaborative approach, where she actively listened to our thoughts and shared her own expert insights, resulted in a truly stunning arrangement. One of the highlights was the beautiful floral arch that stood tall at the church, which we later relocated to the reception venue and cleverly repurposed as a prop for our photo booth. Kathryn’s creative vision and attention to detail were invaluable assets throughout the entire process.
The Cake
A serendipitous twist on traditional wedding celebrations occurred when our neighbors, who just so happen to be family friends and owners of The Rosehip Bakery in Banbridge, kindly offered to craft our wedding cake. Although the catering team assembled it with love, their efforts resulted in a slightly imperfect yet endearing finish. This charming imperfection only added to the warm, relaxed atmosphere that permeated the celebration. As the night wore on and dancing reached its peak, the cake ultimately succumbed to gravity’s gentle pull, toppling in a joyful surrender to the revelry. Perhaps this unforeseen turn of events served as an omen for a truly unforgettable evening’s camaraderie.
Your Photographer
Our acquaintance Peter Mackey, a skilled photographer at Peter Mackey Photography, is a friend from church who has an exceptional talent for capturing life’s moments. His presence made us feel more at ease, and he even managed to bring some humor to the experience. Peter’s expertise shone through in his photographs, which beautifully captured the essence of family, friends, and special details.
Your Filmmaker
It was a stroke of luck to have Calum Hutchinson behind the camera for our wedding video. Having met him at the nuptials of one of my closest friends (the bride’s maid), I knew we’d be in good hands. His easygoing nature, combined with that of his second shooter, created a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere throughout the day.
The Details & Décor
We transformed the tent’s sofa space by repurposing old furniture and borrowing items from family and friends. Mum’s vintage-style box was filled to the brim with blankets for cozying up on chilly evenings. Meanwhile, Dad constructed a treehouse for the kids to enjoy. To add some outdoor fun, we set up croquet games and mowed a lawn at the front of the house. The tent itself became a canvas for our creativity, as we decorated it with an eclectic mix of items. We drew inspiration from a social media post and created metres of ribbon bunting in red, orange, and yellow hues to adorn the tent’s edges. Dad discovered some old pallets, which became a table plan and photo wall, all painted in the theme colors. As a family, we collected tin cans for weeks to create flower arrangements for church, while Mum used her famous marmalade as a base for the table numbers. The decoration was a collaborative effort, with everyone pitching in. We even used a DYMO machine to make name places, taking turns to get them all done! A+K Designs crafted a beautiful welcome sign that we displayed at church and the venue. Another friend created a stunning floral arch at the entrance, accompanied by a red, orange, and yellow sign hanging from it. Yet another family member helped us build a photo booth using old doors, which they painted and drilled together. Our wedding favors were a unique blend of homemade treats like jams, curds, and marmalades, crocheted garments, and personalized sunglasses – all in the signature colors of red, yellow, and orange.
The Honeymoon
After an indulgent eight-day getaway on the stunning island of Majorca, we reluctantly returned to our daily routines of work and studies, still basking in the warmth of our Mediterranean escapade.
Memorable Moments
For both of us, the ceremony will be an unforgettable memory. The infectious energy of singing along with everyone, mixed with anticipation and exhilaration, gave way to pure joy as the day unfolded. As we gazed out from our seat at the top table during dinner, the sea of familiar faces smiling and laughing together was a truly heartwarming sight. And let’s not forget the culinary masterpiece that Challas Roast created – it was absolutely phenomenal! Later, our family got involved in crafting an assortment of sweet treats for a dessert buffet, which added to the overall delight of the day.
Advice For Other Couples
Embrace a sense of purpose by choosing an activity or theme for the day that resonates with your desires. Instead of getting bogged down in minor details, focus on enjoying the experience and let go of any stress you may have accumulated. By doing so, you’ll be able to savor every moment and create cherished memories.
Credit Where Credit Is Due
The photography at Peter Mackey Photography perfectly captured the essence of Romy and Ryan’s enchanting union. The highlight reel featured a stunning engagement ring, courtesy of Mairi, which sparkled alongside the elegant dress worn by Elody Bride on St Patrick’s Day. A sleek stretch tent from Maverick Marquees provided an intimate setting for the celebration, while Red Groomswear suits added a touch of sophistication. The ladies’ hair was styled to perfection by Gatsby and Beau, complemented by Jenna Leathem’s impeccable makeup artistry. Foodies were in for a treat with Challas Catering’s offerings, including a pizza van from Dough Kitchen and delectable cakes from Rosehip Bakery. Fresh flowers arranged beautifully by The Posy Barn added a pop of colour to the proceedings. A thoughtful sign, designed by A&K Designs, served as a lovely keepsake. Calum Hutchinson’s videography expertise ensured that every moment was preserved for posterity. This multicoloured wedding was truly unforgettable.