Today, we’re delighted to share with you the enchanting Lissanoure Castle wedding of Adam and Jacqui, set against the stunning backdrop of Northern Ireland. This couple’s big day was a masterclass in understated elegance, with a delicate rose gold colour scheme that wove its way beautifully through their outfits, stationery, and even the bridesmaid dresses’ sequins. The atmosphere was further elevated by the arrival of a campervan photo booth, a pizza food truck, and a breathtaking moon gate flower arch. But what truly stole the show were the stylish attire, the adorable scratch map table plan, and – of course – the geometric wedding cake that’s sure to leave you in awe. We’re thrilled to have Adam and Jacqui share these exquisite images with us, offering a glimpse into their very special day indeed.
Lissanoure Castle Wedding
The Proposal
As we strolled through the local park on the evening of our engagement, Adam orchestrated an unforgettable surprise. We paused at the exact spot where he had popped the question just over four years prior, the very same place where our relationship blossomed. Tears streamed down my face as he dropped to one knee and asked me to be his wife, sealing the moment with a Pandora ring. The days that followed were filled with excitement as we embarked on a new adventure: selecting the perfect ring to commemorate our love.
The Vision
As we planned our wedding, we prioritized creating an unforgettable experience for our guests and honoring Christ’s presence in our special day. The ceremony held immense significance to us both, and we wanted our plans to accurately reflect this. We were drawn to the concept of a one-of-a-kind venue with character that would foster a relaxed atmosphere on the day while also providing stunning backdrops for photography.
The Planning Process
As soon as we got engaged in August, we knew exactly what we wanted – to get married the following summer. The planning process was surprisingly swift, and our venue search began shortly after. Initially, scouring online listings felt like a daunting task, with nothing quite fitting our vision. However, it was during this search that we stumbled upon Lissanoure Castle, an enchanting discovery that stole our hearts. We arranged a viewing just days later and secured our date for 16th June 2018 on the spot. The unique character of Lissanoure, its stunning courtyard, and breathtaking grounds all contributed to our instant infatuation with the venue. From this moment on, we were already envisioning our special day in every detail. With our venue settled, Adam largely entrusted me with the rest of the planning (much to my delight!). As someone who tends to be decisive by nature, the subsequent decisions flowed easily from there.
The Venue
We exchanged vows at Lissanoure Castle, where our ceremony and reception took place in a picturesque setting. The unique Gallery of the Coach House, with its curved shape, served as the perfect backdrop for our Pastor Simon to marry us. As we celebrated our union, our guests enjoyed the afternoon ambiance in the McCartney room and the breathtaking circular courtyard, before making their way to the barn for dinner and an unforgettable evening reception. Lissanoure Castle, a private estate renowned for its natural beauty, boasts stunning woodlands and lakes, as well as an exceptional team dedicated to ensuring every moment is cherished. Our experience at the venue was nothing short of exceptional, with the staff going above and beyond to make us feel like royalty on our special day.
Your Outfits & Accessories
I’ll never forget trying on my Pronovias Dravidia dress for the first time at Romantique in Magherafelt. It was love at first sight – I was overcome with emotion, unsure if it was the dress itself or the sheer excitement of being a bride-to-be. As fate would have it, I tried on just a few other dresses to refine my style, but nothing could shake this particular gown from my mind. Two forays into that dressing room later, and I was once again reduced to tears – this time, it was clear: Dravidia was the one. To complete my princess-like look, I paired the dress with a delicate veil, understated jewelry, and those show-stopping blue sparkly court shoes. They truly made me feel like royalty.Adam, meanwhile, had fallen head over heels for his Remus Uomo suit from Hire Class in Belfast. He appreciated its modern yet timeless design – a navy hue with a subtle check pattern that added depth without overpowering the overall look. The classic white shirt, navy tie, and checked waistcoat he paired it with were the perfect accompaniments. And let’s not forget the special cufflinks I gifted him on our wedding morning – the finishing touch to his dashing ensemble.
The Readings & Music
As we exchanged vows, Ruth Corry’s enchanting harp melodies filled the air, setting a serene tone for our special day. The music was truly breathtaking, with many of our guests praising her performance during the ceremony and drinks reception. Pachelbel’s Canon in D played a poignant accompaniment as I walked down the aisle with my dad, while Adam’s sister Kayleigh and our friend Andrew led a heartfelt praise session alongside Ruth’s beautiful playing. We carefully selected four meaningful songs to be sung during the ceremony, choosing lyrics that reflected our love for one another and our desire for God to be at the forefront of our celebration. Two dear friends, Naomi and Victoria, delivered stunning readings from the Bible, while Thomas and Gemma offered heartfelt prayers for our future together as husband and wife. It was a truly special experience having loved ones involved in our wedding day, making it all the more memorable.
The Flowers
I’m still thrilled about the stunning wedding flowers! As a peony enthusiast, I was overjoyed that our special day coincided with peak peony season in June. The talented Karen from House of Elliott in Lisburn brought my floral vision to life. To avoid overwhelming arrangements, I opted for a show-stopping moon arch as the centerpiece – it was breathtakingly beautiful! We cleverly utilized this masterpiece at the front of our ceremony, behind our top table, and finally as a backdrop for our photo booth during the evening reception. Karen crafted the moon arch from an exquisite range of greenery and complemented it with white and pink tones. My bouquet and the bridesmaid’s bouquets were a harmonious blend of these colors, featuring peonies as the crowning glory. I aimed to create an elegant, dress-matching floral arrangement that perfectly captured our wedding style. Meanwhile, Adam and the groomsmen looked dashing with their white rose buttonholes.
The Cake
Gemma’s Cakes in Castledawson crafted our exquisite wedding cake, featuring rose gold accents that perfectly complemented our special day’s décor. The tasting session with Gemma beforehand was a delightful experience, allowing us to fine-tune our preferences and settle on the perfect design. We added a charming A+J cake topper to give it a personal touch. Adam’s mum also contributed to the celebration by preparing her renowned fruit cake, which we especially cherished due to its sentimental value. To make the day even more memorable, we opted to serve the cake after our ceremony, allowing our guests to indulge in tea and coffee while we took photos. When we returned, much to our dismay, the cake was gone – a testament to its exceptional taste and our guests’ enthusiasm! It was a bittersweet moment for us, as we had been looking forward to savoring a slice ourselves.
Beauty
From the moment we secured our wedding date, my partner and I knew that pampering ourselves on the big day was essential. We were fortunate to have friends in the industry who could help us achieve our desired looks. Our go-to hairstylist, Gemma Managh, has years of experience and is incredibly talented. With fine hair, I knew she would be able to create a stunning look for me and my bridesmaids. And indeed, she did not disappoint, crafting beautiful hairstyles that complemented our wedding attire perfectly. What’s more, Gemma was a guest at the wedding, which made it easy for her to offer last-minute touch-ups throughout the day.For makeup, we hired the talented Carly Proctor Make-Up. Her natural, dewy style resonated with me, and she worked wonders on my face (and that of my bridesmaids and mother). Carly’s warm demeanor and infectious laughter set the tone for a relaxing morning with my girls. Her makeup looked radiant right up until the party ended.In addition to hairstyling and makeup, we also treated ourselves to some pampering at La Belle Boutique, courtesy of our friend Kelly, who owns the salon. Kelly and I have been friends since childhood, and she’s been styling my hair for years. On the morning of the wedding, she worked her magic on my nails and tan, ensuring I felt like a million bucks.As for Adam, his grooming was relatively low-key – just a haircut and shave the day before. And yet, he still managed to look dashing in his suit.
Groomsmen
As Adam exchanged vows, his trusted best man and groomsmen trio – consisting of old pals Aaron and Mark, alongside another Aaron who cleverly echoed the groom’s stylish attire by donning the same suit but with a subtle twist in the form of a plain waistcoat that complemented Adam’s dashing appearance as the newlywed.
Bridesmaids
As I prepared to walk down the aisle, my sister Emma played a special role as chief bridesmaid, joined by two friends who became honorary members of my bridal party: Hannah and Leanne. The trio’s stunning rose gold sequin dresses from Dessy Group, purchased at Perfect Day in Lurgan, left us all beaming with joy. I had envisioned them in those exact gowns since our first shopping trip, and seeing how beautifully they complemented mine was the icing on the cake.
Your Photographer
Our wedding photography experience was truly unforgettable, thanks to the exceptional talents of Adam and Grace. As a photographer myself, I initially found it challenging to choose just a few photographers to work with, given the abundance of talented professionals in the industry. However, when I reached out to Adam and Grace, we instantly connected – our conversation with Grace felt like we had known each other for years. This connection was crucial for us, as we knew we would be spending significant time with them on our wedding day and wanted to feel relaxed and at ease. We opted for an engagement session with them, which allowed us to build a rapport and establish a sense of trust. Adam and Grace were incredibly encouraging and fun to work with throughout the day. I appreciated their willingness to adapt to my suggestions, including my idea to capture stunning sunset shots at the nearby Dark Hedges – the resulting photos were truly breathtaking. We are absolutely thrilled with our photographs, which we proudly display in our home and cherish in a beautiful album that we will treasure for years to come.
Your Filmmaker
Our team worked seamlessly with videographers Matt and Abby from Forever Social, who proved to be a valuable asset on the day. Their professionalism and attention to detail were impressive, as they effortlessly collaborated with our photographers to ensure a smooth operation and harmonious styles. Despite their presence being nearly imperceptible, it was clear that they were working tirelessly behind the scenes. The finished videos left us thoroughly impressed, with every little detail – including the music selection – being executed flawlessly.
The Details & Décor
Our venue choice was influenced by its flexibility to accommodate our personal touch. A talented friend, Helen, owner of Kosalisa Art, hand-lettered inspiring bible verses to adorn the space and created a stunning welcome sign and timeline of our special day. To harmonize with our bridesmaid dresses’ color palette, we centered our décor around a rose gold theme, tying everything together beautifully. The barn reception featured festoon lighting across the roof, imbuing the room with a cozy ambiance. We enjoyed incorporating various displays of our couple’s photos throughout the venue to share with our guests. As travel enthusiasts, Adam and I loved using a scratch map featuring our favorite destinations as our table plan, with each table boasting a photo of us exploring together. During the afternoon, our guests relaxed and mingled while savoring woodfired pizzas courtesy of Pizza Box in the castle courtyard – a hit among our guests. The courtyard also played host to Hector the Picture Bus, delightfully entertaining our visitors. We cherish looking back at the scrapbook of photos from our special day, including those of our lovingly captured memories.
The Honeymoon
Adam’s thoughtful planning paid off in spades as our honeymoon was a truly unforgettable experience. Our accommodations, nestled within a picturesque cave overlooking the sea in Oia, Santorini, offered breathtaking views of the island’s stunning landscape. With its renowned sunsets and captivating scenery, Santorini proved to be the perfect setting for relaxation and exploration. We spent five idyllic days soaking up the atmosphere before attending another friend’s wedding celebration, bringing our honeymoon adventure full circle.
Memorable Moments
As we headed out to the venue, I cherished the scenic hour-long drive with my dad. The mini car became a cozy bubble of love and laughter as we shared stories and jokes along the way. Our ceremony was a highlight, exchanging vows and basking in each other’s happiness. We felt like our hearts were overflowing with joy throughout the day. Even during our portrait sessions, we savored those precious moments together, stealing away from the bustle to revel in our new status as husband and wife.