Simon O'Neill

How did you first meet and get together?

Ciarán worked with my friend Orla the bridesmaid in a shop in Warrenpoint and we met after a night out almost 10 years ago. He walked me home and dropped his bank card along the way. It was handed in to the shop that week and his sisters began their investigation to work out who the girl was. They had a list of options and we managed to keep it under wraps for the summer as Ciarán was six years older than me and we wanted to make sure we were serious before I headed to Uni and we told people. The biggest shock was to his sister Aisling when he told her the secret girl was her student from St Louis and her response was “not the wee quiet girl who didn’t speak”. I don’t think she sticks to that statement any more!

Tell us about the proposal – where, when, how?

Long story here.. We got engaged in Cuan Mor Lodges in Comber. On the 4th December 2020 we set off after I finished school. There was storms that day so Ciarán was getting text messages from the cabins to say his plans to propose on the jetty weren’t safe, a teepee tent kept blowing over so they decorated up a room for us. On the way there I had said a friend in school mentioned us getting engaged and Ciarán tried to sway my thoughts on the subject by basically saying we weren’t ready for that so the journey was a bit quiet. But once we got to the room it was beautifully decorated with candles and flowers and I had no idea what was about to happen so when he I asked I said no. But we cleared that up and are now happily married.

Where and how did you choose your dress?

I viewed dresses from Banbridge to Donegal and a friend of ours had opened White Blossom Bridal in Warrenpoint so I called in to see Danielle and have a look. Turns out after all the driving I said yes 5 minutes from our house. Danielle couldn’t have been better for sorting everything I needed.

How did you find the experience?

It really is true what people say that “When you know you know”. I had tried on a good few dresses before going to White Blossom and once I put on the dress I could see myself walking down the aisle in it. Overall the experience was brilliant getting to try on so many beautiful dresses.

What was the best part of planning your big day?

We just really wanted to give everyone a good day out. We have been to nearly 50 weddings together and wanted to make sure everyone coming was going to have a fun day at hours. I am very lucky to have Ciarán the chief organiser who looked after most of the planning and organising. I just had to rock up to the chapel really and even that I was late to.

And the most stressful part?

To be perfectly honest we didn’t find anything that stressful. As I’ve said it is easy for me when Ciarán is so organised but even sorting guest lists and tables wasn’t what it was made out to be. We expected fall outs at those times but managed to sort all without any drama.

How did the day go?

It’s very cliche but it really is the best day of your life. We had received lots of good advice before the wedding day to take moments to soak it all enjoy and enjoy the time with our friends and family but suddenly it’s after midnight and Magiggs is calling the last song of the day. It goes by in a flash but we don’t think we’ll have to do it again as we think it was right the first time. Following the wedding the word “fun” was thrown about by everyone we had there with us. We smiled and laughed all day and are so grateful to everyone who made it such a special day.

Why did you book us as your photographers?

As we had so many weddings we asked those we’ve been to before and the name had come up so much when we looked at the photos on your Instagram we booked an appointment.

Were there any particular photos you loved (or hated!) getting taken?

In the run up to the wedding Ciarán was a bit apprehensive as he is Warrenpoint’s version of Chandler in Friends and doesn’t love photos. When we received our Sneak Peak we couldn’t believe how natural the photos are and some of our favourites are the ones we didn’t know were being taken. From showing the photos to our family and friends they all said how happy we look and that was all we wanted from the photos to show how great a day we had. Personally we loved the photos inside the chapel too after the guests have gone as they look so magical. We didn’t hate the family photos but would recommend a foghorn to get your family there quickly so it doesn’t go on a bit long LOL!

Do you think we, as your photographers, helped you enjoy your day?

Absolutely. From Simon arrived in my mum and dads home house you wouldn’t have known him and the videographer Conrad were there. They were just part of the day in no time. I would say the laughs started from Simon came through the front door and didn’t stop until we gave him a hug when he was leaving the Ballymascanlon. He made everyone feel at ease and we heard nothing but great reviews from our family and friends who were involved in the photos across the day. We couldn’t recommend you enough.

Were there any near disasters/funny incidents?

What advice would you give to other couples planning their wedding?

Don’t let anything get you too stressed because it is only you who’ll notice the little things on the day. All of your guests will just be so happy to be there to spend that special day with you they won’t notice if a flower is missing or a sign is in the wrong place. And do try to take a minute to look around the room and see all those people who are there for you two- it really is the most amazing day.

Having had their first date in Cookstown, Mariane, a dental nurse from Brazil & Benny, a welder from Newry decided after 4 years it was time to tie the knot. In case you recognise them – it was their proposal that caught the headlines as Benny thought it would be a good idea to use the Illuminate Festival in Derry as the venue. He got in contact with the city council and arranged for ‘Mariane, will you marry me? Love Benny’ to be projected 3 stories high onto the front of the Guild hall in Derry, while they waited in Guild hall square. Thankfully, for Benny’s sake she said yes and now the rest is history ❤️❤️❤️ Read on to find out more about their super wedding day in Four Seasons Carlingford…

Lets answer the question that most girls who are reading this blog want to know…where did Mariane get her dress?? Well, she chose it in the amazing Elody Bridal in Newry. Mariane found the experience very exciting and it was amazing to have my family and close friends with her as she chose the perfect dress.

Next on the list was the wedding venue. The couple really enjoyed visiting the different venues but when they first arrived at the Four Seasons Carlingford…their hearts were set on it and the location. Whilst all that is said, in Mariane’s own words: “It was nice when all of the planning was finished so we could focus on the actual wedding day” and they especially struggled with the table plan (as a lot of couples do!).

You only have to look at the stunning photos to see how glorious a day it was. It was like Brazil sent us over the weather as a present for Mariane! In the couples own words, the day went brilliantly – everything was simply perfect!

The photos flowed very quickly, the couple loved the speed of the photos and the craic we had taking them. These remarks mean so much to us as photographers!! Whenever we play our part in a wedding day we always prioritise the couples needs – get amazing photos in the shortest amount of time!

Having found us on Instagram and loving our style, it was an easy match up and the couple were so easy to work with, both before the big day and on it. The venue and weather certainly added to the beauty of the wedding – the couple in particular loved the photos taken around Carlingford.

Mariane’s advice for newlyweds for is to plan early and have as many plans in place as early as possible. Save yourself the stress of trying to get things booked in the months and weeks leading up to the wedding. Its great advice, take the pressure off early and get the wedding vendors you’ve always wanted 🙂