Lynne Anderson, a further education tutor from Belfast and Stephen Bennett, a courier also from Belfast had their beautiful wedding in St. Teresa’s Church in Belfast and on to the Killyheviln in Enniskillen. We chatted to them afterwards.

How did you first meet and get together?

Believe it or not we met while I was working security on the door of the Fly Bar one Saturday night. I worked on the door with Stephens Friend Caoimhghin. Stephen came that night and was joking with how a woman couldnt do the door or put a man out. So I showed him my moves and once headlocked and floored that was him hooked.

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

Stephen proposes on the 15th March in Central park in New york. It was the day before st Patricks day but that year it fell on a Sunday. Americans dont celebrate st particks day on a Sunday so it was happening on that Saturday. We took a walk around the park waiting on the parades. We got to a lovely bridge in Cenrral park we sat to the right of the bridge on a paddock on the lake. Funny thing is when stephen proposed I didnt believe him we were all dressed up for st Patricks day, including scarfs ect as it was cold. He was on one knee I nearly fell over him. Honestly cannot remember what he said but my 1st reply to him was “get up, stop making a dick out of me” I didnt believe him. He raised his hands with the Murray and co box and I couldnt believe it.

Where and how did you choose your dress?

We went to Perfect Day in Lurgan, we had an amazing experience with all the girls. I had an idea of a few dresses I liked and the where able to get that style or show me something similar.

How did you find the experience?

I believe we took a relaxed approach to our wedding in all areas. To be Honest when we picked my dress we got the train down and had a few drinks. We got there early so ended up in the bar for a few more. The whole experience of picking the dresses was who could cry the most. It was a lovely emotional day to spend with my mum and bridesmaids. One I will never forget.

What was the best part of planning your big day?

The Hotel, I have to say the hotel was amazing in everyway from the 1st visit. It was the 1st hotel we looked at. Arrived without an appointment and they still made time for us. OUR wedding planner Pascal was out of this world. He just knew how to support us throughout.

And the most stressful part?

Bridesmaid dresses!!

How did the day go?

Amazing, I couldn’t fault any part of it. From that morning the hair, make up, florist, videographer and photographer. It looked crazy and stressed but ran so smoothly. Hotel everyone seemed happy, well feed and entertained.

Why did you book us as your photographers?

We met at the wedding fair in Titanic and fell in love with you as people. Stephen and myself booked a lot of venders on how they made us feel. We like the calm relaxed approach with yourselves, the family feeling. After booked we did an engagement shoot, this was a fun and enjoyable experience.

Were there any near disasters/funny incidents?

Yes my bridesmaid dresses were hand made and one of them the lining was a bit tight and was cut on the morning of by the hairdresser. Simon got this photo and os now in my album as a memory

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

Simon was a god send on our wedding day, not only taking the photographs but ended up with many different roles. Helping with baby, packing the car, helping the bridesmaids. Thats what I remember, I am sure the bridal party would tell you he carried out more duties. He made getting our photos taken enjoyable and fun.

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

Enjoy it, dont stress about it. They day is about you and your husband coming together as one. Making your family. Nothing else matters. Things will go to plan and others wont, but at the end of the day no one will know the difference. What I am glad we did was go with people who gave us that nice warm feeling. They were all supportive and reliable the whole way through

3 weeks prior to her wedding, Claire McWilliams, a nurse from Belfast, broke her ankle which resulted in her being in a wheelchair for the big day. Some people would have let that news dampen the festivities, but not in Claire’s case. Gary Scott, an Aircraft Engineer from Belfast, was waiting on her as she bravely walked up the aisle with the aid of her dad and a makeshift support. St Marys Glengormley provided the sanctuary for the ceremony – then the couple take the short trip to the Dunardy to join their closest friends and family. What unfolded was one of the most special and memorable days as two amazing people became one. We caught up with them to hear the full lowdown on the day…

How did you first meet and get together?

We met in the Duke of York in Belfast, on a night out with our friends. we got chatting at the queue at the bar where we exchanged phone numbers. our first date was amazing we met in Belfast at the Northern Wig. Gary was late as usual! I thought i had been stood up lol! We hit it off right away and we couldnt stop talking and laughing, we both had work the next day but ended up out in Belfast until the wee hours as we didn’t want the date to end.  We had our first date in July 2019 and continued to see each other regularly until Gary went to America for a 2 week holiday.  When he returned we realised we wanted something more serious between us.

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

It was my 31st birthday, it was still during covid regulation times, i had planned a small family party in my mums garden. Gary and my mum surprised me and had all of my best friends there and all of Gary’s family.  It was a great day and in the evening Gary asked me to go into the kitchen to open some presents, when i came back outside my mum and sisters had covered the grass in candles, rose petals and lanterns and Gary got down on one knee in front of all of our close friends and family – it was amazing and then we got to celebrate straight away with them so it turned into a birthday/engagement party!

Where and how did you choose your dress?

I had a nightmare choosing my dress, i went to 9 different shops and tried on over 60 dresses in total, i didn’t love any of them, there was one that i thought was OK so decided that would be the one i would get but a friend from work had recommended one last shop the bridal company in Templepatrick, the girls were just amazing. i brought my mum and aunty with me. i had dresses from their FB page saved onto my phone and as the girls were getting them they said to have a look through the rails. i seen the dress and showed my mum and aunty and they both said no straight away (the sample was pink) but there was something about it that i loved, i tried it on anyway and i just fell in love with it straight away – i had finally found my dress ❤️❤️

How did you find the experience?

Sstressful and disheartening but once I found the dress I was elated!

What was the best part of planning your big day?

Gary leaving me to it lol and getting to go and visit the wedding venue regularly – we love the Dunadry and it was always such a treat to get to see it each time.

And the most stressful part?

Keeping track of what I had booked, what deposits I had paid, when payments were due, it does become stressful as you can’t remember what you have done and when!

How did the day go?

The day was different from what we had dreamed of, unfortunately i had  fall 3 weeks before our wedding and severely broke my ankle. it was a great day all in all but i wish we could do it again so i could walk down the aisle properly, have our first dance and get out and about in the grounds for further pictures and memories. From the car driver right through until our reception at the Dunadry every person helped us out and gave us extra time due to the cast and did everything they could to try to make the day as normal as they could. it was a day full of laughter, love and some tears but it was the best day of our lives to date and signalled a bond between us which is so special, we are closer now than ever – probably due to the fact that in sickness and in health was taken to a new level at the get go of marriage lol!

Why did you book us as your photographers?

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

We both loved getting the photo under the Unity Tree in the hotel gardens – we always love it and were so happy we managed to get up the grass to get it taken!

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

Were there any near disasters/funny incidents?

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

Three times was a charm for our amazing couple, as their third date following the pandemic turned out to be the day they had dreamt off. Robyn & David, both civilm servants and from Dromore and Belfast respectively, were joined by their two kids on the special day. The weather was kind, the food even better and everything combined to make it the wedding of their dreams. Following a change to their honeymoon plans – we caught up with the couple following their Fameymoon (family – honeymoon? Trust us, it’s a thing) in Lanzorote…

How did you first meet and get together?

David and I met in work back in 2008. David worked in the Press Office for the Department of Finance, and I worked in the Private Office. Initially we worked in adjacent offices, but I changed job roles and ended up sitting next to David. We would often talk about our families and especially our love for our grandparents and how much we loved watching Only Fools and Horses! However, it wasn’t until after David left to go to another Department that a romantic relationship began to blossom. We emailed each other a while after David left, regarding something he used to do when he worked there, and after a few exchanges, we arranged to meet up. Even though we both say the other one initiated the first date, I’m still adamant David asked me out for drinks!

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

Where and how did you choose your dress?

I purchased my dress from Elody Bridal in Newry. I knew a few people who had bought their dresses from this store and I work in Newry, so my Mum and I booked an appointment. My Mum seen my dress in the front window and thought it was beautiful. It was the last dress I tried on and I knew it was the one when I put it on.

How did you find the experience?

I found the experience fantastic, the staff, especially Holly who was also a family friend was so helpful and so lovely. I surprised myself, as all the dresses I had liked were ballroom and I ended up picking a fitted dress which I fell in love with.

What was the best part of planning your big day?

The food tasting, David and I love our food and we were blown away with our tasting at the Titanic it made the build up to the wedding even more exciting knowing our guests would be treated to amazing food.

And the most stressful part?

With us having to postpone our wedding so many times was very stressful ad not knowing if it was going to happen due to Covid. The last time we had to postpone, I fell pregnant with our son Leo, so we decided to put our wedding off for a year hoping all restrictions would be lifted and we could have the wedding we dreamt off with an extra special guest on the day!

How did the day go?

The day was fantastic the weather was amazing, we both were so happy we were able to finally celebrate our day with all our family and friends. I wish I could go back and do it all again it was our dream wedding.

Why did you book us as your photographers?

Really good reviews and after our initial meeting in the studio, we knew there wasn’t any point of going to anyone else. We really liked the guys as people and knew you would do a great job, which you did.

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

The great thing was there wasn’t any point where we didn’t want a particular photograph taken but on the other hand Ciaran was very happy to accommodate ones that we suggested.  We both really enjoyed the experience.

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

Absolutely, Ciaran was great and the pictures were amazing.  While Simon wasn’t present on the day, he was brilliant and give us an enjoyable experience of picking the final photographs for our album. Can’t recommend them highly enough.

Were there any near disasters/funny incidents?

My Father in Law (Davy) and our son Leo had to miss the ceremony, because if Leo had of seen David, he would have cried to get up beside and for him to hold him, which just wasn’t practical. I later found out that was the experience David had right up until he was ready to take his position at the top of the aisle. So thanks to Davy, he kept him calm outside and anytime David spotted him he covered his face or Leo would have erupted!

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

To enjoy every part from the planning to the actual day as it all goes so fast months or in our case years of planning and the day goes very quickly, to try and take it all in.