How did you get engaged and how long after getting engaged did you start planning your wedding?
It all happened so fast and we wouldn’t have it any other way! We met August 2020 on a blind date! A year later in September 2021 we went ring shopping! Ben proposed to me December 2021 at the Dark Hedges. It was magic!
Wedding planning started over the Christmas period as we were able to go wedding viewing together as we were both off! We planned to get married August 2022, 2 years after we met. I absolutely loved planning our wedding. I’m a student nurse, therefore, I found it such a good way to escape from the busy wards and relax doing something fun and exciting!
How did you pick your venue? What swayed your decision making and did you both agree about your venue choice?
I found out about Tullyveery on a website called BrideBook. Ben and I both love Georgian style buildings with big gardens and lots of forest friends! Ben’s childhood home is beautiful and we both wanted somewhere that was similar but that we could make our own memories in.
Tullyveery was the first venue we viewed and even though it was at the start of January, Tullyveery speaks for itself even when there is snow! Tullyveery has so many secret gardens, outstanding views of the mourne mountains and beautiful rolling hills of County Down. The grounds just sold it to us! We went to 3 other venues but nothing compared to Tullyveery!
How did you go about choosing a caterer for your wedding?
We wanted to try and do our wedding as reasonably priced as possible – don’t we all! We decided on The Hatch, Newcastle which is basically the most amazing street food you could ever taste! I couldn’t recommend them enough, everyone complimented our food for weeks after! We even had Churros for dessert 🤤
What were you looking forward to most on your wedding day/what was most important to you?
I can’t pick! EVERYTHING! I suppose we wanted our day to run as smoothly as possible with the least amount of hiccups. Well, Charlie and the rest of the Tullyveery team delivered. They worked so hard and our day was pure enchantment!
Did you enjoy the planning process? Would you go about the planning in a different way in hindsight?
Yes yes yes yes! If anyone is struggling – hit me up! The Tullyveery team were on call whatever time and whatever day! I really appreciated having that close contact with Gwen and her responses were so fast! That’s probably why I had such a peaceful nights sleep!
Are you an organised planner or did the venue/suppliers help guide you?
We did everything ourselves. I think as a women, your wedding day is something you start planning and dreaming about from the moment you start talking! Ben maybe not so much but he trusted my vision and it all paid off. I had so many Pinterest boards which helped me piece the vision together.
Was the organisation overwhelming?
I suppose you want to ensure all of your guests are happy and content with decisions you make. Even though so many people tell you “it’s your wedding day, don’t worry about what other people think” it’s hard not to feel responsible for creating a perfect day for your guests too in which they feel part of. In terms of decorations, we did most of it ourselves. Like I said before, it was an escapism for us.
Which suppliers did you use and how did you pick them?
I don’t know what we would do without social media! It helped us so much when picking a photographer and videographer.
We decided on Matty Wenlock as our photographer and Matthew from Blank Canvas Cinematics as our videographer.
Photography by Matty Wenlock Weddings – Instagram & Website
Videography by Blank Canvas – Instagram & Website
Catering by The Hatch – Instagram & Website
Cake by Lauren Taylor Bakes – Instagram
Dress by Justin Alexander Signature from Pronuptia Belfast – Website & Instagram
What if anything would you change about your wedding?
That it would last a full week and time was not a thing!
What was your favourite part of the day?
I knew this question was coming! Of course it was all magical but I think one special memory was when we went down to the swing in the garden to sign the registry.
It allowed us some privacy but our guests had a beautiful view of what was going on! I also remember during the ceremony hearing the birds sing in the trees. It relaxed my nerves and reminded me how peaceful and tranquil this venue was, surrounded by our closest.
What would be your top 5 tips for future Tullyveery couples?
- Do
- What
- Makes
- You both
- Happy
