A truly one of a kind real wedding story...

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Emma-Kate and Karol had many ups and downs before they planned their perfect day, but stuck together and arranged a gorgeous lake side wedding. With everything planned Emma-Kate and Karol had another unexpected set back, resulting in their dream low-key wedding being postponed. But in the end love prevailed and the couple finally got to celebrate their love in a colourful DIY real wedding at the private island of Lusty Beg. The day was all captured by Katrina Taggart Photography and we're so glad to finally get to share it with you...

Pretty Lusty Beg Island Wedding by Katrina Taggart Photography | onefabday.com

Karol and Emma-Kate grew up around the corner from one another in Omagh, Co. Tyrone, but only became friends after they both came home from college and travelling in 2002. They soon realised they shared the same sense of humour and outlook on life and became closer again. Emma-Kate's mum sadly passed away in 2009 and Karol was with her each step of the way, really cementing their friendship and love. Emma-Kate testifies (rather adorably)..."He's always there with me holding my hand through the good times and bad making me laugh and smile, I couldn't wait to marry my best friend."

Although they'd talked about marriage, it was a total surprise when Karol proposed on the beach whilst on holiday in 2012. Emma-Kate describes the moment..."He proposed with a family heirloom, his late grandmother's beautiful antique diamond and turquoise brooch pin that's over a hundred years old, and which he kept hidden for almost the whole holiday. We have a good friend in Canada, Jerome McCann, who is a jeweller and silversmith so we sent it off to him to craft into a ring." Three months later, at Christmas time, the ring arrived and Karol proposed all over again in their family kitchen.

With a beautiful bespoke ring on her finger Emma-Kate began planning and booked Lusty Beg Island for June 2014. Unfortunately disaster struck, and just like that the wedding was postponed. Emma-Kate explains..."Not long after booking I sustained a back injury and needed spinal surgery, the surgery was booked for June 2014 so we had to make the decision to postpone the wedding to undergo surgery. It was heartbreaking as everything was booked and planned. We moved the date to April 2015 and had our fingers crossed that I would be well enough to walk down the aisle. Thankfully the surgery went well and I was able to recover in time."

Second time lucky, Emma-Kate and Karol's outdoor ceremony went seamlessly, with the sun shining and surrounded by family and friends. Emma-Kate looks on the bright side..."The highlight of our day was standing outside overlooking the lough surrounded by water and nature, with our friends and family. As we said our vows the sun came out and I knew my mum was smiling down on us and sending her love through the sunshine. We couldn't stop smiling all day and loved being surrounded by our nearest and dearest."

As an extra special gift Emma-Kate's sister and maid of honour styled the entire wedding reception, with gorgeous and totally unique results... "My sister who was my Maid of Honour is a professional artist and designer, so she willingly undertook the big job of creating the room décor and table centrepieces. She knew exactly what I wanted as we have the same taste! The only specifications was the colour scheme, and with months of hard work she finally turned my vision into reality, bringing every little detail to life. She hand crafted two beautiful 7ft eye catching wish trees, with sculpted detail that mimicked the pattern in my dress, each of the trees held little photos of Karol and I growing up in vintage frames hanging within its branches, giving the décor a very personal touch."

To complete the look Emma-Kate's sister also created a large 3D floral back drop made up of individual paper flowers that were all hand painted as well some unique handmade table number plaques.

For their honeymoon Emma-Kate and Karol took a well deserved holiday in Barbados. Huge congratulations to you both and we are so glad it finally worked out for the two of you. A big thank you also to Katrina Taggart for sharing your work with us. To see more from Katrina Taggart visit www.katrinataggartphotography.com