In a departure from our usual real wedding features, today we bring you an After Wedding Shoot - Chris and Kate asked Rob and Hannah of Epic Love Photographyto do a newlywed styled shoot with them, in a magnificent location overlooking the sea. The weather couldn't have been more perfect, and for a couple in love, this was the perfect opportunity, now the madness of the wedding was over, to relax, enjoy each other's company and reflect...
How did you two meet originally? "I transferred from Scotland to Jordanstown for University, and to get to know a few people went to a barn dance with a few friends. However, I knew absolutely nobody there, but Chris started talking to me (and talking, and talking, and talking!) I didn't initially think he's the man I'm going to marry, but I did think he was the best looking man I'd ever seen, (haha). I was the one who asked for his number, but I promise it was completely innocent, thinking I could meet up with a few of his friends to get to know more people. However, we met up again the next week and I knew there was something there, that's when it started, and two and a half years later we were married."
The proposal came as a complete surprise to Kate, Chris, the sneaky divil, having put quite a lot of thought in to cooking up a fantastic surprise. "Sitting watching TV with Chris one night, he turned off the TV, and said he had a surprise for my birthday. So off to Dublin we went, for a Thai massage, dinner and a show. Later that night he said he had another surprise, which we had to get up really early for, so at 5am we got up and went for a 45 minute drive to the middle of nowhere. I had no idea what we were going to do but then I saw it... a hot air balloon!
At this stage I was thinking, jeepers this is some birthday present, what am I going to get him? Off we set, and half way through the journey, Chris pointed over the hills and my eyes dropped to a little red ribbon that was hanging outside the basket. I started pulling it, and came across little pieces of paper which he had attached all the things he loved about me onto and at the bottom he had a Thornton's bar of chocolate which said 'Will', just as I was about to ask what it meant, Chris was down on one knee and proposed, don't ask me what he said though as I was completely shocked and couldn't speak, not even to say yes!
But the words did eventually come, and Kate, being in the wedding game herself, was well prepared to put together the perfect celebration.
We got married in a big barn at Lissanoure Castle. We chose a theme of shabby chic, using a lot of the items from my own wedding hire company, Sprinkles of Love, such as our signs and table decorations. I knew I wanted something a little different, and loved the idea of being able to bring outside caterers to the venue. Lissanoure Castle is just beautiful, with gorgeous scenery.
But every bride, wedding pro, or not, needs help creating the dream day, so Kate was lucky to have a huge circle of helping hands to call on. "I had a lot of help from family and friends, with friends playing the music at our ceremony, designing our wedding invitations and order of service, the DJ, the cake, the videographer, the list goes on! I owe a lot of favours, and thankfully I'll be able to help my friends, with Sprinkles of Love."
Any particularly favourite moments? I was in a daze for the whole day, I loved the ceremony though, and couldn't help smiling the whole way through it, and of course the food... yum!
Can we all just take a moment now, to pay homage to Kate's gorgeous wedding dress, which couldn't have been a more perfect choice for this beautiful bride?
What advice would you give to brides and grooms planning their day? I would recommend that brides chill out on the day of their wedding, before the ceremony, sit down, get a cuppa and just enjoy the moment. I would also recommend having a photo list, so you get all your precious photos, like photos of grandparents, sisters, friends that have flown over especially for your day. Also, if possible, meet up with family and friends that have flown over the next day, as on your day you don't have the time for a good catch up!
Much love and thanks to Kate and Chris for sharing their beautiful after-wedding shoot with us and the inside track on their wedding. Big thanks too, of course to Rob and Hannah of Epic Love Photography for sharing their work on this shoot with us. It's a real treasure. Lovely to have a real couple to show all styled up. If you loved this work, then you have to pop over to www.epiclovephotography.com to see more...
All the Wedding Credits
- Photography: Epic Love
- Dress: Jenny Packham
- Shoes: Next
- Flowers: Serenity Flowers
- Groom's suit: Focus
- Accessories: Jenny Packham
- Stationery: Gamu Design
- Make Up: Sanctuary by the Sea
- Hair: Chrysalis
- Wedding Bands: Haste to the Wedding Ceilidh Band
- Ceremony Music: Friends
- Wedding Decoration: Sprinkles of Love
