Like many couples when David and Shannon got engaged they couldn't quite decide what kind of wedding they wanted. They were torn between a tropical destination wedding with sand beneath their toes, or a more classic celebration surrounded by family and friends at home in Ireland. Ultimately they chose to marry at home in the picture perfect Old Court Chapel. Taking inspiration from their scenic surroundings David and Shannon created a stunning real wedding with inspirational details and the most amazing bespoke wedding dress, captured by Gather and Tides for us to enjoy. We think they made the perfect choice...
David and Shannon met with thanks to a friend who throws a good party, and makes for an even better match maker. Shannon explains..."We met through a mutual friend who throws good parties! Having introduced us at one of them, she set us up by text, telling us little white lies about how much we fancied each other…We started speaking on the phone and went on our first proper date a few weeks later."
Once coerced into a first date Shannon and David became inseparable. Years later David (totally) surprised Shannon with a proposal whilst away in Wales. Shannon recounts..."We had booked a weekend away in Wales. I had no idea that the ring was burning a hole in David’s pocket, so I spent a rainy Saturday dragging him around an exhibition about quilting and then a blanket factory! He was very enthusiastic when I finally suggested watching the sun set on some nearby sea cliffs. In the bad weather it took some persuading to get me out of the car to peek over the edge, but when I did he got down on one knee and proposed. It was a huge surprise and I am still sorry I tortured him so badly that day!"
Once engaged Shannon and David couldn't quite decide what type of wedding they wanted. Should they have a stunning elopement, or should they stay put in Ireland and celebrate with their family and friends? Ultimately they chose the latter. Shannon explains how they made their decision..."I grew up in Northern Ireland and didn't think we could find what we wanted at home, and I was worried about making so many of our friends and David’s family travel from all over the world. The first place we saw was Old Court Chapel and it was so beautiful that we didn’t see anywhere else. We both loved it straight away. The chapel is so special and right on the shore of Strangford Lough, so it ticked all the boxes and we knew it would be worth the trip!"
Having made their decision Shannon and David got to work to ensure their chapel wedding was as perfect as it could be..."Once we’d found the right venue, we wanted to make the service itself really special, and make sure our guests felt welcomed and comfortable throughout the day. We set the date well in advance so could book our favourite suppliers early and not worry about having to compromise later on. We didn't include anything in the day ‘just because’ – we only did things that we thought that we or our guests would appreciate."
Seriously in love with Shannon's custom made polka dot wedding dress and accessories! Shannon describes the process of going bespoke..."My dress and headpiece were both made for me. I didn’t plan it that way, but I couldn’t find what I was looking for in any of the usual wedding shops, and I was running out of time! In the end, working with talented people (L’Atelier Linda Brooker and Blue Meadow Bridal) on something unique to me was more fun than I expected and well worth it."
For their marquee reception Shannon and David tried to keep things as local as possible with venison from the Finnebrogue estate nearby, furniture from Northern Irish company SBD Events, amazing flowers by Floral Earth and a hand painted table plan inspired by Strangford Lough. In keeping with this theme each table was named after an island and brass compasses were used as both escort cards and unique wedding favours.
To add extra warmth and style to the marquee Shannon's mum then hemmed a huge amount of material to be used as marquee lining, and her dad sourced extra pieces of indoor and outdoor furniture to add to what was hired for the day.
Thrilled with all of their wedding suppliers and overall wedding day, Shannon and David just have two pieces of advice they wish they'd followed themselves..."We never thought we’d be the type to watch a wedding video, so skipped having a videographer. Our photographs are a beautiful record but we can’t hear the music in the ceremony or relive the speeches in the same way as we would have been able to do with a video. Secondly, If you have views on guests and suppliers taking photos and using social media, give them some guidance. It is worth discussing in advance so you can say what you’re comfortable with."
A huge thank you to Gather and Tides for sharing theses beautiful photographs with us.
