Real Weddings
Real Wedding
Ben & Grainne's Wedding
The Couple
Gráinne and Ben met in a bar in 2007 when Gráinne was working in Citibank London. Gráinne was based in Belfast at the time so they continued their relationship long distance for 2 years until Gráinne finally moved into a flat with Ben in Richmond, London.
Ben proposed on a moonlit beach in Tulum, Mexico. He had chosen the engagement ring in advance (a blue sapphire) and had it with him when he proposed. He was worried about the ring making it through security in the airport without being revealed to Gráinne so he attached a little note to warn security staff of what was inside the box, lest the surprise be spoiled! A shooting star flew overhead after the proposal so it was quite a special moment.
The Setting
The Phantom House
The Renaissance Suite
Why Galgorm Resort & Spa
Galgorm Resort & Spa has a phenomenal reputation for making your wedding day truly memorable. Gráinne and Ben are both very focused on attention to detail and therefore wanted to be able to rely on the staff at their venue to follow-through in realising the day as they had envisaged it.
A lot of our guests were coming from overseas, so we wanted to find a venue where both ceremony and reception could take place in a single location so our guests would not have to undertake additional travel. The variety of on-site restaurants also provided the perfect location for a dinner the night before the wedding and a BBQ on the day after. As there was such a large bridal party (the bride, mother of the bride, 4 bridesmaids and 6 flower girls), the Boudoir was the perfect relaxing environment to get ready in.
For our first dance, instead of the traditional slow dance, we decided to invite the bridal party to join us and break it down to “Brown Eyed Girl”. Within moments, the dance floor was filled with guests of all ages, throwing down shapes which were fantastic!
Whilst getting our photos taken, we took ourselves off to the bar in the Galgorm for a little drink, just the two of us. It was lovely to have that moment together before the reception. We would really recommend that you have a videographer to capture the day. It is expensive but the excitement once the videos arrive cannot be beaten! In terms of a relatively inexpensive addition to the day which made all the difference in terms of atmosphere, we would recommend a box of dance floor props including items such as feather boas, hats and blow up guitars/microphones. Not only does this make people feel more relaxed whilst dancing, the photos look amazing afterward.
The Dream Team
Oliver Mort
Save The Dates/Invitations/RSVPS/Scratch Cards designed by Ben Darlow & printed by Typoretum
Lily Pink Bakery, Belfast
Sally's Floral Studio
String Quartet (Ceremony) - Ionian Quartet
Ceremony Singers - Ross Alexander, Olivia Lavery & Laura Irwin
Pianist (Ceremony) - Martin Lavery
Trad Band (Reception) - Connla
Wedding Band - Bentley Boys
Photography Printing by ThePrintSpace, Hoxton
Photo Framing Scenes, Belfast
Table Signs designed by Ben Darlow, made by Pendle Woodcraft, Blackburn
Fraser Stewart, Lurgan
Catch Belfast
Scratch cards designed by Ben Darlow & printed by Typoretum, Colchester
Coin Favours - Badges Plus
Cancer Research Pins
London Transport (Gold & Navy colour scheme)
The Glad Rags
Dress designed by Eloise Mae
Maids To Measure, London
Flowergirls' Dresses - Monsoon
Cad & The Dandy, Savile Row
Groomsmen's Outfits - Ted Baker (Moss Bros)
Page Boys' - Monsoon
The Glam Squad
Hedonist Hair, Belfast
Emma Hanna Makeup & Beauty, Belfast
Nail Garden, Richmond upon Thames
