Being the first couple in your family to get married can be a scary business, but our fun loving couple today, didn’t let that get in their way, they took it all in their stride and planned a day that suited them perfectly. We’re loving the early summer vibe of Louise and Eugene’s wedding, shot by the lovely Hannah McKernan Photography from County Armagh.
Louise and Eugene met whilst they were teenagers and socialised in the same places, although it took three years of convincing each other they were ‘just friends’ before they officially got together!
“After about three years of denying any romance, and being “just friends”, when we officially got together we probably knew there was no going back. Plus, we joke about the first time I met one of Eugene’s sister’s, the fact that I came back was a good indication that I wasn’t going anywhere!” laughed Louise.
Eugene proposed during a birthday break at Crown Plaza Westport on Louise’s’ 27th birthday in February 2013.
“He pulled out all the stops, we had a fancy suite, he had all the spa treatments and dinner booked. We attempted to climb Croagh Patrick also, but didn’t quite make the top due to weather conditions…plus I complained the whole time about climbing a mountain on my birthday, which probably nearly made him reconsider proposing at all! So we had dinner that evening, but before hitting the town that night we were out by the fountains at the hotel and I turned around to find him down on one knee with the ring and all!” said Louise.
Not wanting a long engagement, Louise and Eugene visited three venues, booking the Errigal Country House Hotel in Cootehill for early May the following year. The couple kept the day simple and relaxed for the first family wedding.
After imagining a short wedding dress, Louise was surprised when both her mum and bridesmaids fell in love with a lace Mori Lee gown with fishtail skirt detail;
“I got both my wedding gown and bridesmaid dresses from Perfect Day in Lurgan. It was everything I thought I would never have as a wedding dress, but I loved it!!” added Louise.
“The day was amazing from start to finish – it was very relaxed and great craic. It was the first wedding in my family and especially with the first girl we didn’t know what to expect but it was all very relaxed-maybe too relaxed- but that was the best way!” said Louise.
Like the best laid plans, there were a few mishaps along the way…
“We may have left a few people out of the table plan at the hotel- oops! My cousin was flying in from New York for the wedding so I had asked her to do a reading during the wedding mass, but she realised about three days before the wedding she had messed her flights up a bit and wasn’t going to arrive in time to make the mass…but that was just hilarious and typical Erin! Other than that it was all plain sailing!” said Louise.
“Our highlight of the wedding day was realising how many close friends and family you have that are happy to be there celebrating your big day with you. It’s overwhelming but makes you so grateful for what you have in your life. And also, Eugene’s sister stealing the show at the end of the night with her rendition of Elvis’ In the Ghetto. The band were impressed!!” said Louise.
Wedding Suppliers
Ceremony: St. Michael’s Chapel, Clady.
Venue: The Errigal Country House Hotel, Cootehill.
Photographer: Hannah McKernan Photography, Armagh.
Wedding & bridesmaid dresses: Perfect Day, Lurgan.
Grooms wear: McCartens Menswear, Newry.
Wedding cake: Baked With Love by Siobhan, Keady.
Flowers: Kay Casey, Armagh.
Bridal cars: I Do Wedding Cars, Portadown.
Videographer: Video Me Productions, Lurgan.
Wedding Mass Music: Gribben Sisters, Armagh.
Reception band: Smooth the Band, Lurgan.
