We are so pleased to share this beautiful story of love, loss and just sheer beauty. County Down photographer Marc Lawson certainly has captured all the emotion and joy for Susan and David’s winter wedding at Slieve Donard Hotel in Newcastle, County Down.
Susan, who is originally from Falkirk in Scotland first met David at a mutual friends BBQ. “David saw me at the bar and asked who I was, we instantly hit it off,” said Susan.
They both knew their relationship was really special from early on. For Susan, it was when David offered to spend a week in Scotland with her celebrating their first New Year together with her huge extended family, and he survived! The proposal happened on 29 November 2013. They were looking at a site to build their own home, and agreed that this particular plot was ‘the one.’ Before they left David, got on one knee and popped the question!
Shortly after their engagement David and Susan found out they were expecting their first baby. Unfortunately their baby girl was diagnosed with a rare syndrome during the pregnancy, and was stillborn in August.
To honour their daughter, David and Susan decided they would try and marry before the year ended and, with only nine weeks notice, arranged the wedding (coincidentally) exactly a year after their engagement! Everything fell into place really quickly, like it was meant to be.
“We wanted a smaller wedding and unbelievably, the Slieve Donard had a function room to accommodate us which was free on our date. We knew Marc Lawson, our photographer through a pregnancy photoshoot we were gifted, so we were delighted when he was available. We also worked on recommendations of suppliers from friends and we weren’t disappointed by any aspect. Another coincidence was our band, Perfect Remedy, were actually the band who were playing the night we met – so it all really felt like we had a helping hand in making our day meaningful and perfect,” explained Susan.
Although the couple didn’t intentionally set out to have a particular wedding theme, as their planning progressed a silver theme with sparkle naturally evolved.
“The flowers were all delicate Baby’s Breath which added to the soft tones. This especially worked really well when we arrived at the Slieve Donard the night before the wedding and it was all decorated for Christmas – their trees and decorations were all silver and frozen white and it complemented everything perfectly,” added Susan.
As their wedding was so close Susan had to find an off the peg wedding gown. Unfased by the short timeframe, the girls from No.8 Boutique in Cookstown were amazing.
“Michelle in No8 was a dream to work with and knew instantly what styles would and wouldn’t suit me. The third dress was from Mori Lee and it took all our breaths away. When we were all a bit teary, I knew that was definitely the one!” said Susan.
Susan had one Matron of Honour, her best friend, Rachel and she picked a gorgeous lavender dress in Coast which complemented the wedding dress perfectly. David selected a navy blue three piece suit with silver tie for himself and the bridal party from Red Groomswear, Cookstown. Marcus from Red understood David’s style and was able to recommend exactly what would work.
“The day went perfectly. The only slight hitch was that I forgot to put on the belt to accompany the wedding dress! It never entered any of our minds before the service, and there is a classic picture of my mum asking me about it after the wedding, and my face is a picture! It was retrieved when we got back to the hotel and I am wearing it for most of the pictures. David and I also opened the floor after dinner which caused an impromptu Scottish sing-song from my family, and an awkward speech from one of David’s friends who was thrown the mike at the last minute!” said Susan.
David’s highlight: Seeing Susan for the first time walking down the aisle. I felt the like luckiest man alive in that moment.
Susan’s highlight: For me it was exchanging vows. From the second I woke that morning, I couldn’t wait to see David and commit to him as his wife.
Susan’s Advice
Whilst the details are important, keep it in perspective. Despite us planning our wedding really quickly, it was still really easy to get caught up in wanting added extras! At the end of the day, everyone is there to celebrate your marriage so try to keep that focus. It saves many discussions, as we found out!
Wedding Suppliers
Ceremony: Newcastle Baptist Church.
Reception: Slieve Donard Hotel, Newcastle.
Photographer: Photography by Marc Lawson, Lisburn.
Wedding dress: No 8 Boutique, Cookstown.
Bridesmaids dress: Coast, Belfast.
Headpiece: Hummingbird Boutique, Falkirk.
Flowers: Ditsy Floral Design, Banbridge.
Transport: Lawrence O’Neill, Belfast.
Cake: Olga Blevins, Dungannon.
Wedding band: Perfect Remedy, Dungannon.
