Real Weddings: Niamh and Gary’s festive, five-star resort wedding in Co Fermanagh

THE COUPLE
Niamh, primary school teacher, and Gary, managing director.

THEY LIVE
in Tibohine, Co Roscommon.

THE VENUE
Lough Erne Resort, Co Fermanagh, Northern Ireland.

PHOTOGRAPHY
Sarah James – We Are The James’s.

THEY MET
In a local pub called The Fiddler’s Elbow in Ballaghaderreen, Co Roscommon.

THE PROPOSAL
Gary surprised me with a romantic weekend away for my birthday in October 2021 to The Galgorm Resort & Spa in Co Antrim. I had no idea where we were going but having been together over 12 years at the time, a proposal was possible on a number of occasions!

The morning after we arrived Gary arranged for the hotel room to be set up with candles, rose petals and fairy lights while we had breakfast. I was wondering why he didn’t eat much that morning considering a hotel breakfast is usually his favourite part of a weekend away. After breakfast, we went back up to the room and Gary finally got down on one knee and proposed.

He had a full engagement day itinerary planned too – massages, a riverside bathing experience with champagne and a six-course tasting menu that evening. It was a really beautiful day full of so much excitement and happiness!

THE ENTERTAINMENT
For the ceremony and reception music, we had a male harmony group called The Rascals. Then, for the evening, The Controversial All Stars wedding band and DJ were brilliant!

THEIR TOP TIPS

• Start by identifying the style and vibe you wish for your wedding. This will help dictate the time of year and venue you choose.
• Research and trust your suppliers – if you’ve chosen and invested in good suppliers they will know what needs to be done and when. Allow them to do what they do best.
• Don’t stress over the small details! You are the only person looking at everything closely, but everyone else is enjoying themselves way too much to notice.
• ENJOY! Most important of all, relax, breathe and take it all in!

THEY WISH THEY HAD
We honestly couldn’t have wished for a better day! Everything turned out exactly as we hoped for and we look back on the day with the most special memories surrounded by all of our family and friends.

THEIR BEST MOMENTS

• Mom and Dad seeing me in my dress
• The morning getting ready with my two sisters, Laura and Katie, and my best friend, Olivia
• The walk down the aisle with Dad
• Seeing Gary at the top of the altar
• The church ceremony and music
• The drive from the church to the reception was so special
• Having a hot whiskey while getting our photos taken
• Walking into the reception as Mr & Mrs Jordan
• The speeches
• Best of all having all of our family and friends there to celebrate with us.