An NI couple have shared an insight into their timeless wedding day at Killeavy Castle, Newry.
Amy Walker, 25, from Markethill and husband Kyle, 28, from Poyntzpass had their service beforehand at the bride's local church.
The mental health nurse and the agricultural contractor have been together for nearly four years and got engaged in October, 2020, before getting married on April 19, 2022.
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In Be 's weekly feature Inside My Wedding, couples are delving into their special day to give bride and grooms-to-be some top tips.
Amy told Be : "The start of 2020 was very difficult for myself and for nurses near and far. Kyle however made sure my 2020 ended on a high.
"We were due to tour Ireland that October, however lockdowns changed our plans. We instead spent a week at the North Coast in Kyle’s parent’s house. Kyle proposed on top of Binevenagh Mountain in Limavady and my first initial thought was, ‘Why is he joking with me?’
"This thought was quickly followed by tears and I proceeded to ugly cry for about 30 minutes. It should also be noted that being a nurse, I did not have my nails done so we decided to go back to the house to get my nails on and fix me up before we returned to Binevenagh to take pictures. I suppose that’s a nice reminder not to believe everything you see on Instagram."
Amy has told us all about their special day.
Tell us all about your wedding day!
Our wedding day was truly the best day of my life. I remember us both laying down that night and looking at each other saying, "Best day ever," and it really was.
From start (4.30am for me because of my excitement) to finish it was the most perfect day. I can’t explain the relief, joy and happiness I felt watching everything I had thought, dreamt and stressed about for 18 months finally come together with everyone we loved around us.
My mum was a superwoman when it came to the wedding so I have to give her credit. She made our beautiful cake as well as making and organising an afternoon tea for the guests after the ceremony!
How did you begin planning your wedding?
Wedding planning started that November when I gave my girls their bridesmaid proposals. It all is like a distant memory now. My mum and I did most of the viewings and I settled on the beautiful Killeavy Castle. Kyle was very good with choosing things for the wedding, so good he actually didn’t even need to see anything.
When I told him I was thinking of booking Killeavy and if he wanted to see it, he responded with, "Well if I go and say I don’t like it, will you change your mind?" to which I responded "No". "Well then I don’t need to see it, just book it," he said.
How did you decide on your venue?
I had viewed a few venues before Killeavy and I remember arriving with my mum that day and thinking ‘this is it’ as soon as I stepped out of the car. The staff, food and hospitality of Killeavy simply is unmatched and I cannot thank them all enough for everything they did for us. Nothing was ever a problem and they made our day so enjoyable.
Tell us about your wedding dress, bridesmaid dresses and suits.
The journey to find my dress wasn’t easy, I was about four shops down and had lost hope. I was shopping for my wedding dress during Covid restrictions and was only ever allowed to bring two people to my appointments.
My little sister hadn’t seen me try on any dresses. I booked an appointment with the lovely girls in La Boda Bridal, Banbridge with my only intention being to try on dresses to show my sister. My dress was the first I tried on that day. My mum wanted glitz, beads and lace while I preferred a more understated gown. I knew it was meant to be when we finally agreed on this one - Adrienne by Pronovias.
My bridesmaids are all stunning so finding their dresses was very easy. I had seen the dress I chose for them by the Dessy Group and so we travelled to their stockist La Mariee Bridesmaids. Patricia could not have been better to deal with, so the decision was easy. Another easy decision was the colour because for as long as I can remember, I had wanted green for my bridesmaid colour and so I chose ‘willow’ - a beautiful sage green.
The boys were just as easy, largely because they were all so laid back! We got the suits in O’Cathalain Menswear and we were attended to by the lovely Paedar who got the boys suited and booted. For Kyle, we both wanted something ‘a bit different’ and when Paedar first brought out this velvet paisley ensemble, you should have seen our faces! With encouragement, Kyle tried it on and we both knew that it was exactly what we were looking for.
What was the best part in the build up to your day?
I honestly enjoyed everything involved in the whole organising of the wedding - from lunches with the girls after dress fittings, to tasting menus, to complimentary spa treatments. The best part of the build up however without a doubt has to be my hen party organised by my lovely bridesmaids. They truly pulled out all the stops for me and we spent a very relaxing weekend at the North Coast.
What was the best moment of your day?
By far the best moment of my day was walking down the aisle with my daddy and sharing my vows with Kyle before God and our loved ones, which meant so much to us.
My little sister also played me up the aisle with my friend Grace which was a very special moment.
Another favourite part of my day has to be the speeches, my dad's speech was the funniest thing I have ever heard and definitely got the crowd going! I also did a surprise speech for Kyle which is something special that I’ll remember forever.
As another surprise, we had fireworks for our guests to enjoy. They were a spectacular display and a perfect end to our perfect day.
What would you tell other bride and grooms to plan first & what are your top tips?
I would always say once you have your venue and date, it all gets easier from there!
One of my tips is that although TikTok and Pinterest seem like your best friend, they can also be your worst enemy when it comes to wedding planning.
I always felt like there would be something better or nicer. My advice would be that your day is about you both and the love you have for each other, rather than the newest wedding trend!
Also, I would always say to do as much as you can yourself. For the wedding, I made the evening invitations, order of services, menus, place cards, signs, backdrop, bridesmaid boxes, confetti bags, favours and sweet bags. You really can save yourself so much money!
What were the hardest parts to plan?
I can honestly say that thanks to all of our vendors who went above and beyond our expectations, we really didn’t have any difficulties during the planning stage and we are so thankful to them all!
What was your theme?
I remember when I was first contacting vendors and they asked this question, I would also have said I just wanted the theme of my wedding to be ‘happiness’. I feel like that was the true theme of our day, just happiness and love.
As for a vibe, I had wanted traditional and timeless. I was always afraid of looking back in regret, but I honestly have no regrets at all.
Would you do anything different or wish there was anything you didn't worry about?
A few weeks before the wedding I had been stressed and Kyle told me, "Amy, the wedding is going to happen whether you stress about it or not." I married a very wise man.
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Do you want to tell us all about your wedding day? Email be@belfastlive.co.uk to be featured!
