True Love Tuesday Alana and Samuel Vance... - Getting Married in Northern Ireland Magazine

When Doctor Alana Spence met Mechanical Engineer Samuel Vance, little did the pair think that meeting through Tinder would be where there love story would begin!
“We both get embarrassed when asked about how we first met as we actually met through Tinder! But we soon discovered we had many mutual friends and lived only 15 minutes from each other. After a few days of chatting Samuel plucked up the courage to ask me out for coffee and the rest is history!”

Planning for their perfect day started early in 2016 when Samuel popped the question. “It took me totally by surprise. I thought we were going to an ice hockey game which I had booked for Sam’s Christmas present. Samuel had left an envelope with my name on it with pictures and little notes on them. “He also had planned that my best friend Anna was there in a bush taking pictures and recording the whole thing! On top of it all he chose a ring that I absolutely love and hand made a ring box. Wow – it feels incredible just writing about it.” And in March 2018 Samuel added anoythe ring to Alana’s left hand when the couple engaged vows at Upper Clonaneese Presbyterian Church, before hosting a dance-filled reception at Lusty Beg Island.

“We choose ‘identity’ as pur theme – all the things that make up who me and Samuel are, both as individuals and as a couple.” For Alana’s identity on the day, she choose a stunning lace topped gown from Petticoat Lane Bridal in Hillsborough. “I went in with an idea in my head of what I would like and came out with something totally different. I couldn’t stop thinking about my dress and kept comparing it to everything else so I knew it was the one for me. “I’m not very confident in myself and thought I would feel very self-conscious but the staff in Petticoat Lane made me feel so comfortable and more beautiful than I’ve ever felt. Having both my mum and mum-in-law there was very special. “
Both of the mums were also key to the planning prep – “Some of the best parts was having meetings with both mums (Alison and Beth), which involved me trying to organise everyone and constantly writing multiple lists! But I would also say, ‘just do what you both want, don’t worry about trying to please everyone else’!

The groom and his best man and groomsmen were kitted out with contrasting tweed suits from Statement Menswear in Portadown – and they really did make a stunning style statement.
The bridesmaids tied in with their green tweed, in stunning beaded gowns, also from Petticoat Lane, from a designer called Motee Maids. In order to keep their identities front and centre, Alana and Sam focused on the little touches. “We really wanted to add a personal touch to our wedding and so put a lot of thought and effort into the little details. “We converted the church hall into Lady Dixon park, the place where we got engaged and had a ‘glamorous picnic’. “The tables at our reception where named after things like music, superheroes, Star Wars etc with little figures and pictures on each. The table plan also consisted of a photograph of each guest and each guest had the meaning of their name at their place setting. “This theme also allowed us to share about our faith in Jesus and how that is our main identity.”

Alana also felt a few other parts really stood out.
“I wrote a song and recorded it for walking down the aisle and as my dad is a minister he was able to marry us. Instead of having a father-daughter dance, my dad and I sang ‘New York, New York’ together and Samuel and I also choreographed our own first dance to ‘Brand New’ by Ben Rector.. “A real highlight was at the very end of the night once the ceilidh had finished. Samuel, me and our close friends were left dancing the night away until early hours of the morning. That was so special!” And just in case Sameul was out of surprises, he arranged their once in a lifetime honeymoon to Mauritius. The couple are also loving being Mr and Mrs Vance – “It’s honestly the best thing ever, being able to live together and share our lives.”