Embarking on Your Path to Forever
Unexpected Sparks, Endless Love: Finding Meaning in a Swipe
Deborah McCready from Lisburn met Patrick Mooney from Belfast online, they told us “It all started with a swipe right (Tinder), back in July 2015” and for the next 8 years Patrick and Deborah have spent life adventuring together. From chasing waves to sunsets right from the start, early on they knew they didn’t ever want to be apart.
The couple share a love of dogs which meant increasing their family from the Big 2 to the Big 3 when French Bulldog ‘Biscuits’ joined them.
They also love beaches and hot tub touring around Ireland so where better for a proposal than the sandy dunes of Benone Beach. Deborah told us “The proposal absolutely blew me away. Patrick had arranged a break away to Benone Getaways (Benone is our favourite beach we frequently visit to surf). I thought it was just a little break away because we were due to move into our first house together the next week and thought this was just a chance to unwind before the hectic moving in stage. Little did I know the magic he had planned. Once we arrived Patrick suggested a stroll on the beach, nothing unusual for us…except he was adamant we went to the left hand side of the beach which was always very isolated and I did put up a bit of fuss and almost spoilt the surprise as we always walked on the side towards Mussenden Temple. As we started walking I noticed 1 single car parked on the beach but nobody around (later I discovered this was the staging Wizard Tones) still not clueing on, he led me towards the sand dunes and I spotted a vase full of Pampas at the bottom, which again I thought was a bit odd but remember saying we should sneak some for the new house! As we climbed the dunes it hit me, jars of candles and fairy lights leading to the most spectacular bohemian romantic picnic of pillows and rugs amongst the dunes. It was like something from those romcoms that I am a complete sucker for but never imagined would happen to me! Next thing I knew he was in front of me down on one knee and tears were streaming from my eyes as I just about managed to shriek a yes of course!! He had contacted Tones (Curator of bespoke picnics) to arrange the whole set up and had a photographer there to capture the moment, along with some epic drone footage of us amongst the dunes and the waves crashing in the background. It was just magical. We sat and sipped bubbly and got stuck in to a delicious picnic as the sun went down and we were surrounded by fairy lights and the noise of the sea”
A gorgeous platinum aurora cut diamond halo style engagement ring from Gardiner Brothers Jewellers sealed the ‘yes of course’
Deborah’s sister in law sent her a photo of a beautiful gown from Reflections Bridal which she fell in love with saying “I instantly fell in love with it. It was soft, floaty, romantic and bohemian style, everything I had imagined. I booked an appointment and kept an open mind trying on about 10 different dresses but it was always that one from the moment I saw it. When I tried it on it nearly fit me perfectly with very few alterations needed so it felt like it was meant to be! It was the Isabel dress from designer Oksana Mukha” Finding the experience ‘absolutely amazing’ Jenna from Reflections gave this sound advice “if you say I love it but…then it’s not your dress, there shouldn’t be a but!” keeping that advice in mind Deborah tried on other dresses ‘but’ they weren’t it! Back to the original dress which was definitely ‘the one’, it even brought a tear to the eyes of her mum and bridesmaids who were with her.
The bridesmaid dresses for Selina (a literal lifelong best friend, they were born two days apart in the same ward, even their mums are best friends) along with Delia (close friend and soul sister) came from New Look online, where Deborah was able to get an absolute bargain.
Suits for Patrick and his groomsmen Rob (close friend and colleague) and Charlie and Gerard (Patrick’s brothers) came from Freddie Hatchetts in Belfast.
The couple booked their wedding for 29th April 2023 at The Mill at Ballydugan for 85 guests with a relaxed, rustic and bohemian theme whilst also bringing in their love of adventuring around Ireland and their beaches. They told us “The Mill itself was so rustic with its exposed brick and romantic fairy lights everywhere. We did a lot of decorative bits ourselves too, like our guestbook that was a donated old surfboard that I had painted and stencilled and got our guests to sign. I also created a Welcome sign using chalk pens with a wild flower border. We had vintage suitcases full of props and a polaroid camera for guests to have some fun and a bit of a dress up. I had searched car boot sales for old candle sticks and spray painted these gold and they decorated our dinner tables, along with signage I had created names after our favourite beaches of Ireland and a little polaroid of our adventures there. For our favours I used air drying clay in the shape of shamrocks and hand stamped all our guests names into them. We also had pins from Friends of The Cancer Centre, as they have been such a massive support to my uncle Alastair since his own diagnosis. We set up a little fake tattoo station and this was enjoyed not only by the kids, but many adults were seen with a few additions of body art as the night progressed! Instead of confetti we opted for a bubble exit after our ceremony and this made for some lovely photos, and the kids loved it! We also tried out some coloured smoke flairs with the wedding party and had a sparkler exit in the evening, and finished the evening with glow sticks on the dance floor.”
The best part of planning their day was going to see The Mill for the first time and knowing straight away that this was their venue. Deborah said “We went up to the room where dinner would be and it was just covered in fairy lights and reminded me so much of our intimate engagement and I couldn’t help but get a bit emotional. I turned to Patrick and was like “this is the one!” Every time we visited it was like coming home.” The couple brought a lot of joy to their day with fun photos which put them at ease along with their first dance which was the iconic ‘Twist’ from Pulp Fiction, this was also when the shoes were kicked off for dancing. The most stressful part was taking on so many craft projects and nearly running out of time, it all worked out beautifully though and Deborah has even said she actually misses it now.
The couple wanted a laid back wedding that emulated them as a trio (including Biscuits of course) it is fair to say they managed this with a wonderful wedding which was enjoyed by all. They told us “I know it’s cliché but it really was perfect from start to finish. It honestly was the best wedding we’ve ever been to and just felt like a celebration of love filled with so much joy surrounding by everyone and everything that is important to us” Biscuits even joined them to walk back down the aisle again, signalling the start of their new life together. Some funny moments of the day were “Biscuits definitely kept things interesting by jumping up on our officiant at the top of the aisle (who was thankfully super chilled out) and also knocked over a few candles that thankfully didn’t set anything a light! We also had a page boy splitting their trousers from all the partying. A few Vikings were spotted on the morning of the wedding (I thought it was pre wedding nerves) but turns out there was a re-enactment event up the road that day and Vikings were in fact walking past the window as we got ready!” Deborah said.
Highlights from the day were “Patricks vows just absolutely blew me away, they were so beautiful and for someone not used to public speaking he did amazing and absolutely smashed them. I was so proud. I also loved having a top table just the two of us, this gave us some quiet time amongst all the noise and was lovely just us. I had SO much fun doing our first dance, we definitely went off script on a few of the moves but we just got lost in it and had fun! Having Biscuits there for some puppy cuddles as newlyweds was also really special” Deborah told us.
Patrick told us “Finishing our first dance and everyone cheering and joining us on the dance floor. The emotions of the ceremony when we spoke our vows to each other. The drinks reception seeing all our favourite people and having them hug and congratulate us, everyone was so relaxed and in good spirits. Seeing my beautiful bride walking down the aisle for the first time, with the emotions high and love in the air!”
The couple enjoyed a honeymoon in Mexico where they swam with sea turtles and explored deep cave cenotes, surfed in clear warm water and lived like rockstars in an unbelievable resort with their own pool.
They gave this advice for other couples planning their own day “The day goes in so quick, definitely find some time just the two of you, even if it’s to sneak off and take a quick just married selfie. Take a moment to take the atmosphere fully in. Don’t sweat the small stuff, timings etc aren’t all that important, if you are having fun then your guests will bounce off your energy! It will be the best wedding you have ever been to”
They are enjoying married life and said “Not too much has changed for the big 3! We are continuing to adventure wherever we can, whether it’s our first motorhome roadtrip around Ireland in July, to taking joy in the little things like sunshine and moments of peace and quiet in our little home. Life is good and marriage is just another big adventure I’m happy to continue for the rest of our days!”
WEDDING SUPPLIERS INFO:
Reception location: The Mill at Ballydugan
Wedding Dress from: Reflections Bridal Studio
Groomswear from: Freddie Hatchets
Make-up by: Anna McConnell Make Up
Hair by: Pro Hair by Catherine
Flowers by: The Lovely Little Flower Co
Rings from: Gardiner Brothers Jewellers
Cake by: Sweet Willow Cake Design
Photography by: Paul Breen Photography
Videography by: Jo Knight – Filmmakerjo
Entertainment by: Matt Wilson Music and The Muddlers Club Belfast
