Celebrating Four Decades of Getting Married in Northern Ireland
1985 – 2025
- A time of puffed sleeves, perms, and pearls. Wedding dresses were gloriously over the top, guest lists were written by hand, and bridal gift registries were composed over cups of tea at the local department store. It was also the year Getting Married in Northern Ireland first hit the shelves; Northern Ireland’s original bridal magazine and still, 40 years on, its most iconic.
Now in 2025, the world has changed dramatically. But this magazine has remained a constant, a trusted companion, a style guide, and a sentimental staple passed down through generations. Mothers who bought the first editions now share it with their daughters and nieces. In an increasingly digital world, Getting Married in Northern Ireland remains proudly in print, with its pages still being lovingly turned by brides-to-be planning their special day.
It’s more than a magazine. It’s a tradition. A legacy. A love letter to weddings, to families, and to the Northern Irish spirit.
From Registry Counters to Clicks and Customisation
In the mid-80s, a wedding gift list wasn’t something you created online, it was an event. Couples would stroll through the aisles of department stores like House of Fraser or Debenhams, choosing elegant items to help furnish their new life together: china dinner sets, crystal glassware, matching towels, and classic cookware. Staff would note each item manually, and guests would visit the store in person or ring up to ask what remained on the list. Once purchased, gifts were crossed off, by hand and lovingly wrapped, ready to be delivered or presented at the wedding.
Fast forward to today, and wedding registries have evolved with the times. Couples are just as likely to include honeymoon funds, charitable donations, or bespoke artwork as they are homeware. Online wish lists, experiences, and eco-conscious gifting options reflect changing values, modern lifestyles, and a move toward meaningful, personalised experiences.
But whether it’s a dinner set in 1985 or a “donate to our honeymoon” fund in 2025, the sentiment remains the same; gifts of love, given with joy, to help couples begin their life together.
From Church Halls to Cliff Tops: How Weddings Have Changed
Weddings in the ’80s were traditional, formal, and family-focused. The ceremony was most often held in a church, followed by a hotel reception with speeches, a meal, and dancing into the night. Venues were chosen for convenience and community, and celebrations were sweet, simple, and sincere.
Now, anything goes, and that’s the magic of today’s weddings. Northern Ireland has become a breathtaking backdrop for creativity and individuality. Couples are saying “I do” on windswept cliffs, in rustic barns, castle ruins, city rooftops, gardens, and beaches. With more freedom to legally marry anywhere, couples are choosing to celebrate their love in places that reflect who they are.
Through it all, Getting Married in Northern Ireland has stood at the centre; showcasing trends, inspiring ideas, spotlighting local talent, and giving couples across the country the confidence to plan weddings that are uniquely their own.
Celebrating a Legacy of Love and Dedication
Four decades in print is no small feat. It takes passion, resilience, and heart. Congratulations to the entire Getting Married in Northern Ireland team, past and present for creating something so much more than a bridal magazine. You’ve built a legacy, a community, and a trusted brand that brides and suppliers have turned to for generations.
To the venues, florists, photographers, dressmakers, cake designers, stylists, and planners thank you for filling these pages with beauty and magic. Your talent and dedication are what make Northern Irish weddings world-class.
And to the loyal readers, thank you. For every tear-out, every dog-eared page, every time you gifted a copy to a bride-to-be; you’ve kept this magazine alive with love.
Here’s to the Next 40 Years
Weddings will keep evolving. Styles will come and go. But love stories? They never go out of fashion. As Getting Married in Northern Ireland turns the page into its fifth decade, it does so with pride, purpose, and passion for what’s still to come.
Happy 40th birthday to a true Northern Irish icon. The best is yet to come.
