Kathryn and Paul planned their shabby chichi handmade wedding all the way from Australia!

After meeting during their postgraduate training to be dentists in Newcastle, Kathryn and Paul had their first date on the same day as the Royal wedding, April 29th 2011. Eighteen months later whilst they were on a working holiday on the Sunshine Coast in Australia, Paul planned a romantic proposal. “It was my birthday and Paul made me breakfast in bed followed by hiring a boat around Noosa waterways and a picnic on a sandy island. During the picnic Paul got down on one knee and proposed. In the evening we went on a sunset cruise and a posh dinner on the beach waterfront,” said Kathryn.

With a relaxed approach to planning their wedding Kathryn’s only request was she got married in her family church, Carrick Parish Church, Limavady. After choosing their date and reception at Galgorm Resort & Spa, their planning fell into place, with most of the details being arranged from their temporary home in Australia.

Adding personal touches to their day Kathryn and Paul handmade their stationery, name settings and wedding favours that were messages in a bottle, they made whilst living in Australia. Their reception tables were given an Aussie touch with photos of Australian animals including koalas, kangaroos, huntsman spiders and the wombat!

Kathryn was pretty clear on her perfect wedding dress and found it in Wedded Bliss in Portglenone. The dress featured all-over lace, an illusion off the shoulder neckline and cap sleeves. Her bridesmaids wore raspberry pink dresses and carried tulip and babies breath bouquets.

“The wedding ceremony was very special. The church was beautiful with flowers and filled with family and friends. My dad walked me down the aisle with a proud expression on his face, to Paul, my amazing soul mate who was waiting for me to become his wife,” said Kathryn.

Following their special day Kathryn and Paul traveled to India on honeymoon, spending one week traveling around the north of the country and their second in Kerala in the south. Spending a night in their own houseboat and visiting the Taj Mahal were both highlights for the couple.

Inside Information

Ceremony: Carrick Parish Church, Limavady.

Reception: Galgorm Resort & Spa, Ballymena, tel: 028 2588 1001.

Wedding dress: Wedded Bliss, Portglenone, tel: 028 2582 2999.

Bridesmaids dresses: Chaps Subzero, Limavady, tel: 028 7776 5983.

Groomswear: Young’s Hire via Debenhams, tel: 0844 800 8877.

Flowers: Sally’s Floral Studio, Ballymena, tel: 028 2564 8282.

Room Décor: Galgorm Resort & Spa, Ballymena, tel: 028 2588 1001.

Cake: Heavenly Cakes & Favours, Randalstown, tel: 028 9447 9684.

Cinematography: Cinematic Tide, Belfast, tel: 07591 708031.

Photography: Catherine MacKenzie Photography, Castlerock, tel: 028 7034 8009. ends