A Personal Touch
It was when Aimee was recovering from an operation that James found the perfect opportunity to pop the question. “I had my appendix out two weeks before and hadn’t been out so James suggested we go to my favourite place, The Argory in Dungannon, to get some fresh air! He got down on one knee as I turned to get what I thought was a picture taken at the front of the house!” Aimee told us.
Trying on wedding dresses was as emotional and exciting as Aimee had imagined, Her dress hunt took her to Curvy Chic Bridal in Newtownards where she opted to buy the very first gown she tried on!
“I had known exactly what I wanted and I found it straight away. I tried on another two dresses but left with the first one, much to my family and friends’ disbelief!” she said.
For the bridal party, Aimee chose pale pink, full length gowns with a bow detail at the back.
The bride chose her sister Kirsty and friend Anna as bridesmaids and her stepdaughter Katie took on the role of flowergirl.
Tux and Tails groomswear in Dungannon ensured the groom’s party were smartly attired in navy suits with a check detail.
James asked his friend Dan to be his best man and Aimee’s brother Marc to be his groomsman.
The men were joined by the groom’s sons and ushers James and Ryan and the couple’s son Seth made a perfect little pageboy.
The couple’s wedding day soon arrived on 19th September 2019, seven years after they had met for the first time.
Aimee and James went against convention opting for a ‘First Look’ photoshoot prior to their wedding ceremony.
This shoot takes place before the ceremony allowing the bride and groom to see each other privately and get some photographs together before seeing their guests.
Aimee and James chose the location of their engagement for this special moment.
“For both of us it was mind blowing, just to have that time on our own and to share that special moment with just us two!” they said.
The bride and groom chose the Ryandale Inn in Moy for both their wedding ceremony and reception.
The Inn is an important place to the couple as that is where James works as a chef. The personal touch was evident throughout the whole day, even featuring Aimee’s granny’s vintage BMW as wedding transport.
“Everything we used and booked for the day was from recommendations from close friends and family members,” Aimee said, “The room was filled with loads of special memories from our home, like pictures and candles!”
The bride also called on the talents of her friends to add a relaxed and intimate note to the proceedings with friend Wendy Camley singing and Gerard Carroll playing the harp.
Groomsman Marc saved the day when he was called on to run to the groom’s home after he realised he had forgotten his speech!
The couple later danced together for the first time as husband and wife to Tim McGraw’s ‘It’s your Love’. The country music theme continued when James surprised Aimee with a specially choreographed dance, “Unbeknownst to me, Jim and my family and friends had all learned a line dance! Jim being a city boy made me super proud!”
Looking back on the day the newlyweds would not change a single thing, “ It was our perfect day,” they both agreed.
If they were to advise other couples who were planning their own big day they would say, “Enjoy having all of your friends and family under the one roof for the one day, take it all in! And book a videographer you won’t regret it.”
WEDDING SUPPLIERS INFO
Reception location: The Ryandale Moy
Wedding Dress from: Curvy Chic Bridal
Groomswear from: Tux and Tails
Make-up by: LM Beauty
Hair by: Dual Hair
Flowers by: Flower Box
Cake by: Yummy Mummy Cakes
Photography by: Laura Parkinson Photography
Videography by: Barry Porter Videography
Entertainment by: DJ Chris Entertainments