True Love Tuesday: Blaithin & Steven

Good evening gorgeous brides-to-be! We are almost there, Christmas day and all those presents are just around the corner and excitement is rising in GMINI HQ! Next week we’ve an early gift for you, our new look website will be launching and it is bursting with all the info and ideas you will need to plan your wedding. Before we have the grand reveal, today we have a sleek city centre wedding to share. Bláithín and Steven tied the knot in the grand surroundings of the Guildhall in L’derry, their day was captured by Catherine Mackenzie Photography.

Bláithín and Steven met when they were teenagers – Bláithín was 13 and Steven was 15. After a little while their relationship began and the couple have spent the last 19 years growing up together.

“We both attended different Universities in Belfast, both stayed in different accommodation and had our own group of friends at university but we always travelled from Derry every week together. Once we graduated we moved in together back in Derry. We spent the next few years building up a deposit and in Feb 2011 we moved into our first house. With everything that life has thrown us we always knew that the most certain and stable thing in our lives is our relationship. We can count on each other and we are always there for each other. We may have brothers, sisters and parents but we are our own family now,” said Bláithín.

On Christmas day, last year Steven sealed their future by proposing, much to Bláithín’s surprise! A few weeks later they had the majority of their day planned for six months later. They both felt a local, no fuss wedding was perfect for them and booked the Guildhall for their ceremony, followed by dinner at Browns in the Town, and their evening reception at The Maldron Hotel.

“Our day was casual, which suited us perfectly after being together for so long! We didn’t have any particular theme but everything came together. Our invitations were printed by DW Printhouse in Maydown and they also printed our Seating plan with the same design. I wore a Bien Savvy dress that I found online. I had a very specific style in mind, which wasn’t overly bridal so online was the best place to search,” added Bláithín.

“Our highlight, and the time we really remember and enjoyed was the hour we went (just us two) with Catherine, our photographer and had a walk around the Derry walls for photos. We got to spend quality time together. And secondly the band they were amazing!” said Bláithín.

Bláithín’s Advice

It is important to remember that it is supposed to be your day to celebrate your love for each other. You have to enjoy yourself and not to worry about trying to please others. Don’t get caught up in doing things because ‘it’s what you do’. We didn’t have any favours, flowers, bridesmaids, groomsmen, speeches, cars, centre pieces, videographer. We spent our money on the things that we wanted and it made for stress free wedding planning and our day was very informal and relaxed. And do spend the most money on your band- ours, The Papa Zitas, were the highlight of the night, everyone commented on them and everyone was still on the dance floor at 1am!