True Love Tuesday Clara Robinson and Stephen Houston... - Getting Married in Northern Ireland Magazine

An Instant Attraction

“You can’t comprehend the meaning of soulmate as an adult,

unless you go back in time and reminisce the joy that you felt when you were still young and met your first love.”

Nurse manager, Clara Robinson and Farming contractor, Stephen Houston were just teenagers when they met on a night out with friends back in 2008. Despite their houses only being 3 miles apart in the village of Donemana, this was the first time that they had laid eyes on each other.

Fast forward to November 2021, and Clara’s suspicions arose for that long-awaited proposal when Stephen planned a weekend in Westport for Clara’s birthday. Friends and family also waited for their return with bated breath (as Stephen is never in charge of booking trips, which is firmly Clara’s domain), but Cara returned on the Sunday with no ring on her finger.

Feeding the cattle later on that evening, Stephen got down on one knee – wellies and all – and popped the question! He insists that he just couldn’t find the right moment in Westport!

Clara then spent a lot of her spare time researching the perfect Bridal shop on social media and was won over by Pearls and Lace (Donegal). There were so many beautiful dresses, she was certain that she’d find ‘the one’ there and sure enough she found her dream dress and told us “I loved the hype and celebrating with my close family and friends”.

The bridesmaid dresses for Charlene Dougherty (maid of honour) Rachel Hamilton and Stacie Dunn – all best friends – were from Beautiful Day, and Clara added a bespoke tough by attaching waistbands from Etsy.

The groomsmen’s outfits for best man (and best friend), Jack Huey and groomsmen, Richard McNeill (friend) and Kyle Robinson (the bride’s brother) were from Tomorrow’s Men Wear.

The couple truly enjoyed the wedding prep and particularly how loved they felt by all of their nearest and dearest. The engagement party and hen and stag parties provided lifelong memories of celebrations before the wedding even began! Although Clara confesses that the most stressful part of the preparations was how laid-back men can be! Thankfully they had wedding co-ordinators and a fantastic maid of honour who ensured that everything went perfectly and stress-free on the day.

Joined by 185 guests, Clara and Stephen exchanged vows at Harvey’s Point in Donegal on 25^th November 2023 and even gave a nod to those loved ones who couldn’t attend. A beautiful memory ladder displayed ‘absent friends’ such as Stephen’s late grandparents and Clara’s late Granny.

The only ‘hiccup’ on the day, was a rogue glass of prosecco which Clara accidently tipped over the best man’s suit. But all was forgotten as the night drew to a close following the first dance to Ed Sheeran’s classic ‘Afterglow’. The couple say that they wouldn’t change a thing about their big day and their favourite memory was respectively walking down the aisle and seeing so many friends and family members.

As the wedding was so close to Christmas, the pair haven’t yet managed to escape on honeymoon (and Clara jokes that new husband, Stephen can’t possibly leave the farm) although they do plan to get away at some point this year.

Their words of advice to other couples would be not to sweat the small stuff. Clara reveals her secret to keeping calm during the big day: “No one knows if it was meant to be there or not!”

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