True Love Tuesday: Jamie & Neil

Good afternoon brides-to-be, today we’re heading to Darver Castle for the elegant grey and white nuptials of Jamie and Neil captured by Simon at Ciaran O’Neill Photography.

The couple, who are both teachers, met 13 years ago at Warrenpoint’s annual summer festival, and quickly became each others first boyfriend and girlfriend. “It was never really a matter of ‘when we knew it was for life,’ we simply loved each other more as every year went on and couldn’t imagine not being together. We grew up together – finishing school, going to university, graduating and holidays etc but if I had to pin down the year we knew it was forever is 2011. We moved to Edinburgh to embark on a teaching degree (PGCE). It was the first time we had lived together and it was the best year of our lives (up until then),” said Jamie.

The couple got engaged in London in July 2013, and took a relaxed approach to planning their wedding, three years later. “We are both very laid back people, and everything just kind of fell into place,” added Jamie.

When it came to choosing her wedding gown Jamie found the more boutiques she visited and the more dresses she tried on, the more confusing it got! “I decided I would go to one more place close by, La Boda Bridal in Banbridge. I was with my mum and sister and my sister pointed out a picture of a dress in the waiting room – I wasn’t sure as it wasn’t the style I had been trying on to date. However that particular dress wasn’t available in the store, but there was a dress similar that had just arrived in that week. I tried it on a loved it, I didn’t want to take it off!” explained Jamie.

The couple incorporated their 13 years together by basing their invitations and table numbers on the years between 2003 and 2016.

“Our day went so quick! Its sounds cliche, but it really was the best day of our lives. Neil and I agree every second was a highlight! But if I had to chose a moment… it would be entering the reception room to ‘American Authors – Best Day of My Life’ as husband and wife (and hearing that for the first time, Mr and Mrs McAleenan). Seeing all your family and friends laughing and smiling with us will be a moment I’ll never forget,” added Jamie.