Primary School Teacher Lucinda Bell and Chartered Building Surveyor Alistair McCormick met online but knew straight away that they had stumbled onto something magical. A year and a half after meeting the besotted couple travelled to Lake Garda for a holiday, relaxing in a lemon grove in Limone a very nervous Alistair got down on one knee and proposed to Lucinda with a stunning sapphire and diamond engagement ring, the ring being a modern take on Princess Diana’s ring it was everything that Lucinda could have dreamed of.
Due to Covid restrictions the wedding had to be postponed 6 times, it also meant that guest numbers had to be restricted and a sister had to isolate away from her family so she could attend, but this still didn’t put a dampener on the day.
Lucinda spent a lot of time searching for a wedding dress and found the dress of her dreams, the very first dress she tried on. Wanting to add a few details to the dress from Peony Bridal in Hillsborough, Lucinda was delighted that her very talented seamstress was able to make that happen and ensure the dress was everything Lucinda had envisioned it to be. Lucinda knew that with their original wedding date being changed so often that her dress would have to be suitable for any season, which did cause a bit of stress but she was very thankful that all of the bridal shops were very accommodating.
Lucinda and her 3 older sisters Olivia, Katharine and Naomi who christened themselves the “Geriatric Bridesmaids” found their beautiful dresses in Reflections Bridal in Lisburn. Lucinda said she couldn’t imagine having anyone else by her side and besides “with so many nieces it would be impossible to use them all and I didn’t want to make a difference”
Alistair and his groomsmen; friends Glenn McMaster and Stuart Spence along with Brother in Law Wayne Maxwell found their modern fit tail suits in Focus Menswear in Newtownards.
Lucinda and Alistair agreed that the best part of planning their day was enjoying days out exploring options and the most stressful part was definitely Covid, having the Ulster String Quartet play “At Last” as Lucinda and Alistair arrived at the reception was very fitting. The original band due to play at the reception cancelled just days before the wedding and then having a disaster with Mother of the Bride and Bridesmaids dresses also days before the wedding was very stressful. However even with all of this and not being able to have some significant family members at the wedding still didn’t stop the couple from having a fabulous day.
With a classically elegant themed wedding on 27th August 2021 in Drumhillery Presbyterian Church followed by a reception in Cabra Castle, they were surrounded by love and happiness. Incorporating white roses and eucalyptus flowers and glass vases with floating candles lining the aisles and elegant and traditional gold foiled invitations along with a string quartet ensured that their envisioned classic and elegant theme was threaded throughout their day.
Not setting a budget which they agree may have been their biggest mistake also meant that all the little extras weren’t missed, even the favours for the guests were something a bit different, having a raffle led by the voice of the X Factor; the grooms Uncle Peter Dickson, with some amazing prizes including Afternoon Tea, Ted Baker vouchers, hamper and an enormous sweet container up for grabs, the guests loved it.
Also having photos taken aboard a boat at the lake at home could have ended in disaster, thankfully it didn’t and it led to some gorgeous photos. A very special moment for the bride and groom was having their friend Claudia surprise them by taking to the stage and singing a song especially for them, rounding the night off with a very sparkly send off.
A funny moment was Lucinda’s postman serenading her through the window when delivering her earrings on the morning of the wedding, after getting to bed very late the night before this was a very moving moment for the brides family.
Unfortunately, the guests were unable to dance at the evening reception which had to be cut short, the couple were able to have a dance themselves to ‘I get to love you’ by Ruelle.
Chatting to Lucinda and Alistair about planning their day they both said to other couples planning theirs “remember why you’re getting married, that is what truly matters, try not to get swept up in the ‘event’ of it all. There will always be little bits and bobs that get forgotten about or don’t go the way you had planned, but on the day all of that will be eclipsed by your sheer happiness”
Honeymoon plans for the happy couple had to be put on hold until later this year when they plan to go to South Africa and Dubai, they did manage to have a minimoon in Tenerife to reminisce about their beautiful day. Lucinda and Alistair have both said that they are utterly content and delighted to finally start their life together.
WEDDING SUPPLIERS INFO
Reception location: Cabra Castle
Wedding Dress from: Peony Bridal
Bridesmaids dresses from: Reflections Bridal Studio Lisburn
Groomswear from: Focus Menswear
Make-up by: Olivia Muldoon Hair and Makeup Studio
Hair by: Olivia Muldoon Hair and Makeup Studio
Cake by: Christine’s Wedding Cakes
Stationery by: Perfect Day Print
Photography by: Sean Gallagher Photography
Videography by: Mark Ryan Wedding Films
Entertainment by: Ulster String Quartet
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