True Love Tuesday: Margaret & Donal

After getting engaged under the Californian sunshine, Margaret and Donal chose a America themed wedding day back home in L’derry!

Wedding photographer, Donal Doherty recently married hairdresser, Margaret after meeting via Donal’s mum. “Donal was one of my client’s son and we met through Brigid his mum shortly after she sadly passed away. It was love at first sight – as soon as I saw and then met Donal we had an instant connection that I never experienced before. We really hit it off!” explained Margaret.

The couple got engaged in Malibu in February 2014. Donal planned an amazing surprise proposal which included an incredible photoshoot with his good friend and amazing photographer, Daniel Cruz. “The engagement was magical. My mum passed after shortly before I met Margaret and she left me a pair of diamond earrings which were to present to my wife on my wedding day and I had one of the diamonds set in a gorgeous platinum band by Lunn’s. Margaret loves it and it means more to both of us that my mum could play a part,” said Donal.

Thank to his close ties with local wedding suppliers, Donal took the lead on wedding planning leaving Margaret to have fun sorting her wedding and bridesmaids dresses.

“We love the States and we got engaged in Los Angeles, so we incorporated it by naming our tables after places in LA. This Hollywood theme carried on in our colours of glamorous red and gold which also really suited the season and my red hair! Annette from Look Crafty and Maureen from Imagine Flowers worked together to make our theme come to life and did an amazing job! Our photographers travelled over from California, too adding more to the vibe and I love the way they captured the day!” explained Margaret.

“Our day was brilliant. I loved spending time with the girls getting pampered and I was made to feel really special. The service by Donal’s uncle, the very reverend Canon John Kearney was so special and the music by string quartet, Arco and singer, Sarah Griffin really made it. Lough Eske in County Donegal was the perfect setting for our reception and I just loved our room, friends who enjoyed cocktails on arrival and hitting the dance floor in the evening to dance the night away. Donal and I never stopped smiling all day!” added Margaret.

“Seeing Margaret in the chapel for the first time was something else. She looked amazing and to have all of our closest friends and family there to join in on the day was amazing,” added Donal.

The couple travelled to Mexico for their honeymoon, where they stayed at the Hard Rock Hotel.

“We where there when the biggest storm in history was over Mexico so our first six days were spent inside. To be honest we were exhausted after the wedding, so we chilled out drinking cocktails, enjoying the food, visiting the spa and we had a hot tub in our room, so who needs a swimming pool!” added Margaret.