True Love Tuesday.....Mr & Mrs Annett - Getting Married in Northern Ireland Magazine

Joy and Matthew first met at a local Church when they started University in Manchester and soon became friends which of course as we all know can be the starting block for falling in love.

Joy Nicholson a Sales Support Executive was born in Pakistan before moving to Yorkshire and then Manchester for University, Matthew Annett a Recruitment Consultant is a Mourne Man, born and raised at the foot of the Mournes in Annalong, he then also moved to Manchester to attend University.

Becoming good friends while attending University they were often together in the same group until Matthew graduated and Joy started her Master’s, this is when the magic happened and they had their first date, ice skating at the Christmas Markets, a stunning love story straight from a beautiful Christmas movie, by January 2020 they were boyfriend and girlfriend.

The very romantic proposal happened while hiking to Fairy Bridge when they were on a camping trip to Clitheroe during a heatwave in May 2022. Joy had no idea that Matthew had also arranged a very special surprise. Matthew told us “I created a video that went through our friendship and relationship together including photos and clips and recorded myself singing ‘can’t help falling in love with you’ over the top. I then planned a camping trip where I scouted out an old bridge in the countryside a few days before. We went on a walk which led to the bridge. Joy had no idea any of any of this. I pass Joy my phone and play the video. The video ends with “I have just one thing left to ask…” to which I am on one knee and pop the question”….. I’m not crying, you are!

Of course, Joy said yes and described her engagement ring as “a big, sparkly, fancy ring with lots of stones along the band as well as in the bridge, it took my breath away”

Planning for their wedding which was booked for 5^th August in Carrigenagh Church, Kikeel followed by a reception in The Mill at Ballydugan began in earnest, starting with choosing a theme which was a plum, grey and tan colour theme; incorporating bridesmaid dresses, groomsmen suits, ties, shoes and bouquets. Joy said “we chose this theme as we thought it was a nice palette of feminine and masculine, modern and rustic”.

Joy found her perfect gown on a spontaneous trip to the Bridal Outlet with her sister and best friend, she said “the experience was good, I felt like a princess trying on all the beautiful dresses, it was fun trying on the different styles too, but when you know it’s the one you just know” The dresses for Bridesmaids including best friend Bethany Brown, sister Lydia Stones and friends Salome White, Hannah Mole and Rebecca Dixon came from Ever Pretty Online. The Groom and Groomsmen suits for Matthew and his best friend Mark Ewart, brother Ryan Annett and friends Lee Hanna, Rhys Clements and David Beck came from Louis Boyd in Newry.

Joy and Matthew both enjoyed visiting all of the different reception venues and said the most stressful bit was “everything at the end, all the bitty stuff that gets sorted last minute once we were in Northern Ireland. Also we had to change the church we got married in which was smaller than the original church so we were stressed about people not being able to fit in the church”

Their wedding day was lovely with perfect sunny weather, the couple got some awesome photos taken in the Butterfly House and Joy was able to show off her Asian heritage later in the evening “which was a lot of fun and it was great to see it received so well in Northern Ireland” Joy told us. Going over their budget slightly was anticipated and thankfully covered with savings and the very kind generosity of family members. A highlight of their day was seeing the father of the groom being taught how to dance the Macarena by the brides brother. Joy and Matthew enjoyed their first dance to their song ‘Can’t help falling in love with you’ and then partied the night away with their family and guests.

They gave this advice to couples planning their own big day “Start saving early and anticipate going over budget, just keep tabs on your spending. Most importantly, keep communicating throughout and share the load. Do as much as you can yourselves, or use the network you have around to avoid the unnecessary costs”

Before enjoying a gloriously sunny honeymoon in Enniskillen which was in the midst of heatwave and much nicer than the Mediterranean Joy and Matthew told us how they are finding married life. Joy said “being married is my favourite part. The wedding was great but the point was to start doing life with Matthew and I love it” Matthew told us “It’s just doing life with another person which is great and a learning curve. It comes with challenges and changes in priorities but it’s the greatest privilege in life”