True Love Tuesday Rebecca and Sam Ismail... - Getting Married in Northern Ireland Magazine

When in Rome

Take my hand, take my whole life too.

For I can’t help falling in love with you.

Elvis Presley

Meeting on a night out in Liverpool Rebecca and Sam realised they had loads in common with both of them working in Education. Dungannon girl Rebecca is a Secondary School Religion and Ethics Teacher while Sam from Manchester is a Deputy Head Teacher.

A couple of years into their relationship a holiday was booked to Italy, four days in Rome and ten days in Sorrento. Rebecca as an RE Teacher had always wanted to attend the Pope’s address which is only on a Wednesday and a Sunday. Thankfully they would be arriving on Tuesday so Rebecca thought this was great timing, she could go on Wednesday, Sam had another idea though. Sam said to Rebecca that he had a non-refundable trip booked to an Art Gallery on the Wednesday so they couldn’t possibly go to the Pope’s address as well. Well as you can imagine Rebecca was not overly thrilled at this idea especially when on the Wednesday it was very hot and humid, which meant that Rebecca dressed accordingly in shorts and t-shirt with her hair scraped back. Sam was brave enough at this stage to suggest that maybe Rebecca should wear a dress so as not to seem out of place on their tour, reluctantly Rebecca agreed and changed. The Villa Borghese Park was beautiful, Rebecca expecting to join a group tour gave their names and waited for Sam to join her again. This is when Rebecca realised that they were actually having a private tour, she said “Now, I love exploring the different cultures of any city, but 2 hours in the baking heat with full attention on us was not what I had in mind” walking around the grounds with their enthusiastic and very knowledgeable tour guide Maria, Rebecca started to enjoy herself. Walking into the grounds there was a gorgeous picnic set up with flowers, blankets, pillows and a violinist, “an Insta worthy setting for sure” Rebecca cooed to Sam “Oh how lovely is that, Sam, are we sitting there?” Maria walked away and Rebecca could hear the soothing melody of her favourite Beyonce song from the violin and in the distance she could see pictures of her and Sam with a sign saying “Rebecca, will you marry me”? Turning around Sam was on one knee.

Maria was in fact a proposal planner whom Sam had hired to stage the whole proposal. Thankfully Rebecca forgave Sam for missing the Pope’s address. A photographer then took them around the city for an engagement shoot, after off course sampling the Prosecco and delicious food. Rebecca said this “one of the best moments of my life so far”. The stunning ring is a princess cut diamond ring from Harrington and Hallworth Jewellers in Manchester.

Rebecca found a dress on an Instagram post that she loved and knew she had to at least try it on, Rebecca said “I was so glad I did as it ended up being the one!” Finding the whole dress shopping experience not what she hoped for due to restrictions still being in place and having to go to some appointments on her own, it didn’t matter, the Sassi Halford dress of her dreams still found her in Love Bridal Cheshire, Manchester.

Dresses for the six bridesmaids including Best Friend and Maid of Honour Emma McGeary, friends from school Ciara Hagan-Best, Catherine Hughes, Ursula Cole, University friend Holly Finnigan and Sam’s sister Enas Ismail were from ASOS with the flower girl dress from Next.

Sam’s suit was Hugo Boss while suits for his six groomsmen including Best Man and brother Yaseen Ismail, brother’s Adam Abu-Jabal and Zane Ismail, Rebecca’s brother Adam Campbell and friends Sam Wright and Lewis Doer were from Moss Bros.

Their romantic, joyful and fun themed wedding took place on 11^th August 2022 at Lough Erne Resort in Enniskillen with 120 guests. Rebecca and Sam took quite some time in planning their day, four years in fact with a postponed date along the way. The bride spent a lot of time researching photographers and choosing colour schemes and specific flowers so the dream of a romantic aesthetic theme would be achieved in photographs as well. Regular gig goers and music enthusiasts Rebecca and Sam wanted to ensure that music was flowing throughout the day and to keep the party going, which they definitely achieved.

The most stressful part was making all of the invites and favours while enjoyable it wasn’t made any easier by planning and organising everything with having full time teaching jobs and living in England.

The day itself went without a hitch although it was an extremely hot day and off course they worried about the guests, flowers and cake overheating, everything was perfect including the Shisha area brought in as a nod to Sam’s Arabic heritage.

Rebecca said the highlight of her day was “very hard to pick but a few moments stood out to me, first when I saw my bridal bouquet for the first time, I was blown away, it was like the image in my mind of how they would look came to fruition right in front of me, they were so beautiful. I felt so excited as I waited to walk down the aisle. Everyone was crying, the bridesmaids, my mummy and Sam. I assumed I would be emotional and cry myself but I was just taking it all in and felt a sudden rush of calm and excitement. I enjoyed the speeches and dancing around the room to Eimear on the electric violin – to relive that moment would be so special”

Sam said his highlight was “waiting at the altar for Rebecca to arrive because when you’re there, despite being surrounded by your friends and family, you suddenly feel detached from it all and realise a huge change is about to happen in your life for the better. The music and dancing were incredible – I want to do it all over again”.

Before heading off on a minimoon with friends to Santorini, they are planning a honeymoon to Hawaii in the winter, the happy couple gave this advice to newly engaged couples “it seems like the obvious answer but, try not to stress, remember why you are getting married. The social media culture, Pinterest ideas and posts from celebrities can out pressure on you to go over the top when all you really need is good food, good music and a good time! Plan the day to suit you and not others and everything will fall into place”.

WEDDING SUPPLIERS INFO