True Love Tuesday Richard and Rachel Law

Floral fancy
FARMING AND FLOWERS THEMED RACHEL AND RICHARDS DAY, WHICH THEY SHARED WITH OVER 200 GUESTS!

Farmers never really get a day off and for Ballinamallard groom Richard Law, even his wedding day was no exception as a cow chose the big day to deliver her calf! Thankfully Richard and his bride Rachel Gibson, a florist from Irvinestown, had ensured all their ‘last minute’ chores were done two days before their wedding on September 28, which meant both homes were calm that morning, and they took the arrival of the calf in their stride The couple, both 28, have been together for eight years and were friends before that. Richard proposed on bended knee, the ring a square cluster from Lunn’s in Victoria Square, Belfast.

“Within an hour of telling my boss Clare of Clare Flower I was engaged the planning had begun, which was very exciting,” said Rachel. Choosing the wedding dress was a difficult decision, but after visiting several shops she returned to Serendipity in Fivemiletown to buy the first dress she had tried on. The bridesmaids’ dresses came from Chantilly Lace in Enniskillen, while Rachel bought the flower girls, dresses came from Matalan, and made a fabric flower belt for each of them. Bridesmaids were Rachel’s sister Emma Gibson and cousins Allison Hamilton and Melissa Anderson, while the gorgeous flower girls were nieces Bella Law and Georgia Law. Groomsmen Timothy Law and Ryan Law, both brothers of the groom, and friend Rea Armstrong, were smartly attired in outfits from Tom Read Menswear, Irvinestown. Ushers were the bride’s brothers, Mark and Robert-Andrew Gibson, and friend Lee Armstrong, while the dapper Little Best Men were nephews Brodie Law, Arthur Law, and Freddie Gibson.

Rachel made the most of her creative talents by designing and making of lot of wedding features herself, including invites, orders of service, the table plan, and head pieces for herself, the bridesmaids, her mum, two nannies, and other family and friends. Rachel also crafted the flower detail on the flower girls’ dresses, and tiny fabric buttonholes for the Little Best Men. She really enjoyed the chance to be so creative in planning her day. She admits there were some stresses. “I found making the final decision on things hard,” she said. “From working in the industry I had seen so many things, I knew what I wanted, but doubted everything.”
In the end of course it all came together and 225 guests watched the couple tie the knot in Derryvullen North Parish Church in Irvinestown. The reception was held at the Corick House Country Hotel

Rachel and Richard chose two apt themes for their wedding, namely cows and flowers! “We had cows on our invites and orders of service. Table names were flower named cows, such as Blue Bell the Belgian Blue!” Rachel said. “We also had a cow heart drop guest book from ‘Hayley Hanson Hide’ in Wales. Our cake, made by my mum, my bridesmaid Ally and myself, was also farm themed. The cake top was crafted by Jumping Clay, Enniskillen, and of course there was flowers everywhere.” A very personal touch was the inclusion of flowers from Rachel’s mum and her Nannie Gray’s gardens in her bridal bouquet. Her something borrowed was a brooch from her Nannie Gibson. A family member played the pipes as Rachel and her dad walked down the aisle, something not too many people had been anticipating, which made it extra special! Another musical treat was Rachel’s auntie playing the organ in the church. “Our band ‘The Bleed n Cowboys’ and DJ ‘DJ Bob’ were amazing, and the dance floor never emptied,” the couple said Guests enjoyed the speeches which were all very amusing as Rachel and Richard’s family took the opportunity to ‘get their own back’ on the bride and groom. And there was a surprise for Richard when, instead of the Bentley car he was expecting, he found Rachel had secretly booked a red Mustang! Their first dance was to Randy Travis, ‘Forever and Ever, Amen.’ “We couldn’t decide what to have, there were a few nights sitting on YouTube but when we found this one we knew that was it,” they said. The couple said the only downside of their wedding day was it had gone by too quickly! “A highlight was sitting at the top table and looking down at everyone and realising it was our wedding and all our family and friends were there with us. And later, seeing such a full dance floor, we knew everyone was having a great time.” They would advise other couples preparing for their big day to plan everything in advance and not wait to the last minute. By making a lot of items for the wedding themselves, they kept the budget down. Rachel and Richard honeymooned in Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Cancun and are now settling into their new home.