True Love Tuesday Sonia and Stephen Hackworth

Vintage White Dreams

Sonia and Stephen celebrated their marriage surrounded by 100 of their closest family and friends at Bellingham Castle in true vintage style.

After a year of trying to persuade each other to meet, it was by chance that Sonia and Stephen meet on the doorstep of Stephen’s student house. “We met when we were at Queens. Some of the guys Stephen lived with studied psychology with me and they spent about a year trying to persuade me to meet Stephen, but as I had just left a long relationship I didn’t want to meet anyone new. However, one evening I was round at the boys’ house, planning to go out and as I was walking out to the taxi I bumped into Stephen coming in from work. I got in the taxi and asked who the guy was and Stephen got into the house and asked some of the guys who I was! A meal out was arranged, numbers exchanged and the rest is history,” explained Sonia. In September 2015, Stephen proposed to Sonia at home one evening after work. He had cooked her favourite meal, lamb stew, and popped the question by candlelight. Stephen had chosen a stunning ruby ring surrounded with diamonds from Fred Malcomson Jewellers in Belfast. “After the shock was over, we went to Hillsborough Park and set off a fire lantern and watched it float away in the sky,” added Sonia.

Being a very organised person by nature, Sonia had a great time planning her September wedding to Stephen. She envisioned a vintage style day with soft shades to reflect a beautiful autumn wedding, and once she had chosen her soft gold wedding gown from Elody Bride in Newry, her ivory maids dresses were teamed with luscious bouquets of dusky pink and ivory toned flowers and soft greenery. Stephen wore a navy three-piece suit with soft gold bow tie, whilst his groom’s party wore ties in the same shade. Sonia walked up the aisle of St John’s Parish Church, Lisnadill, along with her father, wearing precious heirloom wedding shoes. “My shoes were worn by both my grandmother and my mother on their wedding day, so they are 53 years old. They were an important element that had to be included,” added Sonia. “For my wedding dress I knew I wanted something a little different, and once I saw the dress in soft gold I knew it was perfect, I didn’t want to take it off. “Our wedding day went far too quickly, but it was amazing. It went without a flaw and was absolutely perfect. My highlight was my father’s speech, something I will always treasure. For both of us, however, the vows we made to each other were so special, we both looked each other in the eye as we said every word. It was an amazing moment for us both. Stephen’s highlight was sitting in the car after we had just got married. Taking in what had just happened and popping some bubbly to make our first toast to our life together,” said Sonia. Following their journey to Bellingham Castlein Castlebellingham, County Louth, guests were treated to a fabulous wedding breakfast and the precious speeches, and continued the reception party with music from Platinum Band and Boogie Nights DJ. Sonia and Stephen shared their first dance to Guiding Light by Foy Vance. Looking back at their day, Sonia wouldn’t change anything and advises brides to enjoy planning and let go of control sometimes – it’s okay, your suppliers will have it all under control! A month after their wedding, the couple travelled to South Africa and Mauritius for three weeks – perfect for extending the celebrations!

Inside information
Ceremony: St John’s Parish Church
Reception: Bellingham Castle
Wedding Dress: Elody Bride
Bridesmaids Dresses: Elody Bride
Hair: Chocolate Blonde
Makeup Artist: Amy Savage Make Up
Groomswear: Debonair
Transport: Ideal Wedding Cars
Flowers by: Posy Barn
Videography by: Rabbit And The Fox
Entertainment by: Platinum
Wedding rings: Gardiner Brothers
Photographer: Mark Barton Photography