If you can’t decide on a theme for your wedding – well just go for them all! That’s what Susan McGuigan and Ciaran Elliott opted for at their stunning ceremony in St Tierneys Church, Roslea, Co Fermanagh. Simple elegant rustic shabby chic! All themes to ensure something for everything at both the church and afterwards at the Four Seasons Hotel in Monaghan where the couple entertained their 210 special guests. Susan, a member of the school health team in the Western Trust, met Ciaran, who works for Lisnakea Auto Spares, late on a Saturday night 13 years ago at the Mad Dog Club for motorbike enthusiasts in Lisnaskea. Three years after meeting they got engaged, Ciaran presenting Susan with a ring from Mercers in Enniskillen. Ten years later, on October 6 2018, they walked down the aisle, and one of their proudest moments was seeing, and hearing, their little girl Katie, aged nine, reading a poem during the church service.
Susan selected her elegant Ronald Joyce Lucia dress from Creative Ideas in Armagh. “It had detachable train which sold it to me,” said Susan – although perhaps the train was to prove a little too detachable one the big day – read on! Her four bridesmaids – Susan’s sister Frances Clark, friends Fiona Rafferty, Lorraine Faux and Teresa Rooney and flower girl Katie were dressed in dusty pink, showing off the dresses from True Bridesmaids beautifully. The four groomsmen, dressed in morning suits from Etiquette in Monaghan, cut a dash. Best man Brendan Rice, a friend of Ciaran, nephew Darren Mc Manus, good friend Brendy Cassidy and the bride’s brother Colm Mc Guigan all sealed the look with matching flatcaps. Very dapper!
The couple said it had been a perfect day, better than they could ever have imagined. There were some stresses en route to the day – Susan admits that selecting the wedding dress was somewhat stressful, while both were pulling their hair out over table plans. Advice to other soon to be brides and grooms – “Table Plans, please don’t do them! Reserve tables for family and that’s it!” the couple said. While the wedding flowers, hairstyles, flatcaps and more reflected the wedding’s many themes, there was a host of special touches to incorporate that simple elegant rustic shabby chic feeling! Imagine the guests’ delight as they arrived to a doughnut wall!
Guests were able to enjoy the services of a vintage photo company, and a secret singing waiter. The couple’s friends Annie Callaghan and Sinead Cosgrove also sang in the chapel which was really special. For their gorgeous little sons, looking wonderful in their matching bow ties, there was the surprise of a ride in a remote control Ford Ranger, from Monaghan Brothers, Lisnaskea. Children at the wedding enjoyed activity packs and personalised bracelets from Poppy Lane as a memento of Susan and Ciaran’s special day.
The couple’s first dance was to Ed Sheerin singing ‘Thinking out loud,’ with 30 seconds of Another Level ‘Freak Me! (As a joke from groom to his bride). Did it all go completely to plan? Perhaps not, but when does it every. Best man Brendan Rice forgot the boys’ Build a Bears, and feared this was a disaster. Thankfully the bride and groom just thought it was funny. Susan had a few wardrobe malfunctions. “My garter fell down as I reached the top of aisle in church,” she said. Remember the detachable train? Now there’s a story. “My train ripped off before coming into chapel, leaving me over 30 minutes late!” Susan said.
Ciaran got his own back, saying at a crucial moment those key words: “I ring you this ring!” Memories created, never to be forgotten.Susan and Ciaran honeymooned in Amsterdam, a fantastic wedding gift from their Best Man and his wife. If they were to pass on any advice to other couple’s planning their big day it would be: “Do it the way you choose. Not by other people’s opinions. It’s your day!”
Inside Information:
Reception location: Four Seasons Monaghan
Wedding Dress from: Creative Ideas Bridal
Bridesmaids Dresses from: Creative Ideas Bridal
Groomswear from: Etiquette
Make-up by: Margaret Carron Professional Beauty
Hair by: Nichola Campbell Vibrant and Grainne Mc Guigan
Flowers by: Forget Me Knot Floristry
Rings from: Bogues
Transport from: Mickey Gavin Lisnaskea and Bridal Party was Rafferty and Flynn Transport
Photography by: Erica Irvine Photographer
Videography by: LB Weddings
Entertainment by: All Folk’d Up and DJ Liam Curran
