True Love Tuesday Tracy & Jonny Kerr

Family fun and frolics

TRACY & JONNY THEMED THEIR WEDDING CELEBRATIONS AROUND FAMILY TRADITION BUT ADDED THEIR OWN SURPRISES TO ENSURE EVERYONE HAD A MEMORABLE DAY AT THEIR SUMMER WEDDING

When Tracy Kerr started planning her wedding day, she had a little bit more knowledge than most brides – because she works at Getting Married in Northern Ireland! This inside knowledge meant she was able to keep quite a few surprises from her husband, Jonny, as well add a few extra touches to her day that the guests wouldn’t expect. The couple met through a mutual friend in 2013 and Jonny proposed on a ski lift – just the two of them together, on New Year’s Eve 2016 in Bulgaria – where they were on a family holiday. Eighteen months later, in June 2018, Tracy walked up the aisle at Sixmilfecross Presbyterian Church in front of their 130 guests – a moment that Jonny picks out as his highlight. Wearing a stunning dress, with an off-theshoulder lace bodice paired with a flowing skirt, Tracy also wore her mum’s veil as her ‘something borrowed’. When searching for the perfect dress, Tracy visited a few shops, and had no idea what kind of dress she wanted. “After a few shops, I didn’t see anything I was in love with. Then I went to Perfect Day in Lurgan. I have known Bernie, the owner, through work for over 10 years. One of her girls took me into a room where I showed her photos of the dresses I thought I liked but once I put them on they weren’t right. Bernie was popping her head in and out throughout the appointment but she never really said much until the end. I said, ‘I cannot see anything’ then she replied, ‘I have your dress out the back for you’. As soon and she brought the dress into the room I loved it! I walked out of the changing room and everyone with me had a smile on their face. My niece said, ‘Are you going to say yes to the dress?’ “The experience was great. And as soon as I had my dress we went next door to Perfect Day bridesmaids and picked my sisters’ and nieces’ dresses as well. I ordered the same material for my flower girl, who was also my niece, as I wanted them all to be in the same colour, but different styles.” To match the classic look, Jonny and his best man, groomsman, ushers and page boy were all kitted out with simple tuxes at Tux & Tails in Dungannon.

The couple also kept their reception at the Silverbirch Hotel in Omagh, classic in style, with long tables and minimal decoration. Matching in with the tuxes, Tracy also organized for casino tables as a surprise for the guests and Jonny – which were in place as the couple had their stunning photographs taken at the Ulster American Folk Park. She also ordered Jonny the car he thought she had vetoed!
“When picking cars for the day, Jonny wanted the red Shelby Mustang from I Do Wedding Cars but I said, ‘No way are we having that!’ but I knew I would book it for him as a surprise. He knew nothing about it until it arrived at his house on the morning of
the wedding.”

Tracy reflects that the day was “perfect from start to finish; the whole day was relaxed, just as I had wanted.” Tracy’s special touches were evident throughout the day. “At the church I had personalized love heart sweets for all the guests and as it was a very warm day I also handed out bottles of water,and each lady got a party popper. “My niece Nicole sung during the service, which was amazing as I wanted the wedding to be all about family. “The cake became a dessert table with cake pops, mini cupcakes, mini raspberry tarts and homemade marshmallows. “My dad baked his bread and my mum made our favourite 15’s covered in white chocolate for all the guests to enjoy.” All of these little touches made the day unique and Tracy advises to other brides is organise them early on in the planning. “Do as many of the small things as you can in the months/weeks before the big day so in the days leading up to the wedding you are not running about!” Finishing off their perfect day, Mr and Mrs Kerr danced to “The One” by Kodaline, while guests waved glow sticks. The couple jetted off to Lanzarote for a four-day mini-moon, and are looking forward to two blissful weeks in Mexico in September.