School’s out

After meeting at school love blossomed for Amy and Oisín Images courtesy of Ray Sawyer Photography

Amy and Oisín went to the same secondary school, but never really spent any time together. “Oisín was in the year below, but I remember him smiling at me when we passed in the corridor,” says Amy. “After college we lost touch for a few years, eventually meeting for coffee after messaging on social media. When Oisín got out of the car he greeted me with the same smile I remembered – along with a gorgeous beard and huge muscles!”

Oisín proposed to Amy on holiday in Spain with Amy’s mam and dad. “Being traditional, Oisín asked my parents first, even getting my mam to pack the ring as he knew I’d want to know what going in our own luggage!” continues the bride. “He popped the question after dinner one night, taking me for a walk along the beach before getting down on one knee. It was the easiest ‘yes’ of my life!”

The couple set the date for the 12 August, 2022, choosing Beamish Hall for their big day. Here, Amy tells us more about their amazing celebration…

Beaming For Beamish

When it came to a venue, Amy took her mam and best friend to see Beamish Hall. “As soon as we walked in I knew it was where I wanted to get married,” says Amy. “I rang Oisín and told him we needed to look together because it was perfect. The ceremony and reception rooms were beautiful, and the Winter Gardens suite perfect for the theme we had in mind. It was also large enough to accommodate all our friends and family.”

Decorations-wise, the couple were keen to choose what they wanted together. “Our tables were named after our favourite Marvel Avengers character homes!” continues the bride. “During the first lockdown, Oisín got me into watching the films from the start – and I loved them! However, it wasn’t all Marvel themed, although I secretly think Oisín would have loved that! Our centrepieces were stunning – tall vases with a huge sphere on top comprising cream and lemon roses and hanging wisteria. My bouquet also featured the same blooms, along with a gorgeous mix of mini gerberas, lisianthus, ammi, astilbe, freesia, parvi, French ruscus and asparagus fern, tied with a silk ribbon with pearl pins within the roses.”

Life In Lockdown

Due to the pandemic the couple were forced to postpone their wedding for a year. “It was heart-breaking not knowing what was going to happen,” says Amy. “The fact it was put back a year was actually a good thing, as when I caught Covid it affected me heavily, resulting in me losing the use of my legs with extreme joint pain. I had to use crutches and attend physio to get back to full health, and even now experience flare-ups. Oisín was my rock throughout it all, and gave me so much encouragement to get back to where I needed to be.”

After a rocky start, the couple were looking forward to their wedding the following year. “It also gave us more time to get everything paid off; plus we knew waiting meant we could have every guest that we wanted there,” continues Amy. “It didn’t stop me worrying about about my legs causing me issues; however, my best friend and bridesmaid Ashleigh bought me the most amazing comfortable pair of pearl and diamanté covered trainers to wear on the day.”

Time To Shine

When it came to finding a dress, Amy was keen to blow Oisín away. “I met Victoria Robson at a wedding fair and knew she’d find the one,” says the bride. “I travelled with my mam to her boutique, and walking in spied a design that took my breath away. The Pronovias Sedna gown was the complete opposite of what I thought I wanted, as I’d imagined myself covered in lace, with an off the shoulder fitted design. This, however, was A-line, one shouldered and had no lace in sight! After trying it on every other dress just couldn’t compete. I teamed it with a veil made by Victoria from my mam’s old wedding dress, and my late nana’s earrings and bracelet. I know how much she would have loved Oisín, and it felt like a piece of her was with us on the day.”

The rest of the bridal party also looked the part, starting with Amy’s bridesmaids. “My girls wore pale lemon chiffon halter neck dresses with a slit up one side,” continues Amy. “They’re my absolute world, so I wanted them to look as amazing as me. Oisín and his groomsmen also looked incredible in black tuxedos with white shirts. I also gave them all black Ray-Bans for that finishing touch for the photos.”

GRUB’S UP

Choosing the right flavours for the couple’s wedding cake was an easy decision, thanks to their families’ heritage. “Oisín’s family are Irish and my mam’s side Italian, so our bottom tier was Belgian chocolate; the next, strawberry milkshake; then the next Bailey’s Irish Cream and Italian coffee,” says the bride. “Designwise, I wanted it to be eye catching and show off our theme, so went for lace style piping with white and lemon roses, as well as eucalyptus between each tier. Our cake-maker also supplied our favours; a summer lemon cookie for each guest, decorated with our initials and the date of our wedding.”

When it was time to eat, Amy and Oisín’s guests were thoroughly spoilt for choice. “After reception drinks our friends and family enjoyed a warm Asian chicken salad, roast beef with all the trimmings, and mango bavarois with passionfruit purée and edible flowers,” says Amy. “It didn’t end there; as when guests got peckish in the evening they were served hot pork sandwiches with stuffing, chips and gravy. We also had a grazing station with bread, cheese and grapes.”

Making Memories

Entertainment-wise, the night-time party was a big deal for the couple. “We wanted to create a vibe our guests would never forget, with our DJ working with us to create the perfect first dance,” says Amy. “We had a candlelight mix of Cascada’s Everytime We Touch, but halfway through the clubland mix kicked in! We also hired a sax player who performed alongside our DJ. Our guests danced and had the best time ever, waving around the large foam glowsticks we also had to hand.”

There were plenty of other moments that will stay with the couple forever. “The speeches made by our best man and my dad were hugely emotional,” continues Amy. “There was also lots of laughter, especially when it got so hot on the day that guests had to fan me under my dress because I was melting! Our best man was also only meant to stand with us at the ceremony at certain points, but he stood there way longer than he should have. When we said our vows there he was – standing right behind us!”

ROLL CREDITS

Photography, Ray Sawyer Photography www.raysawyer.co.uk | Venue, Beamish Hall www.beamish-hall.co.uk | Videography, www.perfectdaypro.co.uk

Amy’s dress, bridesmaids’ dresses and suits, Victoria Robson Bridal www.victoriarobsonbridal.com | Rings, Bradley’s York www.bradleysjewellersyork.com

Hair, Amanda Bailey and Katherine Woods 07973 230103 | Make-up, Carly Michelle Make up and Hair www.facebook.com/carlymichellemakeupandhair

Flowers, The Garden Florist www.thegardenflorists.co.uk | Stationery and table plan, Above the Clouds Wedding Stationary https://above-the-clouds.co.uk

Cake and favours, Sherbert Moon Wedding Cakes www.sherbertmoon.co.uk | DJ, Persona Events www.personaevents.co.uk | Saxophonist, Steve Bone Sax www.stevebone.co.uk

OUR PASSION IS TO CREATE A CONTEMPORARY AND ELEGANT MASTERPIECE FOR YOU.

We work closely with each couple to create a bespoke wedding cake which is personal to them - focusing on the attention to detail, delivering exquisite flavours along with a statement look.

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