SOCIETY WEDDINGS

WEDDINGS

Ryan & Graham Lynch-Ebbitt

Ryan and Graham met in Paris, the city of romance, at the World Hairdressing Championships with the Northern Ireland Hairdressing Team. The couple both come from a hairdressing background, with Graham owning a salon in Derry-Londonderry, and Ryan working in a salon in Belfast. When they met they had an instant connection, which couldn’t keep them apart.

Graham proposed to Ryan six months after meeting during a romantic trip to Ibiza. The proposal was something special, with Graham hiring a private yacht for the day and as the sun set in front of the infamous Café Mambo he got down on one knee. It didn’t take Ryan long to answer with a definite Yes!

The big day took place at Galgorm Resort & Spa, which was an obvious choice of venue for the couple due to its beautiful grounds. They eventually tied the knot on 29th August, which was third time lucky, after it being rescheduled twice due to the restrictions – but it was worth the wait as 126 guests were able to celebrate the day with them.

They were both lucky to get away on a mini-moon back to Ibiza, but hope to go on their honeymoon next year when the restrictions are lifted.

Photography by Kris Dickson Photography Wedding Rings: Lunn’s Jewellers Suits: Bespoke, tailor made Groomsmaids: ASOS Bride Videographer: Sean @ Timeless Productions NI Florist: David McConkey Floral Boutique Wedding Planner: Donna @ Galgorm Room Decor: Fairytale Events Cake & Wedding Favours: Gemma’s Cakes Ceremony Singers: Belfast Community Gospel Choir Singing Waiters: Singers Secreto Makeup: Rebecca Salters MUA Hair: Michael Deery Hair Fireworks: JB PYRO Fireworks DJ: DJ Jamie B Saxophone: Hannah Lynn Drums: Mark Dobbin Balloons: The Balloon Room Venue: Galgorm Resort & Spa

WEDDINGS

Atkinson & Carson

Miss Katie Atkinson, daughter of John and Joanne Atkinson from Bangor, recently married Sam Carson, son of Steven and Gwen Carson, also from Bangor. The wedding took place on 17th July 2021 at Bethany Baptist Church, Bangor, followed by a reception at Leighinmohr House, Ballymena.

Photography by Jervis Wedding Photography.

WEDDINGS

Allen & Mayne

Miss Christie Allen, daughter of Leonard and Sally Allen from Portavogie, recently married William Mayne, son of Sinclair and Alison Mayne from Newtownards. The wedding took place on 24th August 2021 with a ceremony at Omagh Meeting House, Ulster Folk Museum, followed by a reception at Bullhouse Brew Co, Belfast. The bride’s dress was from Wed2Be with hair accessories from Emerald and Opal Design, and hair & makeup by Heather Allen. Flowers were by the bride’s mother Sally Alllen.

Photography by Ricky Parker Photography.

WEDDINGS

Crawford & Carleton

Miss Hannah Crawford, daughter of Gillian and Gary Crawford from Bangor, recently married Matthew Carleton, son of Sharon and David Carleton from Newtownards. The wedding took place on 8th October 2021 at The Old Inn Crawfordsburn. The bride wore a gown from Jill Jones Bridal and headpiece from Evanity Boutique, with makeup by Rebecca Saulters and fl owers by Lets Face it Creation.

Photography by Matthew Hunter

From left to right: Georgia Crawford, Aimee Crawford (Maid of honour), Iona Anderson, Chloe Western, Hannah Carleton, Matthew Carleton, Jason Boobyer (Best man), Christopher Wright, Matthew Welsh.

The couple and their dog Max.

DECLAN WILSON

Q Radio Presenter

1. What do you love most about your job?

The Connection. Radio is such a powerful force! It’s there when you are happy, it’s there when you are sad, it’s something that will always be there and will never go out of fashion. The thing I love the most is the fact that thousands of people let me into their daily lives and routines and I get to be their mate every morning! There’s so much negativity and craziness happening in the world I want my show to be the place where people can go and have a laugh. When we work together we can get up to all kinds of madness and mischief! It’s pretty sweet.

2. What has been your career highlight to date?

Getting the Breakfast Show! In February 2021 I was called into a meeting with the Q Radio management team and they informed me that they wanted me to take on the Q Radio breakfast show. I actually cried my eyes out! I was so happy! This has been a personal goal of mine ever since I started in the radio business and to be doing it every morning is a dream come true! There’s a certain energy and buzz that comes with breakfast radio and it just suits me down to the ground! This has defi nitely been my favourite career highlight to date.

3. What are your favourite hobbies/ activities outside of work?

I am music mad! I play about eight diff erent musical instruments and sing too! So when I’m not talking in between music, I’m making it! I play a lot of traditional Irish music at Irish dancing competitions which in previous years took me across the world to countries such as Australia, America, Europe, New Zealand and many more.

4. What is your daily routine?

The fi rst of the 96 alarms goes off at 4:30am! I’ve gotten so used to the routine now, I sometimes wake before my alarm! I get into work for about 5:15 and go on air for the Breakfast Show at 6am. The show fi nishes at 10am and then I start to get things ready for the next morning. Most of the time I would have various meetings to attend too! We like to brainstorm after the shows a lot of the time as it helps produce the best content. I try to get to the gym as often as I can but realistically things get in the way so I’m trying my best to get myself back at the exercise! I fi nd it helps my mind as well as my body.

5. Do you have a specifi c fi tness regime?

Not really. Not a strict one anyway! I really do need to get myself into a proper routine of going to the gym or even going for the odd walk throughout the week. When I don’t workout I feel sluggish and that can lead to feeling a bit defl ated and down. So I’m going to try and get myself back at it!

6. Do you have any tips for staying positive?

Yes! Be nice to everyone! If you can be kind to others it has a positive eff ect on your own state of mind. I’m a true believer in passing on a smile or paying a gesture forward!

7. What do you think is the best thing about living in Northern Ireland?

The craic! We have a very unique sense of humour here in Northern Ireland and I think only we get it. I think Northern Irish people are incredible when it comes to ‘sleggin’ and we can really have a good laugh at ourselves and take a joke. “Sure what more could ya want!”

8. What is your mantra or favourite quote that you live by?

Stay grounded. It’s not so much a quote, but it’s advice I was given by a friend who’s sadly no longer with us, and I will always remember him telling me to stay grounded. When you are a grounded person, you are a happier person. I am what you hear on the radio. I don’t put on an act and I think it’s important that you are equal to your listener and your audience.

9. Who has been your biggest infl uence?

Stephen Clements - without a shadow of a doubt. He was sensational. His on air mind worked in the most mind blowing, incredible ways and I always looked up to him for that. He was the reason I wanted to be on the radio! I listened to him way back in the Citybeat days all the way up to him hosting Q Breakfast with Cate and his mid-morning show on BBC Radio Ulster. One of the last messages he ever sent me before he left us in January 2020 he wrote at the bottom of the message “#futurebreakfasthost”. That to me put me at ease when I stepped in to host Q Breakfast for the fi rst time. I was doing it for him too. #neverforget.

10. FAVOURITE

Movie: Elf. Band/Musician: Queen. Book: What’s a book? (Haha).

Restaurant: 2Taps. Holiday Destination: Florida. Drink: Guinness or red wine. Meal: Pizza.