Bride and groom stood under canopy covered in vines

Victoria and David met at work. “For our first date we went to a bar in Belfast called The Empire for their comedy night,” says Victoria. “It was over at 10pm and we didn't want the night to end. So we ended up in a local nightclub until around 4am. I think that's when we knew it was going to work. We both had to stagger into work the next day, very hungover, which raised a few eyebrows!”

A sunset proposal

“The proposal was magical,” says Victoria.

“I couldn't have wished for anything more perfect. We were on holiday in Ibiza with a big group of friends, and had set aside a day just for us. David told me he’d planned a day for us and I just assumed it would be lunch somewhere and maybe some shopping.”

Bride holding groom's face in her hands smiling

“That morning we got up and got on the ferry to Formentera. I had always wanted to go, so I was over the moon. It still hadn't really dawned on me that he might propose. When we got there, we just lazed by the beach all day. Then David told me we needed to go back to the harbour, as we had a lift to take us to dinner. It was then I started to get a bit suspicious."

Father of the bride smiling at bride with arms wide open

"A private bus picked us up and took us to Gecko Beach Club. We were met by a member of staff at the door who took us out into the garden overlooking the beach, where there was a table and chairs set up for a private dinner. We had our own waiter who greeted us with champagne and canapés. Then, just as the sun set, David called me over to look at it. As we were admiring the view, David proposed. It was so beautiful and I was completely gobsmacked!”

Bride smiling looking over her shoulder with flowers in her hair

Bridal shops Belfast

Victoria found her dream dress at WED2B’s bridal shops Belfast. “The staff were so helpful,” she says.

“WED2B was the first wedding dress shop I’d ever been to and my dress was the first dress I tried on. I actually only tried it on because I thought it was everything I didn’t want. Although, as soon as the zip went up, I knew it was my dress. I couldn't believe how easy it was.”

(For similar styles try Gina, Elton, or Bentley)

Groom's man holding up skirt of bride's dress in archway

Delightfully rustic

The couple chose the Larchfield Estate, just outside of Lisburn in Northern Ireland for their wedding. “We didn't want a hotel wedding but we wanted an area we could have to ourselves with accommodation for our bridal party and family,” says Victoria. “Larchfield was the perfect venue for us, as we could dress it up however we wanted and the rustic buildings and unique ‘Glamping Truck’ accommodation suited our personalities so much.” 

Bride walking down the aisle with her father

A navy and blush theme

“We got married on the 23rd of August 2021, our third date thanks to the lovely Covid,” says Victoria.

“Originally our wedding date was the 31st October, Halloween. However, it was postponed twice. As it was due to be an autumnal wedding, we had chosen navy for the bridesmaids and navy for our cake and stationery."

Inside wedding venue tables and chairs set with flower and vine decorations

"When we changed the date to August, we thought we were going to have to rethink the colour choices. In the end we actually just changed the flowers to be more neutral, with a tiny pop of blush and some pampas to remind us of the proposal. All the navy actually looked so beautiful and classy next to everything else.”

Bride and groom facing wedding alter with flower archway

The big day

“On the day we were so lucky, as it had rained most of the week, but the day before our wedding the weather changed,” says Victoria. “On the day we got a really sunny 23℃. Not so great for the guys in three-piece suits though! We travelled to the venue in VW Camper vans and my dad walked me down the aisle. We had the best humanist ceremony, officiated by Emma Bailie (Our surname is Bailie too, but no relation, which is funny!). She was amazing and even involved some of our guests in our couple's story.” 

Guest clapping as bride and groom walk down aisle smiling

Drinks and canapés in the sun

After the ceremony there was a drinks reception with canapés. “We had lots of photos taken, while my friend Scott played acoustic music for everyone,” says Victoria. “We then had dinner before moving the evening reception outside, as the weather was so good. Our band played to everyone underneath a canopy and that's where we had our first dance, to ‘Let’s Stay Together’ by Al Green.”

Bride and groom holding each other in garden, sign for guests to write messages on old vinyl records

“Christine at Fleuriste did an incredible job with our flowers and dressing the venue. She even added a neon sign that said, 'The Bailies' to the arch she had created for the ceremony."

Vinyl record guestbook box, black iced wedding cake with flowers on

"Our guestbook was an old record player that my aunt had won in a radio competition about 50 years ago. David is a big vinyl collector, so we thought people signing vinyl would be a nice touch.”

Cake and vodka ‘shots’

“The wedding cake was a three-tier navy cake decorated with gold. It was so stunning, don't even get me started on how yummy it was too. I’m already trying to think of the next cake I can order from Landa, just to try it again!

"For our favours I wanted to give a bit of acknowledgment to the Covid situation, so I made roughly four litres of toffee vodka and put it into syringes. During the speeches we got everyone to take their 'Toffee Vodka Covid Jab' and it was a bit of a talking point. I was delighted at how nice the toffee vodka turned out too! We also had sparklers, as a nod to our original Halloween date.” 

Bride and groom holding blue and green flares with billowing smoke

“The music was an eight-piece band, who played for a couple of hours,” says Victoria. “They were brilliant and everyone was up dancing. There was a conga line at one stage but I missed it. I think I may have been at the bar! Then we had a DJ to finish up. Afterwards, my bridal party and some family continued the party in the cottages at Larchfield until roughly 6am! It really was the best day we could have hoped for.”

Inside wedding venue fairy lights on vines with table decorations

My top tips…

“Take half an hour with your partner to just take in the moment,” says Victoria. “Enjoy celebrating with your guests and try not to let all the photo taking get in the way of enjoying your day. Keep guest numbers smaller than you would think, you barely get to see everyone on the day, there is so much going on!"

"I definitely recommend getting a videographer to capture the moments you don't get to see. Order your breakfast in for the morning when you're getting ready. You need a full stomach for the day ahead. Last, but not least, don’t stress about anything. The day will be perfect, even if you forget to bring or do something."

Victoria’s Dream Team 

Photographer: Fiona J Kerr

Venue: Larchfield Estate

Bridal shops Belfast: WED2B 

Florist: Fleuriste 

Catering: Old Barn Catering

Videographer: Mark Ryan Wedding Films 

Cake: Landa at NI Cake Design 

Stationery: Freckles & Fern 

Band:  Jukebox Jurors

Makeup Artist: Chloe Loughins 

Hair Stylist: DaniBelle

If you would like your big day to be one of our real weddings please click here to share your story and photos with us and we’ll be in touch. Or click here for more details about WED2B’s bridal shops Belfast.