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49 miles. That’s all that stood between John and Ally when they first appeared on each other’s Hinge profiles and thankfully, Ally’s dating radius stretched just far enough. Fast forward from a very lucky swipe to a sunset proposal in Dubrovnik, and on 18th July 2026, John & Ally McConaghy said “I do” at The Rabbit in The Boathouse.

From the moment they stepped into The Loft, they knew they’d found their place. No second venue visits, no endless searching, just that instant feeling that the setting, the intimate atmosphere and the laid-back vibes were completely, unmistakably them. With Megan by their side, they brought their dream day to life, surrounded by their favourite people, their gorgeous four-legged sidekick Bertie and plenty of reasons to keep the dance floor full.

From a beautifully personal ceremony in The Boathouse to a sunset-inspired proposal, DIY details, a show-stopping gluten-free cake and one very smartly dressed dog, John & Ally’s wedding was the perfect mix of heartfelt, fun and effortlessly them.

So, we’re handing the mic over to the newlyweds to tell the story of the day they’ll never forget…

The Happy Couple

Let us know your names!

John & Ally

So, how did you two meet? Give us the real story!

Honestly, we met via hinge! I had my mileage set to 50 miles and John was 49 miles away so he's very lucky he JUST made the cut!!

Spill the tea on the proposal — how did it all go down?

We were in Dubrovnik on holiday. It was the 6th August, our dog Bertie's birthday, and I had joked the day before that if John wanted to propose he should do it next year on Bert's birthday. Little did I know he'd already got the ring and planned it for the next day. We had a lovely night down on the rocks by the sea watching the sunset with some cheese and wine, the key to my heart! John had the whole thing planned out and I hadn't a clue!

Your Day, Your Way

When did you tie the knot?

18/07/2026

Where did you say “I do”?

At the Rabbit in The Boathouse. It was the most PERFECT ceremony!

What made The Loft 'THE' place for your big day?

The setting, the vibes, everything about the Loft was perfect for us! We fell in love with it instantly, we didn't even view any other venues! It was so chilled, intimate and honestly completely us. The moment we met with Megan as well we just knew she was the right person to trust to help us with our big day.

Any standout moments that still gives you butterflies?

The first time we saw each other in the Boathouse. Everything just felt so perfect and right and we were getting to start this next chapter together.

Which of our wedding planners helped bring your vision to life and how was working with them?

Megan was AMAZING!! She literally made everything so easy. Every question or query we had she was able to sort without an issue. Megan literally made our dream day so easy.

Got any advice for future couples — especially those tying the knot at The Loft?

Enjoy your day and all the planning that goes into it! Don't stress about the small things and if there is anything worrying you, reach out to the team, they are class and will make your life and planning so much easier! The Loft was literally a dream venue for us. You will honestly have the best day of your life!

The OOTD - Wedding Edition

Wedding Dress & Accessories

I got my wedding dress from Divinity Bridal in Lisburn. It was a little dream dress - strapless with a slight basque waist and a fuller A line skirt paired with a long pearl veil.

Bridesmaid Dresses

These were gorgeous navy dresses we got from Wed2B in Belfast. The girls there were great to work with and my Bridesmaids felt so comfy in them.

Groomswear

Focus, Newtownards

The Glam Squad 

Hair

Rachel Green from Rachel's Hair Salon

Makeup

Maria Moore MUA

Nails

Lauren Tate @ LT nails

Tan

I didn't wear any tan just went for my natural glow!

Shout out to your dream team

Wedding Stationery

I DIY'ed all of this. From the place cards to the welcome mirror sign, the order of the day and the postbox for cards. I absolutely loved how they turned out and the personal touch but there was a lot of blood, sweat and almost tears that went into them at times

Wedding Cake

Dougies Goodies! It was class!! I am coeliac and trying to get a gluten free cake is no easy task but this was amazing!! Everyone was raving about it and couldn't believe it was GF!

Florist

Wendy at The Secret Garden NI in Cullybackey. She was absolutely amazing!

Photographer & Videographer

YouThemUs

Entertainment

Our band was Batesy & The Deadly Rhythm and we had Roy the Rabbit DJ. They were both class and our guest didn't leave the dance floor all night!

Anyone we've missed?

We had Rebecca from McBride and Groom to look after our gorgeous 4 legged hairy boy Bertie. She took him out in the morning and then got him suited and booted for the ceremony and looked after him so well afterwards. She was honesty so amazing, could not recommend more if you are thinking of bringing your dog to your day, do it!

From swiping right on Tinder to saying “I do,” Danielle and Chris are living proof that modern love stories are worth celebrating. Chris popped the question at Danielle’s favorite spot, Mussenden Temple, then spoiled her with an overnight spa break. Romantic, right?

The Happy Couple

Let us know your names!

Danielle & Chris 

So, how did you two meet? Give us the real story!

We met on Tinder!

Spill the tea on the proposal — how did it all go down?

He took me to my favourite spot, Mussenden Temple. It was a Thursday afternoon so it was very quiet and romantic (he filmed the whole thing without me noticing).

Your Day, Your Way

When did you tie the knot?

13/08/2025

Where did you say “I do”?

We had our ceremony at Gilnahirk Presbyterian Church then down to The Loft for the best reception.

What made The Loft 'THE' place for your big day?

We initially went there for my birthday dinner 3 years ago and the food was just sensational, so once we started talking about venues we knew it had to be The Rabbit becasue of the food. Little did we know that it was also the uniqueness of the place and how well the staff treated you, it was just magical from our first meeting with the wedding co-ordinator we just felt fully at ease.

Any standout moments that still gives you butterflies?

Walking into The Rabbit to an ever lasting love and all of our family and friends waving their napkins as well as An Ever Lasting Love playing.

Which of our wedding planners helped bring your vision to life and how was working with them?

Megan - the best woman for the job!

Got any advice for future couples — especially those tying the knot at The Loft?

Enjoy every minute of your day it goes in so quick.

The OOTD - Wedding Edition

Wedding Dress & Accessories

Ivory and Pearl

Bridesmaid Dresses

Six Stories

Groomswear

Focus, Newtownards

The Glam Squad 

Hair

Upstyles by Megan

Makeup

Natalie McNab

Nails

Sophie Marshall

Tan

Flawless Tanning

Shout out to your dream team

Wedding Stationery

Etsy

Wedding Cake

Shannen Graham

Florist

Memento

Photographer 

Gorgeous Photography

Entertainment

The Professional's

Anyone we've missed?

Those Wee Doodles

Our Dog chaperone, Petti Coat Tails Ireland

Kelly Black done all the dress alterations

Hey bride-to-be!

Your wedding day is coming up (yay!) and we know one thing for sure: glowing skin = flawless makeup and all-around confidence. But here’s the thing, glowing skin doesn’t just happen overnight. That’s where we come in!

At The spa, we’ve got ELEMIS skincare, professional treatments and a little bit of magic to get your skin looking its absolute best. Think of it as a “pre-wedding glow bootcamp”, but way more relaxing.

Start Early, Stay Consistent

We recommend starting your skin prep a few months before the big day. Regular facials help smooth, hydrate and brighten your skin, while keeping breakouts or dryness in check. Our ELEMIS treatments can be tailored just for you, so whether your skin needs a little calm, a little lift or a serious glow-up, we’ve got you.

Your homecare routine = Your skin BFF

Professional treatments are amazing but pairing them with the right homecare routine is where the magic really happens. Here’s a simple step-by-step bridal skin routine you can follow:

1. Cleanse – Morning and night, gently wash away makeup, dirt and impurities. We love Elemis Pro Collagen Cleansing Mousse, for soft, calm, hydrated skin.
2. Tone – Balance and refresh your skin with a soothing toner. It preps your face to absorb all the goodness that comes next. Our fave is Pro Collagen Toning Mist, it ensures a smoother more radiant canvas for makeup.
3. Serum – Target your skin’s needs: hydration, glow or calming. Elemis Pro Collagen Future Restore Serum is next level for firming, hydrating and radiant skin.  
4. Moisturise – Lock in hydration with a nourishing cream. Your skin will feel soft, plump and ready for makeup. Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream is a multi- award-winning bridal fave.
5. Sun Protection every morning! Even indoors, SPF is non-negotiable. Your future photos will thank you. Elemis Pro Collagen Skin Fluid SPF 50 is lightweight, hydrating and protective. 
6. Weekly Treats – Pop on a face mask or exfoliate gently 1–2 times a week to keep your skin smooth, radiant and glowing. Our therapists favourite is the Dynamic Resurfacing Pads, smoothing and brightening in one easy swipe.

The Final Touch

In the weeks leading up to your wedding, the focus is on keeping your skin hydrated, glowing and camera-ready. By the time your big day arrives, you’ll be feeling radiant, refreshed and ready to walk down the aisle with confidence. 

Your bridal glow is a team effort, and we’re here to make it fun, easy and totally worth it. 

Pop in for a chat, a facial or to stock up on your favourite ELEMIS goodies. Your skin will thank you!

When it comes to choosing a wedding venue, couples today are looking for something more than just a beautiful room.

They want an experience.

A venue that feels relaxed but luxurious. A place where their guests can stay, celebrate, unwind and create memories that last far beyond the wedding day itself.

That’s exactly why so many couples are choosing The Loft at The Rabbit Hotel & Retreat.

From a dream planning team to spa-day recovery sessions, here are six reasons couples fall in love with The Loft and why you should book a showaround to see it for yourself.

1. YOU GET A DREAM TEAM OF WEDDING PLANNERS

Planning a wedding should feel exciting, not overwhelming. having the right people by your side makes all the difference. At The Loft, couples work closely with a team of experienced planners who genuinely love what they do.

Katie brings over 10 years of experience in the wedding industry, having planned everything from intimate celebrations to large-scale weddings. She knows first-hand that no two weddings are ever the same and loves helping couples add their own personality to the day.

Claire has been part of The Loft for three years and has helped plan hundreds of weddings. She also works in wedding content creation, giving her a natural instinct for the moments couples will want captured forever.

Megan has worked within Galgorm Collection for seven years, including three years at The Loft. Recently engaged herself, she’s fully embracing her bridal era and understands exactly how couples feel during the planning journey.

Together, they bring experience, creativity and calm energy making the entire process feel smooth, exciting and genuinely enjoyable.

2. WE'RE A VENUE THAT DOES THINGS DIFFERENTLY

One thing couples quickly discover about The Loft team is that they genuinely love talking about weddings. So much so, they even created their own podcast: Live Laugh Loft. 

Each month they sit down to chat about wedding trends, planning advice, real wedding stories and behind-the-scenes moments from weddings at The Loft. It’s a fun way for couples to get inspiration and get to know the people who might be planning their wedding day. Because when you feel comfortable with your planners, the whole experience becomes even more special.

3. THE PERKS OF A SPA HOTEL

One of the biggest advantages of getting married at a spa hotel is what happens after the wedding day. At The Rabbit Hotel, couples and their guests can extend the celebration in the most relaxing way possible.

Instead of organising a structured Day 2 event, many couples choose something far more laid-back. Spending the morning in the spa, unwinding together and reliving the best moments from the night before. Guests staying overnight can enjoy special rates for extending their spa experience and even those staying offsite can take advantage of discounted rates.

It’s the perfect way to recover, relax and soak up every moment of the wedding weekend.

4. DON'T FORGET THE DOG!

For many couples, their dog is a huge part of their life so including them in the wedding just makes sense.

At The Loft, dogs are more than welcome to join the celebrations. We’ve seen pups walk down the aisle as ring bearers, appear in some of the cutest wedding photos imaginable and even stay overnight in one of the hotel’s dog-friendly bedrooms.

It’s these little personal touches that make a wedding feel even more meaningful and unique.

5. A DEDICATED WEDDING PLANNER (your secret weapon)

One of the things couples love most about getting married at The Loft is knowing they have a dedicated planner guiding them through the entire journey.

From your first meeting to the final moments of your wedding day, you’ll work with someone who understands your vision and knows every detail of your celebration. By the time the big day arrives, you're greeted by a familiar face you trust completely. Which means you can simply relax, soak up the atmosphere and enjoy every second.

 6. PERFECT FOR SHORT LEAD-TIME WEDDINGS

If you're dreaming of getting married sooner rather than later, The Loft is perfectly designed for shorter lead-time weddings.

The space comes beautifully styled as standard, including décor, full place settings and stationery elements. Meaning couples can walk into a room that already looks incredible. What's even better is that our packages include:

• Resident DJ
• Food and Drinks
• Key styling elements

This makes planning simple, seamless and stress-free, allowing couples to focus on the fun parts of wedding planning instead of worrying about endless logistics.

7. STUNNING INTERIORS

The design of The Loft is one of the first things couples fall in love with. The space combines modern luxury with relaxed warmth, creating an atmosphere that feels stylish but never overly formal. 

Even better - it photographs beautifully. From candlelit dinners to lively dancefloor moments, every part of the space looks incredible on camera.

8. EVERYTHING HAPPENS IN ONE PLACE

One of the biggest advantages of The Loft is how seamless the day feels. Ceremony, drinks reception, dinner and the party can all happen in one beautiful space.

This means:

• no travelling between venues
• a relaxed experience for guests
• a natural flow from ceremony to celebration

Which creates a much more enjoyable and immersive wedding day.

9. A FOOD EXPERIENCE YOU'LL LOVE

Food is one of the most talked about parts of any wedding. At The Rabbit Hotel, couples know their guests are in good hands.

The focus is on a three course feasting banquet from The Pantry that feels modern, relaxed and memorable turning your wedding meal into an experience rather than just another course of the day.

10. CLOSE TO BELFAST BUT FEELS LIKE A RETREAT

One of the reasons couples love The Rabbit is its location.

Situated just outside Belfast and on the City Centre & Airport bus route, it’s easy for guests travelling from across Northern Ireland or further afield. But once you arrive, it feels like a complete escape.

That perfect balance of convenience and retreat atmosphere is exactly what makes it such a special wedding destination.

Come and see The Loft for yourself

The best way to truly experience The Loft is to see it in person, walk through the space, meet the team and start imagining your day. Because once couples visit, they often say the same thing, "We just knew."

If you’re ready to start planning your wedding at The Rabbit Hotel & Retreat,

arrange a viewing

THE HAPPY COUPLE

Tell us a little about how you met & talk us through the proposal

We were high school sweethearts, we met in second year before hitting it off in third year. We got engaged on our second trip to Paris after we both fell in love with the city first time round. Brian proposed with a sunrise breakfast overlooking the Eiffel Tower, followed by a private river seine boat trip, and ending with a romantic dinner at a beautiful restaurant watching the twinkling lights of the Eiffel tower above us. A day we will always remember.

YOUR DAY, YOUR WAY

Ceremony

We had our ceremony in the beautiful Boathouse. We dreamt of a relaxing, personal ceremony and that is exactly what we got due to this wonderful space and the amazing Chloe Cairns (@chloecairns.thecelebrant).

What made you choose The Loft to host your day?

The venue search was very short for us, I found The Loft on social media while on night duty. Brian woke up to a number of text messages at 4am, “I’ve found our venue”. A viewing was made for that weekend and as soon as we walked into The Loft we both knew it was perfect for us. It was exactly what we wanted from a venue, it ticked all our boxes. The Wedding team at The Rabbit made the process so easy and enjoyable and were always on hand to offer their help and advice and guide you through the process.

Favourite memory of your Wedding

We have so many wonderful memories from our wedding day but one of our favourites has to be having our wee dog at our ceremony. When we found out that The Rabbit was a dog friendly hotel it was the cherry on top. They were more than happy for her to part of our special day and were so accommodating in making this happen. She ran up the aisle towards us when we were pronounced as husband and wife which made for some amazing photos that we will have forever. It meant so much to us and it topped of an amazing ceremony.

SHOUT OUT TO THE DREAM TEAM

Celebrant

Chloe Cairns @chloecairns.thecelebrant

Cake

Phoebe Carson @cakesbypheebs

Flowers

Anna & Jonny @bloomingeventsni

Entertainment

The Nooks @thenooksmusic

Photographer

Andrew Mckenna @amck_photo

Videographer

Matthew Irvine @irvineweddingfilm

Wedding Dress & Accessories

@ivyandwhitebride

Bridesmaid’s Dresses

@la_mariee_bridesmaids_

Groomswear

Freddie hatchet @freddiehatchet

THE GLAM SQUAD

Makeup

@lynziolovely

Hair

@sineadwilliams_bridalhair

New year, new beginnings and a forever kind of love. Katie & Sean kicked off 2026 with a New Year’s Day wedding at The Loft, blending modern elegance with unforgettable, heart-stopping moments.

The Happy Couple

Let us know your names!

Katie & Sean

So, how did you two meet? Give us the real story!

We met 3 years ago on bumble and just clicked straight away.

Spill the tea on the proposal — how did it all go down?

Sean arranged to propose in Greece for our first holiday together, although that didn’t happen as 2 days before we were due to go everything got cancelled because of the wild fires. It just so happens we were heading out for dinner to a restaurant called The Valut in Banbridge for my birthday, Sean arranged with my family and friends to end up doing it there out in the little terrace. It was perfect!

Your Day, Your Way

When did you tie the knot?

1st January 2026

Where did you say “I do”?

The Boathouse at The Rabbit.

What made The Loft 'THE' place for your big day?

We just fell in love with it as soon as we seen it.

Any standout moments that still gives you butterflies?

Seeing Sean at the bottom of the aisle watching me walk down.

Which of our wedding planners helped bring your vision to life and how was working with them?

Jemma for the majority and Katie towards the end as Jemma was off on maternity.

Got any advice for future couples — especially those tying the knot at The Loft?

Go for it, your in good hands!

The OOTD - Wedding Edition

Wedding Dress & Accessories

Divinity Bridal, Lisburn

Bridesmaid Dresses

Stacees

Groomswear

Harris Kilt Company, Belfast

The Glam Squad 

Hair

Dani Wedding Hair, Belfast

Makeup

Ciara Drayne

Stephanie Nelson

Nails

Yvonee Ferris

Tan

Be Bronzed - Eimear

Shout out to your dream team

Wedding Cake

Mrs C Country Cake

Photographer 

Eric Cheung

Videographer

Kristian Graham

Content Creator 

Eimear McDonald

Entertainment

DJ Greener

THE HAPPY COUPLE

Tell us a little about how you met & talk us through the proposal

Connor and I met in April 2012. I was living in Australia at the time, and I came home for a friend’s wedding. Connor had become friends with all our mutual friends while I had been living away. We met on Good Friday in Filthy McNasty’s. Connor hadn’t intended on being out as he had been out the night before and had a football match the next morning. However, upon getting to know me he decided to stay and later that night we had our first cheeky kiss. Unfortunately, I went back to Australia, but we kept in contact while I was away. Fast forward to August 2012 and I booked Connor a one way ticket to Melbourne to come join me. We then moved back home to Belfast in 2013. Connor took me to NYC in Jan 2017 as a 30th Birthday present. One night he decided to take me on a midnight walk in Central Park. When we got there, it was -4 degrees the ground was covered in snow and ice. We came to a bank by the lake in central park, the water was completely frozen over. Connor asked me to grab a stone to break the ice and as I turned round there was the big eejit on his knee with a ring and asked me to marry him. I initially laughed until he said “Hurry up my knees cold” and of course I said yes!!

YOUR DAY, YOUR WAY

Ceremony

We had a beautiful Humanist Ceremony with our amazing Celebrant Ciara Turley in the stunning Boat House ceremony room in the grounds of The Rabbit Hotel. We couldn’t recommend our celebrant enough Ciara is truly one beautiful lady and she made the whole ceremony so special and personalised. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room. The Boat House was just the most stunning location for our ceremony too, so cosy and beautifully decorated.

What made you choose The Loft to host your day?

When we finally decided to book our wedding and search for the perfect venue The Loft was top of our list. From initial contact the staff couldn’t be more accommodating from trying to schedule in a viewing time that would suit us and even on our first visit to The Loft. When we seen the space we just knew it was the perfect space for us. The room was so beautifully decorated that we didn’t need to do anything to it, this took that whole stress away from us. The wedding package they offered just had everything that we wanted to be included. The location of the venue was also perfect as it was close enough to Belfast and the airport for our guests to easily travel to and from. The whole place was just completely our vibe.

Favourite memory of your Wedding

The ceremony was highlight for us it was such an emotional and special moment that we got to share with all our closest friends and family. Also the food at the reception was absolutely outstanding, we’ve had so many comments from our guests about how good the food was. We also loved the attention to detail and help the staff gave us on our day from start to finish. Our hands were never empty without a drink! Special mention to Claire and Chloe who literally couldn’t have done anymore for us thank you so so much you girls are complete angels!

SHOUT OUT TO THE DREAM TEAM

Wedding Stationery

Wedding Sign by Courtney Rush, Crush Art

Cake

Claire @ Lily Pink Bakery

Flowers

All Seasons Belfast

Entertainment

Rachel Toman, Band was The Hallions, DJ was Conor Harding

Photographer

Laura Curran

Videographer

Bobkin Film

Favours

Glowsticks and mini disco balls

Wedding Dress & Accessories

Archive 12 designer Bonbride Veil and earrings Blue Meadow Bridal

Bridesmaid’s Dresses

Silk Fred

Groomswear

Red Groomswear Belfast

THE GLAM SQUAD

Makeup

Hunibex

Hair

Judith McKay (Andrew Mulvenna)

1. The Décor  

Northern Ireland’s most iconic wedding venue, The Loft is an exclusive-use venue offering an environment of unabridged luxury. Come see for yourself! 

2. Social Dining Experience

Enjoy your first meal as newlyweds with up to 140 of your family and friends gathered in this one-of-a-kind setting. A unique feasting menu celebrates the joining of two families through a social dining experience.

3. Personal and Heartfelt Service

The Loft’s team of wedding planning experts are proud to do things differently, with all the character and charm of a luxurious wedding setting, couples can expect heartfelt personal service paired with a relaxed, easy-going atmosphere. 

4. The Food

Enjoy a unique twist on a traditional wedding feast. Think sharing boards, dinner served from the pantry and delicious desserts. 

5. On-site Ceremonies

Walking down the aisle is one of the most important moments of your big day. Our beautifully intimate Boathouse Ceremony room sits lakeside and reflects the rustic charm and natural warmth of the Loft. Hosting your nearest and dearest, this elegant setting is the perfect space to say your I Do’s. Licensed for civil ceremonies, partnerships, blessings, and renewals of vows. 

6. Unique Enhancements  

The Loft’s enhancement features are perfect for those wishing to step it up a notch. From a grazing table and canapes to a candy, gin, or cigar & whiskey cart and more, make the day yours. 

7. The Showstopping Spa at The Rabbit Hotel & Retreat

Exuding a mix of sophisticated luxury and Bohemian glam, The Spa promises luxurious facilities, laid-back Balearic vibes and a chilled party playlist to match, making it the perfect spot for post-wedding celebrations. If you want to celebrate day two in style, enjoy a dinner in the cosy surrounds of The Restaurant, or BBQ after a day of lounging around The Spa or pool party for an unforgettable night– keep the good times going with endless options available.

From teenage sparks to a romantic Christmas proposal, Laura and Andrew’s love story came full circle in the breathtaking setting of The Loft, Templepatrick. With stunning décor, unforgettable food and the perfect team behind them, their big day was nothing short of magical. Hear how it all came together, from first look chills to guestbook worthy memories and why The Loft still gives them butterflies.

The Happy Couple

Let us know your names!

Laura & Andrew Harrison

So, how did you two meet? Give us the real story!

We first met in school. He went to carrick grammar and I went to carrick college. Met through mutual friends! Life moves on, uni etc then we actually started talking again via tinder! Haha 

Spill the tea on the proposal — how did it all go down?

We had not long moved into our home together and decided to book a wee Christmas night away in a wee small cabin with a gorgeous log fire! Andrew proposed to me there… 22/12/2020 

Your Day, Your Way

When did you tie the knot?

31/08/2023

Where did you say “I do”?

The Boathouse

What made The Loft 'THE' place for your big day?

From the minute we stepped into The Loft for our viewing I got chills. I actually nearly cried! I just knew this was the place. The decor, the whole layout of the room. Just everything was perfect. 

Any standout moments that still gives you butterflies?

The fact that our guests still talk about our wedding and comment on how stunning the venue was. The food…they still talk about the food! It all just makes me so happy and proud! 

Which of our wedding planners helped bring your vision to life and how was working with them?

Beth! We actually had a few planners but due to them leaving and also maternity our wedding was handed over to beth. Beth was amazing! She made everything seem so straight forward and made everything feel calm and at ease! Her communication was also amazing! 

Got any advice for future couples — especially those tying the knot at The Loft?

Cliche but take it ALLLL in. It goes by so fast. I’d actually love someone I know to get married there so I can experience the wedding venue from a guests point of view 

The OOTD - Wedding Edition

Wedding Dress & Accessories

WED2BE

Bridesmaid Dresses

WED2BE

Groomswear

Freddie Hatchett

The Glam Squad 

Hair

Upstyles by Many

Makeup

Leah Lammey

Nails

Local 

Tan

Local 

Shout out to your dream team

Wedding Stationery

Two Little Words 

Wedding Cake

NI Cake Design 

Florist

One Small Seed

Photographer 

Tracy Steele

Décor & Design

The Loft / One Small Seed

Entertainment

Freefall

The Happy Couple

We met in a nightclub in Belfast back in 2014 through our friends. After months of dating Nathan asked me to be his girlfriend and I panicked and said no, then changed my mind a week later and said yes (lol)! Who would have thought we would be married 9 years later. We went to Finnlough for an overnight in September 2021 and Nathan proposed that evening after dinner with candles, rose petals, bubbly and lots of photos of us and our daughter displayed. It was just perfect!

Favourite memory of your wedding day

It’s hard to choose one specific memory as the whole day was literally just amazing, which was mainly down to The Loft wedding planners and the staff who were so attentive. The food was also out of this world! Walking up the aisle surrounded by our nearest and dearest with Nathan waiting at the top was a big highlight for me. Also my first dance with my dad, he made a slideshow of photos from I was a child and went to a recording studio and sang a song which got recorded to play over the slideshow, it had everyone in tears!

SHOUT OUT TO THE DREAM TEAM

Wedding stationary

Ryan Patrick design

Cake 

Connie Thompson Cake Design

Flowers

Blooming Events NI

Entertainment

Matty Rea

DJ Magiggs

Cars

Star Car Hire

Photographer

Pop Photography NI

Videographer

Take Two Studio

Favours

Debra & Nathan did bookie dockets for the races & a donation to  sands charity

Wedding dress

Eden bridal

Bridesmaids dresses

Eden bridal

Groomswear

Red Belfast

THE GLAM SQUAD

Makeup

Emma swift @ Studio 8

Hair

Lynda Crawford @ Looloos Cabin

The Happy Couple

Tell us a little about how you met & talk us through the proposal

Alan and I met when I was 18 and Alan was 21 but were friends long before then with mutual friends. We booked to go to Las Vegas & Mexico in August 2020 but due to lockdown our trip was cancelled so we ended up doing a long weekend at the most amazing Air BnB on the Red Lion Road in October 2020, on the Saturday we went out to do some of the walking trails at Gosford Forest Park and just as we approached the castle, Alan got down on one knee and I cried my heart out before eventually saying yes… The engagement bubble was fab!

Your Day, Your Way

Ceremony

We had our wedding ceremony in The Boathouse, it is such a beautiful space for a ceremony. We wanted a religious ceremony but also wanted to keep everything in the one place due to family travelling from near and far so we were so thankful to be able to do this at The Rabbit.

What made you choose The Loft to host your day?

We wanted a venue that would give us the WOW factor. We decided to do a viewing at The Rabbit and we're so glad we did as the minute we walked in, we had that WOW we'd been waiting for, we booked and paid our deposit within the week!

Favourite memory of you wedding day

We honestly has the best day so picking one favourite memory is difficult, but I definitely think it was the alone time with eachother over a pint of outcider before being introduced into The Loft as Mr & Mrs Russell. 

SHOUT OUT TO THE DREAM TEAM

Wedding Stationery

Hayley designed all of their save the dates, invites, table cards, wedding programmes, sweetie bags & individual packets of tissues. Welcome & order of the day signs were made by the fabulous Little Barn Designs NI

Cake

Sugar Lane Artisan

Flowers

Family Friend

Entertainment Rachel Toman for drinks reception & The Collective Wedding Band for evening entertainment

Photographer

Agnieszka Marsh Photography.

Videographer

Friend Steve Earley

Favours

Done by the couple themselves! Alan & his granny make fudge every year at Christmas so they decided to do this as their favours!

Wedding Dress & Accessories

Wedding dress from Wedding Box in Newtownards Shoes & accessories from Shein.

Bridesmaid’s Dresses

Wedding Box in Newtownards

Groomswear

Focus Menswear in Bangor

THE GLAM SQUAD

Makeup

Emma Scott Makeup Artist

Hair

Ashlee & Courtney from SAKS Newtownards

THE HAPPY COUPLE

Tell us a little about how you met & talk us through the proposal

We met through working in a cafe, we weren’t close at the start but after years of working together we realised we had a lot of similarities and became best friends! Baz asked me out on a date so we had our first date at titanic and it blossomed from there! For the proposal he took me out to my favourite restaurant and then back to our first date spot (titanic), got down on one knee and asked me to be his wife - the easiest yes ever! 

YOUR DAY, YOUR WAY

Ceremony

Our ceremony took place in our church Mount Zion in Lisburn

What made you choose The Loft to host your day?

When we were venue hunting the loft really stood out to us because the staff were so lovely and couldn’t do enough to cater to your needs and make the day special! We had ideas about different food etc and Donna the chef was more than happy to cook different styles of cuisines to make our day special! The venue speaks for itself in terms of beauty, we had very little to do in terms of decorating as the venue is so stunning as it is! As well as that there are many rooms for the guests to stay over in and a fantastic spa to relax in the next day!

Favourite memory of your Wedding

Our favourite memory was sitting back at the top table and seeing that everything had come together and that our dream day had came true! There were so many great elements to the day but having our family and friends home from all around the world and all together was really special.

SHOUT OUT TO THE DREAM TEAM

Wedding Stationery

Clockwork bubbles design

Cake

Busy Whisk Bakery

Flowers

Flowers by Wendy

Entertainment

DJNI and Holly Sax

Photographer

Kellie Scott

Videographer

Matthew Irvine (irvine wedding film)

Favours 

Etsy

Wedding Dress & Accessories

The Wedding Centre Randalstown

Bridesmaid’s Dresses

The Wedding Centre Randalstown

Groomswear

Freddie Hatchets

THE GLAM SQUAD

Makeup

Claire Morrow

Hair

Kelly Kenny

The Happy Couple

Tell us a little about how you met & talk us through the proposal

Thomas and Joanna met in London back in 2014 when working in the Savoy Theatre. Thomas was passing through in the middle of a midlife crisis, and Joanna was hard at work minding her own business, little did we know then but the show we were working on would influence the wedding venue we would get married at 8 years later. After a what could be described as a summer fling, and Thomas moving away to work somewhere else, we kept in touch and spent the best part of 5 years long distance before settling in Northern Ireland, so it was a good while before the proposal (in Joanna's opinion) but after a lovely snowy walk in Hillsborough Forest Park, Thomas had the ring in his pocket, bearing in mind at this point he had chickened out of asking the parents for permission. Turns out he would also chicken out on asking Joanna to marry him on the walk too, so he asked her later on that evening in bed, before the clock struck midnight, so he didn't have to ask Joanna on her birthday. 

Your Day, Your Way

Ceremony

Karen the celebrant was our celebrant for a humanist ceremony on site at The Rabbit. Karen gave us the most wonderful personal experience and shared our story to family and friends before a hand fastening where we literally tied the knot. A fun highlight was when the best man left the vows in the car and had to make a dash to the car park. 

What made you choose The Loft to host your day?

We saw The Loft as it was just starting to be a venue for weddings. We were shown around by Jemma and the venue was beautiful. From the moment we entered the doors we could feel it was a place we wanted our special day, but what sealed the deal was when we saw a painting of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, it was the show we met on when working in the Savoy Theatre, we took that as a sign this was the venue for us. 

Favourite memory of your Wedding 

To pick a favourite moment from the wedding is a difficult choice and I'm sure it'll be diferent for the both of us. For Thomas, it was the food and getting a bloody good ripping into by the best man with his speech, oh and obviously getting to marry Joanna. For Joanna, apart from finally getting to marry Tom, was having all our friends and family together after covid and the moment we entered the reception room as a married couple, feeling all the love and joy throughout the whole room and feeling like a bit of a celeb. 

Shout Out To The Dream Team 

Cake

Hands Bakery

Flowers

Sage & Meadow

Entertainment

The Reilly's - Drinks Reception

Dave Martin & the Casino Cats - Evening Entertainment

Photographer

Lifting The Veil

Videography

Wheatfield Films

Wedding Dress & Accessories

Jill Jones Bridal - Wedding Dress

Silk Purse Sow's Ear - Accessories

Bridesmaids Dresses

Online

Groomswear

The Belfast Bow Company

Vintage Suit Hire Company

The Glam Squad

Makeup

Tara Doran

Hair

Hair Matters NI

THE HAPPY COUPLE

Tell us a little about how you met & talk us through the proposal

We met a night of a bonfire July 2021 and got engaged one year later July 2022!

YOUR DAY, YOUR WAY

Ceremony

We had our ceremony in the Boathouse lead by our pastor with all our closest family and friends.

What made you choose The Loft to host your day?

We loved the whole rustic, boho vibe of The Loft, including the banquet style tables. It was different from anywhere else we had seen and went with our own style perfectly.

Favourite memory of your Wedding

Our ceremony has to be the favourite part. The walk down the aisle, the tears from Jonathan and our laughs together.

SHOUT OUT TO THE DREAM TEAM

Wedding Stationery

Ourselves

Cake

Cakes by Anna

Flowers

Lets face it creation

Entertainment

Rodd Hogg (magician) Funky Doodles (caricatures) Djni & Holly Sax

Photographer

Agnieszka Marsh

Videographer

Capture video

Favours

Ourselves

Wedding Dress & Accessories

Jill Jones

Bridesmaid’s Dresses

ASOS

Groomswear

Tomorrow menswear

THE GLAM SQUAD

Makeup

Myself

Hair

Faith hair Ballyclare