Real Wedding: Steph and Martin

Welcome to the Real Wedding Story of Steph & Martin by Bradley Henderson & Lough Crew Estate.

In 2009, Steph and Martin’s paths crossed in a local nightclub. Their shared love for rock music quickly brought them together. After a heartwarming 11-year courtship, Martin proposed during a serene walk in a local forest, marking the beginning of an unforgettable wedding journey.

Steph led the wedding planning, using numerous Pinterest boards and ideas she had collected over the years. Martin contributed to the decisions, voicing his opinions when needed. The couple made it a priority to book a venue and photographer to capture the magic of their special day.

Steph and Martin planned their wedding meticulously, starting by deciding on a budget and a date. Though they had different ideas about the size of the wedding! They found a happy medium. Creating a priority list that featured a photographer, food, and a band were the first main items covered. A shared email address specifically for wedding planning was set up which ensured effective organisation. (A great tip for you all!)

The couple put careful thought into selecting a venue halfway between their hometowns, and they made sure it was legally permitted for spiritual weddings.

Lough Crew served as the perfect backdrop. Well known for its blank canvas, the couple had their own decor ideas to ensure a personalised wedding experience. Once they confirmed the venue, their attention shifted to arranging the catering and band. They used the wedding planning website, sayi.do, to set up a wedding webpage, simplifying the invitation process.

Their wedding day was on October 6, 2022. Despite the unpredictable Irish weather in October, the couple embraced the rain, which added to the uniqueness of their ceremony. The shower seemingly washed away their anxiety, and the couple and their guests fully immersed themselves in the joy of the day.

A DIY enthusiast, Steph took charge of the wedding decor. She crafted the ceremony arch, table plan, and her headpiece. Not for the faint hearted! Family members pitched in too, with sisters personalising the sweet table and creating keepsake key-rings, and others providing centrepieces.

Their dog, Maiden, was a big part of the day and offered a comforting presence for Steph during her preparations.

Upon reflection, Steph would agree that DIY is that little bit of added stress but it paid off. I did a DIY wedding myself and its a big undertaking! If I was to do it all again today, I would 100% have a planner run with it!

Their niece’s performed a surprise song and there was a bespoke song performed by their friend Dan. This made the wedding extra special.

The couple plans to celebrate their first anniversary with a trip to Disneyworld, Florida.

Bon Voyage Guys!