Your Wedding Day Dream Team
Photographer: Marie Anson – Instagram: @marieansonphoto
Florist: Hidden Botanics – Instagram: @hiddenbotanics
Band/DJ: Drinks reception – Nate Wallis – Instagram @Natewallismusic
Evening reception DJ – Dan – Dynamix Karaoke & Disco
Storm Troopers: Instagram @imperialicons
Arcade Machines: Ghost Retro Arcade (on Facebook)
Tell Us About Your Incredible Outfits What and who did you wear?
What and who did you wear? Wed2B
Accessories: Swarovski spider necklace and charm bracelet, Demonia boots, Veil found on vinted unused!
What and who did your partner wear? Suit from Slater, Shoes from Justin Reess
What and who did your wedding party wear? All outfits found unworn second hand on vinted or purchased from Muji
Your Love Story – How did you meet, was it love at first sight? Tell us about the proposal!
We’d known each other for years already, we’d both lived in the same village in Northern Ireland for a while, eventually moving on with life, found each other again in Derry, Conor there for uni and myself there after moving with family. Again, we both moved and lost contact, eventually getting back in touch now both living in England, Conor in Hemel Hempstead, and myself in Newquay.
We made plans to meet for a catch up and ended up realising we had feelings for one another almost the whole time, just never finding the right moment. After 6 months of traveling back and forth to see one another once a month we decided to move in together.
In July of 2023, it was a particularly warm day, watching Tim Burtons Bat Man, I was in an aircast boot recovering from one of many surgeries, having a moan and complaining about something or other, when Conor nipped off to grab something from his office and came back with a box. “Read that and I’ll be back in a sec” and he went off to make a cup of tea. By the time he’d come back I’d already read through the most beautifully written story of our life together he’d so very carefully hand written in Hobbit Script in a hand made replica of Bilbo Baggins’ book, and gotten to the final page when he asked me to marry him. I was in tears and choked out a very wobbly “really?! Yes!”
It was a wonderful moment out of absolutely no where, swiftly ruined by Teddy wanting fuss and digging claws into Conor’s knees.
Your Wedding Day Vision & Inspiration What was your inspiration and vision for your day?
Studio Ghibli themes, and big nerd vibes.
Why did you choose The West Mill Venue?
It was absolutely beautiful, and we fell in love the moment we entered for the first viewing. We were never into big decorations and thought that the West Mill was absolutely beautiful as it stood.
Did you do any DIY projects?
All of the centre pieces were hand made using fish tank gravel, small Ghibli miniatures and some fake Eucalyptus stems all smothered in glue and filled with many hopes and dreams to stay put
Tell us about the details – Flowers, Cake, Decor, Stationery….
The flowers on the registry table were a vinted find, all others were from Hidden Botanics, the cake was made by our dear friend Vanessa as a wedding gift, she’s ever so talented and used to run her own bakery, so I trusted her with my entire being, the cake toppers were a 3d print job and then painted by myself. The stationery was all designed by myself and then we used Vista Print to get it all printed.
Alcohol. Because No Great Story Started With A Salad (…or did it?) What was on your food & drinks menu?
We had Parsnip and Apple soup, Blackcurrant Sorbet, Curry sharing platters, and sticky toffee pudding. However, me and Conor got a special sweet potato dauphinoise each, because we’d tried it on the taster night and I fell in love with it, big thanks to Bev for sorting that for us.
The Hangover Only Lasts A Day But The Memories Last A Lifetime Can you sum up your wedding day in 3 words?
Not Long Enough
What are your favourite memories or highlights of your day?
The Stormtrooper reveal, my dad’s speech, Conor’s speech, getting to see so many friends again
Do you have any advice for future Brides & Grooms?
Everyone always tells you that once you get up there the stress melts away and everything is fine. Believe them.
Loved reading about Dayna & Conor’s day? Read more real wedding stories here.