Nina Penny & Karl Smyth
3rd September 2011
Wedding ceremony at Methodist College Belfast with a reception at Malone Lodge Hotel/Belvoir Players Studio
When planning their wedding Nina and Karl knew they wanted a simple and hassle free day, which was a celebration of their love.
"We have been together for 14 years we didn't want a lot of ceremony to interfere with our celebrations," begins Nina.
"We knew that because of our background in theatre we could 'Stage Manage' the day to ensure that we got exactly what we wanted, without having to compromise and without it becoming a nightmare."
The couples big day took on a natural vintage theme. Nina had wanted to wear her mother's wedding dress as it had been made by her late Grandmother, and the couple knew they wanted to finish their day with a Blues band in the Belvoir Players Studio.
"As we wanted to bring the party with us from the Malone Lodge to the Studio we decided the best way was to put on a bus and the Routemaster from Allens Tours was provided by a family friend," Nina reveals.
"When we saw the VW bus we thought that would be the perfect wedding car as it suited both our styles and its simple elegance suited our day perfectly."
As Karl attended Methody College the pair were able to marry in the school's beautiful Chapel of Unity.
Guests then moved to the Malone Lodge Hotel for the wedding reception and speeches, with the party finishing off in the The Belvoir Players Studio for the cake cutting and evening reception.
Nina's stunning vintage gown dates from 1977 and was handmade by her mum to a 52 piece vogue pattern.
"Mum had kept it for me in a suitcase, and she had asked me to wear it about two years before we got engaged," says Nina. "I initially had thought I would need it to be altered, but it fitted perfectly."
Nina's maids wore dark purple full length dresses, their flowers were a smaller version of the bride's bouquet, and they wore a fine silver necklace and braclet, and purple stud earrings.
Karl wore a 3-piece, light grey Italian cut suit, with a white shirt and tie that matched the bridesmaid's dresses.
Talking about the day Nina says: "We ensured that everyone had a hassle free day full of fun and laughter. The whole wedding day was a highlight, and there are far too many things to mention that make us smile but having the majority of our family in one room was something special that we will always remember.
THE LITTLE DETAILS
Wedding dress: Original Vintage made by Nina's maternal Grandmother for her Mother's wedding in 1977
Groomswear: Hire Class Lisburn, 22 Lisburn Square, Lisburn
Flowers: Flowers of Elegance, Castlereagh Road, Belfast
Transport: Starcarhire.co.uk and Allens Tours, Belfast
Hair: Vintage Rocks, Newtownbreda (Caroline from Hair by Cherry on Top)
Nails: Dazzle me with your tips, Rosetta
Make Up: Paula Fraser Make Up
Photographer: Ian Kennedy (Nina's Uncle)
Evening catering: The Fatted Calf, Bangor
If you would like to have your 'big day' considered for a Wedding Journal magazine and weddingjournalonline 'real wedding' feature, email brief details (day, venue etc) and two or three sample photos to:tara.craig@pentonpublications.co.uk
And don't forget, single pictures for possible inclusion in My Day My Way magazine pages can be emailed to: sarah.jayne@pentonpublications.co.uk
Pictures published are at the editor's discretion.
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Real Weddings 
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