Charmaine Douglas and Andrew Brisbane celebrated their marriage at Limepark on 11th May 2024 and we are delighted to be able to share how theymet, the proposal and details of this special day.
How did you meet?
‘We met during the lockdown in 2020. At this time, with limited social activities available, Andy turned to Tinder out of curiosity rather than with the intention of dating. It was there that he met me and swept right!
‘Our initial conversations on the platform evolved into a deeper connection and we arranged a first date. Due to the restrictions imposed by the pandemic, our dates took place outdoors, with walks along the Lough Shore in Antrim setting the stage for our romance to blossom.
As restrictions were lifted we continued to enjoy dates, particularly on the North Coast, enjoying simple pleasures like fish and chips from Kraken and picnics by the lakes near Andy’s home. We soon realised that we were in this for the long haul.
Tell us about the proposal.
‘I had told Andy if he was to propose that the ring needed to be right,’ laughs Charmaine. ‘Apparently, while I was in the shower on morning, Andy snuck one of my rings and used an app on his phone to measure it. Genius. After quite the search he found the ring and to make sure i wouldn’t find it, he hid it at my parents house after asking for their blessing.
‘We had booked a romantic break for Valentine’s to a shepherd’s hut in the Mournes on the 18th Feb 2023 and I couldn’t wait to get into the hot tub, with a lovely drink in hand and a cheese board to nibble at – heaven! However, Andy was behaving ‘all shifty’ and talking complete gibberish, but I went ahead and got changed to get in and I turned round to find Andy down on one knee with the ring box in his hand. I was totally shocked and we had the best night, even though Andy had measured a ring that she wore on her index finger and so it was never going to fit!’
How did the planning process go?
‘I started planning within a few months of the engagement,’ explains Charmaine. ‘It was mainly myself planning everything,’ she laughs. ‘I also designed the invitations and welcome sign myself. The planning process was easy and stress-free thanks to all the amazing vendors and support from my bridesmaids, parents, and Andy.’
Where did you get married and why you choose this venue?
‘We got married at Limepark in Armoy, Co. Antrim. This was the second venue we viewed and the last, as we knew straightaway it perfect venue was for us. This family run venue is out of this world with so much quirkiness and gorgeous areas throughout. From the initial meeting right through to our wedding the team, Hannah, Kelly and Shannon were always there for any enquiries and made the planning process so easy and stress free. Glenn, Angela, their family and the team were all so friendly and accommodating in ensuring ours and our guests needs were met to make our day run smoothly and stress free. The food was 5* with all our guests stating it was the best food they’ve had at a wedding. The accommodation for ourselves and guests was incredible and the breakfast the next day was again 5*. They created what we envisioned for our day and more.’
Who were your wedding suppliers?
‘Make-up artist Zara McGarry from Beauty by Zara is a friend and amazing at what she does, so I would not have had anyone but her doing the bridal make-up. She is so talented and an all round amazing person.
‘Likewise, when it came to my hair, Stephanie Young from Eden Hair is also a friend, so obviously I wouldn’t have anyone else do my hair on my big day. Steph is such a talented hairdresser and the most caring girl.
‘When it came to choosing a celebrant, I looked at several and having mailed Annette Scott she offered a zoom meeting to have a general chat regarding what our wishes were for the day and to determine if she was the celebrant for us. I really appreciated this of Annette and loved how she offered this extra rather than just an email stating prices and availability. Following the zoom call with Annette I just knew I wanted her to be our celebrant; she was such a lovely, kind and chatty person. Annette meet us for coffee and we discussed our journey of how we meet up until the engagement. Annette then completed a draft for our wedding ceremony and we were included in amending and finalising the ceremony throughout.
‘Matt Hilditch from Bloom Barn was a delight to work with. One meeting with Matt and he created the bridal flowers, table décor and aisle décor to the exact details I wanted. Matt arrived on the morning of the wedding, set up the aisle and table décor and brought our flowers to us and the guys. We could not have been happier with Matt’s gorgeous creations.
‘We met with Alessandra Johnston for a cake tasting and immediately hit it off, chatting for ages and her cakes were so delicious. Having shown Alessandra an image of a cake design I liked it was no bother to her. Alessandra delivered the cake on the morning of the wedding to the venue. The guests all spoke highly of the cake decoration and how it tasted just as amazing as it looked.
‘We had a photobooth from S’mores & Snaps. Raymond was a pleasure to work with and guests loved the vintage booth and props for photos.
‘Amilo Weddings provided décor for the wedding and audio guest book that guests loved and Alex was so helpful and even brought in new items for décor that I had envisioned for our day
‘Last but not least, our wedding band, Fusion. We looked for a while for a band that suited our mixed taste in music and a friend recommended Fusion, and when watched their videos we knew they were the band we needed. Fusion played throughout the evening party and there was not a time throughout our night that the dance floor wasn’t full. Our friends and family commented during and after the party in relation to how good the band were and how they had had the best night.’
Who captured your day?
‘Our photographer was Vicki Maher, who was amazing and made everyone feel so at ease. I choose Vicki because of her reviews and photos I was able to view on her social media. We could have not have chosen a better photographer, she instantly fitted in with my family and group of friends with her humour and bubbly personality. We could not be happier with the photos Vicki has supplied us with; she captured all the memories we wanted for our day.
‘Danny and Marcin from CloseKnit Films did the videography. They were amazing and made myself, Andy and our guests feel at ease throughout the whole day. I chose Close Knit after watching other weddings they had shot, and their videos stuck out from the rest. I loved how they incorporated the day into a short film. Danny stayed with myself and the bridal party throughout the morning, and then with Andy and I following the ceremony, whilst Marcin documented Andy and his party on the morning and captured our guests following the ceremony. The guys were so friendly and at times you forgot they were there capturing all memories in the background. Now that we have our video, I can honestly say it’s better than we had imagined; we both love the footage.’
What did you wear?
‘My dress was from Essence of Australia from White Gold Bridal boutique in Broughshane. I had seen the dress on their Instgram page with Dorothy doing a walkaround video of the store and their dresses, and fell in love with it instantly – picture a Monica out of friends scene rushing to the shop to source this dress with my Mum and my bridesmaids,’ laughs Charmaine. I purchased the bridesmaids dresses online from Hope & Ivy.
‘Andy has known Glenn from Statement Menswear in Portadown since junior high, and supporting a friends business was important to Andy. Luckily Statement has to be up there among the best in the industry. Glenn and his team knew how to dress the guys the minute they saw the bridesmaids dresses. Their Tux’s were such good quality and the whole grooms party looked very smart.
What was your favourite moment from the day?
‘My favourite moment was turning to see Charmaine in her dress for the first time. That moment will be forever on my mind, not just of because how beautiful she looked, but because she was on time, somehting that’s not Charmaine’s strongest quality,’ cmments Andy.
Charmaine adds, ‘My favourite part of the day was walking down the aisle seeing Andy waiting for me and the party at the end of the night with all our nearest and dearest enjoying themselves and having the best time.’
Do you have any advice for other couples?
‘Enjoy the process of planning and don’t let yourself get stressed,’ advises Charmaine, who goes on to add, ‘On the day enjoy every moment because as everyone likes to say, “it’ll fly by” and believe me it certainly does. Don’t stress if anything goes wrong, your guests won’t know if a flower arrangement or a table cloth is the wrong colour! Go with the flow and celebrate with all your family and friends to ensure you have the best day ever. The most important thing is that you and your partner enjoy your day with all your loved ones.’
Charmaine & Andrew’s Dream Team
- Photography: Vicki Maher Photography
- Videography: CloseKnit Films
- Venue: Limepark
- Celebrant: Annette Scott
- Wedding Dress: White Gold Bridal
- Bridesmaids Dresses: Hope & Ivy
- Groomswear: Statement Menswear
- Make-up: Beauty by Zara
- Hair: Stephanie Young from Eden Hair & Beauty
- Décor: Amilo Weddings
- Flowers: Bloom Barn
- Wedding Cake: Alico Crafts
- Photobooth: S’mores & Snaps
- Wedding Band: Fusion
