Everlasting Love at Tullyveery: Paul & Vicky’s Perfect Day

Real Irish Weddings

From Childhood Sweethearts to Lifelong Partners; Paul and Vicky’s Love Story Culminates in a Magical Celebration at Tullyveery House.

We fell in love with Paul and Vicky’s real-life wedding and love story as we delve into their romantic first encounter, their wedding proposal and the perfect wedding day at Tullyveery House! From colourful cakes, to the perfect sleeved wedding dress, this wedding brings out all of the wedding trends going into 2024.

How did you both first meet?

Paul and I met on Strangford Lough in 2009. I was sailing in a yachting event, and he supported the event as part of the rescue team. We met at a dinner after, where he asked his best friend to swap seats with him so that he could sit next to me. I was only 14 when we met, and Paul was 16. We shared MSN details and chatted online for about a year – seeing each other every so often at sailing events. Exactly one year later, at the same event, we had our first kiss. I was head over heels, in the way only a 15-year-old girl can be! We didn’t make it official until I had gone off to Scotland for university. Paul was still back home, studying in NI, but on my first visit back at home, he offered to pick me up from the airport and asked me out, finally making it official! I suppose absence does make the heart grow fonder!

Tell us about the proposal!

We got engaged in the Summer of 2022. At the time, we were on holiday in Ireland; it was our first family holiday with our new pup, Fred. We had spent a few days in Kildare and had just arrived at the next Airbnb in Dingle. We had cooked dinner and were relaxing on the sofa after a busy few days of sightseeing. Paul went into the other room and came back with an envelope. I recognised the first half of his personalised registration on the envelope – but when I looked more closely, I realised the last three letters were different.

Instead of PDM (his initials), it read VAM, and the registered keeper was Victoria Magowan. As I began to put it together and looked up at him, he was starting to get down on one knee. He proposed with his Nana Vi’s ring, which felt particularly special as – not only did I have a close relationship with her, but I knew how much she meant to Paul. There were a lot of happy tears! Fred was furious that the attention wasn’t on him for once, so while we were busily FaceTiming all of our friends and family, he went out to dig up the back garden of the Airbnb!

When did you start planning your wedding?

We had been together for almost 11 years before we got married, so I had thought about this for a long time! I got started straight into planning. I went to try dresses only a few weeks after being engaged. My sister was moving to London and I wanted her to be a part of the dress experience before she left. I don’t think Paul will mind me saying that I did the bulk of the planning, but I’m not sure I could have had it any other way! I found the planning quite tricky, mainly because we planned on getting maried within a year. A year is quite a quick turnaround, and lots of suppliers were fully booked. In the end, we were very lucky; we managed to get the last Saturday Tullyveery had available that summer!

Who captured your day?

Gillian and Tim Higgins are the most wonderful photographers, and I can’t praise them enough. My whole family are sick of me continually showing off our wedding photos! We had an engagement shoot with Gillian, and we knew then that we had made the right choice. She helped us feel so relaxed, and we spent the entire time laughing. She understood the importance of us being part of our day, so she didn’t keep us away from our guests for too long, and she focused on capturing lots of candid, natural shots. My particular favourites are the ones that she captured at sunset.

Our videographer was Luke Carlisle, from OneNoiseMedia. I’m so glad we booked a videographer, as it means we get to keep reliving the day. Luke told us that we wouldn’t see much of him on the day, and it was true – he was so discreet, yet still managed to be in all the right places at the right times. He was particularly keen to get us out for the sunset shoot. His experience reassured us that it would be spectacular.

What did you wear?

My dress was from Naomi’s Bridal in Ballynahinch. My mum wanted me to try them as she had also bought her wedding dress there – many years before! I wasn’t expecting to find my dream dress there, but I did, and we bought it on the day. My mother-in-law offered me the use of her veil – it was cathedral length, with a long bustle and with pearls sewn into it – it was beautiful! Unfortunately, her veil was white, while my dress was ivory, so Angela suggested they could make me one to match, but in ivory – so they did! Nothing was too much. I loved that my dress felt entirely mine, as we added all of the special touches. I wish I could wear it every day!

The suits were hired from Focus in Bangor. We loved that they were a bit quirky. Paul likes to wear bright clothes, and I think the suit was very him. I know he felt that the experience was exceptional. The salesman was able to tell his size just by looking at him. We felt very well looked after!

What was your favourite part of the day?

Vicky: My favourite moment was about four steps down the aisle. That’s when I finally saw Paul (and Fred), relaxed, and began to enjoy the day. I was so nervous before that! I also loved the party in the evening, dancing with all of our friends and family and being surrounded by happiness. Charlie also gave us some time to sit in the courtyard at Tullyveery and take it all in, after everyone had gone home. That was lovely also. It’s too hard; I loved it all!

Paul: Waiting for Vicky to walk down the aisle was bitter-sweet because I found it very nerve-racking. I wanted to look away because I was worried I might cry! I just thought, ‘you are only going to see this once in your life’. Another favourite moment was driving my friend Gareth’s Aston Martin to Tullyveery after the ceremony!

Any advice you can give?

In the run-up to the wedding, so many people told me that the day would fly in, so I should be sure to take time to take it all in and enjoy it. I feel like I took this on board. It wasn’t over in a blink, it felt like we got to enjoy every part, and we both loved every minute.