If your partner is a fan of golf, you might want to have a nosey at this one! Holly and Lewis Knox created memories that would last a lifetime at the Slieve Donard Hotel, Newcastle.
Date of Wedding: 29th June 2023
How did you meet?
We met through a mutual friend in November 2018 and have been together from the moment we met – so nearly five years! We have had so much fun throughout our relationship. From travelling together abroad and road trips at home, to spending time together with our family & friends, and always making sure we are having fun and enjoying all of the time we spend together.
Tell us about the proposal!
After three years together, we got engaged just before Christmas in December 2021 on a beach in County Kerry, which we had visited a few years before so it was a really special place to both of us. Lewis’ proposal was perfect as it was so special and thoughtful. He had me completely surprised as he told me we were going somewhere completely different so I didn’t guess that it would happen then. It felt so incredible to be engaged, and to have shared such a special and surreal moment together. We loved telling all of our family and friends, and celebrating together.
When did you start planning your wedding?
We began our wedding planning in January 2022, and really enjoyed the process. The first thing we decided on was our date and venue (Slieve Donard Hotel), and from there everything fell into place. We had amazing vendors who were so great to work with and were very attentive to detail, and this made the process really stress free and enjoyable.
I loved getting to work on the details with them, and my mum and dad were such a great support for helping me and for making sure everything came together. In the planning process, it’s so important to take your time making decisions and to ask for advice or help if needed. I recommend getting a wedding planner, and ticking things off your list as you get them done – it really helps you to feel organised and to stay on top of the wedding planning.
Tell us about your wedding suppliers?
We loved our wedding vendors! We chose them based on knowing them personally and from recommendations from family and friends. They were all absolutely incredible to work with, and made the whole planning process so enjoyable.
It is so important to work with vendors who you trust and whose work you absolutely love as this will make things more fun and easier for you, especially once it gets closer to your wedding date. I really recommend all of the amazing vendors who we worked with.
Who captured your day?
Sasha Treanor Photography was our wedding photographer, and she was incredible. I have known Sasha for a long time. I always wanted her to photograph our wedding so I booked Sasha as soon as we had our wedding date booked. For our videography, Barry Porter Videography took our videos and he was brilliant in capturing such special memories of our wedding day. Sasha and Barry really were the dream team as they captured every single detail, and it was amazing to have them both with us on the day.
What did you and the bridal party wear?
I bought my wedding dress from Petticoat Lane Bridal, Hillsborough and the designer was Badgely Mischka. I absolutely loved the experience of wedding dress shopping at Petticoat Lane, as the team were so friendly, helpful and professional and made it so much fun. As soon as I tried my dress on, I knew it was for me. I absolutely love the dress and the style of dress including the sleeves, full skirt and long train – I would love to wear it again! I wore a veil which was as long as the train, and altogether it created my dream bridal look.
Lewis’ wedding suit was a black tux was from Bogart Menswear, Belfast. It was so classic for our wedding, and Bogart’s were excellent in providing expert advise and help in ensuring the fit was perfect.
Our bridal party looked fantastic together. My bridesmaid dresses were also from Petticoat Lane Bridal, Hillsborough and the dresses were designed by Dresscode in the colour Shell Pink, and the girls looked beautiful.
The mother of the bride and mother of the groom dresses were from Gasp, Armagh and the styles were gorgeous. The groomsmen suits and suits for the father of the bride and father of the groom were from Freddie Hatchet, Belfast and they also wore a black tux. We loved the full bridal party look – everything looked perfect.
What was your favourite part of the day?
Holly: I have so many favourite moments from our wedding day; from getting ready in the morning with my family and bridesmaids, to our wedding ceremony, to the speeches at our reception, and to spending the evening dancing away. I loved every moment.
Lewis: It was the best day ever. I loved getting to have so much fun together and to share this special day with our family and friends. A funny memory has to be the speeches at the Slieve Donard Hotel as they were great and gave everyone a really good laugh.
Any advice you can give?
The biggest piece of advice I would give to any brides or grooms-to-be planning their wedding day is to enjoy every second. The preparations and planning really do go by so fast! Your wedding day will go past even faster so don’t worry about the small details.
It is such a special time, full of so many surreal and incredible moments. Take it all in and remember that at the end of the day your wedding day is about getting married to one another, and celebrating your love with your family and friends. Enjoy it all!
The Dream Team
Ceremony Venue: Knock Presbyterian Church, Belfast
Reception Venue: Slieve Donard Hotel, Newcastle.
Photography: @sashatreanorphotography
Videography: @barryportervideography
Dress (Bride & Bridesmaids): @petticoatlanebridal
Make Up: @carolinejaynemua
Hair: Gemma Managh and @hairbyruthmc
Tan: @bebronze_
Nails: Amber Rose Foster
Suits: @bogartmenswear (Groom) and @freddiehatchet (Groomsmen)
Flowers: @vintagevioletflorist
Wedding Cars: Bentley Wedding Cars NI
Music: The Late Shift and @realdjlewis
Cake: @bakedbycorri
Ice Cream Vendor: @heavenlytemptationsni
