I went to a wedding in Northern Ireland a few weeks ago...
It was near the little town of Downpatrick, which is where St. Patrick is buried!
in this freaking gorgeous old flour mill called The Mill at Ballydugan.
This wedding was extra special for so many reasons:
#1 Tammy & Pete are one of those couples that so obviously belong together...they make you believe in real, wonderful, happy love.
#2 It was the first time all of our college friends had gotten together in 6 years!
#3 I got to leave my surgery rotation for a few days and be reminded of how many wonderful people and places there are in the world.
#1 Tammy & Pete are one of those couples that so obviously belong together...they make you believe in real, wonderful, happy love.
#2 It was the first time all of our college friends had gotten together in 6 years!
#3 I got to leave my surgery rotation for a few days and be reminded of how many wonderful people and places there are in the world.
The day before the wedding we spent some quality time getting nails done, picking up the marriage license, putting together favors, and setting up the tables.
Don't worry, my next post will be entitled "Why Tammy should be a wedding planner" with all the wonderful little details of the wedding.
In Britain, they don't do formal rehearsal dinners, so after the rehearsal, we had a ladies dinner, which was pretty rocking since not all of us make it to the hen do (aka bachelorette party).
Some more friends arrived...more reunions...and possibly some tears. :)
Morning of the wedding we were up early to get all prettified.
They were geniuses, taking us from this:
and this...
to this!
(the girl on the left was like our personal beauty manager...spray tans: check!, nails: check!, makeup: check!)
We went back to the Mill, shimmied ourselves into dresses, sipped champagne, laced, clipped, zipped, and buttoned the beautiful bride into her dress, and took photos with the photographer (which I can't wait to see!).
We also got to watch everyone arrive, including the groom to which Tammy remarked:
"Ooo, he looks fit!" (aka attractive)
I hope I say that on my wedding day.
The ceremony was beautiful and perfectly them:
*Pete was crying as soon as the music started.
*Pete was so worried about not saying "with God's help, I will" instead of just "I will" that he said it at the wrong time.
*Pete and the preacher made jokes during the ceremony.
*In Britain, they sign the marriage certificate during the ceremony, and Tammy surprised Pete by having one of his good friends play and sing "You are the Best Thing" by Ray LaMontagne while they were signing. Pete cried again.
* I loved that at the end of homily the preacher said that he hoped their love would continue to be an inspiration to people. Because that's exactly what it is.
Oh, I also backed into the standing candelabra during the ceremony, which dumped hot wax all over my back! Luckily none got on the dress, but it took all my self control not to yell in the middle of the ceremony and Sarah had to scrape the wax off my back before we recessed back down the aisle. Ha. So graceful, this one.
*Pete was crying as soon as the music started.
*Pete was so worried about not saying "with God's help, I will" instead of just "I will" that he said it at the wrong time.
*Pete and the preacher made jokes during the ceremony.
*In Britain, they sign the marriage certificate during the ceremony, and Tammy surprised Pete by having one of his good friends play and sing "You are the Best Thing" by Ray LaMontagne while they were signing. Pete cried again.
* I loved that at the end of homily the preacher said that he hoped their love would continue to be an inspiration to people. Because that's exactly what it is.
Oh, I also backed into the standing candelabra during the ceremony, which dumped hot wax all over my back! Luckily none got on the dress, but it took all my self control not to yell in the middle of the ceremony and Sarah had to scrape the wax off my back before we recessed back down the aisle. Ha. So graceful, this one.
After the ceremony, more professional photos.
So can't wait to see them!
If you ever get married in Northern Ireland, check out Sarah Fyffe Photography.
She was great, even if she did just refer to me as "the tall one".
She was great, even if she did just refer to me as "the tall one".
This is just a photo of Meeshpups getting the party started,
because that's what happened next.
Mr. & Mrs. Gilpin!
The lovely bride at the best meal I have ever eaten in Britain. For serious.
I would also like to give the shout out that Pete gave one of the best speeches I have ever heard during dinner.
As darkness fell after dinner, we ventured outside to set off sky lanterns.
So pretty!
This one really looks like a fire bird, doesn't it??
Then the party really started.
Sophie and Meesh demonstrating how the photographer kept wanting us to stand.
Hip out!
Nailed it!
First dance!
True love!
Impromptu wedding party circle around the bride and groom. Why not?!
This little guy was the ringbearer and allstar dancer of the night.
I'm pretty sure he made his rounds with all the ladies.
Stud.
This is the first time Neil has gotten Steph to dance in 4 years of dating.
I told you it was a special day.
Also, can you guys get married next? Kthanks.
Crazy dancing!
4th year flatmate love.
Cutting the cake, which the mother of the bride made and the bride iced! For realz.
They also had jars of candy.
(Marissa and Jenna, take note.)
A damn fine lookin' bunch of rugby girls if I do say so myself.
Impromptu scrum for old times sake.
Line out too. No big deal.
This couple knows how to get down.
Exhibit A: the bride
Exhibit B: the groom
The ladies at the end of the night.
Sadly I had to leave at 8am the next morning.
But it was all so worth it.
I couldn't be happier for the Gilpin's!
And it was amazing to see everyone.
Sounds so lovely! I too can't wait to see the photos -- all the ones on facebook are awesome. I love Tammy's napkin tucked into her dress :)
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