The story of Sinead and Joe’s ‘meet-cute’
A story of childhood sweethearts. Sinead met Joe, all the way back in secondary school. “on a school trip to Bude… on the last evening at Bude we all got to dress up, I went as a St Trinian girl and he went as a “wanna be” gangster! For some reason it caught my eye and we seized our opportunity and kissed at the top of the stairs In front of a teacher before we were told to go our separate ways to our dorms. And that’s where it all began 14 years ago!”
What was your proposal like?
Sinead and Joe’s story takes them all around the world, to where they shared their magical engagement. “Our proposal was breathtaking… we had planned to go to Australia for Christmas back in 2018 to visit my sister who was travelling! Whilst we were there Joe and my mum had planned for us all to walk Busstleton Jetty and eat at the beautiful restaurant. We walked the full 1 mile out into sea on the Jetty and right at the end we were all taking pictures as the sun was setting and Joe took to one knee and asked me to be his wife!! It was like something from a movie! We celebrated the rest of the trip!!”
Did you have an inspiration for the theme of your wedding?
“I had always wanted modern rustic, romantic and bohemian theme. So we went for roses and pampas and wooden signage with clear plinths down the aisle it was the most beautiful style!”
Was the style of gown that you chose, what you always imagined or did it surprise you?
“I had done ALOT of research on dresses and found that all my favourite designers were there in Minster bridal so I knew that was the place I wanted to go to find my dress! I knew I loved lace and romance with a bit of sexy appeal and I had thought I wanted fitted and a huge train! I ended up being torn between the dress I had planned to love and one that was a bit of a wild card both were Martina Liana dresses! I ended up going with the wild card! It was different, I had never really seen a halter neck and there was everything there I had wanted! It had lace was fitted had the most beautiful train! And even some sparkle to it! It was and still is my dream dress!!”
What was the hair and makeup look you wanted to achieve with your artist(s)?
“I wanted classic romance with both hair and makeup! I do wear a lot of make up day to day so I wasn’t worried about being slightly more creative with colour on my makeup! I ended up with a beautiful gold shimmer and a classic pillow talk lip! It was perfect! I went with a classic low bun for my hair it was slick and showed off my hair accessories perfectly! It always meant I could wear my veil exactly where I wanted!”
What was it about your venue that drew you in?
Just like her partner, Sinead knew the venue was for her at first glance! “I had fallen in love with the Larmer tree after seeing some photos of an old friends wedding.. I remember seeing the Roman temple as their backdrop to their ceremony and having all the guests outside under the trees and beautiful gardens! I just couldn’t resist going to view it! As soon as we arrived we drove up the Larmer Tree gravelled long driveway with trees either side lining the way! And I felt perfect!! We knew straight away it was our venue!”
What advice would you give future brides when looking for their dress?
“Be open minded! Get your Research in! And don’t over shop!! I tried on 7 dresses and my dress was the 3rd one I tried on! It would have been easy as it was my first dress shopping trip to say no.. but I knew it was the one.. I had to listen to that! Because if you play that feeling down and continue shopping you may get lost.. face it all wedding dresses are beautiful but it’s about the one you put on and feel your absolute best in! And listen to that feeling!!”
What was your favourite element of the dress?
My train! Was a showstopper!! And was my absolute favourite part of my entire dress! It sparkles it was lace it was breathtaking
Did you have anything planed the night before?
“I stayed at my mums beautiful house with my bridesmaids and we had a pamper evening. We all chilled out talked about the day and our plan for the morning! It was nice to relax and just catch up with my nearest and dearest the day before I was married!”
Was there a moment in the day that stands out for you?
“Yes, it would have to be that feeling I had walking down the aisle! It was everything I had imagined! A feeling I don’t think I’ll ever experience again! Seeing your husband to be finally seeing you in the dress of your dreams! And finally getting married!! It was the best part of my day!”
How did it feel looking back at your wedding phots / videos?
“The day after the wedding we spent a couple of days in a cottage In Salisbury and we were living for the next photo our friends and family had taken! The day was over and all that remained was pictures! So they were so important!! When we did get our professional pictures back we spent hours crying and laughing over them all! It brought all those feeling back!! I still flick through them daily!! And our video was worth every penny!! If you’re thinking about a videographer! Go for it! It’s an emotional rollercoaster watching it back! But I wouldn’t have gone without it!!”
What was your first dance song?
Yellow – Coldplay