In memory of Thelma BairdÂ
Okay, strap yourself in for a very special wedding day. Justine and Stuart were due to get married in 2021, but instead, their wedding day took place in October 2019. Stuart’s mummy became very unwell, very quickly, and so they decided to move their wedding forward so that she could be there to see them get married.
Justine and Stuart had their wedding in the little chapel at the Causeway Hospital in Coleraine, and I can tell you right now it was was one of the best days I’ve ever had the privilege of photographing. It was special for the obvious reason, but also because I’ve known Justine for most of my life, and her family might as well be my family too. Here’s the story of our their wedding day came to be.
We managed, between a group of us, to pull this wedding together in about five days. That’s right. FIVE days. So many people pulled together to make their day as beautiful as possible. Alyson Wilkinson Makeup and Beauty did Justine’s hair and makeup, Wedded Bliss Bridal House managed to rush the dress she’d chosen and have it delivered in less than a week, North Coast Cake Design and Simply Scrumptious in Ballymoney made them wedding cakes, Origin Flowers and Petal Lane Floral Boutique donated flowers for the church, there were wedding cars with personalised number plates, and the staff at the Causeway decorated the church and made it absolutely beautiful. They brought Justine and her bridesmaids Prosecco, gave her a private room to get ready in, and generally just enabled her and Stuart to have, what we might call, a ‘real’ wedding. All this in FIVE days. And surrounded by their families, Justine and Stuart said their vows, cried and laughed, and were married.
Guys, if this tells you anything, let it be this; see all those wee teeny details you’re stressing about? They don’t matter. When you’ve been married for 50 years  and you’re thinking back on your day, you’re not going to remember the exact way the tables were set out, or whatever else it is. You’ll remember how you felt. How happy you were to marry the person you’re in love with. You’ll remember your mummy crying into her hankie, dancing with your best mates, your daddy or your Granda or whoever it is walking you down the aisle. You’ll remember happy, smiling faces and people crying with joy.
Never lose sight of why you’re having the ‘big day’. Always remember that at the heart of all the money and the details, you’re marrying your soulmate forever.
I hope you feel the sheer joy of this day as you look at the photos. This is what it’s all about; raw moments, real love.
You can get in touch to find out more from me.
Thanks for reading x
*out of respect for the Baird family, I haven’t included any photos of Stuart’s mummy, but please take my word for it that she was the happiest person there!*
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