Real Weddings: Rachel and David’s perfect Belfast day
Rachel and David’s Belfast wedding was a masterclass in modern elegance – stylish, relaxed and cool in every sense.
THE COUPLE
Rachel Kirk, owner of Brassy2sassyy hair parlour, and David Cantley, trade ops and logistics associate.
THEY LIVE
in Dromara, Co Down, Northern Ireland.
THE VENUE
Belfast City Hall for the ceremony, Chubby Cherub for the meal and drinks and Spa Golf Club for the evening party.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Photographer: Kate Donaldson Photography.
Content creator: @theweddingfairy.
THEY MET
We have known each other since the first year of secondary school, but didn’t get together until we were 21 after Rachel came back from travelling in Australia. Through mutual friends and a follow on social media, we started talking.
THE PROPOSAL
It was in the Algarve, Portugal, at a stunning beach late in the evening. We went for a little walk with our son, and then David asked to get a family picture beside the rocks and dropped to one knee, bonding our family.
THE WEDDING ATTIRE
What a story! So I got my dress two weeks before getting married at WED2B Belfast, and they only had one dress that would fit me. It had to do but I knew the exact vision I had for it. A week before the wedding, my good friend amended the front of it, and I ordered the sleeves and bow from Shein. Material cut from the front was then used to wrap around the sleeve to bring the look together.
David’s suit was an easier feat. It was from the House of Cavani outlet in Banbridge and took him only 20 minutes to pick out.
THE CEREMONY
The ceremony took place in Belfast City Hall, and it was absolutely beautiful. We wanted our wedding to be small, with close friends and family.
THE RECEPTION
The night before, we stayed in Room2 Belfast Hometel, and it was stunning – the rooms here are so cool and different, and it really added to our photos. After we got married, we headed to the Chubby Cherub, which is beautiful. We didn’t have to decorate. We had Italian food in the middle of winter; no turkey and ham here.
THE ENTERTAINMENT
My cousin created a cool vibey playlist to play before the DJ (@DJryanmillar) arrived at the Chubby Cherub for dinner and after at the golf club.
THE DECOR
Most of the venues didn’t need much decorating, but the golf club was a different story. My friends helped me transform it with a heart-shaped arch, loads of candles, disco balls and a selfie station/photo booth. By the end, you’d never have guessed it was just a little local golf club.
THEIR TOP TIPS
We planned the whole wedding in just nine weeks. Honestly, we didn’t have a clue what we were doing, but we knew we wanted the day to feel stress-free, relaxed and totally us. Our top tip? Chill out, enjoy every minute and do exactly what you want. It’s your big day, so don’t worry about pleasing anyone else. We have zero regrets because we stayed true to ourselves from start to finish.
THEY WISH THEY HAD
If we could change anything, maybe we’d have given ourselves a bit more time and invited more friends and family. But with it being so last-minute and so close to Christmas, our venue options were limited. That said, it all came together in the end, and it felt exactly right for us.
THEIR BEST MOMENTS
Walking through the Belfast Christmas markets, riding the carousel and getting some unbelievable photos around the city was pure magic. And later, we danced all night long. The dance floor was never empty, which we absolutely loved.
THE FIRST SONG
Pink Pony Club by Chappell Roan –we literally picked it the night before the wedding.
THE CREW
Cake: @colescakesni and @bekos bakes. Dress designer: @andrewsemms. Bridesmaids’ dresses: ASOS. Groom’s suit: House of Cavani outlet. Hair: Debbie from Sh hair (and bridesmaids – we all chipped in on the day). Make-up: My good friend Sam Heart. Content Creator: @theweddingfairy.
See more photographs from Rachel and David’s wedding in the gallery below.
Photography: Kate Donaldson Photography.
Want to see your Real Wedding on IMAGE.ie? Email shayna.healy@image.ie with the subject line ‘Real Wedding’.
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