If you love cars, you might recognize Richard, a Northern Ireland Motor Racing driver who has spent much of his career in Japan, where incidentally he met US born Gina….
The proposal
“The proposal took some time to organize as we both lived in Tokyo,” recalls Richard. I have a good friend in Tokyo that specializes in diamonds who I got together with to design the ring. Once I had that, I just had to think of the when and the where. I decided on Ireland and planned a weekend away to Galway while we were visiting my family. When I found the perfect spot to propose at the Spanish Arch I got down on one knee and basically couldn’t speak. I had spent all this time planning the moment that I hadn’t really thought what exactly I was going to say! I mumbled some words along the lines “Will you marry me…?” I think Gina guessed what I was getting at and said “YES”! It was an amazing feeling!”
Wedding planning
As both Richard and Gina live in Tokyo and came from different countries, planning the wedding was never going to be simple and so they hired the expertise of wedding planner Angela Hunter.
“We set about booking a trip to Ireland in October 2011 and asked Angela to pull together an itinerary incorporating as much as we could as we wouldn’t be back until May 2012,” Gina reveals. “During that week, we fitted everything in from venue choice, to dress selection, band viewing and cake tasting! We got so much done and had so much fun at the same time.”
Reception venue
“During our October trip we visited Castle Leslie and fell in love with it instantly,” beams Gina. “The grounds are breath-taking and the castle is so charming, it even has a small beautiful church on the site named St. Salvador’s. It was the perfect spot for our wedding.”
Wedding dress
Gina’s dress was from The Bridal Lounge on the Lisburn Road. “I fell in love with a lace and tulle gown with contrasting mocha sash called ‘Orion’ by Atelier Diagonal from the Pronovias range. The veil was satin ribbon and Swarovski trimmed by Richard Designs and the jacket was custom-made by The Bridal Lounge. My shoes were Badgley Mischka. I loved them!!
Bridesmaids
The two bridesmaids wore dresses by Dessy from The Bridal Lounge in shades of topaz and cameo. The three gorgeous flower girls wore pretty tulle dresses handmade by the in-house dress maker at The Bridal Lounge.
Groom and groomsmen
Richard wore a Hugo Boss tailored suit in charcoal grey, with black satin trim from Cruise, Victoria Square. The best man and groomsman wore grey Italian tailored suits hired from Balmoral Dress Hire, Belfast. The two Page Boys wore mini tuxedos from Marks and Spencer.
Wedding flowers
Florist Lorna Brownlee used a mixture of dusky pink and cream antique roses and peonies to create a romantic vintage setting. Flower filled vintage cups on the tables (hired from The Mews, Holywood) added to the mood.
Wedding cake
A four-tiered delight from Crumbs Cakes on the Lisburn Road featuring red velvet, white chocolate and raspberry, fruit and madeira, decorated with ‘lace’ effect icing and adorned with fresh flowers.
Entertainment
Liddell String Quartet played throughout the service and reception. Simply Swing by Martin John really got the party started and Bespoke Music Solutions provided the perfect end to the perfect day by setting up a real Ibizian lounge feel in the Gallery in Castle Leslie.
Favourite moment
Gina: My best memory of the whole day was saying my vows to Richard. I got emotional saying them because I felt like my heart and soul were speaking them.
Richard: There were so many memories that will stay with me forever, however the moment that Gina sang a solo to me in front of everyone was breath taking, she blew me away!
Photography by Nigel Williamson Wedding Photography
More real life weddings