The date was Saturday 10th November 2018, the venue, Corick House Hotel and spa, Clogher and the event was the 2017/2018 Getting Married In Northern Ireland Reader Awards.

My fiancé Robert and myself arrived at Corick house and were greeted by a celeb worthy red carpet as we entered through the doors of the exquisite 4 star country house. The reception area displayed an essence of old world grandeur, with ornate wall decor and a stunning fire place. Such a perfect setting on a cold but crisp autumnal November evening.

We were led into the garden suite for a sparkling drinks reception. As the room began to fill the atmosphere was exhilarating and the guests were glamorously dressed to impress. Local Soloist Clara Wilson entertained the masses who sipped champagne and mingled with fellow wedding industry professionals.

Everyone had the opportunity at this stage to get a professional photo taken by Bradley Henderson Photography who complimented Robert on being approximately 80% smile…he is known for his beaming grin…I like to think it’s because of me!

The doors to the orchid suite were drawn back and we got a glimpse of the opulently decorated dining room styled by Swift wedding & event hire of Magherafelt.

We checked the table plan (fit for any wedding) to locate our seats. We quickly looked at the menu to see what culinary delights awaited us and we were not disappointed. To start we were given butternut squash soup served with a selection of yummy breads. For our main course we were treated to supreme of chicken with Parma ham, sage & cepe sauce. This dish was served with a selection of winter vegetables with toasted pinenuts, layonnaise & colcannon potatoes…divine!

Dessert, although quite full by this stage was a refreshing lemon and lime surprise, served with white chocolate ice cream adorned with blackberries and blackberry powder. and what a nice surprise it was.

I have to say the food was superb and perfect for the occasion! We were entertained by the sounds of T3Q (the three quarters) a chilled out trio who played past and present melodies. Post dinner entertainment on the night was provided by top NI magician Rodd Hogg who wowed the crowd with his illusion & trickery performances. I’m still trying to work out how he did it!

And then onto the awards ceremony which we had all been waiting for. By this point the atmosphere was electric and excitement was rife.

The getting married in Northern Ireland reader awards gala is now in its 13th year! The evening like all the others which preceded it was sure to be yet another roaring success. The reader awards are designed to acknowledge and celebrate those businesses in Northern Ireland who work tirelessly all year to ensure our wedding days are the best days of our lives.

The reader awards are a highlight in many NI wedding suppliers calendars each year! To be nominated or a finalist not to mention a winner is a fantastic achievement and really goes to show the work and effort that the businesses have put in as the votes are cast by those utilising the businesses, us the brides and grooms! This year alone over 48,000 votes were cast for all 17 categories ranging from the best photographer to the best dressmaker with the best of everything in between!

If you are getting married in Northern Ireland and are currently planning your wedding (like us) then please see below the list of finalists and winners from each category to help you in your search for the best wedding business or service for you!

Best Wedding Transport

C4 Wedding Car Hire – Cookstown

David Andrews Wedding Cars – Belfast *2nd Runner up

Glendale Limosines – Omagh *Runner up

I Do Wedding Cars NI – Portadown *Winner

Mid Ulster Limosines – Cookstown

Best Wedding Cake

Baker Blessings – Lurgan

Gemma’s Cakes – Castledawson *Runner up

Lough Erne Cakes – Enniskillen *Winner

Sparkles Cakes of Art – Coleraine *2nd Runner up

The Cakery NI – Dromore

Best Bridal Makeup Artist

By Kerri – Lisburn *Winner

Catherine Flemming MUA – Moira

Louise Gardiner MUA – Markethill *Runner up

Rosemary Wright MUA – Eglinton

S.A.K Designs – Markethill *2nd Runner up

Best Bridal Hair Stylist

Chocolate Blonde – Markethill *Runner up

Couture Hair – Omagh

Dani Belle Design – Belfast *Winner

Olivia Muldoon Hair & MUA – Dungannon *2nd Runner up

Pro Hair by Catherine – Ballynahinch

Best Wedding Videographer

Barry Porter Videographer – Portadown *Winner

Coolisk Digital Video – Irvinestown *2nd Runner up

PG Videos – Omagh *Runner up

Timeless Productions – Coleraine

Wheatfield Video Production – Magherafelt

Best Stationer

Darling Stationary – Ballymena *2nd Runner up

I Do Invitations – Limivady

Kita Kards – Irvinestown *Winner

Perfect Day Print – Ballymena *Runner up

The Wedding Room at CR Print – Dungannon

Best Handmade Jewellery

Ali Faye – Comber

Deborah K Designs – Lisburn *Runner up

Milk & Honey Boutique – Fivemiletown

Parchment & Pearls – Omagh *2nd Runner up

SD Creations – Enniskillen *Winner

Best Wedding Florist

Clare Flower – Irvinestown *Winner

Fleuriste – Belfast

Flowers by Ruth Hood – Lisbellaw *Runner up

The Posy Barn – Waringstown *2nd Runner up

Wedding Designs by David McConkey – Ballynahinch Flowers

Best Dress Maker

Alterations by LK – Glenanne

Emma Murnion – Hilltown *2nd Runner up

Kelly Black – Newtownabbey *Runner up

Wedding Dress Alterations

Sew Handy – Banbridge *Winner

Best Wedding Gift List

CFC Interiors – Cookstown & Campsie *Winner

Home Field and Stream – Enniskillen *2nd Runner up

Menarys – Provincewide *Runner up

Noones of Maghera – Maghera

Smyth Patterson – Lisburn

Best Wedding Entertainer

Atmosphere Wedding Band -Dungannon *Runner up

CT Entertainment – Newtownards *2nd Runner up

GH Entertainments – Ballymena *Winner

Juice – Cookstown

Starling Entertainments – Ballymena

Best Finishing Touches

Elite Events NI – Lurgan

Leaf Designs NI – Galgorm *Runner up

McGarry Flower & Venue Stylists – Maguiresbridge *2nd Runner up

Swift Wedding & Event Hire Services – Magherafelt *Winner

Ultimate Touches – Killaloo

Best Grooms Wear Retailer

Debonair Groomswear – Provincewide *2nd Runner up

Red Groomswear – Cookstown & Belfast *Winner

SD Kells – Provincewide

The Black Tie Showroom -L’Derry

Tux & Tails – Dungannon *Runner up

Best Bridal Retailer

Divinity Bridal – Lisburn *2nd Runner up

Perfect Day Bridal – Lurgan *Winner

Petticoat Lane Bridal – Hillsborough

Romantique Bridal Boutique – Magherafelt *Runner up

Serendipity Bridal Boutique – Fivemiletown

Best Wedding Jeweller

Bogues Jewellers – Omagh & Enniskillen

D&K The Jewellers – Cookstown *2nd Runner up

Lunn’s Jewellers – Belfast *Runner up

Mercer’s Jewellery – Enniskillen

Murray & Co – Belfast *Winner

Best Photographer

Ciaran O’Neill Photography – Lurgan *Winner

Erica Irvine Photography – Fintona *2nd Runner up

Gemma G Photography – Omagh

Jude Brown Photography – Omagh

Roman McGrade Photography – Enniskillen *Runner up

Best Wedding Venue

Corick Country House Hotel & Spa – Clogher *Winner

Killyhevlin Lakeside Hotel & Lodges – Enniskillen *2nd Runner up

Leighinmohr House Hotel – Ballymena

Lough Erne Resort – Enniskillen

Manor House Country Hotel – Killadeas *Runner up

And there you have it, all finalists, runners up and winners from this year’s getting married in Northern Ireland reader awards ceremony. Congratulations to all those involved as well as a special thank you to Dawn from getting married in Northern Ireland for letting Robert and myself gatecrash your fantastic event, sponsored by He-Shi exceptional tan. On that note I was wearing the He-Shi dark mousse on the night and I swear by it. If you have followed me for a while then you will know I am a massive fan of this local brand and it will without doubt be the tan of choice at our wedding! Check out https://he-shi.eu/stockist-locator/ for your local stockist!

Special shout out to Sonya Mac, previous host of cool goes quiet (Cool fm) for the after party tunes! I love a good boogie!

*Pick up your copy of Getting married in Northern Ireland now! It really is a great resource for local brides and grooms! Really great wedding inspiration with helpful hints and tips! Their website too is fab https://gettingmarried-ni.co.uk and now also on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/gettingmarriedni

Thanks for reading,

Emz xx