Inspiration

Join us on board the SS Nomadic for a multi-venue nautical wedding that takes us on a wonderful tour of Belfast, before transporting us to sea aboard the boat that tendered the Titanic. Ruth & Alan's day starts with an intimate church wedding, followed by lunch in the trendy back streets of the city before a big party on the last remaining White Star Line vessel. A vintage Routemaster bus, black tie dress code and retro close harmony trio add to the glamour of this gorgeous day, which includes a bride in pretty Jesus Peiro and bridesmaids in mint green Maids to Measure.

What Made Our Day Unique

We had an intimate ceremony at Gilnahirk Presbyterian Church with our immediate families and the bridal party. After the ceremony we all hopped on a vintage Routemaster bus and headed for lunch at the Muddlers Club in the Cathedral Quarter, Belfast. We asked the chef to serve a tasting menu and it totally blew us away. After lunch, we jumped back on the bus and headed to the SS Nomadic – the tender that took passengers to the Titanic – where 160 of our friends and family were onboard waiting to help celebrate with us.

Ruth & Alan

Nautical Wedding

Sea legs at the ready: it's time to board the wedding boat! Ruth & Alan's reception on the SS Nomadic in Hamilton Dock, Belfast, was never in danger of sinking (other than from full stomachs following lunch in the Cathedral Quarter!). Guests were requested to don black tie in order to walk the decks in the same style as the first class passengers on the Titanic. How chic. With four decks, stunning views and a glamorous past - former passengers included Elizabeth Taylor and Charlie Chaplin - our couple score full marks for a venue that is perfect for modern-day matrimony, but retains a unique sense of historical splendour.

How We Chose Our Suppliers

One of the reasons we planned our wedding the way that we did was because of photos we’d seen by Sarah Gray. We fell in love with a wedding she had shot around the time we got engaged, where the couple had hosted a small ceremony followed by a big party. It inspired the structure of our day – and of course meant our choice of photographer was a no brainer! I found Luke, our videographer from One Noise Media, through Instagram and loved the style of his fly on the wall shooting. A girl I went to school with has a company called Foxtrail Flowers, so I knew as soon as we got engaged that I wanted her to do the flowers, whilst my cousin Sara is an amazing amateur baker and did such a wonderful job with our cake – you’d never know it wasn’t made by a pro!

Ruth & Alan
As a tenacious timekeeper, I love Ruth's wedding morning peg board sign - a great way of ensuring your girls all get ready to schedule. Peg boards are becoming an increasingly popular piece of décor on the big day, not only because they look super stylish (obviously), but also because they allow ultimate flexibility for last-minute cancellations (tsssk). See how one of our most popular real couples styled their peg board sign on their wedding day, and take a look at all the table plan ideas we are loving this wedding season.
Victoria Honan

Written by Victoria Honan

Ceremony Venue: Gilnahirk Presbyterian Church | Lunch Venue: The Muddlers Club | Reception Venue: SS Nomadic | Dress Designer: Jesus Peiro | Bridal Boutique: Forever Bridal | Jewellery: Deborah K Design | Bridesmaids: Maids to Measure | Groom/Groomsmen: Moss Bros. | Hair: Kelly White Hair Artist | Make Up: Nicole McNaughten | Florist: Foxtrail Flowers | Cake: Bride’s Cousin, Sara | Entertainment: The Swingtime Starlets | Entertainment: Drum & Bates | Entertainment: Bespoke Music Solution | Transport: Vintage Routemaster from Allens Bus Tours | Videographer: One Noise Media

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