Inspiration

Get ready to feel the love at this Northern Ireland wedding as we enjoy Sophia & Shane's beautifully regal day. Sophia will wow you in her homemade wedding dress, the lush green and crisp white flowers will floor you with their beauty and the historic Georgian Mansion will transport you into a fairytale. A far cry from the bright lights of Las Vegas where they currently reside.

Homemade Wedding Dress

My wedding dress was homemade by my mother Michelle. I searched and searched for something I liked in my budget but I couldn't. So when my mom offered to make it I jumped for joy. She is a beautiful seamstress and should have been a designer. It was completely custom made because I couldn't even find a pattern that I liked so we took several different elements that I loved and I became a human mannequin! My grandmother helped with some of the stitching also... so now it is a priceless heirloom I can pass down to my girls one day.

Sophia & Shane

Northern Ireland Wedding

Currently living in Las Vegas, where you can have drive-through weddings, Sophia and Shane decided they wanted a Northern Ireland wedding where they grew up steeped in history and authenticity. The beautiful Drenagh Gregorian mansion rests on acres and acres of lush greenery and couldn't be further from the desert. I love the secluded moon garden where they choose to say I do. Not to mention their adorable 'first look' where they exchanged letters and calmed each other before the ceremony.

Uniting Families

Half of us (my family) came from the US and the rest (Shanes family) came from different parts of Ireland and it was the first time that a lot of us were able to meet. Shane and I both had been married before and had gone through so many obstacles to get to this point..... now becoming a blended family with my daughter Amelie (then 7) and Shane's daughters, Addison (then 5) & Esme (then 3). It wasn't only about US, we wanted it to be everyone's special day. A new beginning. We wanted to set the bar high for our girls making it about quality and not quantity... Not about money and gifts but about LOVE and making memories as a new family.

Sophia & Shane
Isn't Sophia's homemade wedding dress absolutely stunning? Totally unique to her and her Northern Ireland wedding, and even more special it was made by her mum and grandmother. We're seeing more and more brides getting their dream gowns sewn by their loved ones, including bride Chelsey who opted for a fitted gown with keyhole back.
Lorna Shaw

Written by Lorna Shaw

Venue: Drenagh Estate, Limavady | Wedding Dress: Homemade | Bridesmaid Dresses : H&M | Grooms Suit: Zara | Grooms Shoes: Ted Baker | Cake: Angel Cake Bakery | Florist: The Stables Flower Company

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