There aren’t many venues in Northern Ireland that can compete with Old Court in Strangford. It’s full of charm, character, and stunning views over the lough - but when the weather shows up like it did for Natalie and Connor, the place is genuinely unbeatable.
The ceremony was something special: an outdoor humanist service under the shade of trees, with the water sparkling just beyond. And midway, a heron casually flew in and a tiny dog turned up out of nowhere to take it all in. There must be an old Irish saying about dogs and herons at your wedding meaning good luck. If not, we’re starting one.
Natalie and Connor chose to skip the usual morning prep coverage and have us start at the ceremony instead. More and more couples are opting for this, especially when the priority is candids of the party unfolding. It also gave us time later to explore the grounds properly and make the most of that golden hour light. We ducked out just before dinner for portraits in the warm evening sun, and it was absolutely worth it.
The vibe all day was exactly what you'd hope for; laid-back and never too serious. Natalie and Connor don’t do stiff or formal - they're there for the craic, plain and simple. One of our favourite memories is Natalie on the swing, laughing her head off as her dress trailed back and forth along the ground gathering muck. Somewhere, a dressmaker is crying but Natalie couldn’t have cared less.
And then there was the dancing. A lot of dancing. And glowstick thingys. Very few DJs can start a party like Mark from Bespoke Music Solutions. This was one of those weddings where you know the buffet was going to be ignored as an unnecessary distraction to the dancing.
If you’re planning a wedding at Old Court, or anywhere with a bit of space, scenery, and flexibility, take a leaf out of Natalie and Connor’s book: keep it simple, surround yourself with your favourite people, and never worry too much about the dress.
