Nestled within 1,000 acres of rolling Monaghan countryside, Castle Leslie Estate provided the perfect setting for the wedding of Lynsey Jamieson, Cybersecurity Consultant, and Jonathan Jamieson, Project Manager, on 24th August 2025.
Having first met in Belfast's Rita's bar, the couple celebrated their day surrounded by family, timeless details and one unforgettable party, captured beautifully by Forever Social.
"We were spending a few days up along the North Coast, a place that’s always felt so familiar thanks to the many visits to Jonny’s parents’ holiday home. One morning we headed out for a walk along our favourite beach, White Rocks, Portrush. Halfway along our walk, on a sunny July 13th, Jonny got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. As if the day wasn’t perfect enough, he’d secretly planned a surprise trip to the Galgorm Spa and Hotel afterwards. It was the most thoughtful, magical day, one we’ll never forget."
Lynsey kept her pre-wedding beauty routine simple, booking makeup artist Ellen Lunney early after years of admiring her work. Alongside regular Dermalogica facials, she also had microblading done and made sun protection a priority. "I’d known for ages who I wanted to do my makeup, and it was one of the very first things I booked. I’d had my makeup done by Ellen Lunney several times for friends’ weddings, and I always loved it, so choosing her for my own day was an easy decision."
Scent carried a particularly sentimental meaning on the wedding day, with Lynsey choosing a fragrance gifted to her by her mum."My signature scent was a gift from my mum, Armani Sí. It’s my favourite perfume, and for years my mum and I would always pick up a bottle on holidays. Wearing it on the morning of the wedding felt like carrying a little piece of her with me as I walked down the aisle with my dad."
Although she expected the dress search to take much longer, Lynsey found her gown after visiting just four bridal boutiques. While she initially visited Forever Bridal to try on a designer she'd admired online, she ended up falling in love with a Trish Peng gown instead. "For being so indecisive, I was surprised at how quickly I chose my dress... I actually ended up falling in love with a dress from a different designer, Trish Peng."
"Jonny and his dad were given full responsibility for choosing the suits... They did have one non-negotiable to stick to, though: tuxes only. And to their credit, they delivered perfectly."
Lynsey's bridal party consisted of her best friend, Rebecca, and Jonny's sister, Leah. After months of searching, she eventually found the perfect dresses from Pretty Lavish just two months before the wedding. "It wasn’t until about two months before the wedding that I came across the Pretty Lavish dresses. I ordered one to check the colour and quality and instantly fell in love. They were perfect and exactly what I’d been searching for."
Although the couple were nervous before the ceremony, those feelings quickly disappeared once they were together. Seeing the beautifully styled ceremony room and celebrating alongside their loved ones became one of their favourite memories. "What made it even more meaningful was having all our loved ones gathered in one room. It’s such a rare thing, and feeling that wave of love and happiness around us is something we’ll never forget."
After viewing only a handful of venues, Lynsey and Jonny knew Castle Leslie Estate was the one. The beautiful setting, exceptional reputation and a wedding date that coincided with Lynsey's parents' 40th wedding anniversary made the decision even more meaningful. "Amazingly, the only date left in August was the 24th, which is my parents’ wedding anniversary, and their 40th at that. It felt like such a special sign that it was meant to be."
Music played a huge role in creating the atmosphere throughout the celebrations, with Kieran McKillop performing during the drinks reception before Sugar Town Road kept the dance floor full all evening."For our evening band, we chose Sugar Town Road... They were absolutely fantastic, full of energy, so engaging, and they had the dance floor packed from start to finish."
"Our drinks-reception singer, Kieran McKillop, was an easy choice too. We’d heard him at a friend’s wedding the year before and thought he was amazing. When we later discovered he also plays at the Harp Bar in Belfast, where the music is always brilliant, we were completely sold. He set the perfect tone for the day."
Looking back on their wedding, Lynsey and Jonny wouldn't change a thing, believing every moment was worth it for the chance to celebrate with everyone they love. "It’s the only occasion where all of your loved ones are in one room together… have the big wedding. We’re so glad we did. Having everyone we love in the same place, celebrating with us, was worth absolutely everything."
- Gráinne