Helena & Franko Hurson

Ceremony Location: Venetian Suite
Reception Suite: Clocktower

How did you meet? 
 We met at a family baby shower and did not see each other again until that very date one year later by complete chance and have been inseparable ever since.

When did you know they were ‘the one’/how did they pop the question?
Franko says he knew the day we met and had thought about me during the course of that year. For me I knew when I was on a trip to Donegal and I called Franko to say I missed him and he took the 90-minute drive at night to be with me.

Franko proposed on top of the Sperrin Mountains, he had decorated the boot of the jeep with fairy lights, blankets and pillows and made a picnic. It was absolutely perfect.

How did you begin planning your wedding?
We began planning our wedding by first imagining the season we wanted to get married in. For us it was either Autumn or Winter. Then we wrote a list of venues we wanted to see.

Why did you choose Tullyglass House Hotel as your Wedding Venue? 
We had seen a few venues and with my background being in Events Management I had actually worked behind the scenes in a lot of venues. Nothing was stealing our hearts and we had gotten to the point where we were just going to book anywhere. Tullyglass was our last viewing and neither of us had been there before. When we pulled up outside we both looked at each other and said “we are getting married here”. The grounds are beautiful and the treatment we got from Gus and Majella was next level. We booked our wedding right there that very day and we are so glad we did.

What gives Tullyglass House Hotel the WOW factor?
We feel we could write a book about our experience at the Tullyglass, the atmosphere, the decor, the food everything is 5 star but honestly what made it for us was the staff. Our whole planning journey and on our special day the staff were incredible. We really credit them for the fact that we weren’t stressed at all.

What was the biggest MUST HAVE for your wedding?
 Our biggest must have was that our venue was child friendly, with so many young children in our family including our three girls we wanted to make sure that they enjoyed the day as much as we did. All of the children had an incredible day and we could have them run around playing and with the venue being so spacious we were always able to see them.

What was the best part in the build up to your Wedding Day?
We actually have two, we went to the Tullyglass Wedding Fair and being able to see the venue set up and meet the suppliers it really helped us to visualise the day. The other is that Majella welcomed me and my grandparents as they really wanted to see the venue we had chosen, Majella treated my Grandparents with such care. Her knowledge and treatment is something that they still speak about today.

Other than saying ‘I do’, what is the most unforgettable moment from the day?
Franko says that his most unforgettable moment from the day was me coming in with the pipe band playing the drums (he had never seen me play before). Mine would have to be our final song when our loved ones put myself and Franko in a circle and danced around us, I will never forget that moment.

What was your reception entrance song?
Speechless by Dan & Shay.

What was your first dance song?
Heaven by Calvin Scott.

Where was your Honeymoon location?
Bray, Wicklow with our children.

What’s the best advice you could give to future couples getting married at Tullyglass House Hotel? 
Our best advice that we could give is to trust in the professionals, the staff truly have everything at hand. The team at Tullyglass really get to know you, they will ensure you have the best day. After dinner we went up to our room and took a moment together as the day is such a magical whirlwind and we would really recommend you do the same.

If we could go back there isn’t a single thing about our day that we would change.

HIGHLY COMMENDED SUPPLIERS (please include their Instagram handle and website) 

Photographer: Steven Neeson   Wedding Photographer Northern Ireland | Steven Neeson

Hair: Amys Hair Studio – @amyshairstudio2020

Bridal Attire: Maggie Sottero – @maggiesotterodesigns   Wedding Dress Designers | Maggie Sottero

Groom Attire: Nineteen 83 Nineteen83 – Gentlemens Fashion    @nineteen83_gentlemans_fashion

Bridesmaid Attire: Wed2b WED2B | Designer Outlet Premium Wedding Dresses

Accessories:  Verona Bridal   Award Winning Bridal Shop | Belfast | Verona Bridal |     @veronabridalni

Flower girl dresses: Verona Bridal

Wedding Rings/Jewellery: Goldsmiths Belfast  Goldsmiths | Goldsmiths Jewellers | Watches, Diamonds & Jewellery Shop Near Me

Room Décor: Look Events  Look Events NI | Wedding And Event Styling    @lookeventsni

Celebrant: Steve Ames    Northern Ireland Wedding Celebrant    @ni_wedding_celebrant

Seamstress: Alterations by Lorraine – @alterationsbylorraine

Florist: Yanas Flowers Cookstown  Florist Cookstown – Yana Flowers – Flower Delivery Cookstown Florists

Wedding Cake: Sweet Fix (Fiona Mallon) @sweetfix_chocolatetreats

Wedding Transport: Mid Ulster Limos   Mid Ulsters Limousines – Limo Hire Northern Ireland   @midulsterlimos

Ceremony/Arrival Musician: Connor Josef – @connorjosef_

Entertainment: Brantry Pipes and Drums   Brantry Pipe Band | Facebook

DJ: DJ Skip Alexander Wedding Entertainment Northern Ireland – DJ Skip Alexander   @djskipalexander