A Love Story Years in the Making at Galgorm Resort

Some weddings carry more than just excitement. They carry history.

From the moment I arrived at Galgorm Resort, you could feel that this was one of them.

This couple were the very definition of childhood sweethearts. They moved through the day with a natural ease, completely comfortable in one another. The way they looked at each other, the small smiles, the quiet moments in between everything else, it all spoke of years spent side by side.

There was a natural confidence in their love, wrapped up in laughter and ease.

And woven into that joy were their two children, sharing in the laughter, the love and the significance of it all.

Image by Kris Dickson Photography

A Moment Years in the Making

When a couple who have known each other for most of their lives stand together to say their vows, there’s a particular kind of joy, a warmth and a happiness that fills the room like a hug.

A room filled with shared memories, with people who have watched their story grow, with the sense that this day is a celebration of something deeply rooted.

With Pastor JT Clarke leading the ceremony, everything felt beautifully held. He has a way of guiding a wedding that allows the moment to breathe and the joy in the room to truly be felt.

Later, reflecting on the day, he described it in a way that captures the heart of it perfectly:

“You can always tell when two people really love each other, you see it overflow through their friends and family. Amanda and Neil met me two years beforehand at a friend’s wedding, which later led to Amanda sending me a message asking me to officiate their own.

Getting to know them over that time, sharing in their excitement about holidays and plans for Disneyland Paris while helping them prepare for their big day, has been something I feel truly blessed to be part of. Standing at the front, watching Neil waiting for Amanda, the anticipation as the music began, the tears that followed (including my own), there was something in the air that crisp October day… it was 20 years of love.”

And that is exactly what it felt like, a celebration not just of a wedding day, but of a love that has grown up alongside them.

And that feeling carried straight through into the rest of the day.

Image by Kris Dickson Photography

Arriving Into the Celebration

By the time I arrived at Galgorm, the day already felt full of warmth.

It was lovely to see familiar faces again, and even lovelier when a little voice called my name. The bridesmaid’s little boy, who I had met at another wedding, spotted me straight away. That instant recognition, the smile, the confidence, the way he came straight over made my heart burst.

Moments like that mean the world to me. As The Wedding & Events Nanny, I walk into every wedding with open arms and a full heart, remembering each of my little VIPs long after the music has faded. So to have them remember me too is something truly special.

This time, I was also there as the wedding nanny for the bride’s little boy as well. With the two boys together, the afternoon unfolded in the most natural way, play, laughter and new memories forming while the celebration carried on around us.

Image by The Wedding & Events Nanny

A Little Mid-Wedding Adventure

Before speeches began, we headed outside for a little mid-wedding adventure.

Being out in the fresh air gave the boys space to run, be free and simply have fun. We explored the beautiful grounds at Galgorm, wandered through the chandelier garden and followed the woodland paths on a determined mission to find the elk.

There’s something so special about those moments in the middle of a big day, when little ones get to move, explore and just be themselves. The laughter felt easy, the excitement natural, and the whole afternoon seemed to breathe with them.

In between the celebration and the speeches, we carved out our own little pocket of joy.

Image by The Wedding & Events Nanny

When the Party Began

And then the atmosphere shifted.

DJ Magiggs took the mic, and within seconds the whole room lifted. He has a way of reading a crowd that feels instinctive, knowing exactly when to build the anticipation and when to let the moment explode. The music swelled, the energy rose, and suddenly you could feel it in your chest.

This was the moment the party truly began.

Guests were on their feet, laughter rising, and true to his signature style, napkins were soon in the air as the bride and groom made their entrance. The joy was contagious, the kind that moves through a room in waves and pulls everyone with it.

The boys stood beside me, wide-eyed, taking it all in. The lights, the cheering, the music, the pure celebration of it all. They loved watching from our little spot, close enough to feel the magic, with the freedom to decide when they were ready to edge closer.

There’s something really special about giving children that space. To observe. To absorb. To step into the fun when it feels right for them.

And when they did move forward, joining in just a little, it felt completely natural, part of the celebration, wrapped up in the energy of the room.

Image by Kris Dickson Photography

As the Evening Softened

As the music carried on and the dance floor filled, the energy in the room began to soften in the most natural way.

The boys drifted back towards quieter play, little bursts of dancing followed by cosy pauses. The excitement of the entrance and the lights slowly gave way to calmer moments, small chats and the kind of tired giggles that only come after a full day of joy.

By the end of the night, their little boy was curled up peacefully, completely content after such a big adventure. His sister still soaking in the atmosphere around her, part of the celebration in her own way.

And inside the room, the bride and groom were exactly where they were meant to be, fully present, surrounded by their people, completely immersed in their own party.

There’s something incredibly special about watching that unfold. Seeing parents able to relax into their wedding day, knowing their children are happy, settled and part of it all.

It was a day filled with life, love and laughter from beginning to end.

As a wedding nanny, being trusted to hold space for their little ones within that, to protect their joy while the celebration unfolded, is something I feel so grateful for.

Image by Kris Dickson Photography