Uninvited guest Ophelia fails to spoil day for newlywed couples
A NEWLYWED couple had a cliffhanger of a wedding shoot during Storm Ophelia — at rocky Ramore Head on the north coast.
Amber and Thomas Hamilton, both 30, appeared windswept but happy as Ophelia raged around them and waves crashed at the foot of the Portrush cliffs.
After the ceremony at the local Town Hall, an adventurous photographer suggested going up to Ramore Head to take some dramatic shots for their wedding album.
Ali and Laura Photography, which took the photos, said: “It was windy but it added to the dramatic feel and made the best images.
“The couple were completely up for it and didn’t mind the windswept look. It was windy but once we were up there we made sure the bride and groom held on to each other tight.”
Their first dance was to Ophelia by The Lumineers, chosen from an album that the couple played as they travelled from New Orleans to Amber’s home of Wisconsin last year.
They met in April 2016 after some of their friends did a spot of matchmaking at a wedding. Amber had come to the UK to study in London and went to a friend’s wedding where Thomas was a member of the band.
Amber said: “He was seated at the top table with me, which was odd as he wasn’t a member of the wedding party. I think my friends had arranged it, but didn’t expect just how well we would get on.”
Amber, a paper restorer, added: “A hurricane was the last thing I was expecting on my wedding day.
“We had some friends come over from New Orleans who had experienced Hurricane Katrina and they couldn’t believe that they had come to Ireland and got caught in a hurricane.”
Thomas, a shop manager, said: “I think the hurricane happening was definitely a talking point. We both wanted to get closer to the cliff because we’re adventurous but we had to stay safe.”
Meanwhile, Bangor couple Nadeen (29) and David McInteggart (32) also tied the knot on Monday, exactly 11 years after they first set eyes on each other.
Unfortunately, the weather meant some of their guests were not able to attend the wedding, held at the picturesque Orange Tree House in Greyabbey, as Northern Ireland was battered.
Nadeen said: “We had been aware there might be rough weather a couple of days before but because we booked an October wedding we kind of knew that we might not get the best day. It was so typical of us to get married in the middle of a hurricane.”
David added: “Everyone pulled together to make it work and the live band made a huge effort in coming down. The hurricane made our day a wee bit more memorable and I don’t think it will be forgotten. All in all, it was a belter of a day.”