‘Regardless of restrictions, we had the best day ever’: Grainne & Keith wedding in Inch, Donegal & the Beech-hill, Derry

Drive in style on the big day. (Photo by James Aiken Photography)

When Diery wife Grainne Keogh met Inishowen husband Keith Hardy at a birthday party in Leeds a decade ago, she knew “from the moment I met him that he was the one”.

Fast forward seven and a half years and the couple got engaged in a very romantic way.

“We hiked to the summit of Inch Island on a Sunday morning. Taking in the prospect of Donegal, I turned to find Keith on one knee with a ring box begging me to marry him. I couldn’t believe it – he played a prank on me a few times before pretending to ask me, but in reality he was tying his shoelaces. “

THE BIG DAY: Bride Grainne Keogh from Derry. (Photo by James Aiken Photography)

But as with many newlyweds lately, their plans had to be changed. “In January 2019 we booked our wedding for October 3, 2020. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, we were unable to keep our original wedding date or the other three dates that we had provisionally booked afterwards. For the fifth time we are lucky that we got our time slot on June 16, 2021.

“Fortunately for us, the restrictions were starting to lift in both the north and the south.

“We had a small family ceremony at Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel on Inch Island, followed by our reception at the Beech Hill Country House where we could have close friends and family. Despite all the restrictions, we had the best day ever and everything went according to plan. ”

Grainne is the daughter of Kevin and Christine Keogh, Derry, and the groom is the son of Stephen and Anne Hardy, Inch Island. The wedding party included maid of honor Rachael Power, bridesmaids Alanna Hardy and Eve Keogh, best man John Toner, and best man Dwayne Hardy and Kevin Keogh.

Groom: Keith Hardy of Inch Island. (Photo by James Aiken Photography)

Wedding Cars: Classy Wedding Cars; Photographer: James Aiken Photography; Hair: Colleen Doherty @ Salvage Hair; Make-up: Orla Kelly; Dress & Suits: Bridal Show, Black Tie Showroom; Flowers from Pamela; Cake: Nuala Doherty Ah Crumbs; Jewelry: D Cooleys Jewelers; Dress changes: Cora Simms; Wedding Music: Laura Keogh, Lailah Keogh, Paul Cutliffe and Lawrence Quigg; Reception entertainment: Gerard Dillon Entertainments; Caricature: Mick @ Ink good cartoon & caricature; Decorations: Ultimate Accents.

Grainne is shown down the aisle during the wedding ceremony in the Chapel of Our Lady of Lourdes on Inch Island. (Photo by James Aiken Photography)Grainne & Keith’s wedding at the Beech-hill Country House Hotel in Derry. (Photo by James Aiken Photography)Grainne and Keith held their wedding at Our Lady of Lourdes, Inch and the reception at the Beech-hill Country House Hotel in Derry. (Photos by James Aiken Photography www.jamesaikenphotography.com)Grainne with her bridesmaids. (Photo by James Aiken Photography)Grainne & Keith’s wedding at the Beech-hill Country House Hotel in Derry. (Photo by James Aiken Photography)Grainne Keogh on her wedding day at Beech-Hill. (Photo by James Aiken Photography)Family and friends pose with the bride during their wedding at the Beech-hill Country House Hotel in Derry. (Photos by James Aiken Photography)FIRST DANCE …. Grainne and Keith enter the Beech-hill Country House Hotel in Derry. (Photos by James Aiken Photography www.jamesaikenphotography.com)