Emma and Ben’s love story began in the most unexpected way and has since taken them all the way from a Christmas work night out to a rooftop proposal in Nashville. After winning our Win a Wedding competition, their dream celebration is officially underway and we couldn’t be more thrilled to be part of their journey. Read more as they share how they met, the proposal that nearly went wrong, and their plans for their big day at Roe Valley Resort.
1. Tell us a little about how you met & talk us through the proposal.
We met at a joint Christmas work do back in 2017. Our bosses were seeing each other at the time and decided to take all their staff out together — a bunch of steel yard workers mixed with a bunch of beauty therapists. Safe to say, the beauticians probably drew the short straw… except for Emma, of course. She met the love of her life that night, although she didn’t quite know it at the time!
For me, it was love at first sight, but Emma needed a little more persuading. Finally, in 2023, she gave in and we officially became a couple. Then came 2025. I had planned a holiday to Nashville and then on to Las Vegas — something we had always talked about doing together.
I organised a planner in Nashville to help set everything up for the big question. Emma believed we were attending a theatre show, so we got ready at the hotel, booked a taxi, and everything was perfectly set in place… or so I thought. Halfway to the venue, I realised I had left the ring behind!
I suggested we stop at a bar before going to the “theatre” and left Emma ordering drinks while I enlisted the help of Nashville PD to flag down a taxi. I rushed back to the hotel and back again — thankfully it wasn’t too far away.
Finally, with the ring safely in my pocket and Emma none the wiser, we headed to the “theatre,” which was accessed by a street-side elevator. When the doors opened, we stepped out onto a rooftop bar where Emma was greeted by huge marquee letters spelling out “MARRY ME”, with some of our favourite songs playing in the background. It was absolutely perfect.
2. What drew you to Roe Valley Resort as a potential wedding venue?
We looked at Roe Valley soon after we got engaged. Ben’s grandmother worked in the old house at the resort, and his mother’s family is from Ballykelly, so it felt really special to have that personal connection as part of our big day.
Roe Valley suits us perfectly — it can cater for all of our wedding guests staying in the hotel, which is ideal as we have family coming from far and wide. It’s also a real one-stop shop for us, as we’ll be getting married on site.
We love the future plans for Roe Valley, especially the new wedding pavilion and spa, and we truly feel it’s going to become Northern Ireland’s next wedding hotspot.
3. How did you feel when you found out you had won our Win a Wedding competition?
When Charlotte from Roe Valley Resort rang Emma to tell her the good news, Emma missed the call but received a very pleasant, non-concerning voicemail asking her to get back in touch.
Emma, being a worst-case-scenario thinker, immediately asked me to return the call, convinced it was either bad news about our date or a payment request. I rang back with my debit card in hand, only to be told we had won the wedding competition. It honestly felt like a prank — I couldn’t believe what Charlotte was telling me.
I immediately rang Emma (who never answers her phone!). After five attempts, she finally picked up, and all we could do was scream down the phone at each other. We are so incredibly grateful to everyone at Roe Valley Resort for granting us this amazing prize — it truly feels like it was meant to be.
4. Once you chose your wedding date, what were the next steps in your planning journey? Have you booked anything else yet?
Our humanist was the very first person we booked once we secured our date. From there, we went on to book our photographer and videographer, followed by our DJ, florist, and hair and makeup team. It’s been really exciting seeing everything slowly come together.
5. Are there any current wedding trends that you’re loving or planning to include in your day?
At the moment, there aren’t any specific trends we’re set on including, but that may change as we continue through the planning process. We’re keeping an open mind and enjoying gathering inspiration along the way.
6. How would you describe the overall vibe or theme you want for your wedding day?
Our overall theme is traditional with a contemporary sense of sophistication — simple, elegant, classy, and most importantly, meaningful.
7. Do you have a dream moment you’re most excited for, such as the first look, the walk down the aisle, or the first dance?
We’re genuinely excited for the entire day, and it’s hard to pinpoint just one moment. I’m especially looking forward to seeing Ben’s face when I walk down the aisle and, of course, marrying my best friend. Ben is most excited for the first look — it’s something we both know will be incredibly special.
8. Do you have any advice for other couples starting their planning journey?
Our biggest piece of advice would be to book your must-have vendors as soon as you have your date and venue secured. Also, prioritise the people you want there — at the end of the day, it’s all about celebrating with those who matter most.
Emma and Ben’s love story began in the most unexpected way and has since taken them all the way from a Christmas work night out to a rooftop proposal in Nashville. After winning our Win a Wedding competition, their dream celebration is officially underway and we couldn’t be more thrilled to be part of their journey. Read more as they share how they met, the proposal that nearly went wrong, and their plans for their big day at Roe Valley Resort.
1. Tell us a little about how you met & talk us through the proposal.
We met at a joint Christmas work do back in 2017. Our bosses were seeing each other at the time and decided to take all their staff out together — a bunch of steel yard workers mixed with a bunch of beauty therapists. Safe to say, the beauticians probably drew the short straw… except for Emma, of course. She met the love of her life that night, although she didn’t quite know it at the time!
For me, it was love at first sight, but Emma needed a little more persuading. Finally, in 2023, she gave in and we officially became a couple. Then came 2025. I had planned a holiday to Nashville and then on to Las Vegas — something we had always talked about doing together.
I organised a planner in Nashville to help set everything up for the big question. Emma believed we were attending a theatre show, so we got ready at the hotel, booked a taxi, and everything was perfectly set in place… or so I thought. Halfway to the venue, I realised I had left the ring behind!
I suggested we stop at a bar before going to the “theatre” and left Emma ordering drinks while I enlisted the help of Nashville PD to flag down a taxi. I rushed back to the hotel and back again — thankfully it wasn’t too far away.
Finally, with the ring safely in my pocket and Emma none the wiser, we headed to the “theatre,” which was accessed by a street-side elevator. When the doors opened, we stepped out onto a rooftop bar where Emma was greeted by huge marquee letters spelling out “MARRY ME”, with some of our favourite songs playing in the background. It was absolutely perfect.
2. What drew you to Roe Valley Resort as a potential wedding venue?
We looked at Roe Valley soon after we got engaged. Ben’s grandmother worked in the old house at the resort, and his mother’s family is from Ballykelly, so it felt really special to have that personal connection as part of our big day.
Roe Valley suits us perfectly — it can cater for all of our wedding guests staying in the hotel, which is ideal as we have family coming from far and wide. It’s also a real one-stop shop for us, as we’ll be getting married on site.
We love the future plans for Roe Valley, especially the new wedding pavilion and spa, and we truly feel it’s going to become Northern Ireland’s next wedding hotspot.
3. How did you feel when you found out you had won our Win a Wedding competition?
When Charlotte from Roe Valley Resort rang Emma to tell her the good news, Emma missed the call but received a very pleasant, non-concerning voicemail asking her to get back in touch.
Emma, being a worst-case-scenario thinker, immediately asked me to return the call, convinced it was either bad news about our date or a payment request. I rang back with my debit card in hand, only to be told we had won the wedding competition. It honestly felt like a prank — I couldn’t believe what Charlotte was telling me.
I immediately rang Emma (who never answers her phone!). After five attempts, she finally picked up, and all we could do was scream down the phone at each other. We are so incredibly grateful to everyone at Roe Valley Resort for granting us this amazing prize — it truly feels like it was meant to be.
4. Once you chose your wedding date, what were the next steps in your planning journey? Have you booked anything else yet?
Our humanist was the very first person we booked once we secured our date. From there, we went on to book our photographer and videographer, followed by our DJ, florist, and hair and makeup team. It’s been really exciting seeing everything slowly come together.
5. Are there any current wedding trends that you’re loving or planning to include in your day?
At the moment, there aren’t any specific trends we’re set on including, but that may change as we continue through the planning process. We’re keeping an open mind and enjoying gathering inspiration along the way.
6. How would you describe the overall vibe or theme you want for your wedding day?
Our overall theme is traditional with a contemporary sense of sophistication — simple, elegant, classy, and most importantly, meaningful.
7. Do you have a dream moment you’re most excited for, such as the first look, the walk down the aisle, or the first dance?
We’re genuinely excited for the entire day, and it’s hard to pinpoint just one moment. I’m especially looking forward to seeing Ben’s face when I walk down the aisle and, of course, marrying my best friend. Ben is most excited for the first look — it’s something we both know will be incredibly special.
8. Do you have any advice for other couples starting their planning journey?
Our biggest piece of advice would be to book your must-have vendors as soon as you have your date and venue secured. Also, prioritise the people you want there — at the end of the day, it’s all about celebrating with those who matter most.
