Couple marry after hotel closure threatens big day

Couple marry after hotel closure threatens big day

28 October 2015

A PORTAFERRY couple who feared for their wedding plans following the sudden closure of the Portaferry Hotel have married.

Leonie Kelly and Neil McCluskey tied the knot on Friday despite concerns they would be left without a reception venue due to the hotel’s closure.

The wedding was made possible by management of the Stormont Hotel, who offered the couple an alternative venue with just 48 hours to spare.

Twenty seven year-old Leonie and 33 year-old Neill, who have two young sons, were delighted with how things worked out.

“I am delighted with everything and we’re both so happy about how it all worked out for us,” said Leonie.

“At the start of the week Neill and I were resigned to not having a reception at all so we really can’t thank the Stormont Hotel enough for what they have done for us.”

Jonathan Topping, general manager of the Stormont Hotel, said he was glad they were able to help the Portaferry newlyweds celebrate their big day in style.

“Organising a wedding can be stressful at the best of times, so I can only imagine how upsetting it was for Leonie and Neil to find out their venue had closed only days before their wedding was due to take place,” he said.

“We contacted Leonie to let her know that we would only be too happy to help her rearrange her wedding and I assured her that my team at the Stormont Hotel has years of experience organising weddings so we would be able to ensure her big day still went ahead as planned despite the challenge of an extremely short timeframe. 

“I am delighted that we were able to get everything arranged in 48-hours and gave Leonie and Neil a wedding they will remember forever.”