A Beautiful Beachside Wedding at Harry's Shack, Portstewart
Some weddings just feel like they capture a couple's personality perfectly, and Jill and Gavin's wedding at Harry's Shack in Portstewart was definitely one of those days.
From the very first email they sent us, we knew they were going to be a joy to work with. They had a clear vision for their wedding - something relaxed, fun and completely personal to them, without any unnecessary fuss. Everything about the day reflected that laid-back atmosphere, and we were delighted to provide the soundtrack from the ceremony right through to the last dance.
If you're looking for inspiration for a Harry's Shack wedding, or you're searching for live wedding music in Northern Ireland, here's a little look behind the scenes at one of our favourite weddings of the year.
A Stunning Wedding Venue on the North Coast
Harry's Shack is becoming an increasingly popular venue for weddings and it's easy to see why.
With panoramic views over Portstewart Strand and the Atlantic Ocean, it offers something a little different from a traditional hotel wedding. The relaxed coastal setting creates such an easy-going atmosphere while still feeling incredibly special.
On Jill and Gavin's wedding day the beach provided the perfect backdrop for their photographs while guests enjoyed drinks, great food and, of course, plenty of live music.
Live Music Throughout the Whole Wedding Day
Jill and Gavin booked our Full Day Package, which meant we were lucky enough to be part of every stage of their celebration.
There's something really special about spending the whole day with a couple. We get to see everything unfold - from the excitement before the ceremony right through to a packed dancefloor in the evening.
Wedding Ceremony Music
For Jill's entrance, they chose a beautiful instrumental version of Hoppípolla by Sigur Rós.
It was such an emotional choice and suited the atmosphere in Harry's Shack perfectly, with the sound of the sea just outside.
One of our favourite moments of the ceremony came during the signing of the register. Rather than choosing another recorded track, Jill and Gavin asked one of their talented guests to perform a song that was especially meaningful to them. We loved working alongside them to help create such a personal moment.
To finish the ceremony, everyone left to Dreams by The Cranberries - a brilliant choice with a little nod to our local music scene and the perfect upbeat ending before the celebrations really got underway.
Drinks Reception by the Sea
After the ceremony, Jill and Gavin headed down onto the beach for some incredible photographs while we played a two-hour live acoustic set for their guests.
This is one of our favourite parts of any wedding day.
Guests have a chance to relax with a drink, chat, soak up the atmosphere and enjoy live music without it ever feeling intrusive. It creates such a lovely atmosphere while the newlyweds sneak away for those all-important portraits.
Harry's Shack really comes into its own during this part of the day, with the beach just a few steps away and those amazing coastal views making every direction look picture-perfect.
From Relaxed Acoustic to a Packed Dancefloor
While everyone enjoyed dinner, we switched gears and prepared for the evening reception.
Our drummer joined us for the night, bringing that extra energy which transforms our acoustic daytime sound into a full live wedding band ready to fill the dancefloor.
Jill and Gavin chose Simply The Best for their first dance - and we couldn't resist adding a live saxophone solo to make it even more memorable.
From that point on, the dancefloor barely emptied.
Although it was a chilly evening outside, nobody needed their coats for long because the room was absolutely bouncing. The guests brought incredible energy from the first song until the final encore, making it one of those nights we'll be talking about for a long time.
Thank You, Jill & Gavin
It was such a privilege to provide the music for Jill and Gavin's wedding from start to finish.
Days like this remind us why we love what we do. Every wedding is different, but when couples put so much thought into making the day feel personal, relaxed and full of fun, it's always something special to be part of.
Thank you both for trusting us with such an important part of your wedding day. We wish you both a lifetime of happiness together.
Kind Words from Jill & Gavin
““Wonder Days provided a full day of music for our wedding - ceremony, drinks reception and evening reception and dancing.
Start to finish, amazing. Beautifully chilled but fun during the day, and then in the evening with just one extra musician they blew up the dancefloor - incredible scenes! All of our guests just loved them and their fun. Naoise was so easy and kind to work with in planning process too - nothing was a big deal or in any way tricky. Calm and relaxed vendors make for a calm and relaxed day!
10/10, all day everyday. The best. Thank you!””
Planning Your Harry's Shack Wedding?
If you're planning your own wedding at Harry's Shack, Portstewart, and you're looking for live music that can take you from the ceremony right through to a packed dancefloor in the evening, we'd love to hear all about your plans. Click here to get in touch!
Whether you're looking for intimate ceremony music, relaxed acoustic entertainment during your drinks reception, or a live wedding band to get everyone dancing, we'd be delighted to help create a soundtrack that's completely personal to you.
