The Future of 'I do' by Lisburn's Rebecca McKnight

Meet the Lisburn Woman Transforming how Northern Ireland couples plan their big day.

Rebecca McKnight didn't set out to disrupt the wedding industry, but when planning her own big day in 2022 left her feeling underwhelmed by the options, she realised something was missing.

Now, two years on, the Lisburn businesswoman is at the helm of The NI Wedding Directory, a fast-growing platform that's making wedding planning more modern, more accessible, and a whole lot more joyful for couples across Northern Ireland.

"So many couples are feeling the pressure, the rising costs, the Pinterest-perfect expectations, the social media comparisons," says Rebecca."I wanted to bring the excitement back.

To make the planning process feel less like a stress spiral and more like the celebration it's meant to be."

What began as a personal Instagram page sharing her own planning journey quickly blossomed into a much-needed hub for modern couples.

In January 2023, she rebranded as The NI Wedding Directory, and just two months later hosted her first networking event, a relaxed, stylish event that brought together suppliers in a pressure-free setting.

Since then, the business has boomed.

The Directory now features over 115 trusted suppliers and exclusive venues, and Rebecca has turned her full-time attention to running events and building a growing online presence.

"It's all about making things easier," she says. "Our fairs offer couples the chance to explore stunning venues that aren't usually open to the public, meet suppliers in person, and get genuine advice without the pressure. We want to take the overwhelm out of it."

This summer marks a new chapter for The NI Wedding Directory as Rebecca's husband Sam officially joins the business full-time after supporting behind the scenes for two years.A former software engineer, Sam recently used his tech skills to design a sleek, user-friendly relaunch of the brand's online platform.

"It's honestly a dream come true to have Sam on board," Rebecca says.

"He's been cheering me on since the beginning, and now we get to build something meaningful together."

Sam adds: "We've always talked about working side by side one day, so to be in a position to do that now and know it's helping local couples plan their day with less stress, that's really special." With a new-look website, more events on the horizon, and the couple now working as full-time co-founders, The NI Wedding Directory is quickly becoming one of the most exciting names on the local wedding scene and proof that passion, teamwork, and a clear purpose can turn a personal idea into something that truly helps others say "I do" their own way.

This article is mentioned on the cover and can be found on page 19 of the July 2025 edition of Local Women Magazine. The article was not paid for.