Take one bride and one groom with a passion for pavlova, add a high garden wall, and a team determined to make wedding dreams come true. That’s the story of Jane & the Giant Pavlova.

At Magheramorne Estate, food isn’t just part of the day – it is part of the memory. In partnership with our sister company Jane’s Kitchen, we craft dining experiences that feel as extraordinary as the setting itself. From elegant plated feasts to relaxed barbecues, grazing tables overflowing with local produce to tapas-style sharing menus, Jane’s Kitchen has spent over 37 years catering for Northern Ireland’s most discerning clients. No request is too ambitious, and no idea too unusual.

So, when Jane and Michael asked us to create an unforgettable centrepiece for their summer wedding in their garden, we were intrigued. Inspired by a traditional Italian wedding cake they had discovered on their travels, they dreamed of serving a show-stopping dessert — one giant pavlova big enough to feed all 150 of their guests. Never one to shy away from a challenge, the Allen family stepped up, agreeing to produce a summer berry pavlova of a scale never before attempted.

Building the Impossible

The challenge was taken on by Sara Allen, who set about turning the couple’s vision into reality. Armed with 110 egg whites, 18kg of berries, and 5 litres of fresh cream, she built the largest pavlova Magheramorne had ever seen.

From puzzling out how it would fit in the oven, to finding a big enough plate, to navigating the winding roads to the venue, the process was not without its dramas, however eventually it was ready to serve to the guests. There was just one further problem: the finished pavlova was too big to fit through the venue doors! For a moment, the dream dessert seemed doomed, but with teamwork, determination, baited breath, and a touch of theatre, the giant pavlova was carefully lifted over the garden wall to gasps and cheers from the wedding party.

The result? A moment of pure joy and surprise that became one of the most iconic memories of the day. Guests gathered around to marvel, laugh, and of course, indulge.

Food that tells a story

The giant pavlova is just one example of how we bring personality and a sense of fun to weddings at Magheramorne. We believe food should tell your story, whether that means:

• A Mediterranean-inspired sharing feast under the summer sun

• A cheese wedding cake or artisan cheese planks paired with fruit, homemade chutneys, and warm breads

• An indulgent dessert bar where guests can pick their favourites

• S’mores by the fire, or a decadent hot chocolate station for cosy winter weddings

• Or how about a giant dessert like Jane and Michael’s pavlova or Lara and Angus’ enormous tiramisu?

At Magheramorne, the only limit is your imagination.

Let’s make magic

If you’re planning a wedding or event and want to “wow” your guests with something unforgettable, we would love to help. Whether intimate or grand, relaxed or refined, our team will work with you to create food experiences that feel personal, joyful, and utterly unique. Whatever your taste, we can bring it to the table.

Get in touch today and let’s dream up the feast that tells your story.

Photos by Danny Morton Photography