Effortless style, a minimalistic aesthetic and delightfully delicate hues, today’s real wedding was absolutely magic. Holly and Peter tied the knot in an intimate, family-focused celebration at The Merrion Hotel in Dublin that was full of heart. Their day of love unfolded on a beautiful May day and their aesthetic was inspired by the ornate beauty of their ceremony space. This is one small celebration that was huge on style! If you love documentary-style wedding photos that are full of authentic moments of joy, you’re in for such a treat with the gorgeous images from Folklore Photography below too.
First things first, we want to tell you a little bit about our wonderful real wedding couple. Peter is from Bray and Holly is from Leeds in the UK and today they live in Wicklow. They met in Kairi, a small town in Queensland, Australia in February 2018. “We were both there to do our farm work, Peter was already there when I got arrived and was one of the first faces I saw when getting dropped at the hostel (sat in the tin shed we called a kitchen getting his hair cut). We spent the next few months getting to know each other and by April we were official (life moves fast when you’re borderline together 24/7). Peter then left for a trip back to Ireland for his niece’s christening and we met back up in the June I think it was (in Bali) and I guess we knew then we were both in it for the long haul.”
Peter popped the question in a dazzling location in May 2023 – in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Holly reflects, “I thought he was messing around but turns out he had borrowed his granny’s ring from his mum and he was serious. He thought I had spied the ring in his bag so was extremely nervous and brought the proposal forward a few days but I hadn’t seen it all so it was a complete shock.”
For the couple their celebration was all about their loved ones. “Our main priority was to get married and to have our closest family and friends present, especially our grandparents so we wanted to keep it somewhat low-key and be all about celebrating with our loved ones. We wanted to keep it small so we could be truly present with each other.”
We’re swooning over the bride’s first look. So precious! “My nana being there is up there at the top as one of the highlights and I’m so grateful she was able to (not that I’m sure she remembers any of it), her face when she walked in and saw me in my dress is truly a memory I will hold onto forever.”
Simply stunning! Holly opted for a minimalistic magical bridal look comprising of an off-the-shoulder Jenny Yoo gown which she paired with a dreamlike cathedral veil by Rebecca Anne Designs, which had the sweetest surprise stitched in (more on that later), Mango heels, and delicate jewellery.
The couple exchanged vows in front of 26 of their nearest and dearest in the sumptuous surrounds of the Wellington Room which boasts views of the 18th-century gardens behind the hotel, elegant duck-egg blue walls, gilded mirrors, a sparkling chandelier, and original ceiling plasterwork.
“The second we walked into the Wellington room at The Merrion I just knew that’s where we would be getting married,” the bride reveals. “The rooms are all stunning but the Wellington especially with the pastel blue walls, big windows and the light was gorgeous regardless if it was a sunny or gloomy day which really sold it for me too as you never know with Irish weather. Not to mention the staff too, from the second you walk in to the hotel you feel looked after and nothing is too much of an ask (that’s even before we’d booked the wedding).”
The bride chose the heartstring-pulling ballad The Vow by Ruth Anne for her processional. “It was also dreamy, Carly sings the song so beautifully,” she shares.
Holly and Peter opted for a handfasting ceremony which is a symbolic unity ritual which is a firm favourite with One Fab Day couples!
They decided to keep their ceremony readings short and sweet and it was so special to have Peter’s sisters do one each. “For the both of us, saying our vows to each other and saying ‘I do’ was the true highlight as corny as that sounds,” she adds.
As for the aesthetic of their celebration, Holly found a lot of inspiration on Pinterest. “I won’t lie the Wellington Room inspired a lot, plus I’m very minimal anyways so lots of pastel colours.”
Their stunning and sleek signage was created by Deirdre Fitzpatrick of Last Colour Down.
Holly’s bridesmaid Maisie looked sensational in a something blue suit which was from Whistles.
Holly and Peter shower their wedding photographer Folklore Photography with praise, “Honestly we couldn’t be happier with our experience with Dzifa, so a huuuuuge thank you from us!! From the get go she was so easy to chat with and we both knew she’d be a great fit for our day. She put us both at ease especially and didn’t make us feel like we were in a photoshoot, it all felt so natural and our photos are stunning so we are delighted. 10/10 all round, THANK YOU!”
How gorgeous was the bride’s text embroidered veil? It was embroidered with their initials and the date of their special day that they will forever cherish.
The refined yet romantic tablescape styling saw blooms in delicate hues of cream and peach line the table with the centrepiece bursting with pastel shades.
After seeing their dream day we asked Holly for her top piece of wedding advice and it is, “Enjoy every minute and always remember it’s about you two so make sure all the decisions you make are for you, and what you want your day to be. Also make sure you have a good team around you on the day!”
Peter embraced colour with his elegant green suit which he styled with a ditsy floral print. His whole ensemble tied into the pastel-driven theme so exquisitely.
As for their honeymoon plans, the couple enjoyed a mini moon in Palma in Mallorca straight after the wedding and they have their sights set on Mexico for the main event. “This has taken a bit of a back burner now we have a pending arrival.”
Holly and Peter, congratulations on your happiest day! A very special thank you to Folklore Photography for sharing all these breathtaking images with One Fab Day.
Dreaming of a city celebration? Get inspired with more City Weddings here!
