This Valentine's Day wedding in Dublin's city centre is really stylish it's hard to think that our real groom and bride Olivia and Ryan only took four months to plan! So if you're using a short lead over time yourself, take notes. Inspired by the bright lights and glamour of old Hollywood, this city-chic big day is enough that you should go and change the wedding dress plans and consider an elopement - we did warn you. Adam and Grace Photography captured your day in both colour and monochrome shots to stunning effect, so go away! Lights, camera, action...
Olivia and Ryan first met on a night out in Dublin in 2023. Little did they already know night, they would be going back to the same venue eight years later, using their three beautiful children to celebrate becoming a couple. The proposal came 2 yrs after they first met, throughout a very sentimental time, after their first son Harley was created. Olivia informs us: "Harley had the ring wrapped up under his blanket having a note asking me to marry his daddy. It was a significant long engagement and we only chose to set a marriage date four months prior to your day, everything was planned extremely quickly ultimately!"
Whilst planning their intimate city big day, the most crucial element ended up being to officially unite their loved ones - Olivia, Ryan, Harley, India and Crue. "We had no bridesmaids or groomsmen once we wanted to keep your pressure off guests as well as for everybody to feel comfortable and enjoy your day," they are saying. Their big day consisted of 28 of the nearest and dearest. Check out the bride's ride towards the church - we mean, wow!
As a surprise for Olivia on your day of the marriage, Ryan was built with a special plan that took weeks to complete. Olivia explains: "Ryan is very large into bikes, hence naming our firstborn after one. He surprised me by building a custom Harley Davidson in my nana’s garage coupled with it parked up away from church whenever we were leaving. I were built with a few warning flags going up when he kept disappearing for very long bike rides having a friend every weekend leading up to your day, but everything ended up alright. The best wedding gift ever in my opinion!" Ryan also kept that old fuel tank from the original bike and sprayed it ivory for guests to sign rather than a guestbook - this type of lovely creative keepsake.
The couple recalls one of their favourite bits of music throughout their ceremony - an acoustic version of Lana Del Rey's Video Games played around the pipe organ while Olivia walked down the aisle to Ryan. Beautiful and fragrant bunches of eucalyptus hung from each pew covered with ivory ribbon, creating an earthy and simplistic type of ceremony decor.
Finally, towards the style! This dreamy idyllic city wedding demanded something and Olivia delivered in spades. The stylish bride chose old Hollywood glamour inside a white mini wedding gown from Kaviar Gauche, adorn with puffed sleeves, a chunky satin hairband and two white Gucci tights. Be still our beating hearts! To finish the best look, she decided on a less-is-more method for her bouquet having a fluffy couple of baby's breath and pearl accessories.
To sum up your day, newlyweds Olivia and Ryan decided on a classic and timeless theme having a bit of edge! "We desired to keep it understated and timeless. We were built with a very small number of guests in the ceremony and reception which kept it very intimate. We had an additional 30 join us in the afters and we wanted to concentrate on having an excellent time with the people I was most near to." Make sure you don't scroll too fast, you have to check out Olivia's engagement rings!
Choosing to keep your guest numbers small, means there have been a lot more venue selections for the couple. However, nothing would quite beat exactly the same place where they first met and fell in love, The Dean. Their wedding aesthetic was inspired by a music icon both of them adore - Elvis Presley and old-world Hollywood had become the main vibe for his or her city wedding of dreams!
Not only did Olivia plan the marriage herself, but she also did her very own makeup and hair, together with designing and creating their wedding stationery and personalised wedding favours! A DIY bride along with everything else. For the reception decor, eucalyptus lined the centre from the tables, and neon signage combined with romantic pink and red candlelight made a dreamy, moody vibe - it had been Valentine's Day in the end!
For those who work in the midst of a wedding ceremony planning an intimate city wedding, the pair's advice is: "I suppose not to take things too seriously, stay true to your gut and never let others influence your decisions when they don’t feel best for you both. Have fun and relish the process!" For their honeymoon, they first jetted to Paris for a romantic city break after the marriage. They have planned a bigger motorbike visit to Palm Springs in California!
The couple as well as their guests danced the nighttime away to Off The Wall, Ireland's ultimate five-piece wedding ring! A very special thanks to Olivia, Ryan and Adam and Grace black wedding dresses Photographers for sharing this type of Pinterest-worthy wedding around!
