Time and time again, couples ask us One Fab Day girls how to add a touch of warmth and style to a winter wedding. Here in Ireland, adding a bit of winter luxe to a wedding is important, and today's real wedding couple Polly and Daniel did it with an abundance of style at Larchfield Estate. From Polly's chic bridal cape to her bridesmaid's effortless tulle and cashmere looks (not to mention the romantic candle lit ceremony and reception) this dark and dreamy winter wedding, captured by Paper Window, is ideal inspiration for any of you winter wedding brides and grooms.
Polly and Daniel grew up in the same church, and although Polly was pals with Daniel's sisters she only got to know Daniel as a teenager. Once they'd noticed each other, they quickly became the best of friends. Polly explains how they eventually became an official item: "We would spend hours playing tennis together, going for walks, and even playing Playstation (he definitely brought out the tomboy in me)! There was always something about Daniel’s friendship that was extra special, he opened himself up completely to me, he remembered every single detail of my life that I would share with him, and most importantly, he told me to wise up when nobody else had the nerve! Although there was always something special between us, it wasn’t until January 2013, when we finally started dating, and on our first date we decided that we weren't going to mess around anymore: we were going to get married."
Now although committing to marriage on a first date might seem quite quick, all of Polly and Daniel's friends and family agreed that it was a long time coming - they were just surprised an engagement hadn't happened sooner. For the official proposal Daniel picked up a dreamy 1940's Russian, rose gold solitaire, which he proposed with on a weekend away. Polly sets the scene:"We had just arrived in our hotel room, and whilst unpacking my toiletries which had exploded all over my bag (and perhaps mouthing off) Daniel had got down on one knee behind me. We celebrated into the early hours of the morning drinking champagne and eating Chinese food in China Town. Proposals are so personal, and whilst most girls may dream of the most romantic proposal in the world, I can assure you, when your husband-to-be is kneeling in front of you asking you to share the rest of your lives together, what is happening in the periphery of your vision has very little impact on that special moment."
Polly and Daniel's serene wedding ceremony was held in the epic "The Middle Church" which hadn't hosted another wedding in 190 years, and which they decorated beautifully with dramatic florals. Polly tells us: "Flowers were always going to be an important element of the wedding, and working with Tim from Floral Earth was an absolute dream. From his gorgeous bouquets and garlands, to his light installation above the top table, Tim’s addition to the wedding was so special."
She continues: "Having the opportunity to get married in The Middle Church was perhaps one of the most special moments of the day. There was an atmosphere in the church that morning that is indescribable: it wasn’t about what myself or the bridesmaids were wearing, or how plush the floral arrangements were, instead, there was an overwhelming sense of family and friends coming together to support two people making a commitment to each other, and thanking God for the many blessings in our lives. Daniel’s best man Kenny is hugely talented in working with wood, and he crafted beautiful window boxes for the church, which my mum and dad painted grey and trimmed with rose gold. It was lovely to have his handiwork play such a visual role in the day."
After the romantic winter wedding ceremony Polly and Daniel joined their wedding party for some light filled portraits with photographers Paper Window.
To keep her girls stylish (and warm) on the day Polly chose some custom made bridesmaid tulle skirts and simple tops by Irish designer Alison Slaney Bridal. Polly explains: "When it came to the bridesmaids dresses, I couldn't find anything that I absolutely loved and once again I turned to Alison. I chose a gorgeous sea-foam, grey tulle for the skirt and ivory silk for the boat neck top, and finished off the look by picking out some ivory cashmere jumpers and grey fur collars to keep them cosy in the church."
Polly's own cape was also designed by Alison, after Polly found it difficult to find what she really wanted in traditional bridal boutiques, she says: "There is a severe lack of bridal cover-up options out there, and after several failed attempts to find anything that looked great with the dress, I decided to show some ideas I have seen on Pinterest to Alison. This was the best decision, as Alison was able to combine a range of different elements and create a bespoke piece that I truly loved. I would strongly advise brides to seek the help of local dressmakers and designers for those elements that they just can’t find in the shops."
The dress itself was kept more classic - a style that Polly realised suited her with a little help from her trusty mum and sister in law, she explains: " I brought my best critics with me when dress shopping, my mum and sister-in-law, Shannon, and they definitely helped me find the ‘one’! It’s very easy to fall in love with every dress you try on!"
A summer bride at heart, it took a while for Polly to come around to the idea of a winter wedding - but when she eventually did she adored the dreamy romantic vibe and the atmosphere at Larchfield Estate with flowers by Tim from Floral Earth.
Polly explains how she warmed to the idea of her fab winter wedding: "I never had envisioned myself having a winter wedding, and it definitely took some time to get my head round not having a summer wedding. However, the wintery, cosy appeal of winter soon moulded our wedding. We wanted to steer clear of a ‘Christmas Wedding’, as it was three days before Christmas Day, and perhaps the only element of Christmas was the orange waiting for each guest at their setting: Daniel and I both received oranges in our stocking on Christmas morning. We wanted it to feel like an intimate family get-together, relaxed and informal, where the day was as much about our guests as it was, about us."
To really enhance the family wedding vibe Polly and Daniel chose long banquet style tables - to give a more party, rather than fancy banquet, vibe. Polly and Daniel also lined their table with candle sticks belonging to Polly's late grandmother, a detail they both really appreciated on the day. Polly told us: "Unfortunately, Daniel and I were both missing very special people in our lives on the wedding day, and it meant so much to have our top table lined with the candlesticks that belonged to my late Nana. Although nothing was formally mentioned about Daniel’s Papa, or my Nana, it was so special to be able to remember them in something so simple as those candlesticks."
For their winter honeymoon Polly and Daniel jetted off to Florida for some winter sun. Huge congrats guys, and thanks so much for sharing your day with us. A big thank you also goes to Paper Window for sharing their work with us. To see more from paper Window pop over to www.paperwindow.co.uk or check out their recent One Fab Day feature with the gorgeous Richard and Louise.
