There's something extra special about a bride and groom who have been together for a long time, 12 years in the case of today's real wedding couple, Anna and Kevin! These childhood sweethearts (just wait until you see their Debs photo, it is jaw-droppingly adorable!) tied the knot with a sweet celebration at Ballybeg House. Their rustic and romantic wedding day, with its pretty wildflower theme and countless DIY contributions from friends on family, is full of stylish nuggets of inspiration, all captured by EF Creative Wedding Photography.

This gorgeous pair have been friends since they were in school, even going to the Debs together (or prom to our international readers!) before eventually kickstarting a teen romance. 12 years later, they're still going strong! "We're living in Waterford with our little dog Luna, travelling and living life to the fullest!" Anna tells us.

Kevin picked an exceedingly romantic place to pop the question - on a Ferris Wheel in Budapest! The pair were on a minibreak to the Hungarian capital when Kevin suggested they give it a go. "As soon as we took off, Kevin proposed," Anna remembers. "We spent the whole weekend celebrating before returning home to a surprise get-together with our friends and family."

A sneaky beer will help settle those nerves! Anna and Kevin took their love of craft beer to the next level by asking their local microbrewery, Metalman, to create some personalised cans for their wedding day. "It was a big hit with our guests!" Anna says.

Braids and flowers are always a dynamite combination! These gorgeous floral hairpieces by Pairs and Peaches are equal parts cool and feminine.

It didn't take the couple long to decide on their priorities for the big day. "We wanted to involve as many of our friends an family as possible, and for the day and venue to represent us as a couple. We wanted everyone to feel at ease while enjoying something a bit different in a beautiful, authentic country setting."

What a stylish bridal party! We are loving the classic glamour of Anna's 1930s-style, bias-cut, beaded gown by Eliza Jane Howell, and the retro feel of these '50s-style bridesmaids dresses by Folkster.

Anna and Kevin's first stop was finding a venue, and once they clapped eyes on Ballybeg House, they were hooked! "The moment we drove up the driveway we knew this venue was going to be something special," Anna says. "The smell of the peat fires burning in the traditional country house and the luscious gardens and cow-filled fields added to the overall rustic and relaxed vibe of the venue."

But their very favourite part of the venue was the candlelit Ayers Ceremony Room. "That's what sold it to us," Anna says. "With the open fire and stained glass windows, it was like nothing we had seen before!"

The all-important Debs photo! Anyone else getting a flashback to 2005?

Now that's a cake table we'd all like a shot at!

Luckily for Anna and Kevin, they have lots of talented friends and family members to call on for help. "Having them play major roles in the day made everything so personal and relaxed," Anna says. "My sister Mary, who is a graphic designer, created personalised waterbottles and sparklers to complement our beautiful wedding stationery and wildflower theme created by Tee from Pairs and Peaches."

Impressed? Because that's loads more! "Our friends Fiona, a beauty therapist, and Nicki, a hairdresser, did my hair and makeup, which made the morning of the wedding so much fun and very relaxed. Our friends Shane and Paul, both talented musicians, played our ceremony music beautifully and Deirdre, a chef and cake decorator, created the most spectacular cake table while Neil Sheehan did our videography!"

Of course, Anna and Kevin got stuck in with all the details, too. "Little elements such as having photos from home, like one of our dog Luna, and parents wedding photos really make the venue feel like an extension of us. For the next-day BBQ, we had a gin table which Molly's Larder helped put together, along with a beautiful cheese, meat and cracker table for late-night nibbles... all bought in Aldi!"

Their advice for engaged couples is to find multiple ways to personalise the day. "Involve friends and family as much as possible. Don't get carried away or stressed about the little things (if that's even possible when planning a wedding!) because on the day they wont even matter - everyone is there to celebrate and have a good time with you both. Oh, and always expect rain!"

Aside from scattered showers, Anna and Kevin were absolutely thrilled with how their day went. "We would describe our wedding as 'some laugh,'" Anna says. "It was personal, laid back, rustic and a dream come true."

Three days after the wedding, Anna and Kevin jetted off to Singapore and Bali for what sounds like an incredible honeymoon. Anna tells us, "We liked the hustle and bustle of Singapore, and then relaxed in beautiful Bali!"

What a magical end to the day! Thanks so much to Anna and Kevin for telling us how they put their beautiful wedding together, and to EF Creative Wedding Photography for sharing the evidence!

The Wedding Details 

• • Wedding Dress: Eliza Jane Howell at Eden Manor Bridal
  • Bridesmaids dresses: Folkster
  • Shoes: Carvela at Harvey Nichols
  • Flowers: Pairs and Peaches
  • Groomsmen’s suits: ASOS
  • Cake: Dee Vinci Cakes
  • Stationery: Mary Sinnott
  • Make Up & Hair: Fiona Kavanagh & Nicki Meade
  • Wedding Bands: Button and Co
  • Ceremony/Reception Music: Shane O'Brien and Paul Haberlain
  • Personalised Beer Cans: Metalman Brewing Waterford
  • Personalised Water Bottles and Sparklers: Mary Sinnott 
  • Engagement ring: Doron Merav
  • Wedding Band & DJ: Beat Club
  • Videographer: Neil Sheehan
  • Wedding planner: Pairs and Peaches
  • Catering: Molly's Larder