This real wedding is a modern winter woodland theme of dreams! Set in the exclusive and charming Rathsallagh House, the Wicklow countryside is captivated with ethereal beauty and infused with black-tie minimalism. Featuring fluffy white rose bouquets, a pearl crown fit for a celestial queen, a beautiful first look photo, and a champagne tower that was the star of the celebrations! Photographer Michelle Prunty was the creative eye behind the lens, and let's just say the results are magical. Take a closer look...

The story of how Abbey and Robbie came together is incredibly poignant. "It was Halloween night and Robbie’s best friend Philip came into the pubs and said 'I think you and Rob would get on well, you should meet him'. After that night we spent every single 'Thirsty Thursday' together during that summer," says Abbey. The couple split up after a year due to college and J1 trips to the US, and wistfully never seemed to cross paths until seven years later. "Sadly in 2016 Rob's best friend Philip, who first introduced us that night, passed away from cancer after a short battle with it. After the funeral, we got chatting and the following weekend we went for dinner. I strongly believe Philip brought us back together after all those years."

One summer the couple organised a weekend trip to the beautiful Mizen Head in West Cork. After a winding car journey, the couple finally arrived at the cliffs. While Abbey was feeling queasy from the trip, little did she know that Robert was feeling butterflies in his tummy for a whole other reason! She explains: "We walked every inch of the cliffs and before we were heading home, we walked out onto a small caged-in area where there is a telescope looking out at the sea. There was no room for him to get down on one knee, so he stood behind me and put the ring in front of my face and asked me would I marry him!"

At first glance, we are treated to some exquisite fine details. A pair of Loulerie gold pearl drop earrings, the vibrant Jo Malone Poppy & Barley fragrance, the most awe-inspiring pearl headpiece, and a very modern suite of wedding stationery. Her out-of-this-world bouquet speaks to modernity with a touch of other-worldly magic, bursting with crisp white roses, white ferns, and draping amaranthus.

Abbey's wedding dress is a structural delight. The satin sleek gown boasts dramatic shoulder detail and a classic fitted mermaid train. A simple, chic, and avant-garde gown designed by the one and only Pronovias. Stealing the show was her pearl crown which completed the look to perfection. A subtle sheer veil hung loosely over her delicate buttoned-back detail. Her bridesmaids were dressed in neutral floral printed dresses, mirroring the bride's V neckline, puffed sleeves, and sleek updos. Simple yet so effective. And of course, little Jackson, Abbey's nephew looked adorable in his little peacoat.

Here come the boys! The groom and his groomsmen pulled out all the stops by opting for a sophisticated tuxedo style. Black tie attire is the perfect choice for a winter soiree. This dapper walk out, as well as every laugh, tear, and intimate moment was captured by an expert videography team Amare Stories on the day.

We love this emotional first look for Abbey and Robert before their ceremony. "We wanted to have that time to mix and catch up with our friends, so we opted to do a first look before the marriage ceremony which made it less daunting for us to walk up the aisle and it was so nice to see his reaction without everyone around," says Abbey. "It was a lovely private moment before we went and had fun with everyone."

The ceremony took place in Rathsallagh House, as did the reception. Guests were welcomed with beautiful signage and flowers at the entrance of the ceremony, which invited guests to 'unplug'. Floral hoops were used to enhance the chiavari chairs.

Abbey recalls a special moment during the ceremony: "Our solemniser Dave contacted us both separately and asked us to tell him three things that we loved about each other. He read them out at the ceremony without either of us knowing what we had said, it was very special."

Rathsallagh House weddings offer much more than incredible surroundings and exclusivity - an-house wedding band and DJ, and free wedding insurance to all UK and Ireland couples. Abbey and Robert explain what made the charming venue 'the one': "We fell in love when we drove under the arch house covered in ivy. All the little stables are converted into bedrooms, and wea just knew it was our venue. When we met Joe the owner, he made us feel incredibly welcome and said this is yours for the day. It was cozy and homely and from the initial meeting the staff went above and beyond for us."

As their top three priorities, the newlyweds wanted an exclusive country venue, good food, and a great photographer. "I wanted timeless photos that would age well, looked natural, and captured lots of pictures of our guests laughing," says Abbey. "Everything was very chill and I tried to keep it as stress-free as possible for both of us. I wanted a classic vibe, so I went quite timeless with my dress. We had jazz music playing at our drinks reception with a saxophone and a pianist, which was a lovely vibe for chatting and mixing with guests."

The magnificent blooms added to the drama of the style. We adore the single-toned long-stemmed rose colour palette , with no greenery, which marry beautifully with the bridal party's style.

Abbey and Robert provide some handy advice to the couples who are in the midst of wedding planning; "Don’t let too many people have opinions on your day. Ask a few people for advice that you don’t mind hearing from. Give jobs to your bridesmaids and other people who are willing to help you. Lastly, don’t get stressed trying to do it all yourself. Keep your guests well-fed and they shouldn’t have anything to complain about!"

As the evening approached, the couple retreated outside for spectacular images under the starry night sky and twinkly trees. Another personal touch they added was the addition of a bubbly champagne tower instead of a wedding cake. What a lovely change!

A very special thank you to the lovely couple Abbey and Robert for sharing their beautiful Rathsallagh House Wedding with us. And of course, thank you to Michelle Prunty Photography for capturing such incredible images. There are tonnes more to inspire and pore over in the gallery below. Enjoy!

Planning a winter wedding yourself? We have lots of gorgeous Real Weddings for your Pinterest board here.