This week we are celebrating beautiful winter weddings for all of you couples planning your darker weddings now in the middle of summer, and I must say winter is much more my style. Today's wedding for example by the lovely Ivana Patarcic is right up my alley, set in the foodie haven of Ballymaloe House with vintage fur stoles, lots of dancing and a perfectly styled reception with accents of gold. This is a classic country wedding with amazing details, made personal by some crafty DIY, and to top it all off you can just tell Shirley and Brian are utterly head over heels for each other...

Despite being smitten now Shirley and Brian had a not so direct beginning to their relationship. I'm not sure why, but in Ireland we all seem to have an aversion to admitting our feelings out straight and with this Irish romance there was lots of back and forth and a healthy dose of peer pressure from friends..! "We worked together for years and mutual friends played Cupid. They knew we were both interested in each other, then started flirting for a nearly a year and when neither of us made a move. Friends gave Brian my number and a gentle but persuasive push to call me. I had met Brian out but I didn't think he noticed me, little did I know that he was usually out trying to find the right opportunity to ask me out and hoping he would bump into me! Our first date was a rugby match as we both loved the sport but I don't think either of us saw a single pass or scrum as we never stopped talking, joking. And laughing. The story is probably more romantic than it sounds but I'm not great for putting it in words. We adored each other and have such a laugh together. He makes me smile and I him. I don't think there was a happier couple on their wedding day..."

Real wedding dads are making lots of stylish appearances latley, loving the little yellow pocket square.

Transport on the day was organised by Shirley's uncle and it fits the theme of the wedding to a T!

Back to Shirley and Brian's love story, and how Brian popped the question. It's a running joke here in the office that lots of grooms plan the perfect proposal and no matter what they will persevere and make sure it happens exactly as planned, and the exact time planned. Brian had a set idea in his head and there was going to be no stopping him swooning his bride to be with a mini break and her diamond ring (even a minor flu Shirley had on the day!) "We arrived in Waterford castle...I was in awe and we checked in to our suite...I suggested I have a lie down, poor Brian started pacing so there was a sitting room in the suite and I agreed to go in and sit down and he had Champagne waiting on ice. He totally surprised me as he proceeded to go down on one knee and asked me to marry him. Of course I said yes, such a beautiful moment. My illness surprisingly abated...! "

Nothing better to cure a flu than a little sparkle! Wonder does it work for man flu?!

Once engaged, Shirley with a little help from Brian, and a lot of help from her mum, got planning. Shirley knew she wanted a relaxed wedding day with friends and family and for the entire day to feel really special.

How cute is Shirley's niece and mini-me on the day Hannah, whose self described role on the day was chief  "Powergirl" rather than flowergirl! Getting kids involved is always a sweet idea and we've made a handy list of simple ways to get them included.

The most special and memorable part of the day for Shirley and Brian was the ceremony, made extra unique by their celebrant Fr.Tony Butler. "The ceremony was number one on our most important part of the day . Fr. Tony Butler our celebrant had myself and Brian stand behind the altar and face our friends and family so that everyone felt part of the celebration. He was so welcoming and inviting, he created a ceremony that was so amazing and special that people will speak of it for years!" Soprano Cara also added a magical element and had everyone in tears singing Nella Fantasia as the entrance hymn.

Shirley's dainty rose gold Thomas Sabo bracelet was a surprise gift on the morning of the wedding from Brian and acted as Shirley's something new.

And it's official! All smiles and time for a party at Ballymaloe...

Now we all love our parents and they often lend a helping hand when it comes to weddings but Shirley's mam really takes the biscuit. Not only did she help the entire way through, but she even picked the venue - knowing it would be exactly to Shirley's taste! Shirley's dad was just as good and drove the bridal party to Kilkenny for their bridesmaid dresses, how cute are they?!

The bridesmaids were decked out in grey full length dresses from Peaches Boutique (a recommendation from Shirley's colleagues that surpassed her expectations) and accessorised with fur stoles to match the brides. If your having a winter wedding a stole is a simple and glamorous addition to keep you warm and still looking that bit special.

Ballymaloe and the adjacent Grainstore was the location for the reception picked for it's homely charm ! "We were both in awe of the old quaint distressed vibe of Ballymaloe. The house was so cosy, inviting and welcoming. It's where we had our welcome drinks and canapés. The Grainstore had such an old barn like charm, complete with disco ball on the ceiling we could definitely picture our friends and family dancing the night away there. Spread over two levels, we dined downstairs and after dessert invited everyone to the upstairs mezzanine for a vintage tea party, cake table, speeches and champagne toast. "

Such gorgeous pictures of Shirley and her bridesmaids and school pals Siobhan and Deborah. Shirley was elated with her choice of photographer and you can really tell the entire wedding party was really comfortable and relaxed with Ivana on the day. "Our photographer was one if the best things about our day, she is probably one of the most talented people I know. She made everyone relax and feel at ease. We didn't even know she was there as she has a way of blending in and so gets the most unexpected yet natural photos. My mum spotted her work at a vintage fair we went to, spoke to Ivana and then called me saying 'you have got to meet this girl'. We instantly clicked and I feel she is now a friend for life. Everyone loved her, all my family and the guests."

Canapés and champagne anyone?

After nibbles and some snaps it was time to head indoors and have some more fun. Not to mention to admire the amazing flowers from Bloomsday and Shirley and Brian's DIY handy work...

Advocates of DIY Shirley and Brian (admittedly mostly Shirley) collected frames for table numbers and signs, teacups and all the trinkets and décor over the months of wedding planning Shirley also became a big fan of Irish online store My DIY Day which she used for all the extra trimmings. Lastly the favours were handmade bubbles at the church and old fashioned jars of sweets on the tables. The effort paid off and resulted in a low key rustic vibe, personal to Shirley and Brian as a couple!

The LOVE backdrop was made from recycled airplane materials bought in Style 25 in Cork, and sat behind the cake table which had a selection of treats and a classic tiered cake with a glam twist.

The wedding cake even had a little mini Yoda peeking out - a nod to Brian's love of Star Wars (cute!) as Shirley explains.."To surprise Brian I had the amazing Sam Harrison of Cloudberry bakery make a Yoda (Brian is a Star Wars nut) that looked like he was coming out the back of the main cake, he loved it and it was hilarious, such a talking point."

The entire day seemed utterly stress free and stylishly seamless, so these guys naturally have some great advice, especially if your stressing over DIY "Treasure it, go with your heart. DIY when you can, it can work out cheaper and funkier...and look more vintage than that which you buy."

Big congratulations to Shirley and Brian on your beautiful winter wedding! A big thank you also to Ivana for sharing her work with us, to see more of Ivana's work pop on over to www.ivana-photography.com/weddings 

The Wedding Details

• Ceremony: St. Joseph's, SMA Church, Blackrock Rd., Cork
• Reception: Ballymaloe House and Grainstore
• Wedding Dress: Memories Bridal Boutique
• Bridesmaids dresses: Peaches Boutique Kilkenny and M&S shoes
• Flower Girl: Billieblush at Brown Thomas, Cork
• Shoes: Red Or Dead  and Gold converse from Office
• Grooms Shoes: The Shoe Suite
• Flowers: Bloomsday Flowers
• Groomsmen's suits: Fitzgerald's Menswear
• Headpiece and Veil: Emmy Mc Cormack, Dublin

• Wedding Bands: Marquis of Kinsale and Brian's by Linda's of Kinsale
• Vintage Fur Stole and Tights: Brocade & Lime
• Cake: Sam Harrison at Cloudberry Bakery
• DIY Supplies: My DIY Day
• Stationery, table numbers and seating plan: Finer Details
• Make Up & Hair: Ikon Hair Designs and make up Liz McCarthy
• Reception Music: Miss Jones & Bog The Donkey
• DJ: Sean O'Mahony Entertainment
• Ceremony Music: Soprano Cara O'Sullivan and Fionn and Ferdia Foley