We're off to Cork today for Jessica and Michael’s beautiful real wedding. This gorgeous pair live in Australia, but came home to tie the knot with all their friends and family at The Maryborough Hotel. Their modern, glamorous affair featured stunning style, a gin and tonic station, and the most amazing hanging florals! Emily Doran Photography captured all the elegant details.

Jessica and Michael met 12 years ago in school, "We both had mutual friends and met one Wednesday afternoon after school, sure of course he went and got my number and the rest is history!” Jessica tells us.

What a glamorous squad - I love the embellishment on the bridesmaids' dresses and Jessica looks like a superstar in her strapless mermaid gown.

Michael brought Jessica away for a romantic trip on the weekend of their tenth anniversary to Bunker Bay in Dunsborough, Australia. "The day of the proposal we had a spa day and then he brought me down to the beach that evening to propose," Jessica tells us, "His romantic setting on the beach was lit up with candles however when we arrived down it began to rain! He still went ahead without the candles and asked me. I cried through the whole thing, the ring was just perfect.”

Michael had put serious consideration into every detail of the proposal, including making sure the ring was something Jessica would definitely love, “He had taken a ring we purchased years ago in Turkey and got a Vera Wang engagement ring which was very similar," she explains. "We spent the weekend celebrating, that December we flew home for Christmas and had an engagement party to celebrate with all our family and friends.”

After ten years together, Jessica and Michael knew exactly what style they wanted their wedding to be, “It was classic and elegant with a clean modern look. Overall the day felt very romantic. Because we live abroad there was a feeling of warmth from our guests, we felt they were not only happy to attend our wedding, but there was a genuine happiness to see us both.”

How incredible is the hanging wisteria on ceiling in the ceremony room?! Breathtaking doesn't quite do it justice!

The couple struck a balance between having a relaxed day with a sense of occasion, "From the very beginning, we wanted it to be a fun and relaxing day, but always envisioned our day as a formal event, surrounded by those we hold dear. As we live so far away, we just wanted the day to be a party for everyone to enjoy."

The couple opted for a Humanist ceremony, "It was a very personal," describes Jessica, "We chose songs and poems that we had a personal connection to. Many of our guests stated it was one of the most loving and genuine ceremony’s that they have witnessed. Part of the ceremony involved a wine box, which we got personalised, in there we placed love letters to each other which are to be opened on our first wedding anniversary.”

For Jessica, The Maryborough already held a lot of memories for her and her family, "Over the years, we had communions, conformations and family gatherings there. For us as a couple it ticked all of the boxes, the hotel itself is just a beautiful setting which consisted of stylish, modern décor, beautiful grounds and just amazing staff. What really confirmed the venue for us was the orangery where our ceremony took place, every time I enter that room I get blown away by its beauty." We don't blame you, Jessica!

Jessica wore two stunning dresses, both designed by her close friend, "She involved me in the entire process which was very meaningful to me."

And the bride and groom's advice to other couples planning their day? "Remember what it is all about - the two of you, your love, your journey together. Don’t stress on the day just relax and enjoy it! Take a moment for yourselves during the day. Take all the help you can get. My mother became my wedding planner, she helped out with every detail, shopped for bridesmaid dresses, tasted champagne (this part she quite enjoyed!), went and listened to bands. The list is endless!" Shout-out to Jessica's mum, she certainly sounds like an honorary bridesmaid!

We're loving the look of this botanical gin and tonic garnish set-up!

As Jessica and Michael were home from Australia to get married, they made the most of their time with family and friends, "We did go to Vilamoura in Portugal for a week and stayed in the gorgeous Anantara Algarve Resort. We plan on having our honeymoon in the Maldives later this year.”

This ornate wedding cake ties in with the glamorous feel of the day.

Big thanks to Jessica and Michael for letting us in on their day, and to Emily Doran sharing it with us. See more details behind this beautiful wedding in the gallery below.