The real wedding we're sharing today is right up my street - it's intimate, minimalist, and impossibly gorgeous! All Canadian couple Candace and Ryan needed for their chic, rustic celebration was the presence of their closest friends and family members, a stunning, rural backdrop in the form of Ballilogue in Co. Kilkenny, a celebrant, a photographer, a delicious meal, some killer outfits and some well-chosen florals. The brilliant Livia Figueiredo captured the day in lots of lovely, informal photographs, which will surely make you fall in love with this wedding as quickly as I have!

Candace tells us that she first met Ryan at a New Year’s Eve party. "I had just moved to a new city and didn’t know very many people. A co-worker invited me to a party, and I said no. At the last minute, I changed my mind, and I am so happy that I did!"

The raised-glass conservatory in the farmhouse at Ballilogue is perfect for a small ceremony, particularly when graced with a backdrop as beautiful as this floral ceremony arch, which appears to be inspired by the floral moon gate trend!

The couple started their day with a first look in Mrs. Meaney's Cottage, a country home dating from the 1700s.

Candace's bridal look was all about effortless simplicity! She chose a lace BHLDN gown with a classic silhouette, a relaxed hairstyle with some pretty floral accents, and a contemporary chain necklace by Jenny Bird.

Ryan chose the most romantic spot for his proposal, a hike to the base of a waterfall in Iceland. "I was ahead of him, as per usual," Candace says. "When I got to the top, I turned around to tell him how beautiful the view was, and I was shocked when I saw that he was down on one knee holding a little black box."

When it came time to plan the wedding, Candace and Ryan soon developed a clear picture of their dream day. "We wanted a wedding that was simple, romantic, and stylish without trying too hard," Candace says. "Having our wedding set in the heart of rural Ireland, where the natural beauty speaks for itself, fulfilled our dreams and far more."

Candace says that the couple did lots of online research on Ballilogue when they first started looking at venues. "The reviews and pictures told a story of a place that would provide us with everything that we wanted, and had a modern yet rustic aesthetic. When we got in touch with Mark from the venue, he was so knowledgeable and had an innate ability to know exactly what we wanted."

We're huge fans of Livia Figueiredo's relaxed, airy photographic style, which always makes for stunning wedding portraits.

For this couple, keeping the guest list small was key to the success of the day. "Having a very intimate wedding made the day very special," Candace says. "We were able to spend time with each of our 23 guests and all of us truly appreciated having the time to celebrate the day together."

Candace's advice for engaged couples is short and sweet. "Take the time to kiss and hug the ones you love," she says, and we have to agree that this is a must on the big day!

The wonderful team from Honeydew Events created this mouth-watering rustic wedding cake for the couple and their guests. It's a classic Victoria sponge with cream and jam, which is always a great choice in summer!

Didn't I tell you that this wedding was pretty special!? There are lots more photographs in the gallery below, so be sure to click through for more gorgeousness. Before we go, we've got to say a huge thank you to Candace and Ryan for sharing their day with us, and to Livia Figueiredo for providing the beautiful imagery!