Cosy Chic: Matthew & Sophie's Winter Wedding at Virginia Park Lodge

Timeless, classic, and oh-so-cosy this couple's Christmas celebration is everything we love about winter weddings.

Looking for inspo on how to pull off a chic and cosy winter celebration? Say no more. Today's real wedding couple have all the inspiration you need! Matthew and Sophie's glamourous affair at Virginia Park Lodge in Co. Cavan is the definition of winter elegance. Black tie style oozed classic sophistication while a sparkling, show-stopping gown, lush velvet details and oodles of candlelight added a huge dose of glam. Even more impressively this was all pulled together in just 10 months, from engagement to wedding day. Vicki Maher magically captures the moments in her artful photography, so let's take a closer look...

Close up of perfume beaded headband flower watch wedding ring white heels and flowers
Bride with dresses hanging up in room
Bridesmaid and bride take a selfie at the window

First things first, how did today's lovely couple met? Bride Sophie tells us, "We first met through a very good mutual friend introduced us (awkwardly via text) and then a few months later introduced us again, but this time in-person in the church we ended up getting married in!'

Brides dress from behind mums watch detail mother fixes dress
Close up of sparkly bridal gown dress brides hands
Bride sits and laughs as she gets ready smiles to the camera

The proposal was initially planned to take place in Paris, Sophie’s favourite city, but in the end Matthew couldn’t wait any longer, and asked her to marry him while they were at home. Matthew fills us in, "I dressed and set up the kitchen and living room with candles and rose petals with music playing in the background. Suffice to say Sophie was taken by surprise when she came in the door to the kitchen and she said ‘yes’. Celebrating at home, together, felt so special, and we continued the celebrations in Paris, the following weekend." Comme c'est parfait!

Bride standing on steps to wedding venue
Red flag sign says seasons greetings, bride is on the steps approaching wedding venue
Groom fixes his suit bowtie shirt

The pair said their 'I do's' in St George’s Church, High St, Belfast.

Side on shot of bride smiling to camera
Father of the bride walks daughter down the aisle
Father kisses bride on the cheek as he hands her over to groom

Sophie and Matthew tied the knot just three days before Christmas and the couple firmly leaned into the festive spirit with their seasonal décor. We adore the mini Christmas tress which lined the aisle, a charming and festive alternative to flowers!

Bride and groom kneel at alter in front of guests
White flowers roses bride and groom sit during ceremony church
Guests clap bride and groom kiss at the alter

The couple tell us that the ceremony and venue were equally important to them. "We put a huge amount of effort and thought into the church service, which we loved. We are lucky to know some brilliant musicians and we had beautiful music providing the backdrop to our marriage ceremony."

Bride and groom exit the ceremony
Bride and groom stand beside blue-painted door wedding venue

After the ceremony 150 of their nearest and dearest joined them for a warm and cosy reception at Virginia Park Lodge in Co. Cavan. The couple tell us they fell head over heels for the beautiful country house venue after attending a wedding there before and agreeing it was the perfect spot for a winter celebration.  They tell us they loved, "everything about it. The warm open fire on arrival with festive nutcrackers on each side, the magnificent floral installations across the venue, the beauty and history of the hunting lodge, the stunning pavilion draped with warm fairly lights, and the fabulous food… to name a few things. We knew that once we arrived to Virginia Park Lodge, that we could relax, safe in the knowledge that our guests would be taken care of."

Bride and groom look away from each other holding hands in garden
Bride and groom close to each other smile at each other
Close up of bride and groom holding hands suit lace dress detail
Bride stands on the edge of cliff wedding venue train trailing onto ground sea in background
Moody evening shot of bride and groom edge of cliff lake landscape water

We have to take a moment to discuss Sophie's show-stopping gown. Sophie chose the Aretta by Eva Lendel and we adore the sparking beaded detail paired with the off shoulder neckline, semi-transparent sleeves and fantastic overskirt. Sophie completed her bridal look with a soft tulle veil from Blue Meadow, ivory block heels from Charlotte Mills and dainty pearl drop earrings by Majorica.

Dark moody shot of bride and groom smiling hugging embracing

The couple describe the look and feel of their day as, "elegant but relaxed." They add, "We used rich tones set against a neutral palette, with open fires, atmospheric lighting, gold embellishments, and smells of mulled wine, eucalyptus and turf. It was beautiful but in a way that made our guests feel as if they were home for Christmas."

Bride and groom holding two glasses of prosecco on golf caddy
Welcome to the wedding sign
Bride and groom pose in front of Christmas tree portrait
Bridesmaids holding glasses of champagne seated

The couple say that it was their guests that made their extra special to them. "We had guests from Louisiana, Sydney, Qatar, and right across the UK and Ireland. It was humbling to have so many people turn out and support us. We also had many people – who sadly couldn’t join us on the day – reach out to us with well wishes."

Top table sign
Up close light and flower detail
Close up of dinner menu for guests
Pueblo Cristina name sign for guest
Bride and groom at table candle lighting

The couple have these words of wedded wisdom for other couples planning their day, "look at the bigger picture, and try to imagine your special day when you’re in the midst of the pre-wedding stress! It’s easy to fixate on the small things but it will all fall into place, in whatever timescale you have to work with. We got engaged in February and married in December of the same year, and we were able to make it work. Wedding days are very personal to each couple, and there are so many different things to consider. So, within reason, try to do what you both want to do! The people who love you will show up, and it will all be fine."

Groomsman claps in front of crowd
Bride claps as she listens to speech

The couple's first dance was a mash-up of Billy Joel’s ‘Just the Way You Are' and the Pogues’ 'Fairytale of New York'. "A very fortunate compromise from both of our song choices ended up being a really unique first dance!"

Bride and groom dance on the dancefloor together

After the festivities, the couple headed off on honeymoon to Miami South Beach for four nights and the Yucatan Coast in Mexico for 10 nights. "Would recommend it all, but Tulum, Mexico in particular!"

Bride groom with bridesmaids and groomsmen holding sparklers above heads

Thanks so much to Matthew and Sophie for sharing their gorgeous winter Virgina Park Lodge wedding with us at One Fab Day, and to Vicki Maher Photography for providing the beautiful imagery! There are even more photographs to swoon over in the gallery below.

Recommended Suppliers

Suppliers 

Photographer //
Vicki Maher Photography
|
Bridal Designer //
Eva Lendel
|
Bridal Boutique //
Dream Weddings Coleraine
|
Veil //
Blue Meadow
|
Bridal Shoes //
Charlotte Mills
|
Bridal Earrings //
Majorica
|
Bridesmaids Dresses & Mother of the Bride Dress //
Folkster
|
Mother of the Groom Outfit //
Hobbs
|
Suits //
Herbie Frogg
|
Suit Tailoring //
Bogart Menswear
|
Page Boy Outfits //
John Lewis and Next
|
Hair //
Danibelle
|
Church flowers & boutonnières //
Floralearth
|
Stationery Design //
Rowan McKevitt
|
Stationery Printing //
Northside Graphics
|
Rings //
FJ Malcolm
|
Rentals/Decor //
SBD Events
|
Ceremony Music //
The Lowry String Quartet
|
Band and DJ //
The Muddlers Club
|
Videographer //
Dropped Frame Films
|
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