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...

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!'

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!

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

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!

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."

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."

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.

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."

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."

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."

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!"

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!"

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.