This real wedding feels like it was plucked right out of the pages of a fairytale. Glamorous couple Gillian and Karl chose one of Ireland's most bewitching castles for their big day. They tied the knot with an elegant and vibrant reception at Castle Leslie Estate in Co. Monaghan that no doubt left their 115 guests in awe. Those who love the iconic white and green theme will adore their refreshing twist. Fantasy flowers in rainbow shades took centre stage and trust us when we say the atmosphere in their reception room will enchant you. Just wait until you see them cutting their wildflower-style pressed flower cake, it was truly a moment of botanical beauty! Elouise Photography captured every magical moment of their Castle Leslie wedding wonderfully. All that's left to do is enjoy.

Let's kick off by learning all about Gillian and Karl's love story. They are both from Castleknock in Dublin and it was a modern-day romance as the couple met on Tinder. They met in their 20s and it turned out that they had loads of mutual friends. It was destined to be!

They got engaged at a truly magical time of year: Christmas! They jetted off for some winter sun and the surprise city break to Barcelona took an unforgettable turn. Karl popped the question in their hotel room on the first night and we can only imagine it's a holiday they will never forget. Today, the couple live in Portmarnock in Dublin.

They describe their August 2023 wedding as being "vibrant, joyful and fun" and the good times were flowing from the very beginning as Gillian popped some pink bubbly with her bridesmaids while Karl and his groomsmen toasted to the unforgettable morning with whiskey.

Karl looked so dapper on his wedding day in a relaxed deep grey suit from Louis Copeland & Sons which he styled with a crisp white shirt, a cream tie and black shoes. His groomsmen were suave in navy suits and they all added a floral flourish to their ensembles with their colourful boutonnieres.

One of the real highlights for Gillian was getting ready with her mother and bridesmaids on her wedding morning. Gillian was an elegant vision in a form-fitting wedding gown with cap sleeves and an exposed back adorned with floral lace. She accessorised with a romantic veil featuring floral embroidery, floral pearl drop earrings and gold block heels with chic knotted accents. Sweetly, her bridesmaids gifted her a necklace and bracelet which she now treasures.

Can we take a moment to appreciate the incredible detailing on the back of Gillian's wedding dress? Her bridesmaids looked sublime in sage green maxi dresses with perspex heels and sparkling brooches. "I loved the colour of their dresses so that’s what anchored the base tone of greens and the candles with soft pinks and greens."

With a glamorous makeup look including dewy foundation, rose blush and rich brown smokey eyeshadow, Gillian wore her hair in gentle Hollywood waves. We can't get over the bride's first look with her father. How proud does he look? Gillian and Karl wanted the aesthetic of their wedding to be "classic with a twist" and with a relaxed vibe.

They wanted their wedding to feel timeless and fresh and they worked with their florist creating a moodboard of wildflowers and undone-style bouquets. The floral fantasy began at the church as the entrance was decked out with a breathtaking flower arch of brightly-shaded blooms. The signage and programs also boasted pretty botanical motifs.

They tied the knot at a church in Castleblaney, Co. Monaghan. It had a sweet family connection too. Gillian's father is from Monaghan so they wanted to exchange vows in the family's local church.

Their top priority for their special day? That they soaked up every magical moment with their loved one. The couple purchased their wedding bands from leading Irish jeweller Paul Sheeran Jewellers.

Their favourite piece of music from their ceremony was the wonderfully romantic This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) by Natalie Cole which was playing when they left the church as a married couple. Awwww!

We have such a soft spot for colourful flowers and we can't stop swooning over the bouquets. If you're planning to tie the knot during the summer be sure to check out our essential guide to summer wedding flowers too.

"Our venue was the perfect spot it really spoke to us when we visited," Gillian reflects. They knew that the four-star country estate was the venue for them for its classic but quirky vibe.

There are so many incredible castle venues in Ireland and Castle Leslie is adored for its glam grandeur and old-world charm.

It was five big gold stars from the couple when it came to the impeccable service and attention to detail from the Castle Leslie Estate team. "The staff from start to finish were just incredible to deal with. They left nothing to chance and we felt so looked after. Not to mention we loved the décor and overall estate. The food was also divine."

Nestled on 1,000 acres of undulating Irish countryside, dotted with leafy woodlands and shimmering lakes, the County Monaghan venue offers a completely bewitching backdrop to your special day. As Gillian and Karl's wedding photos prove.

"We wanted our reception room to come to life with colourful flowers speaking to our personality as a couple," Gillian highlights. The tables were dressed with white tablecloths which ensured the colours of the blooms exploded vibrantly. Wild foliage, twinkling fairy lights and sparkling chandeliers hung overhead adding to the enchanting atmosphere and they even jumped on the fabulous flower cloud trend.

Setting eyes on their reception room for the first time was another monumental moment for the newlyweds. "We put a lot of thought into the overall décor, floral ceiling, cake and flowers. It was fabulous to see your creation all come together before guests come in and toast as a married couple."

Their piece of advice for couples on their wedding day is to try and be as present as possible. "Things will go wrong, but you have one day just enjoy it. All the planning is done, today is the day for you to just feel and live each moment."

Another absolutely treasured moment for the couple were the speeches at the reception. "Everyone spoke from the heart, some were very funny." Later on, The Panoramics got the party started and had everyone dancing the night away.

We weren't joking when we said that their cake wouldn't disappoint. Their three-tier cake was dappled with pressed wildflowers and surrounded by an incredible floral display. Wow, wow, wow is all we can say!

For their first dance as husband and wife, they chose Ray LaMontagne's You Are the Best Thing. The couple celebrated tying the knot by jetting off on a minimoon to sunny Portugal, they are preparing to head off on their honeymoon still.

We'd like to say a huge thank you to Gillian and Karl for sharing their fabulous wedding with One Fab Day and to Elouise Photography for the wonderful images.

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