Dreaming of a minimalistic and elegant wedding in the city? We can’t think of better inspiration for you than this incredible summer celebration of Naomi and Steven, who are self-proclaimed minimalists! Their fairytale day was planned and styled by our wonderful bride in six months and she also created all their stationery which boasted sweet quotes from Pride & Prejudice. Naomi always dreamt of tying the knot in a museum which married her love of heritage and art with a sense of glamour and minimalism.
Ulster Museum formed the perfect stage for their contemporary ceremony and it was one of the many fabulous locations for their breathtaking portraits. They held their reception at the Waterman House and their June wedding was all about blending minimal elegance with details that felt uniquely them. 65 of their lucky loved ones got to experience all the magic and with their beautiful photos by Rachel McCulla you can too. Enjoy!
It was a modern-day love story for Naomi and Steven who met online. Things moved quickly for the pair, it felt so right from the very beginning. Naomi shares, “After our first date, we met again the very next day, and it was like something clicked instantly. We were engaged after 11 months and married six months later. I knew it was special because everything felt so natural and easy. He got on so well with my family, and I fell in love with his too. I couldn’t believe I had finally found someone I could truly be myself with. He was funny, dressed well, shared my faith, and somehow it all just made perfect sense. It was like the missing piece had fallen into place.”
Naomi had half-expected Steven to propose during a trip to Vienna but he didn’t, he popped the question the week after by recreating their very first date! She reflects, “We went for dinner in The Waterman, had cocktails in our favourite little jazz bar, and then ended up back at The Garrick. I remember thinking, ‘Why are we back in this scruffy old spot?’ But then he sat me down and reminded me that it was right there I had first told him I loved him (he had said it first a few days before, and I think I was just a bit too scared to say it back straight away). He gave the most beautiful little speech, took out the ring, and asked me to marry him. Of course I said yes. We spent the rest of the night FaceTiming family and sharing the news — we just couldn’t keep it to ourselves.”
Muted tones and dainty flowers were key to their aesthetic and Wilde Studio created downright divine arrangements comprising of carnations, hydrangea, roses and calla lilies which rested on sleek white pillars with clusters of calla lilies secured to chairs with satin ribbons.
From the very beginning of their wedding planning journey, the couple wanted to create a celebration that felt intimate, elegant, and timeless. “We wanted every detail — from the music to the flowers to the food — to reflect who we are, but in the most natural and effortless way. More than anything, we wanted our guests to feel the warmth, love, and closeness of the day, while still experiencing something truly special and unforgettable.”
Naomi exuded pure elegance wearing the Pavo dress by Katherine Joyce with a very on-trend neck scarf and a dreamy veil. She accessorised with lace slingback heels by Dune, gold oversized floral earrings from & Other Stories and her ‘something borrowed’ was a gold bracelet belonging to her mum which she hasn’t taken off since.
Naomi did her own makeup which was all about radiant elegance while Ciara Armstrong created her textured up-do with wavy bangs.
Naomi did all the planning and styling herself, overseeing meetings and mood boards to ensure their dream day came to life exactly as they imagined it would. She created all the stationery from their invites to the entrance signage and the orders of service. Their signage was decorated with quotes from Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice as she has always adored the novel and the film adaptation and she has a soft spot for Mr. Darcy!
The bride walked down the aisle to the piece Liz on Top of the World by Dario Marianelli from the 2005 movie. So romantic!
The ceremony was full to the brim of meaningful moments and the ceremony readings were laced with emotion and heart. “My mother-in-law gave a beautiful reading of Song of Songs, and my sister led a heartfelt prayer, which made it feel so intimate and rooted in family.”
For Steven a highlight of the ceremony was when Scála Strings performed the theme song from his favourite film, The Lord of the Rings. “It was such a sweet, personal touch. The lads? They thought it was pretty class too!”
Ulster Museum was the perfect location for them to tie the knot as because Naomi always loved museums. “They’ve been a big part of my childhood and passion as an adult. The setting is unique and classy. Our wedding was everything I had dreamed of.”
Their confetti photo was pure joy personified!
They put their own spin on the wedding day format by cutting their cake after the ‘big confetti shot’. “It was such a joyful moment, with everyone gathered around, canapés and cake in hand, while the string quartet played — it set the perfect tone for the rest of the day.”
Monochrome magic! The bridesmaids wore mix and match satin black bridesmaids dresses from Six Stories and they carried calla lily bouquets.
Naomi’s bouquet which was delicately dramatic, we can’t stop swooning over it, and it was tied with a frayed-edge ribbon.
They fill us in more on the vibe for the celebration, “We wanted the day to feel ethereal, elegant, and timeless: string quartet music, minimal colours, chic bridesmaids, dainty flowers, soft candlelight, and muted tones created an intimate and romantic atmosphere. With two city-centre venues, it felt like a special day out — and with The Waterman (and Niall McKenna’s incredible food) at the heart of it all, it was classy, joyful, and unforgettable.”
Naomi had come across her work their photographer Rachel McCulla’s work before and she had previously photographed a friend’s wedding. Naomi adored her ethereal and editorial style and knew she would perfectly capture the venues they were going for and the style they wanted. The timing of their celebration was perfect as there was an exhibition on in the museum so they seized their chance to take portraits in front of the Old Master paintings.
Naomi and Steven specifically wanted editorial-style photography and their locations included the bustling Bert’s Jazz Bar to the exotic Botanic Gardens, the results were breathtaking and unique. Their dear friend John provided transport on the day.
Waterman House provided the ideal bright and elegant canvas where their flowers, drapery, and candlelight to shine bright. “As self-proclaimed minimalists and foodies, the Waterman offered both of these – we really didn’t want a traditional wedding meal. It also happened to be in the area where we had our first date so it felt like a full circle moment. The food was also amazing!”
Steven was the mastermind behind their wonderful wedding favours which were artisan coffee bags that they had made and designed by Established Coffee in Belfast. “Actually, this was a true reflection of what Steven and I both love and where we had SO MANY dates.”
Later the modern ceilidh band The Outlaws “meant that no one had an excuse to not get up and dance” and the couple chose I Don’t Want to See Tomorrow by Nat King Cole as their first dance song. “Steven always sang this song around me which was cute and funny. We picked it really, because it’s a song we both like, it has intimate lyrics and it felt simple; just right for that moment together.”
We’re completely spellbound by their celebration so we were racing to ask the bride for her top planning tips. “I actually planned the wedding in just six months, and at first I thought that wasn’t nearly enough time. But so many people told me that most of the real planning happens in those last six to eight months anyway — and it turned out to be true. My biggest advice would be to take it all in your stride. Stick to your gut and your original vision of what you want, and don’t let anyone else sway you if something really matters to you. Try to add something personal, even if it’s as simple as your favourite quote on a sign or a few photos on the tables — those little touches make it feel like your day.”
Do lots of Pinterest mood-boarding she says and be sure to have a list of questions ready when you’re visiting venues so you don’t forget anything in the moment. Steven adds his own sage piece of advice, “I would say to remember that things will change along the way, and that’s completely fine. Do what you want to do, not what you think people want or expect. It’s your day and ultimately you want it to reflect the things you love and mean something to you.”
The couple went on a mini-moon straight after the wedding which was full of sunshine, food and drink with two nights at the Crawfordsburn Inn and then straight out to Rhodes. “It was exactly what we needed. After all the busyness and tiredness from the planning, we didn’t fancy a long flight right away, so staying in Crawfords Burn inn, the food the beach walks , then going to Greece was perfect — short travel, instant relaxation, instantly alone. Now we’re planning our big honeymoon to South Africa, which we’re so excited about. We would definitely recommend doing it this way if you’re feeling worn out after the wedding — have a short, easy break to soak it all in, then save the long-haul adventure for when you’re ready to really enjoy it.”
Naomi and Steven, a huge congratulations from all of us at One Fab Day! A very special thank you to Rachel McCulla for sharing the fabulous imagery of this uber-chic city wedding with us, be sure to check out the gallery below for more!
Dreaming of tying the knot in the city? Check out more Real Weddings and get inspired now!
