This modern love story played out in a setting with centuries of history. Joy and Will tied the knot in the historic chapel at The Abbey in Co. Kildare and their wedding was a fantastic fusion of relaxed black-tie style, festive warmth and New Year’s Eve glamour. Featuring beautiful bespoke style which paid tribute to their time spent in Vietnam where their love story began, their monochrome looks popped beautifully against the sumptuous jewel tones of their venue.

From their absolutely beautiful first look to the jaw-dropping bouquets by The Florist on the Hill, to their table plan inspired by the Vietnamese New Year apricot blossom and their scrumptious cake created by their aunties, style and heart married in an unforgettable, and absolutely timeless, way. Very lucky for us, Ruth Connolly Weddings was on hand to capture ever gorgeous detail. Let’s check it out!

Their love story is a beautiful place to begin. Joy is from Galway and Will is from the UK and they are currently based in Leeds. They met in Vietnam and Joy tells us she had barely unpacked her bags in Ho Chi Minh City when she joined the school where Will taught. “We spotted each other on her first-day tour, sparks flew immediately, and then lockdown arrived to really test our commitment — cue two people, one tiny apartment, and zero escape routes.”

“Somehow, we thrived,” she shares. The proposal was a lockdown surprise! “One minute we were sharing a simple picnic by the Saigon River in Ho Chi Minh City, and the next Will was on one knee. It turned a very quiet year into a very unforgettable moment. Once we were finally allowed out again, we made the most of Vietnam’s adventures before deciding the next big one was heading home to get married.”

Joy and Will wanted a fairly simple and intimate wedding where they could mark the magical occasion surrounded by their closest friends and family.

The Abbey provided the perfect backdrop for the glamorous NYE celebration they dreamt of. “As soon as we saw The Abbey, we knew it was ‘the one’. It was still a relatively new venue, and we were among the first couples to get married there. Everything about it felt carefully considered to create a warm, inviting atmosphere, and the interiors were absolutely stunning.”

Will wore a slick black suit and black shoes that were custom-made in Vietnam. His accessories included cufflinks gifted by Joy that were handmade in Vietnam and inscribed with the date of their dream day.

Joy stunned in a sleek gown with a square neckline and a low back which she had made in Vietnam. She accessorised with Loeffler Randall bow heels and drop earrings from House of Hats.

Joy and Will had their first look in the 18th-century chapel where they held their ceremony which boasts 12-metre vaulted ceilings, original stained glass windows and beautiful Craven Dunnill tiles.

The flowers with a bold elegant feel were curated by Carolyn Duggan of The Florist on the Hill. “Carolyn put so much love and care into each and every bouquet she created. On top of that, she is just a beautiful soul and an absolute dream to work with!”

Their ceremony was made all the more special as Joy’s brother-in-law acted as celebrant and he wrote the entire ceremony himself.

From the white waxy anthurium in the bouquets to the cacophony of dried blooms overhead, their floral displays were so enchanting with a hint of moodiness.

Continuing the breathtaking bespoke style, Joy’s bridesmaids wore custom black dresses from Vietnam.

Juliet Morrow created Joy’s glow-from-within makeup look which also boasted a romantic red lip and the bride opted for a slick bun which was done by Maria Haran Hair.

Joy brother-in-law planned the ceremony for months. She reflects, “He delivered something so thoughtful and heartfelt — including a poem that brings a tear of everyone’s eye— and it’s a gift we’ll cherish forever.”

Their ceremony songs included Heavenly Day by Patty Griffin which was sung beautifully by one of Joy’s oldest friends, Orla.

We adore a great confetti moment!

When it came to the aesthetic, they embraced the lush jewel-toned interiors which helped to create a celebration “that felt luxurious, intimate, and full of joyful energy”.

With an artist’s eye and a storyteller’s heart, their photographer Ruth Connolly Weddings captured every moment of magic beautifully. “From the big moments to the tiny, fleeting ones, Ruth captured the love, fun, and intimacy of our day perfectly. She made us feel completely at ease, and the photos she created are memories we’ll keep forever.”

They paid tribute to their love for Vietnam with a ‘Tết Tree’ seating plan which was inspired by the Vietnamese New Year apricot blossom. “It’s a symbol of good luck, which felt wonderfully appropriate for both our NYE wedding and our years in Vietnam.”

Their reception in the elegant ballroom included table names dedicated to cities in Vietnam and foliage-dressed brass candlebras holding white candles.

Their scrumptious cakes were homemade by their aunties which included an elegant naked cake adorned with eucalyptus and a chic black laser cut cake topper displaying their married moniker.

The couple had a polaroid photo album as their guest book which is bursting to the brim with messages of love that they will cherish forever.

As they are both teachers they held off on their honeymoon until the summer and they spent the school holidays travelling around Europe camping in a roof tent. It was an unforgettable adventure!

A huge congratulations to Joy and Will! A very special thank you to our wonderful couple and to Ruth Connolly Weddings for the stunning pictures, you can see more in the gallery below!

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