This Poulaphouca House Wedding is a Book Lover’s Dream

This Poulaphouca House Wedding is a Book Lover’s Dream


Today’s real wedding is so wildly romantic! Lexie and Stephen wanted their loved ones to feel like they were stepping into a storybook and we know you will fall head over heels with their Poulaphouca House & Falls celebration. The Toronto-based couple were all about embracing romantic minimalism but bringing a whimsical twist. Full of thoughtful and enchanting details, every accent shone a spotlight on their unique love story from calla lilies that gave the sweetest nod to their very first date to their pet-inspired cocktails.

The style was make-your-jaw-drop incredible, from the bride’s breathtaking blue wedding dress to the bridesmaids in the prettiest pastel mismatched gowns and the groomsmen exuding elegance in tonal linen. Book lovers will be in heaven as they decor with a literary twist and their photoshoot in the rolling green hills was so cinematically beautiful. Get ready to delight over the sensational images from Dzifa of Folklore Photography below. Let’s go!

Stephen is from Trim while Lexie is from Toronto, Canada, and they on their first day at Babylon by Telus Health in October 2020. As they were training online, they ended up spending eight hours a day together on Zoom for six weeks so they got to know each other very well. They reflect, “What could have been monotonous turned into the best kind of distraction — Stephen, not a morning person, suddenly became an early bird just to catch a few extra minutes with Lexie before class started. By January, we had our first date. Stephen arrived at Lexie’s house with calla lilies, chocolate, and a book. Those flowers became so symbolic that they ended up woven through the wedding — from the bouquet to the stationery. The date was perfectly imperfect: Lexie was nervous, Stephen fidgeted non-stop, and the night ended with him asking, ‘Are you too sick for a kiss?’ From that night on, our story has been one of laughter, quiet love, and a whole lot of humour.”

Stephen popped the question in dreamy style on a beach in Jamaica during sunset. “On paper, that sounds like a picture-perfect proposal — champagne skies, ocean waves, and a ring designed with heirloom stones from the women in Lexie’s family. And it was beautiful… but in true ‘us’ fashion, it was also full of chaos.”

They explain, “As Stephen nervously asked a stranger to take our photo and dropped to one knee, Lexie promptly froze and even stepped back in shock. At the same time, a group of kids started screaming at us from the beach. It was awkward, hilarious, and incredibly romantic all at once. The ring itself carried so much weight — stones from Lexie’s mom and dad, Oma, grandma, and aunt, plus an engraving from an old Newfie coin to honour her stepmom. It wasn’t just a ring; it was a reminder that our story is built on love that came before us. Even with children yelling in the background, it was unforgettable.”

The bride and her bridal besties opted for oversized button-down shirts for the wedding morning, it’s such a chic alternative getting ready outfit if you fancy something different to the traditional silky pj sets.

The couple exchanged vows in the Garden Pavilion which is set in the lush gardens. The floral arrangements Aiva Veinberga of Nebula Floral were imbued with a touch of wild whimsy and the silky bows tied the rustic cross-back chairs dialled up the ethereal elegance.

Sensational suiting! The grooms party exuded summer elegance wearing tonal linen suits by Suitssupply. A special mention has to go to their fabulous buttonholes too.

Lexie broke from tradition with her colourful wedding dress. She was spellbinding wearing a pale blue dress by Canadian bridal designer Lea-Ann Belter boasting a ruched bodice, an off-the-shoulder neckline, and a fairytale full skirt. Her accessories included a on-trend bridal scarf and earrings by Bruna the Label.

Pastel perfection… We adore how Lexie’s bridesmaids mixed and matched their dresses incorporating different materials and prints.

They did not want their wedding to be a perfectly polished production they wanted it to feel just like them: romantic, playful, a little quirky, and centred on the people they cherish. “From the start that our love is rooted in the little things — quiet evenings with the pets, sneaky pizzas at parties, washing dishes together at the lake — and we wanted our wedding to reflect that.”

It was their loved ones and the emotions they brought that made the celebration so special and Lexie’s younger brother officiated their ceremony. “It was heartfelt and lighthearted all at once,” they say.

Their ceremony readings included the Michael Scott quote from The US Office which had their guests chuckling away and their vows spoke about football rivalries and quiet love! “Our real favourite ceremony moment was Lexie’s brother crying during the vows. Knowing how rare it is for him to show emotion, and watching him quietly step back so he could cry without being seen, was one of the most powerful and unexpected parts of the day.”

Sitting on 36 acres of unspoiled natural beauty in the heart of the Wicklow countryside, Poulaphouca House & Falls gave them the backdrop they dreamt of for their fairytale day. “Surrounded by rolling hills, with fireplaces, old beams, and a library-like charm, it felt whimsical and intimate all at once. It wasn’t just a venue — it felt like a place where our vows, with all their talk of calm love and family, belonged.”

Their celebration felt like stepping into a storybook, they say. “It was romantic, whimsical, and a little bit magical. The day carried a sense of calm intimacy, but also bursts of laughter and joy that kept it from ever feeling too formal.”

Working with documentary-style photographer Dzifa of Folklore Photography was an absolute dream. “From the very first moment, she completely understood and captured our vision—every photo feels natural, full of life, and tells our story in the most beautiful way. Dzifa doesn’t just take photos—she creates an experience filled with joy, care, and artistry. We are beyond grateful for the memories she captured and can’t recommend her enough to anyone looking for a photographer who truly goes above and beyond.”

The immensely talented Claire Barry Hair Stylist created Lexie’s beautiful wavy hairstyle with her radiant beauty look curated by Makeup by Mandi Jay.

The immensely talented bride created the stationery and they had pet-inspired cocktails dedicated to their beloved Skittles and Bucky. “Everywhere we looked, there were touches of us,” the bride reminisces.

They held their reception in the barn which is warm and intimate, a chandeliers strung with greenery and twinkling lights made the room glow, while wood beams, tall windows, and a fireplace created warmth and intimacy. table seating chart was an open vintage-style book with parchment pages. What a wonderfully creative and incredibly chic idea for book lovers!

They held their reception in The tablescape setting was a literary love letter too with books showcasing table numbers while others were stacked to prop up the floral arrangements of roses, peonies, and calla lilies in crystal bud vases. Picture chandeliers were strung with greenery and twinkling lights that made the room glow and elegant linens adorned the tables. Menus boasted Art Nouveau floral borders while dried citrus slices were incorporated into the place settings to add a playful and rustic touch.

Dzifa’s magic extends far beyond the camera, she went above and beyond throughout the day and she even came to the rescue when there was a dress disaster. “Even when one of my bridesmaids had a wardrobe mishap she calmly and skillfully sewed her back into her dress—saving the day without missing a beat. She brought such good energy and positivity to every moment, making us feel relaxed, supported, and truly ourselves. She even trekked across hills with us, chasing the perfect light and backdrop, all with a huge smile on her face.”

Lexie and Stephen have wonderful advice for couples, “Don’t be afraid to break the mold. If a white dress doesn’t feel like you, don’t wear one. If you want to weave in humour or football rivalries into your vows, do it. Let your personalities lead the way, lean into romance and playfulness in equal measure, and don’t chase ‘perfect’. The day will be unforgettable because it feels like your love story. Our wedding wasn’t flawless — it was full of personality, and that’s what made it perfect.”

Lexie and Stephen chose Jane by Picture This for their gorgeous first dance.

They opted for a sun-kissed tour around Portugal and Spain for their honeymoon. So fabulous!

Lexie and Stephen, a huge congratulations and thank you for letting us share your Poulaphouca House & Falls wedding celebration with One Fab Day. Thank you also Folklore Photography for these breathtaking images.

Planning your own big day? Get inspired with more Irish Real Weddings here!



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