Wedding of the week: 'Our Dublin city winter wedding was a big party'

Leah Bolger and Oisin Boland, Dublin, are married in the Church of the Sacred Heart, Donnybrook, with reception at Roberta's, Temple Bar

Sat, 27 Dec, 2025 - 02:00

Eve Kelliher

A cityscape was the backdrop to Leah Bolger and Oisin Boland’s winter wedding.

The Clonskeagh-based couple are from opposite sides of Dublin, says Leah, adding: “But Oisin agreed to move southside!

They were married in the Church of the Sacred Heart, Donnybrook, by Monsignor Ciaran O’Carroll, and held their reception in Roberta’s Restaurant, Bar & Terrace, Temple Bar. “Due to our wedding being in December, we knew there wouldn’t be much light after the ceremony, so we opted for a ‘first look’ in The Merrion Hotel beforehand as I had stayed there after our rehearsal dinner the night before,” says Leah.

Leah Bolger and Oisin Boland. Pictures: Christina Brosnan

“We got both of our families to come in also and get all of our portraits beforehand, so everyone could relax after the church. It was the best decision.

“After the church, we went to Grafton Street for some photographs and walked to the Dame Tavern to pull a pint before going to our reception.”

Special guests were both grandmothers, Leah’s grandmother, Maeve Bolder Ryan and Oisin’s grandmother, Nora Hayes.

Hannah O’Byrne, Hayley McKay and Ruth Coleman were the bridesmaids, and Evin Kennedy, Eanna Boland, Cian Boland, and Fionn Boland were the groomsmen. “My godchild/niece Evie Bolger was our flower girl,” says Leah.

The couple first met six years to the day before tying the knot. “We bumped into each other in Xico on Baggot Street,” says Leah.

An August bank holiday break set the scene for their engagement on the bride’s birthday.

It was the perfect proposal

“We were on Jellyfish Cove/Lady’s Bay off Dogs Bay Beach in Roundstone. I have holidayed there since I was young, and my family were coming down for the bank holiday to celebrate. We stayed in Ballinahinch Castle after which was gorgeous.”

As for their vision for the perfect big day? “We wanted to have a party-style wedding,” says the bride. “It was a whirlwind in the best way possible. We both had the best day and still smile thinking about it.”

Leah looked stunning in a Chosen by Kyha dress, and the groom had his suit custom-made by Paul Henry Tailoring.

The bridal hairstyling was by sustainable hair artist Danielle Garner with Mary Ellen Darby as makeup artist. “Both blew me away,” says Leah.

Photographer Christina Brosnan (Brosnanphotographic.com) was behind the lens, as was videographer Veselko Pucko, AV Media. Mark Grehan, Shop the Garden, created the floral décor.