Zola Adaji, an engineer, and Sebastian Ryan, a tech consultant, tied the knot on 13th June 2026 at The Westbury Hotel in Dublin. Their intimate civil ceremony brought together their immediate family for a day filled with personal touches, elegant fashion, beautiful florals, and a private dinner at one of their favourite city-centre hotels, captured by Love it Visuals.

From a first date that lasted until closing time to a romantic sunset proposal in the Maldives, the couple's love story has been shaped by their shared passion for travelling, discovering great restaurants and making every occasion special.

Zola and Sebastian first matched on Hinge, and they had their first date on 13th April 2023 at 9 Below on St Stephen's Green. They headed to the cocktail bar for what turned out to be a particularly successful first meeting.“We went to 9 Below on St Stephen’s Green, and it obviously went well because we ended up being the last customers in the cocktail bar.” Keen to see each other again, they arranged their second date just a few days later, heading to Salamanca for tapas. It marked the beginning of a shared love of good food, great restaurants and turning date nights into occasions in themselves. Over the next three years, travelling together became another big part of their relationship, letting them explore incredible destinations, try new food, and make memories along the way.

During a trip to the Maldives, Sebastian planned a particularly memorable milestone. On 11th November, at sunset, he got down on one knee on a beautiful beach and asked Zola to spend the rest of their lives together. He arranged a ring of flowers, flown to the island for the occasion, to create a romantic setting for the proposal. The evening continued with a private dinner on the sand, illuminated by candlelight and prepared by a private chef. The couple found it unforgettable, and the Maldives has since held a special place in their hearts.

When it came to bridal beauty, Zola wanted to feel like the best version of herself rather than look completely different. Her preparations focused on achieving fresh, glowing skin and a natural finish, with plenty of attention given to her hair and the finer details. Alongside spa days and beauty treatments, she also worked with a personal trainer in the lead-up to the wedding.

Fragrance was another important detail for the couple. Zola chose Vertical Oud by Hermetica as her signature scent, while Sebastian wore Hermès Terre d’Hermès Eau de Parfum, ensuring even their wedding-day fragrances complemented one another.

For her civil ceremony look, Zola knew she wanted something elegant and sophisticated that still felt true to her personal style. The Cream Bouclé Dress by Self-Portrait immediately caught her eye for its timeless elegance and vintage-inspired feel. The structured silhouette and beautiful fabric gave it a polished, classic finish, while the feminine details added a touch of glamour. “I wanted something I would feel completely confident in, and when I tried it on, it just felt right. It was one of those dresses where I didn’t need to overthink it.” She completed the look with carefully chosen accessories, bringing everything together into a refined bridal ensemble that suited the occasion's intimate nature.

Sebastian's outfit followed a similarly sophisticated approach. He opted for a tonal navy look, pairing a double-breasted suit with a navy shirt and tie. Keeping the entire outfit within the same colour palette created a sleek, coordinated finish that felt classic while still making a statement.

The couple chose not to have bridesmaids or groomsmen, keeping their civil ceremony exclusively for their immediate family. This decision allowed them to focus on the people closest to them and create a celebration that felt personal from beginning to end.

They held their ceremony at The Westbury Hotel, with their nearest and dearest gathered around them. One of the most meaningful moments came during Zola’s dad’s speech, which began with a reading of Wilferd Arlan Peterson's The Art of Marriage. It was a thoughtful introduction that helped set the tone for the celebrations. The couple also incorporated a handfasting ceremony, adding a deeply personal element to their vows. Each family member received a ribbon in a different colour, with each colour representing something meaningful. Their parents, siblings, and Sebastian’s niece and nephew came forward one by one to add their ribbons. Once everyone had taken part, they brought the ribbons together and tied them into a single knot. For Zola and Sebastian, seeing each family member contribute their own ribbon was a powerful symbol of the support surrounding their marriage. Bringing the different colours together represented two families joining as one, with everyone playing a part in the commitment they were making to each other.

The Westbury Hotel was a natural choice for the couple, as they had visited many times over the years to enjoy its restaurant and the Sidecar cocktail bar. Already familiar with the hotel, they knew it would provide the atmosphere and hospitality they wanted for such an important occasion. They also stayed the night before the ceremony to enjoy the experience from the very beginning. Its central Dublin location was another major draw. With Grafton Street and Trinity College nearby, the couple had the perfect opportunity to photograph their favourite parts of the city while enjoying an elegant setting for the ceremony.

However, the reception let them put their own stamp on the celebration. The couple chose a private dining room, which they wanted to feel intimate, luxurious and completely transformed for the occasion. Abundant floral arrangements were central to their vision, with beautiful flowers throughout the room complemented by plenty of candlelight. The florals helped create the atmosphere they had imagined, turning the private dinner into a special setting for celebrating with family. With the hotel's five-star hospitality and the comfort of a place they already loved, the reception brought together everything that mattered most to them.

Looking back, Zola and Sebastian's best decision was to keep their civil ceremony intimate and choose a venue where they already felt at home. With their favourite people beside them, meaningful family traditions and a setting that reflected their shared love of good food and elegant experiences, their wedding was a personal celebration of the life they are building together.

- Gráinne