When Irish actress Sophie Vavasseur first laid eyes on the incredible roofless ruins of the Església Nova in Son Servera in Mallorca, she knew she had found the place where she would marry her partner, Dublin Fire Brigade advanced paramedic David Smeaton. On 24 September 2026, the Dublin couple welcomed 155 guests to this same sun-soaked spot for a deeply romantic black-tie destination wedding.

From the jawdropping ballgown dress to a vintage Porsche drive through the Balearic countryside, Sophie and David’s wedding day was a masterclass in classical elegance. The day was also filled with beautiful touches, including a moving tribute to Sophie’s late father and signature cocktails named after their pups, Bear and Beag. Images are by Josefin Westin. We can't wait to show you this one!

Irish actress Sophie, best known for playing Evelyn Doyle in Evelyn, opposite Pierce Brosnan, as well as parts in Resident Evil: Apocalypse, Becoming Jane and Vikings, grew up in Drumcondra in Dublin. She met advanced paramedic David, who is from Malahide in Dublin, through a mutual friend. Today now live together in Clontarf in Dublin with their beloved dogs, Bear and Beag.

And the proposal? "David popped the question on the edge of a beautiful cliffside at Vila Joya in Portugal," says Sophie. "He had arranged a walkway of red rose petals leading to a spot with cushions, blankets and a bottle of Champagne. My best friend Maeve and her husband had flown to Portugal the day before to deliver the ring to David. It was such a surprise!"

For their sunsoaked wedding the couple chose a black-tie dress code, which added chic while still allowing the day to feel relaxed. David and his groomsmen made an exceptionally sharp line-up in tuxedos from Suitsupply.

Meanwhile we are all literally gasping at Sophie's goddess like gown. This shimmering, strapless crystal-and-sequin-embellished creation, with its sweetheart-style princess silhouette and sweeping tulle train, is from Nicole + Felicia Couture. Added drama comes with her long sheer Cathedral length veil adorned with oversized 3D fabric roses. Her pure white hydrangea white flower bouquet is classic and understated.

"I wanted a dress that felt timeless and special, and it suited the style of the day perfectly," says Sophie. "My bridal shoes were lent to me by one of my childhood best friends, making them an especially lovely part of my outfit. Another meaningful detail was sewn inside the dress. My friend Martina Garner, a talented seamstress, incorporated a piece of my dad's tie close to my heart, so I could carry a part of him with me throughout the day."

Sophie's bridesmaids wore chic satin slip dresses from Because of Alice. "We gave the children different roles throughout the day: the younger boys were page boys, the older boys handed out the church booklets, and David's godson carried our rings," says Sophie. The flower girls wore jumpsuits by Spanish designer Paqui Barroso, and the page boys wore mini M&S tuxedos. Sophie’s mother was the epitome of elegance in a dress from Emporium Kalu in Naas.

The Església Nova, the wonderful yet unfinished Neo-Gothic designed by Joan Rubió i Bellver (a disciple of Antoni Gaudí), provided a dramatic, open-air religious setting where the natural sky served as the ceiling.

Sophie's brother Conor walked her down the open-air aisle to Celine Dion's The Power of Love. "My dad passed away suddenly when I was 16, and we were incredibly close," says Sophie. "Honouring him was important to me, so alongside the piece of his tie sewn into my dress, I attached a blue pin featuring his picture to my bouquet."

During the ceremony, a profoundly moving moment stopped time. As Celine Dion's Dance with My Father echoed through the roofless church."Two white feathers fell from the sky, and there wasn't a bird in sight. It felt like a sign that my dad was there with me," says Sophie.

"We loved bringing our guests away for a destination celebration, giving everyone the chance to enjoy Mallorca alongside the wedding itself," says Sophie.

Sophie's engagement ring, wedding ring and David's wedding band all came from Gray's Jewellers in Dublin.

"In terms of destination wedding planning I think it is important to make choices that reflect who you are as a couple, rather than feeling you have to follow every tradition," says Sophie. "Everything passes so quickly, and even a few quiet minutes can give you a chance to appreciate it all."

After the ceremony, guests were transported via Mercedes Sprinter buses, while the newlyweds made a stylish escape in a vintage convertible Porsche.

"One of my favourite moments was driving with David from the church to the reception. It gave us a little time together after the ceremony before we rejoined everyone," says Sophie.

The reception at Finca Son Bi, Llucmajor was packed with unique, untraditional choices that reflected the couple's personalities. "We found the personal details are often the ones that mean the most," advises Sophie.

Sophie describes the theme of the day as "understated romance". Because both the ceremony and reception were hosted completely outdoors, they kept the floral styling by La Floreria minimal, letting Mallorca's natural landscape take center stage.

Continuing with a minimal palette, the couple chose crisp white, pastel pink and soft green for the table settings.

Skipping a traditional wedding cake, they opted instead for a glamorous champagne tower - a nod to Sophie’s favourite drink.

Sophie and David call The Party Lab one of their absolute best wedding investments. The band played from the very start of dinner straight through to the end of the night, creating an electric atmosphere that kept the dance floor packed.

The magical evening featured a first dance to Van Morrison's Days Like This cementing a perfect start to their new chapter.

Though their dogs Bear and Beag couldn't travel to Spain, they were there in spirit. The couple featured custom cocktails named after them, complete with their pictures.

Reflecting on their magical Balearic wedding, Sophie has the following advice for couples planning a destination wedding: "Having a good planner is invaluable; Mallorca Love Story really helped us bring everything together."

After the wedding the couple stayed at the beautiful five star Zoëtry Hotel resort in Mallorca for a few days. "This gave us time to unwind and enjoy being newlyweds after all the celebrations."

Congratulations Sophie & David! A very special thank you to our wonderful couple and Josefin Westin Photography for sharing today's magical destination wedding with One Fab Day!

Check out more Irish Real Weddings for inspiration now!

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