Heard about this fabulous, gathering of all things wedding and all things unusual.  Naturally, I felt right at home!  Had to share it with you guys….

Photo Credit: Lauren Church

Check out Yay, I do…

Not just for the rich and famous, now you too can arrive at your wedding in an uber-luxurious Bentley Car.  Munster Bentleys have the only car of its kind in Ireland (Continental Flying Spur) and the good news is, they rent them for weddings!! We were lucky enough to have this car at our launch party last February and it has a real wow-factor with all the guests, many of whom got a spin in it!

Couples can rent the car for their wedding day transportation anywhere in Munster, and Hotels can sign up for a package deal for their wedding couples.  An altogether fabulous way to arrive at your big day!  This new exclusive chauffeur service in a new Bentley Continental Flying Spur, is one of the only of its kind in the country so you can pretty much be guaranteed that it will be “different” to the traditional Wedding Car.

Check out their website: http://www.munsterbentleyhire.com or contact Loretto Kiernan on  086-1738238 for a quote.

To celebrate their first birthday and to add to their 2,000 + couples membership, MyWeddingFile.com are having a Facebook competiton and are giving away some super prizes!  You know I don’t like to have any of my readers out of the loop for any free stuff that’s going around, so here’s what you can win:

Click here to enter the competition (warning: you have to become a fan of MyWeddingFile.com on Facebook to enter the competition) G’luck!

I have to hold up my hand and admit I am not a fan of cash in cards for wedding presents.  I know, I know people don’t want ten toasters, and others think the idea of a gift registry/ordering gifts is a bit cheeky and tacky.  But honestly, what is more crude than cash?

There is a new concept knocking around, dubbed the “HoneyPot“, where wedding guests can contribute towards the cost of the honeymoon for the couple.  In this way, they don’t have to go buying gifts, but don’t have the stigma with how much cash to put in the card on the day either.  From the couples point of view, they can pay for the wedding themselves and have the amazing gift of a holiday from their guests.

MyHoneymoon.ie is a unique online wedding gift registry enabling guests to give couples the ‘Gift of Travel’.  Here’s what the company themselves have to say about it:

Honeymoons make ideal gifts and in the present age where many couples already have their furnished house, pots, pans and Waterford Glass, we thought it would be of benefit to an engaged couple to enable invited guests to give the gift of travel online as a direct contribution to their honeymoon. We simply tailor-make the honeymoon, then create a free online honeymoon gift registry which allows them to direct their guests to the site above.

Wedding Guests and friends can make their monetary gift online and couples have full access to all payments. Couples can give as much or as little information on their honeymoon as they wish and all gifts are acknowledged on line.  For example, they can specify which tours and trips they want in their package and guests can buy them specific experiences eg. bungy jumping etc.

The company also offer special gift cards on which couples can write their unique access code and include in their wedding invitations.  From the day the registry is created, guests can purchase gifts. The account tracks all of the gifts and their givers for easy thank-you’s after the dream trip!

I like the concept and I have talked to a few other brides who do too….what do you think?  Comments below please! :)  You can find out more info on www.myhoneymoon.ie

There’s a new website to make your wedding planning another bit easier and its FindABand.ie.  Does pretty much what it says on the tin, it’s a website directory of bands from around the country.

To celebrate their launch they are running a competition to pay €2,500 for a wedding band for 1 lucky couple!  To enter the competition, you have to submit a short video of yourself and your other half explaining how you met and how you came to be at this happy point of your lives!  The competition runs till July 31st 2010 and you have to be getting married after that in order to qualify.  Short-listed Videos will be available to watch via their website and the judging will last for 3 weeks after which winners will be announced.  There are some T&C’s but nothing too tricky…read about them here.

Sounds like a fun competition - so spread the word to any Autumn/Winter 2010 couples or Weddings in 2011!

Last Sunday I was invited down to Adare Manor to their wedding fair to check out the property and see what the renowed 5 star property has to offer potential brides.

Let me tell you…ALOT!  It was incredible to see a black carriage being pulled by 2 large black horses with the white feather plumes coming out of the top of their heads!  The Manor itself is really spectacular, and the banqueting hall in particular would be amazing for a wedding ceremony.  For parties up to 90 people they can set the room up with a long extended banquet table - spectacular!

They had invited Wedding Planner to the Stars Tatiana Byron to speak to the brides and grooms to be, about Wedding Trends for 2010.  Diligent as I am, I scribbled notes for you guys so here we go!

A key piece of advice from Tatiana - Approach any decision for your wedding day with one thought in your mind: “How is this going to affect my wedding guests?”  If you always consider your guests then you can’t go too far wrong with your decisions.

Top 10 Trends for 2010

#1 Personalization is key

Suggestions:

• Custom designed monograms for the couple.  This can be used throughout throughout the wedding day from lights on the dance floor, the aisle runner, invitations, cake toppers, menus….the list goes on!
• Custom Wedding Songs.  You tell the story and a musician creates a song, you can use for your first dance, for your wedding “music video” etc.
• Get a characaturist to do a picture of you the couple which can be used on invitations, to display at the wedding etc.  Black Eye Peas singer Fergie did this for her wedding!

#2 Wedding Colours

Suggestions:

• Trend at the moment is anything but traditional, Vibrant colours such as oranges, yellows, hot pinks, greens etc.
• Use colours as a common thread in your wedding - flowers, linens, invitations, table cloths etc.

#3 Themed Weddings

Suggestions:

• French Opulence is popular for 2010.  Think Chateau Versailles.
• Word of caution.  If you are going for a themed wedding, you have to embrace the theme throughout to be true to it and to create the atmosphere you are looking for.  This will inevitably drive up the overall cost of your wedding.

#4 Eco Friendly Chic

“Green Factor” Suggestions:

• Food and Flowers - grown within 100 mile radius, organic farming
• Invitations - sustainable materials eg bamboo, plantable seeds, recycled paper etc.  Katherine Heigl had an Eco Friendly Wedding.
• Favours - homemade organic cookies, organic caramel apples, potted tulips, bamboo coaster & plants…these are a symbol of good luck!

#5 Signature Cocktails

Suggestons:

• Serve your favourite cocktail & name it aafter the happy couple á la “Brangelina”
• Cocktail menus can feature your monogram
• Cocktails can be matched to your colour scheme, eg coloured liquers, sugar crystals on glass etc.

#6 Dessert

Suggestions:

• Cupcake displays very trendy in last year or so
• Dessert Spreads and Candy “Bars”
  • Gourmet chocolates
  • Colourful and towerinig desserts
  • Lollipop gardens
  • mini cupcake towers v popular
• Use your monogram on your cake
• Personalised M&Ms with your initials (only costs about €150)

#7 Entertainment

Suggestions:

• Non Traditional Performances
  • Electric Concert Violinists
  • Cirque style performers
  • Stilt walkers escorting guests
• Trend at the moment for “music videos” in weddings which is basically a 1.5 minute video/photo montage of the couple which can be put to music and shown at the wedding

#8 Bridal Fashion

Trends:

• Bridal Fashion follows runways of Paris and Milan
• Brides showing more skin
• Mini dresses
• Multiple gowns for the evening
• Convertable dresses
• Old Hollywood Glamour, think Grace Kelly
• Romantic/Princess like gowns
• Sheer fabrics & lace
• Mismatched Bridal gowns
• one gown, multiple looks
• Alyssa Milano’s bridesmaids all looked different
• Shop: Sydney, New York OR London; 2Birds Bridesmaid make 1bridesmaids dress for weddings which can be worn in 15 different styles!  Something to suit all shapes and sizes and is sure to please your bridesmaids.

#9 Beauty & Accessories

Trends:

• Hair down with simple headpiece á la Fergie
• Birdcage Veils v popular
• Statement Jewellry - beaded necklaces
• Natural Make up
• Loose cascading curls
• Antique brooches used in hair

#10 New Things!

• Wedding Websites so couples can share their planning process and journey with their family and friends eg. mywedding.com, projectwedding.com
  • Can share updates on hotels, recreation activities, restaurants etc.
  • Involve your guests in your wedding planning process
  • If you are having a “destination wedding” then a wedding website is almost obligatory to keep people informed of the plan for the few days you are expecting them to travel for.
• Blogging about your experience is also a growing trend amongst brides-to-be.
  • Build a Bridal Community
• Honour your heritage.
  • If you have traditions in your family, your wedding is a lovely time to integrate them into your new family!
  • Think about food inspired by your heritage, music etc etc.
• Celebrities are a great source of inspiration.
• Ultimately your wedding is about YOU!
• Follow trends but always add the personal touch.

I know not all of you could make it to the Fota Island Resort Wedding Forum Evening last Thursday night, but never fear people - I went on your behalf!!

The concept of the Wedding Forum, was that there would be a panel of experts to give 5 minute-talks on their different areas and then open up the floor to Q&A.

Lorraine Keane was the host, and a fantastic job she did.  She handled the whole thing so professionally and came across really naturally, no notes or anything.  There was champagne on arrival and the most delicious canapés I have ever had including mini beef Wellington roulades and vodka sorbet served in a Martini glass!

Here’s some notes I took from what the experts were saying:

Phyl Clarke/Leonard Daly: Beauty & Make Up

• Eyebrow Shaping so important, it frames your face.  Put down the tweezers and go to a professional.  Take their advice about the best shape for your face and then hold tough as your old shape grows out!
• Exercise is obviously key for shaping up before your big day.  Not a gym bunny?  No problem, going for a brisk walk is great for getting fresh air and will add a glow to your face.
• Trials - get 2 each for hair and make up to make sure you know what you are getting. And make sure your trials are with the people who will be doing your hair/make up on the day!
• Facials: Deep Cleansing 6 months in advance and Hydrating for a couple of weeks in advance - will help plump up your face for photos
• Your make up will last all day if done professionally.  Only thing needed is extra lipstick/gloss and blotting powder to keep you fresh.
• Lashes - falsies a great idea to add extra glamour on the day. “Cows Eyes” Effect!  Brings attention to your eyes.  They don’t have to look really fake, you can get very natural looking ones.  Individual lashes can be a pain if one falls off, you are left with a space on your lashes!  Go for strip lashes, Ardel Brand costs about €7/€8.

Pól Ó Conghaile: Travel

• 40% reduction on honeymoons/holidays on 2007 prices
• Suggestion: Open a Bottle of Wine…. And the Altas!
• 2/3 honeymoons are now twin-centre (this means two destinations like beach/city)
• Suggested Itineraries: Dubai - Mauritius 3* €3,800, 5* €7,800 for 12-14 days.  Malaysia v popular: Kuala Lumper - Borneo (added bonus of Wildlife Experience)  Miami & Carribean (Cruise) €2,000 7 night package + 3 nights in Miami (per person)  Another popular option is Vegas & Cancun, Mexico.
• Decide the TYPE of Honeymoon you want: Relaxation Vs Adventure, Beach Vs Urban, All Inclusive Vs Independant, Around the Corner Vs Around the World.
• GET EXPERT ADVICE. Think you can book it yourself, but you are going to be exhausted after the wedding, so it is nice to know that everything is in hand.  So much to consider including time of year to travel to certain destinations, Visas, Vaccines.
• Cost Saving Tips for your Honeymoon:
  • Honeymoon Lists
  • Shop Around
  • Think carefully about last minute bookings
  • 10 days or 14? 4 star or 5? You can cut 25% off your bill by these measures.
  • Consider a “minimoon”

Catherine McSweeney - Mulberry Tree

• Trend last year was to have everything matching.
• Trend Now: Be more individual and creative.  Everything doesn’t have to match.
• Book a Service Provider/Wedding Planner.  You will think that it is an unnecessary expense but they will have alot of contacts and will be able to negotiate discounts for you with the hotel, on corkage, chair covers etc.  You will save money in the long run.
• Centre Pieces: Moving away from structural centre pieces, try potted orchid plants, or get your florists to create flowers in a bowl - these can be given as gifts afterwards.  Table Runners made from wallpaper.  Full length skirts on tablecloths will make any room look elegant/give the wow factor.
• Decide on a budget first before going to service provider/wedding planner.  They can work with any budget.
• Recycling!  Get the same person to decorate the church and the venue.  Limit the type of flowers - economizes.  Mass booklets in basket handed to guests intead of left on seats. Wrist corsage for flower girls instead of bouquets, will lesson the cost by about €80.  Pew Ends from Church can be brought back to the hotel and used in the ladies toilets.

Brian Terry: Photographer

• Trend at the moment is for candid photography.  Captures little bits of the day.  Mixture between still life and family shots.  Provides a narrative of the day.
• Meet your photographer first - he/she HAS to be a people person.  They will put your guests off if they are shoving a camera lens in their faces all day.
• Make sure you see full albums of their work ie. a full wedding as oppossed to their best 20 shots from the last few weddings they have done.
• Cost Saving?  Some couples are nowadays going for a DVD of the photos instead of the album.  Would recommend against as you can whip out an album anytime but how often are you going to turn on the computer to look at photos, plus in 20 years time technology will have moved on!  We may not even use DVDs then!
• Book a professional whose full time job it is as you have to consider the post-wedding service too.  If someone is doing the wedding photos on a Saturday in their spare time, then you may not get the after-sales service you are expecting.
• Don’t sacrifice the finished product - The Album!

Neil Foster: Head Chef, Fota Island Resort

• Menu Engineering - selecting options and cost per cover.
• You don’t just have to think about Filet Steak, there is a whole cow in the field!
• A good chef will be able to make the cheaper cuts of meat taste just as good.  Ribeye/Sirloin great cuts of meat.
• Consider having 3 courses instead of 5. Don’t stuff your guests!  Dessert plates will come back half-finished!
• Meet your chef - they have to be passionate about what they do.
• Have questions for your chef when you go to the tasting.
• Ask for photos of the tasting and ask for the menu tasting notes.
• You are paying top dollar for the food, you have to make sure you know you are getting what you pay for!

Today is a day of celebration - the American day of Thanksgiving!  I’d like to wish all our American readers out there a very Happy Thanksgiving but also to ask everyone to pause and reflect what THEY are thankful for this year?  If you are reading this blog, chances are newly engaged in 2009 so there’s one big reason to be thankful!!  For your partner who you are planning this big day with and who you are going to spend the rest of your life with.

There are plenty of others who will be involved in your wedding, from the mothers and fathers, siblings, friends, relatives.  Take some time today to give a heartfelt Thank You to the person or people who are your rock during this time.  We all have those people we lean on through the trials and disappointments and who are also the ones we get the urge to call to share happy news!  Here’s to being thankful to the people in our lives who make everything that little bit better.

And if you are getting married around this time of year, I adore these colour boards for inspiration.  Burnt oranges and Chocolate Browns, Hearty food on the menu and a roaring log fire at the venue.  Heaven :)

Images Courtesy of www.withthisfavour.com

With half the country knee-deep in water, and many of us fleeing for higher ground last weekend, I couldn’t help but think of any unfortunate couples who were getting married during what will forever be remembered as some of the worst floods to happen in Ireland for the last century.

With roads blocked, bridges washed away and many businesses damaged or closed - what would you do if disaster struck on your big day?!  There are some things that even the most organised bride can’t plan for, so all the more reason to invest in solid Wedding Insurance to protect yourself in case the worst happens.

The 5 Star cover from WeddingInsurance.ie covers you up to €30,000 for rearrangement of your big day,€15,000 for the bridal attire, and €7,000 for the photographer.  Cover costs as little as €149, a no brainer when you consider the alternatives if disaster does strike!

1. iDIY - Design Goodies for “I Do”-It-Yourself Weddings
2. The UnBride - Unconventional & Unforgetable
3. Didn’t Get the Wedding Gene - personal account of an Irish gals wedding planning
4. Temple of Groom - One for the Boys!  An LA Groom who is very much part of his wedding planning
5. Etsy Wedding - Offbeat finds for the Ecclectic Bride (From Etsy, online shop for all things handmade)
6. Wedding Nouveau - A Style Guide for Intercultural Brides
7. Brenda’s Wedding Blog - Daily Inspriration for the One-Of-A-Kind Bride and Groom
8. BrideChic - an online resource for Bridal Fashion - DRESSES, DRESSES, DRESSES!
9. StyleMePretty - “Obsessions for Brides” - the photography in this blog is FABULOUS!
10. Beaut.ie - Irelands #1 Beauty Blog - Now while not 100% weddingy, I think all brides-to-be need to be in the know re: beauty products and regimes!