The Bride is Always Late: Irish Wedding Blog from WeddingDates.ie » Wedding Entertainment

re-wedding: glass houses, milk bottles & biscuits

ClaireB — Wed, 02 May 2012 19:51:41 +0000

i have a genuinely soft spot for anything cow but i have an especially soft spot for anything that makes it’s way out of her beautiful udders. i have a complete crush on milk in other words. i drink it daily, by the glass full and believe you me, when i get the chance: i drink it straight from those warm udders too.

so here i am sitting dreaming about my re-wedding again. the hubby and i have been at odds with each other this week. not quite getting where the other is at, just totally going against each other’s grain. i think we need a holiday: some quite time, some cookies-and-milk-time to be kids again.

so why not just invent our re-wedding day around my favourite things: milk bottles, biscuits and all things cafe style. i am a food photographer after all.

i think a spacious, wide open glass house will work well for this one. there needs to be an assortment of chairs and tables, all different. should i ask my guests to bring their tables and chairs with? yes, i think i might just do that.

i will serve them cookies and milk: not just glasses of milk but full cream milk served out of glass bottles with straws.

kat forsyth will be my photographer. she does know how to capture the quirky factor so well. my wedding dress will be a gentle affair: a design by The English Dept.

oh and don’t forget the music. i will walk all over dublin town to find the best buskers and street musicians this lyrical city has to offer and they will serenade my night away.

i can see him twirling me around and around all evening long.

you’re invited. r.s.v.p essential.

much love,
claire

we hope this re-wedding posts are inspiring you to get creative about your own wedding. if you want to connect with the artist’s mentioned, just click on their links below:
photographer: kat forsyth
wedding dress: the english dept
food: monika’s biscuits

{all images by suppliers mentioned, the accompanying gallery on flickr provides direct credits.}

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7 Fun Ideas for a.L.t.{e}r.N.a.T.i.{v}e Weddings

guest — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 17:15:10 +0000

Over the years of attending weddings I have spotted a few gems that I thought I would share:

1. Helicopter pick up in the morning – I was told it wasn’t as expensive as it sounds and if you are all at a hotel and having breakfast together then its a great way to depart and get to the airport
2. Karaoke – I appreciate this isn’t for everyone but we did have fun and it was a twist on the first dance!
3. Choreographed dance – I haven’t been to one that dances up the aisle although I look forward to that day. I have though seen a quirky first dance which gets everyone going
4. Favorite tune – one invite asked us to RSVP and also request a song, was a great one to ensure at least everyone danced once
5. Tractor ride – a country wedding had a tractor and trailer take the guests from the church to the reception, very apt for the surroundings
6. The money dance – surely we can make this more wide spread then just the Greek community, its just too good not to
7. Betting on the speeches – I had thought it was a standard thing to do but have mentioned it before and got very odd looks. There should always be a inappropriately young person gathering bets on the length of the speeches from first word to final clap

…. will post more as I experience them

{Bree is our awesome commercialisation specialist. She has seen her fair share of craziness at weddings and will be sharing some funky stories on our blog in the coming months. Image by Robb North.}

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10 Wedding Planning Apps To Make Your Day Awesome

ClaireB — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 14:31:40 +0000

It is engagement season! The rock lands on your finger and then, where to then?

We have done the research for you. Download these 10 applications today and start planning your big day. If you keep track of all your information from day one, the entire process can run smoothly!

1. The General Organiser Tool

iWedding Deluxe is an overall planner that will keep all your information in one central place. It is advisable to use this as your primary planning tool.

2. The Budget Tool

No good wedding can happen without a budget being set from day 1. Wedding Budget allows you to track every financial aspect of the wedding.

3. The Gift Registry Tool

You know what you want and need to set your home up. Wedding Scan allows you to scan any item’s barcode or take an image of it and then add a description so that your guests can easily get that perfect gift for you.

4. The Inspiration Tool

At the start of the process you will have hundreds of ideas running through your mind. It will take a while before things settle into place and you have a fixed idea of what you want and how everything comes together. Wedding Row gives you a central place to gather all your ideas so that you can visualise how everything is coming together.

5. The Celebrity Inspiration Tool

Mindy Weiss has planned some of the largest celebrity weddings out there. The feathers in her cap hold really spectacular names. The Mindy Weiss app will inspire and delight you with ideas as you plan your own big day.

6. The Dress Tool

iBridalGown has been designed by a bridal gown salon owner so you can be sure that it will lead you through every step of the process seamlessly (no pun intended).

7. The Music Planning Tool

Music can be tricky to plan for the big day because everyone has such varied taste. Get your friends and family involved: use The Fun Wedding app to keep track of all your songs and all the music from the ones you love who will be sharing your big day.

8. The Flower Tool

Wedding Flowers Moodboard allows you to match different styles and colours to create the perfect bouquets.

9. The Venue Tool

Wedding Dates have the best venue search tool. It is interactive and you will be able to see availability immediately. The venue is one of the most important factors in the day. It sets the tone, it creates the mood. It will form the foundation of all the memories you make that day! Choose well is what our team reckons.

10. The Google Tool

Who would know but Google is even part of the wedding movement! For those who prefer working on a computer or laptop for all your planning activities, check out Google’s tips on using their tools for wedding plans.

Do you use any other tools? Tell us about them in the comments.

{Image courtesy of William Marlow, sourced via Creative Commons within Flickr.}

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Choosing the music for your wedding ceremony

Ciara Crossan — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 11:58:48 +0000

This guest blog post is from church music singer Karoline O’Sullivan who shares her advice for couples when choosing their ceremony music.

When someone asks me what kind of music I like I often have to stop and think. We all know what we like when we hear it on the radio or at a concert, but how easy is it to remember, just off the tops of our heads what it is we really like? This is the most common problem with which brides and grooms come to me. They can feel completely out of their depth when it comes to choosing the music for their ceremony.

It is the role of your singer or musician to take all that stress and worry away from you, but just in case they don’t, here are a few tips to help you out:

Firstly try to get hold of some booklets from previous weddings. Simply looking through these will give you a general outline of how many pieces of music you will need and for church weddings, the type of music that is accepted.
Secondly try to listen to a few recordings which you will find on YouTube and wedding singers websites. As you listen to the recordings, read the lyrics, soon you will find something that really reflects your personality and your relationship as well as the mood you wish to set during the ceremony.
Now would be a good time to speak to whoever is giving the ceremony. Your server or priest may be very open minded about the music you chose but they do like to have some kind of input. Also they may have some great ideas.
Finally you must meet your singer. I don’t believe you will get the best results from simply speaking on the phone or communicating via email, you must request that your singer meets you in person. That way you can ask him or her to sing through a few of the pieces and help you decide what works best. Also hearing the songs may remind you of pieces you learned as a child or something a parent or grandparent once sang. That kind of personal connection with your music really helps to take the stress out of making your final choices and can make a real difference to your wedding ceremony.

I hope that helps a little. To hear some of my recordings and/or to make an enquiry please check out my page or my website. Thanks for reading, Karoline.

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Be a VIP with The Marvels!

Ciara Crossan — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 13:10:12 +0000

Just got engaged and searching for the perfect wedding band to create the right atmosphere at your wedding? The band that played our very own launch party – Europe’s No.1 Positive Energy Band, The Marvels are playing a showcase gig in The Sugar Club next Saturday 29th January.

A taste for what to expect in the Sugar Club from this class act:

Tickets are strictly limited, so head over to their website and apply now!!

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Wedding Entertainment: Add a bit of Magic!

Ciara Crossan — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 13:37:48 +0000

As hectic the wedding day is for the bride and groom and wedding party, there is usually a lull in proceedings for the wedding guests between the church/ceremony and the reception main. Sometimes there is finger food, sometimes not. Sometimes there is a string quartet or pianist, sometimes not.

Well, if you are REALLY looking to entertain your guests (and even have a bit of fun yourself!) then you’d be mad not to check out Liam Sheehan Celebrity Magician (he’s performed for Michael Jackson!). I have a huge soft spot for Liam (not just cause he’s from Cork, right?!) and when you watch his video and how he interacts with the couples, so will you:

Check out his full profile and contact Liam about performing as your wedding magician.

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Want your wedding to be a right laugh?!

Ciara Crossan — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 08:30:03 +0000

Last week I wrote about the Fake Wedding I attended in Hotel Meyrick where we were entertained by “Fr Feely” the priest who also does Bertie impressions! He really added a lift during the speeches of the night and he was keen to let me know that he is now available for wedding entertainment. As with all wedding entertainment, things go in and out of fashion, maybe now its time to think of a wedding comedian, bringing to life all the political characters, wigs ‘n’all and of course he can also be your priest…. father feely!! :)

AS SEEN ON TV:

RTE’s Celebrity Boxing show, Lords of the Ring, Celebrity Eurostar, The Panel, Bull Island, The Late Late Show, No Frontiers, The Afternoon Show, Fr. Ted, Ni Gaelgoer Me [Tg4]…. And that’s just his day job!!

Alan Shortt has worked as a comedian, writer, actor, broadcaster, for the last 15 years, entertaining both private and corporate clients all over Ireland and abroad with his hilarious political impressions.

His characters include: Brian Cowen, Bertie Ahern, Barrack Obama, Bill Clinton, Michael D Higgins, George Lee, Christy Hennessey ….. And many more.

Alan’s one man show is suited to all corporate events, golf outings, conferences, seminars, staff motivation clinics, and even intimate private social gatherings like weddings. Alan always insists in meeting the client during the weeks leading up to the event so he gather as information to add to his material for the event. This offers a very personal touch and works really well with the audience.

to get in touch with Alan to discuss your wedding entertainment and get pricing info, you can ring him direct on 086 8394660 but just make sure to let him know you read about him on the weddingdates.ie blog! :)

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Win your Wedding Band!

Ciara Crossan — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 08:30:43 +0000

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!

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Marvel-ously Christmassy!

Ciara Crossan — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 15:51:00 +0000

We love a good bit of cheesiness here in WeddingDates.ie HQ, and especially at Christmas, sher all the better!! Our favourite wedding band, The Marvels sent us this fabulously cheesy Christmas video the other day and we just HAD to share it with you guys….lovin’ it! :)

If you want a wedding band that pulls out all the stops with a super charismatic front man then look now further than The Marvels! Click here for more info on The Marvels >>

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Straight from NYC! Wedding Trends for 2010

Ciara Crossan — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 11:17:12 +0000

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.

Tatiana also hosts New Yorks finest Luxury Bridal Show called the Wedding Salon so if you are living in NYC or planning to visit, I’m sure it would be WELL worth a look!

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