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

Italian Wedding Plans?! Voucher to stay in Florence Palace!

Shane — Thu, 10 May 2012 09:00:13 +0000

As you may have already spotted, we recently added Destination Italian Wedding Venues to WeddingDates, and we have have been drooling here in the office at how stunning some of these italian hotels are. Part of the perks of dealing with hotels all the time is we sometimes score vouchers to giveaway to you guys and this is probably the best yet!

We have a FANTASTIC voucher for 2 nights bed and breakfast in a suite in the magnificent Palazzo Magnani Ferroni in Florence!!

If you are planning an Italian wedding, you just HAVE to check this place out, and what a great opportunity to do so!

In this ancient Florentine palace , the painstaking attention to details will make your stay unforgettable: the choice of period furnishings and attentive personal service make the Palazzo Magnani Ferroni the ideal place to spend a memorable, exclusive holiday in Florence.

Head on over to our Facebook Page to tell us why you want to go and we’ll pick the lucky recipient in 3 weeks, on 31st May.

Terms and Conditions:

The two nights can be booked in August, November, December 2012 or January, February or March 2013.
All travel expenses and all meals, excluding breakfast, are at your own expense.
You are responsible for your own travel insurance.
Wedding Dates and our client hotel assume no responsibility for any loss, injury or death which could arise as a result of this prize.

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A party, a Festival, a Palooza!

Ciara Crossan — Fri, 04 May 2012 09:58:50 +0000

What is a wedding if not a big party with your family and friends all around?! No, I’m not dropping a bombshell on you guys…I haven’t run off and secretly tied the knot! But, last weekend I did celebrate a milestone birthday, but throwing one hell of a milestone bash!!

While this blog is all things weddings, I couldn’t resist sharing this with you as there were quite a few comparisons to a wedding for this party-of-all-parties and because I definitely think some of you may get some alternative wedding inspiration!

I am a big festival goer, and I wanted an outdoors festival theme for my 30th. Working in the industry I do, affords me an insight into some of the best locations and venues in the country and Blackwater Castle in Castletownroche, north Cork fit the bill for me perfectly.

The wow factor of a castle, without the pomp and circumstance. The space to accommodate 60+ people, without a hotel price tag. And most importantly the feeling that you were being trusted completely and welcomed wholeheartedly by the castle’s owner, Patrick. He said he wanted us to treat the castle as our own home, we could move furniture, decorate as we wanted and literally have the run of the place for 3 days!

With the theme decided on and the venue booked we put the word out via an awesomely designed website by the uber-talented Sabrina Dent and voilá Ciarapalooza was a-go-go!

Despite a few random hail showers, the weather held up admirably and allowed us partake in the outdoor activities onsite provided by Blackwater Outdoor Activities center – zorbing, zip lining, clay pigeon shooting and dune buggies – the adrenaline was definitely pumping after them and all were happy to see the BBQ Team rig who had set up onsite and served up gourmet burgers, bratwurst and for the main course a whole BBQ plate, with shoulder of pork which has been cooked for 14 hours, beef brisket, homemade beans and baked potatoes…..mmmm, I’m salivating at the thought of it now!! The guests raved about the food, and with the BBQ Rig being such a talking point, many of them gathered outside near the rig and listened to the funky stylings of our resident DJs for the weekend, Dr Herringbone Dread and John Hennessy and Lord Barry Walsh from Sunday Times Soundsystem.

As it was a Crossan-party, naturally costumes were involved and if people didn’t bring their own, we managed to provide a whole costume room for people to get decked out and transform themselves – we had Xena, Falconhoof, Maid Marian and Robin Hood, a Mexican, a 20s flapper, 80′s fitness girls, cleopatra, and many men in dresses!!

After the treasure hunt, food and birthday cakes the band came on and rocked the castle!! Patrick said to me at one point ” This castle has been standing for over 100 years, I wonder will it still be standing tomorrow!” and we danced and rocked the night away to the wee hours.

I was overwhelmed by the whole event, and really glad that everyone enjoyed themselves. For people who want a wedding that’s more like a party, a DIY castle event is definitely a winner!!

Enjoy a selection of snaps by clicking below…

Venue: Blackwater Castle, Castletownroche, Cork
Food: The BBQ Team
Drink: OnTap.ie
Activities: Blackwater Outdoor Activities
Band: The Hot Blooded Animals
DJs: Dr Herringbone Dread & Sunday Times Soundsystem

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Valentine’s Day Specials in Wexford, Kilkenny and Kerry

ClaireB — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:59:08 +0000

Millrace Carlton Hotel, Wexford

Stay and Play: €55pp
1 Round of golf and 1 night’s accomodation
Stay and Indulge: €55pp
1 Spa treatment and 1 night’s accomodation
Stay and Dine: €55pp
Meal for 2 and 1 night’s accomodation
Call: 053 937 5100
Email: reservations.millrace@carlton.ie

Ormonde Hotel, Kilkenny

€89pps
1 Night Bed & Breakfast,
Evening Meal, Bottle of Bubbly plus romantic extras
Tuesday 14th February
Call: 056 7750200

Ballygarry House Hotel and Spa, Tralee

Cost from €85pps
A romantic stay for two
Call: 066 712 3322

Ballyroe Heights Hotel, Tralee

€140.00pps
1 night’s mountain view accommodation
A welcome package of a chilled bottle of sparkling wine and strawberries in your room
A candlelit 3 course dinner
Breakfast in Bed on the following morning
Valid from Friday 10th – Sun 19th February
Stay an extra night for only 35.00pps
Bed and Full Irish Breakfast
Call: 066 712 6796

Kenmare Bay Hotel, Kerry

€139 pps
2 night’s bed and breakfast and 1 evening meal. Includes wine with the meal and delicious Lorge chocolates in your room on arrival.
Valid for 10/11 & 17/18 February.
Call:064 66 41300
Email:info@kenmarebayhotel.com

{Image by Rayani Melo}

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Valentine’s Day Specials in Dublin

ClaireB — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:16:34 +0000

There are really good offers to choose from. Go on and spoil that special person in your life this Valentine’s Day.

Bewley’s Hotel Group

€59pps
Bed & Breakfast
Dinner
Glass of bubbly

The Clarence Hotel

€35.00pp
4 course set menu including a glass of Prosseco
Full a la carte alos available
Call: 01 407 0813
Email: tearoom@theclarence.ie

Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire

Package starts at €160pp
1 and 2 Night’s accomodation
Romantic dinner
Bed in breakfast the next morning
Champagne and flowers
Call: 012 3000 30
Email: reservations@royalmarine.ie

Clontarf Castle, Dublin

€175pps
2 night stay in the Castle
Champagne, handmade chocolates and rose petals in your room
Romantic dinner in Fahrenheit Restaurant

€124.50pps
1 night stay in the Castle
Full Irish breakfast in a deluxe bedroom
Chilled champagne, handmade chocolates and rose petals
A romantic dinner for two in Fahrenheit Restaurant

Crowne Plaza Dundalk

€89pps
Romantic Meal for two and accomodation
Candlelit Dinner in Fahrenheit Rooftop Restaurant with Bed and Breakfast
Call: 042 939 4900

The Westin

Sharing plate options starting at €8pp
3 Course Dinner options available
Available on the 10th, 11th and 14th of February
Call: 01 645 1318 or
Email: Sinead.mcgleenon@westin.com

Dylan Hotel

Prices start from €289.00 per room
6 course tasting menu
Full Irish Breakfast
His & Hers cocktails: HIS – Blueberry Old Fashioned, HER – Rose Petal Martini
The package is available from 10th of February to the 18th
Call:016 603000
Email: reservations@dylan.ie

Academy Plaza Hotel

€59pp
1 night bed and breakfast
4 course dinner for 2 and a glass of Prosecco
Call: 01 878 0666 or 01 817 4108
E-mail: sales@academyplazahotel.ie

Portmarnock Hotel and Golf Links

Starting at €166 per package
1 Night BB and Dinner
Available Friday 10 February – Tuesday 14 February inclusive

{Image by Yen H Nguyen}

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Rave Wedding Reviews for Kenmare Bay Hotel!

Ciara Crossan — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 14:53:28 +0000

Regular users of the site will have noticed the reviews from past wedding couples for all our hotels. One hotel that is getting rave reviews from their wedding couples is the well known 4 * Kenmare Bay Hotel in one of our fav spots in the country….Co. Kerry!

Don’t take my word for it, don’t take the hotels word…take it from the horses mouth – the wedding couples themselves!

From our first visit to the hotel we just fell in love with it and we can honestly say all of our guests did also. The Kenmare Bay took the stress out of the build up to our wedding, Tom checked in with us on a regular basis to see how all our plans were going and we knew we could contact him at anytime with any question or query we had. The day itself ran so smoothly from the moment it started the service was fantastic and the food was outstanding. The staff are all so friendly and helpfull and nothing was a problem. ~ Danielle

We couldn’t have had a more perfect wedding day. Right from the start Sue, Tom, Hanneke and all the team at the Kenmare Bay Hotel made us feel that our wedding was as important to them as it was to us. Living in London, we organised much of our wedding over the phone and via email, every response was prompt and usually started and ended with “No problem!” ~ Tracy

You can’t get much better than that! Read more Wedding Reviews for the Kenmare Bay Hotel or for your own big day, check availability for this top Kerry Wedding Venue!

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Wedding Fayre Cork: Vienna Woods Hotel

Ciara Crossan — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 17:31:24 +0000

One of Cork’s favourite wedding reception venues for generations the Fitzgeralds Vienna Woods Hotel is hosting its annual wedding fayre to show the newly engaged couples of Cork what they have to offer. With a great reputation for good food and excellent service, this is surely one to check out for any 2013 or even 2012 couples out there!

Why not check availability and get your enquiry in before Sunday and head on down to chat to the team! Make enquiry for this Cork wedding venue >>

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Herbs & Roses, cupcakes and cocktails!

Ciara Crossan — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 13:09:49 +0000

The perks of running a wedding website, is that occasionally you get invited to check out the hotels (and some of their fab facilities!) Last month I took a trip down to the Carlton Hotel in Tralee, and boy was it worth the drive from Cork!

It was the launch of their Herbs & Roses Spa and the place was packed with the glamourous ladies (and a few gents!) from Tralee. The Rose of Tralee herself even made an appearance and posed for pics with everyone (including me!)

When we arrived, we were greeted with cocktails and cupcakes, as well as great little goodie bags, packed with samples from the spa. Claire (my date for the evening) was delighted with hers!

We got a full tour of the spa and the therapists in each room were demonstrating the treatments and talking us through which treatments would be best for different conditions. I particularly liked the sound of the massage suited for people who do alot of driving or work on the computer!

They have also launched a Bridal Boot Camp as a new service for brides in the Tralee area, so make sure to check it out if you are looking for a boost before your big day.

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The Brat Pack Live in City North Hotel

Shane — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 11:00:23 +0000

The exquisite City North Hotel will be hosting a brilliant night of entertainment over this festive season! The Brat Pack will be preforming in the hotel for just one night only! This event will take place on Wednesday 28th of December, with tickets starting at €10, it is a great affordable night out for all! read more...

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The Westwood House Hotel – Live Guest Link!

Shane — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 15:36:19 +0000

As a gang of wedding techies, we love to see cutting edge developments here in WeddingDates and we were impressed to learn that the four-star Westwood Hotel offers each bridal couple one very special element to their wedding day – linking in with overseas guests…. The hotel has just launched a first in the Irish Wedding Market with the introduction of their “Live Guest Link” facility.

Such are the times we live in that most every wedding couple has a person or two missing from the guest list on the day who they would have liked to had share the happiness of the occasion – this is especially prevalent in the current economic climate with many family & friends perhaps abroad or unable to travel.

Now when you book your Wedding Day at The Westwood these friends and families can share in your happiness and that of your guests as each bride and groom will be given their own unique live stream website for the duration of their speeches. The site will offer security of use via each couples own unique and secure username and password. These security details can be given to those guests unable to travel and they can log on to the website to view in full colour and hear the wedding speeches live and as they happen. This service is offered at no additional cost to the Bride & Groom.

You can check availability for your big day in this Galway Wedding Hotel here >>

Click here for more information or to make an enquiry with this beautiful Wedding Venue in Galway!

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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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