Month: January 2018

Irish Wedding Themed Favours

Forget shamrocks and leprechauns! If you want to avoid the old stereotypes of Ireland, but you still want to give your guests a taste of the country, then think about what stunning produce modern Ireland has to offer.

From artisan chocolates, to chic gin, to candles, seaweed beauty products and everything in between there are so many options to choose from.

Of course, you’ve got to have some of the retro classics in there too and without doubt one of the things people miss if they are living away from Ireland is the food. Favourites like Barry’s Tea, Kerry gold, Brennan Bread and Tatyo Crisps

Equally if you are having your wedding here and want to familiarise your guests with Irish culture, these items are ideal.

Don’t hesitate to get in touch with me directly if you wish to chat about any aspect of your wedding planning and décor.

Tayto

It’s the Irish classic, that might seem a bit odd to overseas guests, but it will be a truly unique favour they sure won’t have had before. Equally if you’re living abroad and coming home for your wedding, what a taste of home this will be! Yes it’s the classic Tatyo sandwich pack with bread, the famed crisps and butter!

Tea

Ireland and Tea go together like peas and carrots. We are obsessed with tea and again this could be a really fun favour. Try and track down some retro style tea tins of brand such as Barry’s or Lyons and leave one for each guests.

Seaweed

Ireland’s Seaweed is famed for its skincare benefits and healing properties and indeed on the west coast of the country you can indulge in a luxury seaweed bath. But why not give guests a sample of the product with items such as soaps, bath salts and body lotions. Brands such as Voya are ideal.

Irish Drinks

A simple, but welcome favour, why not leave a different mini bottle of an Irish drink for each guest? Whiskey is an obvious choice, but think about all the artisan gins, craft beers and non-alcoholic drinks being produced here in Ireland. If you want to get fancy, then you could personalise them and have each on a bundle with a few other items, such as artisan chocolates or mixers.

Candles

Irish artisan candles have become huge in recent years. It’s a thriving business and many of them are truly unique with scents such as rainy Irish day or a turf fire to really give your guests something different.

Images via Pinterest

Top Tips for Choosing The Honeymoon

Choosing your honeymoon destination is hugely fun. It’s exciting because it’s the first trip you’ll take as a married couple! It’s also in many ways meant to be a trip of a lifetime. Something and somewhere you’ve probably never been to and may never go to again.

In short, it’s special.

But that said, there are no hard and fast rules about where you should go and what you should do. You don’t have to go to some far flung beach and sip cocktails under an umbrella for two weeks. Likewise don’t feel you have to trek through the Andes or go on safari to achieve that once in a lifetime vibe.

The crucial thing is to choose a destination or destinations that you both want to visit.

Here are some top tips to consider, but in the meantime, don’t hesitate to get in touch with me directly if you wish to chat about any aspect of your wedding planning and décor.

Make a List
Firstly, make a dream list of destinations you’d both love to see. Forget about budgets, time of the year and how far away these countries are. Just make the list and be sure to both contribute ideas to it. Once you have the wish list, you can then sit down and get more practical.

Budget
This might be a downer, but the fact is we ALL have a budget so bear this in mind after you’ve set out your wish list. Honeymoons are generally speaking meant to be a luxurious, pampering experience, which can be expensive. If you both desperately want to go to Vietnam for example but don’t have the budge to stay in 5 star hotels and go on escorted tours, then don’t strike it off the list, but be prepared to do it on a more backpacking approach. Also consider the time of year you are booking and if there are any seasonal sales to be had.

Time of Year
You might desperately want to go to Thailand for your honeymoon, but if its right in the rainy season, then you’d need to really think about whether you want to spend your time getting drenched? It doesn’t mean you can’t go, but it might mean having a short mini moon right after the wedding and then going on that big honeymoon later in the year.

Relax or Active?
Why not both. In the past, the idea of a honeymoon was that you went to one place and flopped. But now honeymoons are more and more combing destinations. For example, why not a safari, a city break and a final relax on a beach for a few days? There’s no reason you have to just pick one destination. You can combine lots into your honeymoon and end with a bit of relaxation, because while you’ll be on cloud 9 right after the wedding, you will eventually need time to relax too.

Tell the World You’re Newlyweds!
Finally, make sure you tell your travel agent or hotel you are newlyweds so you get all the little extras you deserve! And on check in at the airport, don’t forget to share your good news, who knows you might get upgraded!

A Helpful Guide To Irish Wedding Paperwork

Getting married is often the best day of your life. It’s a momentous day filled with love, family and friends. You want it to be perfect and there’s plenty to be organised ahead of the day itself of course. The dress, the venue, the theme, the bridal party, the food, the cars and on and on.

But apart from all of those important details, there is also the matter of the legal and religious paperwork that each couple must fill in before they can legally tie the knot.

Paperwork can be time consuming so we can help advise on what documents you need to fill in especially if you’re living outside of Ireland and are planning your wedding here. Please please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me directly if you wish to go through a few details.

In the meantime, here are some general helpful advice on what is required. If in doubt please check with your church or registry office and check out the HSE website which has all the information you need.

For All Couples –

To legally get married in Ireland both parties to the planned marriage must give a minimum of 3 months’ notice to a Registrar of their intention to marry.
This has to be done in person by both of you and you’ll need to make an appointment only. You may book your appointment online or by telephoning your local registration office.
Expect to need copies of passports, birth certs and proof of addresses for all of the below.

Civil Ceremony

If you plan to have a civil ceremony, then apart from the 3 months’ notice you must also

Make an appointment to see the Registrar of Marriages for the district in which you intend to marry for information on how to proceed. There is no requirement to live in the district where you want to get married. The registrar must be on the register of solemnisers maintained by the Registrar General.
A civil ceremony can be held in a Registry Office or some other venue that is approved by a Registrar. A Registrar will also have to be available to solemnise the marriage.
If you want to get married in a venue other than the Registry Office you should contact the Registry Office for the district the venue is located in to arrange to have it approved.
Once you fulfil the 3 months notification requirements and there is no impediment to you getting married, the Registrar will issue you with a Marriage Registration Form (MRF) giving you permission to marry. You should give the MRF to the Registrar who will be solemnising the marriage before the marriage ceremony.

Catholic Ceremonies

If you plan to have a catholic ceremony, then apart from the 3 months’ notice you must also –

Contact the church where you wish to get married and see if it is free.
You’ll also then have to arrange a priest who is on the official register, if it is not your local church in which case the parish priest normally officiates.
You may need to undertake a pre-marriage course and you’ll have to carry out a pre-nuptial enquiry form with your local priest, as well as obtaining a Letter of Freedom from your local parish.

Religious Ceremonies

If you plan to have any type of religious ceremony, then apart from the 3 months’ notice you must also –

You will need to contact the authorities of the religion in question and discuss any requirements they may have.
The person solemnising the marriage must be on the Register of Solemnisers which is maintained by the General Registrar. It lists both civil registrars and the members of the various religious bodies who have been nominated by the bodies as solemnisers.
The ceremony must be performed in the presence of two witnesses aged 18 or over.

Humanist Ceremonies

If you plan to have a Humanist ceremony, then apart from the 3 months’ notice you must also –

Use a celebrant who is accredited by the Humanist Association of Ireland.

Alternative Hen Party Ideas

The hen party is very much a rite of passage for all brides. But that said, not every bride wants to opt for your standard night out or even weekend away that can often revolve around alcohol or the nightclub.

In fact, these days the idea of an alternative hen party has very much become mainstream. Today, brides-to-be are opting for adventure style outings, afternoon teas, farm stays, glamping, and high end foodie nights out.

Whatever it is you are interested, chances are there’s a tailor made hen party out there for you. So if you’re a chief bridesmaid charged with organising something special for your best pal and bride-to-be, then we’ve got some suggestions of how you can create the perfect hen party.

If you’d like to chat about your upcoming wedding day planning or décor, then please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me.

Vintage

Whether you want to rock your inner Sandy from Grease with a retro makeover or go back to the Victorian era with servants and long gowns there are a range of fantastic vintage style themes to choose from around the country. Be it a retro photo shoot full of boudoir glam or a full weekend’s activities these are super fun and great for cool chicks everywhere. Image Decade Darlings

Foodie

Cookery classes are a superb idea for a hen party for a bride-to-be who adores all things foodie. Many of these cookery schools outside of Dublin offer accommodation, such as Ballyknocken House in Wicklow, so you can really make a weekend of it. If you’re planning a smaller affair, then why not really treat yourselves with a meal in a Michelin star restaurant?

Image Ballyknocken house

Afternoon Tea

Is there any treat nicer than afternoon tea? Mini cakes, sandwiches, scones, clotted cream and prosecco? It’s heaven and there are so many options for this you’ll be spoiled for choice. You could do city chic and opt for something classic like the Shelbourne Hotel, or why not head into the country for a laid back sort of pampering.

Image Shelbourne hotel

Spa

What bride-to-be doesn’t deserve some pampering and what hens don’t enjoy some TLC too? A spa day or weekend is the perfect hen party activity where you can enjoy some luxury and combine it with any location be it city or country. Powerscourt Hotel Spa in Co. Wicklow is a great example. Plus it’s easy to add in lots of other activities and night out with this one if you so wish.

Image Powerscourt hotel spa

Adventure Girl

Everything from Glamping, to farm days, quad bike riding and even paintballing are an option for hens who want a something a little more out of the ordinary! Think wellies, campfires and lots of craic. There’s a whole host of options to choose from, such as glamping in Teapot Lane or farm days in the Farmyard.

Image Teapot lane glamping

Images via Pinterest

Wedding Trends 2018

2018 is here ladies and gents and that means it a brand new year of fantastic wedding trends lays ahead of us. The Pantone colour of the year is one that tends to help set the scene for many trends and this year it’s Ultra Violet. According to Pantone, it’s ‘dramatically provocative and thoughtful purple shade, PANTONE 18-3838 Ultra Violet communicates originality, ingenuity, and visionary thinking that points us toward the future.’ It’s a deep, rich, lush shade that can be woven into many aspects of your wedding day décor.

There’s plenty of other trends to think about too. Transparent elements are set to be big, as are smaller bridal parties, textured linens and marble dancefloors. Let’s not forget in the UK there’s a royal wedding to look forward to, so there will be lots of key trends picked up after that too.

If you’d like to chat about this or any other aspect of your wedding day plans, then don’t hesitate to get in touch with me directly.

Smaller Bridal Parties

There a definite move away from having huge numbers of bridesmaids and groomsmen this year and instead expect to see smaller bridal parties with even just one bridesmaid and one best man.

Potted Plant Aisle Runner

Florals are high on the agenda for this year and even making an appearance as aisle runners.

Wedding Wreaths

Not just for festive periods, wedding wreaths are becoming more popular and can look truly stunning in your pictures.

Dark Moody Florals

Taking nods from the Pantone 2018 Colour of the Year – Ultra Violet, expect to see lots of dark, moody florals packed with character and romance. They will be offset with dark greens and flecks of golds.