Seeking wedding planning advice from Irish Fodorites
Jun 11th, 2008, 04:38 AM
#22
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Kentstown stumps me. I am not aware of any special things about the place. It's just off the N2, the main road between Dublin and Derry, in the heart of the rich pasture land of Co. Meath. Quite convenient for Dublin Airport (30 minutes).
Slane, an attractive village with plenty of interesting history, is about five miles to the north. It's a good place to get a few photos of the newlyweds. If you change your minds, and decide to go for the throw-silly-amounts-of-money-at-it approach, consider http://www.themillhouse.ie/default.aspx
I'm sure you are hoping that our recently-wed SiobhanP turns up soon in this thread. Why authorised her to take time off?
Slane, an attractive village with plenty of interesting history, is about five miles to the north. It's a good place to get a few photos of the newlyweds. If you change your minds, and decide to go for the throw-silly-amounts-of-money-at-it approach, consider http://www.themillhouse.ie/default.aspx
I'm sure you are hoping that our recently-wed SiobhanP turns up soon in this thread. Why authorised her to take time off?
Jun 11th, 2008, 06:49 AM
#23
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This is definately second or third hand information and any Irish residents can correct me.
When our best friends sister was married in Ireland, probably 20 years now so things might have changed, she wanted carrot cake for her wedding cake. She was told that they didn't have brown sugar in Ireland so she brought 5 pounds with her. She was stopped and searched and the brown sugar was taken away because they said it could be used to make bombs????
She ended up with a delicious carrot cake made with regular sugar!
When our best friends sister was married in Ireland, probably 20 years now so things might have changed, she wanted carrot cake for her wedding cake. She was told that they didn't have brown sugar in Ireland so she brought 5 pounds with her. She was stopped and searched and the brown sugar was taken away because they said it could be used to make bombs????
She ended up with a delicious carrot cake made with regular sugar!
Jun 11th, 2008, 06:55 AM
#24
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No brown sugar in Ireland? Sounds like an urban myth to me or, at the least, that your best friend's sister was misled.
We have a saying here (coined in the days before gender equity): dúirt bean lion go ndúirt bean léi... meaning that a woman told me that a woman told her...
We have a saying here (coined in the days before gender equity): dúirt bean lion go ndúirt bean léi... meaning that a woman told me that a woman told her...
Jun 11th, 2008, 07:23 AM
#25
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Modern Irish weddings are like weddings everywhere else - you can go the whole hog with hundreds of guests or you can have a quiet family celebration.
In our case after the church ceremony we booked an entire restaurant for the afternoon and had a quiet family meal with 40 guests. This was followed by a party in a separate venue that evening for about 70 more of our extended family and friends. I have never heard of the "bar-hopping" thing before. It's normal to have an open bar for the first couple of drinks
Be aware that if you get married in a Catholic church the couple may be asked by their priest to do a pre-wedding course - more details here - http://www.accord.ie/marriage_preparation_programme/
Waiting lists for these programmes can be long and many priests will refuse to marry a couple unless they have taken part in one. It's important that they talk to the parish priest of the church that they intend to get married in as soon as possible - even if they don't intend him to marry them he needs to book them into the church, counsel them about marriage and he can advise about things like Letters of Freedom, which can take a while to sort out.
Wedding cake is VERY traditional in Ireland - it's usually made by the Bride or the Groom's mother and normally it's a fruit cake with a sugar icing (usually the icing is quite fancy and done professionally).
In our case after the church ceremony we booked an entire restaurant for the afternoon and had a quiet family meal with 40 guests. This was followed by a party in a separate venue that evening for about 70 more of our extended family and friends. I have never heard of the "bar-hopping" thing before. It's normal to have an open bar for the first couple of drinks
Be aware that if you get married in a Catholic church the couple may be asked by their priest to do a pre-wedding course - more details here - http://www.accord.ie/marriage_preparation_programme/
Waiting lists for these programmes can be long and many priests will refuse to marry a couple unless they have taken part in one. It's important that they talk to the parish priest of the church that they intend to get married in as soon as possible - even if they don't intend him to marry them he needs to book them into the church, counsel them about marriage and he can advise about things like Letters of Freedom, which can take a while to sort out.
Wedding cake is VERY traditional in Ireland - it's usually made by the Bride or the Groom's mother and normally it's a fruit cake with a sugar icing (usually the icing is quite fancy and done professionally).
Jun 11th, 2008, 08:12 AM
#26
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Padraig, thanks a lot for the info on Slane.
Interesting story, Susanna!
And thanks for your post, ter2000. My understanding is that the fiance has already arranged for them to do the pre-wedding thing sometime in the next few months. My daughter just mentioned yesterday that she needs to get a copy of her Confirmation Certificate. I thought she'd have to have a Baptismal Certificate too. But she said apparently they assume if you've been Confirmed, you've obviously been Baptised!
I very much appreciate your info on the cake.
Interesting story, Susanna!
And thanks for your post, ter2000. My understanding is that the fiance has already arranged for them to do the pre-wedding thing sometime in the next few months. My daughter just mentioned yesterday that she needs to get a copy of her Confirmation Certificate. I thought she'd have to have a Baptismal Certificate too. But she said apparently they assume if you've been Confirmed, you've obviously been Baptised!
I very much appreciate your info on the cake.
Jun 12th, 2008, 08:09 AM
#27
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caph...SORRY i DID NOT SEE THIS...hELP IS HERE!
I just got married last Nov...lots of info.
OK just scanned above some comments.
If she is to get married in the Church here she needs a letter of freedom or something like that for the parish priest who is marrying her. Its a nightmare all this nonsense and I almost convined my other ghalf to run away to rome togethare with the pain of this paperwork! They must do a pre marriage course and get it signed and sent to the priest (You can do a one day course and it was taught by 2 counsellors)
You can rent places off the beaten path and not hotel ish but they expect a meal! DO NOT have an open bar its not done here unless you are in a castle and paying thousands. I had a tab and made sure my dada bought family and close friends drinks but the others will drink you dry
You serve wine that you pay for at the meal.
I bought my wine in Ennis from the wine buff and paid the same as house wine in the hotel for theirs with corkage and its was better.
Caterers charge corkage per bottle so If you have a caterer beat them down! Absolute rip off.
I had a few fellas playing trad music after the church in the hotel where we had tea and mulled wine (No food cocktail hour here so that saves some $$ maybe that was just a NY thing). I also did not want a rubbish sad wedding band and got a DJ and told him all the music I wanted to hear and he also played a lot of trad music for my family i.e. seige of ennis to dance and some show band songs for the older aunties.
Food - we did pour reception in the old ground but I know there are some social clubs or GAA clubs that rent out but...they are not the most glam places. What money are we talking total for the wedding and I can give you an idea. Caph maybe leave you mail address and I can send my links for cakes etc...yes we have cake too! I had a fruit on top, Carrott and white cake, 3 tiers and so tasty.
Most suppliers I found though www.weddingsonline.ie My church singer was lovely and used to sing with an Irish grup called anuna. I am not loaded and spent more than I wanted but I did it on somewhat of a budget.
Let me know how to contact you and I will mail my files! Don't worry
I just got married last Nov...lots of info.
OK just scanned above some comments.
If she is to get married in the Church here she needs a letter of freedom or something like that for the parish priest who is marrying her. Its a nightmare all this nonsense and I almost convined my other ghalf to run away to rome togethare with the pain of this paperwork! They must do a pre marriage course and get it signed and sent to the priest (You can do a one day course and it was taught by 2 counsellors)
You can rent places off the beaten path and not hotel ish but they expect a meal! DO NOT have an open bar its not done here unless you are in a castle and paying thousands. I had a tab and made sure my dada bought family and close friends drinks but the others will drink you dry
You serve wine that you pay for at the meal.I bought my wine in Ennis from the wine buff and paid the same as house wine in the hotel for theirs with corkage and its was better.
Caterers charge corkage per bottle so If you have a caterer beat them down! Absolute rip off.
I had a few fellas playing trad music after the church in the hotel where we had tea and mulled wine (No food cocktail hour here so that saves some $$ maybe that was just a NY thing). I also did not want a rubbish sad wedding band and got a DJ and told him all the music I wanted to hear and he also played a lot of trad music for my family i.e. seige of ennis to dance and some show band songs for the older aunties.
Food - we did pour reception in the old ground but I know there are some social clubs or GAA clubs that rent out but...they are not the most glam places. What money are we talking total for the wedding and I can give you an idea. Caph maybe leave you mail address and I can send my links for cakes etc...yes we have cake too! I had a fruit on top, Carrott and white cake, 3 tiers and so tasty.
Most suppliers I found though www.weddingsonline.ie My church singer was lovely and used to sing with an Irish grup called anuna. I am not loaded and spent more than I wanted but I did it on somewhat of a budget.
Let me know how to contact you and I will mail my files! Don't worry
Jun 12th, 2008, 08:24 AM
#28
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Thanks, Siobhan! It's my screen name here at aol.
The pre marriage course is already arranged. But I need to make sure the fiance knows about the letter of freedom so my daughter can do whatever she needs to for that.
As I've mentioned several times, they want the wedding in Ireland for his family since they plan to live here. But I'm beginning to doubt the wisdom of that decision...
Then again, it probably wouldn't be any easier here. There was a priest at a very small parish in southern Illinois who was a good friend of my MIL's family. He Baptised both of our kids as well as many of my DH's nieces and nephews and married several of DH's sisters (he has 7 of them). We could always count on him for a lovely ceremony with a minimum of paperwork/fuss. Unfotunately, he died a few years back. And I'm afraid he was one of a kind.
The pre marriage course is already arranged. But I need to make sure the fiance knows about the letter of freedom so my daughter can do whatever she needs to for that.
As I've mentioned several times, they want the wedding in Ireland for his family since they plan to live here. But I'm beginning to doubt the wisdom of that decision...
Then again, it probably wouldn't be any easier here. There was a priest at a very small parish in southern Illinois who was a good friend of my MIL's family. He Baptised both of our kids as well as many of my DH's nieces and nephews and married several of DH's sisters (he has 7 of them). We could always count on him for a lovely ceremony with a minimum of paperwork/fuss. Unfotunately, he died a few years back. And I'm afraid he was one of a kind.
Jun 12th, 2008, 08:25 AM
#29
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OK I re-read all posts and sorry about the spelling...at work now. Get her baptismal anyway. I had to get mine as well as confirmation and the Church my mother told me was the wrong one in the bronx and caused hassle as the woman was a nightmare and they had a fire years ago and thought maybe that was the prob...well its was where my brother was baptised not me! Got the lovely priest on the phone from the new church and he send everything asap and was so sweet.
Priest here I had to use my local parish or "the hood" as we like to call it. He had nothing to do with the wedding but it was considered my parish even though I never darkened their door and he did the paperwork...worried when we gave the same address as residence he might be funny with us but did not bat an eye. Hey we all tend to live together here before marriage
Slane or that area could be good for venues.
Priest here I had to use my local parish or "the hood" as we like to call it. He had nothing to do with the wedding but it was considered my parish even though I never darkened their door and he did the paperwork...worried when we gave the same address as residence he might be funny with us but did not bat an eye. Hey we all tend to live together here before marriage
Slane or that area could be good for venues.
Jun 12th, 2008, 08:38 AM
#31
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You can rent smaller rooms (ie not a massive banqueting hall)in Castle Leslie
http://www.castleleslie.com/
http://www.castleleslie.com/
Jun 12th, 2008, 10:53 AM
#33
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CAPH52 wrote: "As I've mentioned several times, they want the wedding in Ireland for his family since they plan to live here. But I'm beginning to doubt the wisdom of that decision..."
And you will doubt many other things over the next year or so! That's normal. Despite many cinema-goers liking the idea, I don't think that the father of the bride is a proper subject for comedy; the mother of the bride is the one who can lose the plot.
Stay cool; focus. What do the young couple want? It's your job, as far as is reasonably possible, to deliver that. [I'll give you that "reasonably possible" is a big getout clause that allows you scope for negotiation.]
Whatever you do about the wedding will almost certainly be fine. And it's far less important than the years of happiness that we all hope the young couple experience afterwards.
And you will doubt many other things over the next year or so! That's normal. Despite many cinema-goers liking the idea, I don't think that the father of the bride is a proper subject for comedy; the mother of the bride is the one who can lose the plot.
Stay cool; focus. What do the young couple want? It's your job, as far as is reasonably possible, to deliver that. [I'll give you that "reasonably possible" is a big getout clause that allows you scope for negotiation.]
Whatever you do about the wedding will almost certainly be fine. And it's far less important than the years of happiness that we all hope the young couple experience afterwards.
Jun 12th, 2008, 11:00 AM
#34
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Caph, you can rent rooms in Castle Leslie much more cheaply than you imagine. A friend of mine just had her 40th birthday there...unfortunately I couldn't make it.
Fairy Princess is doing great. She went back to the hospital for a check up on Monday and now is the average size for an 8 month old baby even though she's 10 weeks premature. The Doctors were really impressed....I can't tell you how happy I am. We're "practising" at the creche at the moment as I'm back to work on Monday after 10 months.
Congratulations on your daughters forthcoming nuptials! It's not easy to organise a wedding in a foreign country. I had mine in Austria. It was a nightmare to organise...but in the end it all works out.
Fairy Princess is doing great. She went back to the hospital for a check up on Monday and now is the average size for an 8 month old baby even though she's 10 weeks premature. The Doctors were really impressed....I can't tell you how happy I am. We're "practising" at the creche at the moment as I'm back to work on Monday after 10 months.
Congratulations on your daughters forthcoming nuptials! It's not easy to organise a wedding in a foreign country. I had mine in Austria. It was a nightmare to organise...but in the end it all works out.
Jun 12th, 2008, 12:07 PM
#35
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Thanks once again for your words of wisdom, Padraig. I certainly agree that it's the marriage that truly matters, not the wedding! And I do have faith that we'll pull this off!
So glad to hear that your daughter is doing well, Lawchick. I'm sure going back to work won't be easy. Good luck! And thanks for your good wishes!
So glad to hear that your daughter is doing well, Lawchick. I'm sure going back to work won't be easy. Good luck! And thanks for your good wishes!
Jun 13th, 2008, 12:56 AM
#36
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Just thinking here...its tough getting a place that is not a hotel....depending on the size you could do a Church service, Then meal in a restaurant and hire a room in a pub after but...you really can't ask people to come from Galway and exclude them from Dinner and say come back in 3 hours for the "reception" part. Maybe a small simple hotel or keep numbers down which will be tough to do to be honest. Castle leslie is a place i have wanted to go to for ages. I think of it as an "alternative" castle...eccentric family, they renovated the Satables for accommodation and do fun foodie nights. Maybe the cost is prohibitive
OK another place is the station house hotel that was an old train station in Meath http://www.irishweddingvenues.com/in...showproduct=37 Someoe mentioned to me this place when I was looking. IS more intimate.
Also another place I booked and then changed to a bigger place was the Temple gate hotel in Ennis. Its an old convent converted into a hotel but not all shiny new glass its older looking and the hall is actuall I think the chapel from the convent days. they were more reasonable and a bit smaller but helpful. http://www.irishweddingvenues.com/in...howproduct=847 Don't mind all the OTT pictures in Brochures...you can make any place your own with decor. Ennis is great for Shannon (Which is why I chose it and I have family there) and close to Galway. People were so kind and helpful in towen and everyine will make reccommendations and advice that is genuine...N even got a car for free when someone heard we did not have one the day before! We also ended up in the local paper too funny.
What is you budget and realistic numbers?
OK another place is the station house hotel that was an old train station in Meath http://www.irishweddingvenues.com/in...showproduct=37 Someoe mentioned to me this place when I was looking. IS more intimate.
Also another place I booked and then changed to a bigger place was the Temple gate hotel in Ennis. Its an old convent converted into a hotel but not all shiny new glass its older looking and the hall is actuall I think the chapel from the convent days. they were more reasonable and a bit smaller but helpful. http://www.irishweddingvenues.com/in...howproduct=847 Don't mind all the OTT pictures in Brochures...you can make any place your own with decor. Ennis is great for Shannon (Which is why I chose it and I have family there) and close to Galway. People were so kind and helpful in towen and everyine will make reccommendations and advice that is genuine...N even got a car for free when someone heard we did not have one the day before! We also ended up in the local paper too funny.
What is you budget and realistic numbers?
Jun 13th, 2008, 01:11 AM
#37
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OK in Dublin some other smaller and more intimate places and nice on a sunny day is the Schoolhouse Hotel Northumberland rd. Its a renovated school house with a pub attached and a few hotel rooms. http://www.schoolhouse.ie/ this is the restaurant picture and they were very helpful when looking at places. Its a nice place can't remember prices.
The courtyard is a larger restaurant in Donnybrook, Dublin
http://www.venuesearch.ie/venuelisti...8df3fe6d4eefb/ This could be nice for a group and you could choose a nearby church. Its a restaurant with a separate larger room. Have not been in years but again it was another place I was thinking of.
Here are some venue websites http://www.venuesearch.ie/
and another http://www.irishweddingvenues.com/
The family would also know any small halls or places like a GAA club that may have facilities for weddings. I heard or two larger GAA clubs in Dublin that do private functions and are meant to be newer places or stick to Galway...do the Church and large dinner foe close family at a good restaurant and rent a room in a hotel or Pub for the DAncing and drinking! That may be the best option. He is she looking for a dress??? I had two (one came too late) never worn and I am selling
The courtyard is a larger restaurant in Donnybrook, Dublin
http://www.venuesearch.ie/venuelisti...8df3fe6d4eefb/ This could be nice for a group and you could choose a nearby church. Its a restaurant with a separate larger room. Have not been in years but again it was another place I was thinking of.
Here are some venue websites http://www.venuesearch.ie/
and another http://www.irishweddingvenues.com/
The family would also know any small halls or places like a GAA club that may have facilities for weddings. I heard or two larger GAA clubs in Dublin that do private functions and are meant to be newer places or stick to Galway...do the Church and large dinner foe close family at a good restaurant and rent a room in a hotel or Pub for the DAncing and drinking! That may be the best option. He is she looking for a dress??? I had two (one came too late) never worn and I am selling
Jun 13th, 2008, 02:20 AM
#38
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Slow down, SiobhanP! CAPH52 said "The tentative plan is to hold the reception at the groom's parents home."
They might be contemplating quite small numbers, or they might have a spacious home.
There is always the possibility of marquee and caterers. A party on top of the tumulus at Newgrange might be fun.
They might be contemplating quite small numbers, or they might have a spacious home.
There is always the possibility of marquee and caterers. A party on top of the tumulus at Newgrange might be fun.
Jun 13th, 2008, 03:56 AM
#39
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Sorry thought that was one option. I think If you get a marqee no matter what the weather it should be nice as long as there is room for everyone. You can get it catered and have a lovely do.
Padraig...as for newgrange, I would love that Bit of Pagan bit of Catholic all mixed into one! The whole church lark was tough to sort and wanted to leave it but did it for both our families. Ah well thats life and all were happy in the end.
Padraig...as for newgrange, I would love that Bit of Pagan bit of Catholic all mixed into one! The whole church lark was tough to sort and wanted to leave it but did it for both our families. Ah well thats life and all were happy in the end.
Jun 16th, 2008, 03:06 PM
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Best of luck with the wedding planning. Make sure your daughter and her fiance look into the paperwork for immigration to the U.S. They have made a wise decision to have marriage docs here in teh U.S. I also married an Irishman-now 3 years ago. We were interested in moving to the U.S. as we had been in Europe for a few years. We knew if we got married in the U.S. and filed all necessary paperwork here it would take some time so we got married in the U.S. and then went back to The Netherlands where we were living to file paperwork which only took three months compared to up to a year in the U.S. Not sure how things have changed immigration wise, but I do understand the frustrations of it all! Irish weddings can be expensive and one may feel abliged to invite everyone they've ever met which is why we had an intimate affair in Sonoma, CA. We are off this week to my sister in laws wedding in Ireland which has been in the planning for 2 years and there will be 300 or more guests. Fun yes, but I can understand a romantic smaller fun wedding instead!
Cheers to your daughter and her fiance
Cheers to your daughter and her fiance
