Wexford's Johnstown Castle opens for weddings
Castle hosting first ever Wedding Fair in September
Stunning Johnstown Castle, in Wexford, will be hosting its first ever wedding fair on Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th September. The Castle, a popular location for wedding photography, has recently been approved as a wedding ceremony venue and will hold its first wedding in 100 years in a few weeks. The last wedding held at Johnstown Castle was Lady Kathleen Larkin's (nee Fitzgerald) in 1904.
Couples attending this ticket-only two-day event will be able to view the castle’s stunning rooms, now available for wedding ceremonies, as well as getting to know wedding suppliers associated with the castle and enjoy special deals and competitions.
“We are delighted to announce the first wedding fair to be held in the exclusive venue of Johnstown Castle. Steeped in history and echoing romance, the castle provides the ideal backdrop for weddings in the South East. Couples can have a full legally binding civil or re More »
Masai ceremony is wedding 8 for Honeymoon Testers
In their quest to become the Guinness World Record breakers of the most renewal of vows by one couple, Runaway Bride and Groom's Ultimate Job in the World winners Mark and Denise Duffield-Thomas have just clocked wedding number eight, at a traditional Masai ceremony celebrated while doing honeymoon testing in Kenya (watch video).
The Honeymoon Testers kicked off their Guinness World Record attempt to become the most married couple in the world in New York last week. They have 83 vow renewals to beat and each renewal must meet a strict criteria set by the Guinness World Records. They have already got 'married' at the top of the Empire Estate Building, in the back of a New York yellow cab, on a carousel, in Central Park and by a seance conductor!
However Denise and Mark’ More »
Kinsale hosting unique wedding showcase
Kinsale, Ireland’s gourmet capital and the country’s Ultimate Wedding Destination, is hosting a unique one-stop Wedding Showcase this Sunday, June 13, promoted by Kinsale Chamber of Tourism.
Two of the most important considerations for couples are location and venue, and what they have to offer in terms of quality, style, accessibility and price - and Kinsale, host to the final of the Ultimate Job in the World – The Honeymoon Testers’ fits on all fronts.
The event is a unique concept, where the whole town will be open as a wedding showcase for the day.
"We feel we have a very special product in Kinsale, and not just its unparalleled natural beauty and gourmet reputation," says Ciaran Fitzgerald, Chairperson on Kinsale Chamber of Tourism.
"There are lots of Wedding Fairs at Hotels and Conference Centres throughout the country. Our approach is different. Kinsale the town is the host under the auspices of the Chamber. So instead of each wedding venue holding one-off Wed More »
Ultimate Job winners looking to break Guinness Record
The Honeymoon Testers are in New York to kick off their attempt to break the world record of wedding vow renewals by one couple
The Ultimate Job, which attracted more than 30,000 applicants from would-be honeymoon testers across the world, began in earnest today. Mark and Denise Duffield Thomas, from the UK and Australia, started their first day on the job and will be renewing their vows on the Empire State Building tomorrow – Tuesday May 25.
The Honeymoon Testers (thehoneymoontesters.com) are kicking off their Guinness World Record attempt to become the most married couple in the world. They have 83 vow renewals to beat which must meet a certain criteria set by the Guinness World Records.
Tuesday 25 May is their first official day as Runaway Bride and Groom’s Honeymoon Testers.
The ceremony will be conducted b More »
Elizabeth and Claire designs are a perfect fit for Runaway Bride
Irish fashion label teams up with Ultimate Job in Ireland
Dublin fashion label Elizabeth and Claire has teamed up with Runaway Bride and Groom to dress the successful candidate to the Ultimate Job in Ireland before heading off to test luxury wedding and honeymoon destinations across the globe.
Elizabeth and Claire, the fashion label for professional and business women, will be providing an elegant ‘Going Away’ outfit for the chosen ‘Runaway Bride’. The successful couple will be announced at a Gala Dinner in Ballinacurra House, Kinsale, Co. Cork, on Sunday 9th May, after a Final weekend of tasks and events that will give couples the chance to show why they are the right ones for the Ultimate Job.
“A ‘going away’ outfit is a must-have for any bride and whoever is chosen our Runaway Bride on 9th May. Elizabeth and Claire’s Spring Summer 2010 is a gorgeous collection, focusing on classic cuts with a chic twist, which makes them the perfect fit for the More »
Coppinger and Curran launch Photo and Video Packages
Tomas Coppinger and Barbara Curran, the wedding Photography and Video specialists based in Tuam Co. Galway, have launched a recession-proof Photo and Video Special Offer for weddings 2010 and 2011, starting at €1650 for a combined package of photography and video.
“Lots of couples are on a very tight budget at the moment. We offer a great value for money service that will cater to every couple who want that for their wedding,” says Tomas. For the past 20 years Coppinger and Curran have been providing a fantastic service for couples on their wedding day.
“Our service is completely unique in that we can now offer couples an extraordinary service at a cutting edge price. The standard of our work is second to none and with the vast experience we have built up over the past 20 years we really More »
Survey reveals 40% will diet before wedding day
A study carried out by a UK-based wedding insurance company reveals that over 40% of couples would like to lose weight before their wedding day.
The survey shows people would like to lose an average of 8lb (3.65kg) before the big day but 12 % would like to lose a minimum of two stone (13kg). As for time frames, 10% of those surveyed would over a year making lifestyle changes for their wedding
Brides seem to feel more pressure than grooms, wanting to loose twice as much weight as the average male.
If you want to lose weight before your wedding, check out Health and Lifestyle coach Brona Cloonan’s advice on The Wedding Planner video channel:
http://www.youtube.com/irelandweddings#p/a/u/0/vMkVdRDdEOU More »
Preparing for a Catholic Wedding abroad
Fr Patrick Rogers, from www.together.ie, shares with The Wedding Planner, some useful information for couples planning a Catholic wedding abroad.
-Legal and Formal Requirements
The civil requirements for marriage abroad are not those of Irish law, but those of the country where the marriage takes place.
The legal validity of your marriage is governed by the laws of the country where you marry. For civil purposes later, a marriage certificate issued in a foreign jurisdiction will normally be accepted in Ireland providing you also provide an official translation from a recognised Translation Agency. Having gotten married abroad, if you later need a copy of your marriage certificate, you can get one by contacting that country’s Embassy.
While in Ireland a marriage in church is also valid in civil law, a nuptial ceremony in a church abroad may not constitute a legal marriage. If the ceremony has no legal effect in the country where it takes More »
Tips for a vegetarian-friendly wedding menu
When it comes to wedding menus, vegetarian guests can usually feel they are missing out, but going for the vegetarian option shouldn’t leave you hungry or disappointed.
The Wedding Planner has compiled some useful tips for a tasty vegetarian wedding menu that could satisfy any palate…
1-When creating a vegetarian-only wedding menu or choosing the vegetarian option for your wedding guests think about dishes that would appeal to non-vegetarian guests also.
2-If you are having a vegetarian-only menu, opt for a varied range of styles: don’t overdo the exotic spicy dishes, combining ethnic food with veggie versions of more ‘traditional’ dishes that will please all tastes and ages.
3-Eastern inspiration.
Indian cuisine is rich in vegetarian dishes, as well as having a wide range of recipes that can be cooked with or without meat and/or fish. Thai cuisine and Chinese also have great vegetarian options, such as vegetable curries and stir fry dishes.
4-All time favourites.
Consider inc More »
RedRibbon.ie turns wedding gifts into an experience
www.RedRibbon.ie , a new online gift voucher store has gone live, offering the largest selection of experience gifts available online in Ireland. RedRibbon has hundreds of discounted gift experiences across international travel, outdoor adventure, hotel breaks, pamper days, cinema, dining, wine and cookery courses, driving, air experiences and much more.
Wedding guests can also send a RedRibbon FlexiVoucher that allows the couple to select from hundreds of different gifts on RedRibbon.ie. The cost of these unforgettable experiences starts at €25-€30.
“Our prices are excellent and our choice is unlike anything else out there. We have all areas well covered, and a huge range of products from cinema vouchers to hotels, golf and dining experiences. This is a truly 5-star service that will make wedding gift More »
How much will my child cost?
Just married and planning to start a family?
With the cost of educating a child up to third level education estimated at almost €70,000, financial planning is essential for couples when having a new baby.
“Even if you don’t have to pay huge school or college fees, there are still many significant costs involved in putting a child through education,” explains Hughie Doyle, from independent financial advisors Horizon Financial. “Expenses such as books, accommodation, travel and registration fees, all these can hurt your pocket and become a real burden.”
According to Doyle, parents-to-be should take on a financial review from a professional to asses the best way of managing their finances, in preparation for the new baby. This will help them manage their resources more effectively, maximising what they have and assessing what they need.
Before the baby arrives-
Civil weddings on the rise in Ireland
The Wedding Planner on Today FM’s The Last Word
Civil weddings are quickly becoming popular in Ireland and may overtake religious ceremonies by the year 2012, according to figures released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO).
The proportion of civil ceremonies has increased from just 6% in 1996 to over 23% in 2006, according to the CSO. During the same period, the proportion of religious ceremonies has also decreased.
“The new legislation introduced in 2007, allowing couples to marry in venues such as hotels and castles, has played an important part in this change, and this trend will probably continue in the coming years,” says Rosemarie Meleady, The Wedding Planner.
Venues wishing to host civil ceremonies must get licensed by the Health Service Executive.
The CSO research has also shown the average age of the groom in a civil wedding was 36, compared with the overall average of 32. While the average age for the bride was 34, almost three years older tha More »
Connor Mc Keon & The Legends of Swing at The National Concert Hall in aid of The 3T’s Charity
If you are currently looking for music entertainment for your wedding, don’t miss the opportunity to see Connor Mc Keon & The Legends of Swing performing at The National Concert Hall in aid of 3T’s Charity, Turning The Tide of Suicide.
After a sell-out concert in 2008, Connor Mc Keon & The Legends of Swing are coming back to The National Concert Hall on Thursday 2nd July for another smash performance of The Rat Pack hits and Swing classics. All profits from the show will be donated to The 3T’s Charity, a hard-working charity providing funding and research into suicide (www.3ts.ie).
The night will be a fun-filled and glitzy night crammed full of amazing hits performed by Connor and a 24-piece big band orchestra featuring an amazing 14-piece string section led by the leader of The Symphony Orchestra, Alan Smale. The 30-strong Gardiner Street Gospel Choir will join the band along with some very special guests.
Tickets are on sale from The National Concer More »
Pre wedding parties!
Posh Fizz, Ireland’s only dedicated hen party planner, has launched a new package in Galway.
Hens have a choice of one or two night packages in a central hotel. Activity options include Burlesque, Belly or Salsa Dancing lessons, Pampering or a Cocktail Master Class! The package is finished off with an evening meal and VIP nightclub entrance. As with all Posh Fizz packages, personalised invitation, menus and a Photobook gift are included. Prices start from just €135 pp.
Posh Fizz is the only Irish Events Management Company, totally dedicated to Ladies Only Events, such as hen parties, birthday parties and general girls-only events! The perfect choice for your pre wedding party!
For more information on the packages and/or bookings, you can check out www.poshfizz.com
The Ennis package, which is due to be launched in December, will offer a brand new activity… a shopping treasure hunt! And the Meath package, which is also due to be More »
Weddings with a French touch
Stephanie Doussal left interior design to be a floral designer in Ireland. With friend and fellow French Karine Beuzon, she established The French Touch floral designers in 2005, giving the Irish flower market something it was lacking: a French finishing touch.
After finishing her Art studies, Stephanie Doussal got a job as interior designer only to find that it wasn’t after all her vocation.
She then decided to change Brittany for Ireland and interior for floral design. She arrived in Ireland seven years ago to work for some prestigious hotels in Dublin. .
Her Paris-born friend Karine Beuzon joined her in Dublin a couple of years later and they worked together for a year before setting up The French Touch floral designers.
The French Touch team works on a freelance basis from its base in County Kildare, taking bookings mainly from wedding fairs and the business website www.thefrenchtouch.ie.
In their first year in business, The French More »
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