Destination: wedding (and honeymoon!)
The Wedding Planner has partnered with Zara's Planet to launch a brand new site www.runawaybrideandgroom.com specialised on fantastic destination weddings and honeymoon packages, both in Ireland and abroad.
The criteria was to find beautiful, exciting and exclusive venues and locations and create unique wedding and honeymoon packages which offer good value for money and once in a life time experiences - after all, that is what weddings and honeymoons should be all about!
Runaway Bride and Groom is a division of niche bonded travel agency Zara’s Planet, offering exciting and luxurious wedding packages and honeymoon destinations around the world, including Ireland. The Wedding Planner, Rosemarie Meleady, has designed a range of fully inclusive wedding packages within Ireland exclusively for Runaway Bride and Groom.
“One of my main aim 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 »
Save the Date: wedding fair at Finnstown Country House Hotel
Finnstown Country House Hotel is hosting its 2010 Wedding Fair on Sunday 21st February, from 2pm until 5.30pm.
Couples attending the event will be able to meet a wide range of exhibitors and wedding suppliers, as well as seeing first hand an exclusive collection of Bridal fashion.
On the day, Finnstown will also reveal special offers for Weddings 2010 and will launch its all-inclusive packages for 2011.
Save the Date:
Sunday 21st February 2010
Time: 2pm - 5.30pm
Finnstown Country House Hotel
Newcastle Road, Lucan
Co.Dublin
*For more information, contact Edwina King at Edwina@finnstown-hotel.ie or by phone on 01 6010708. 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 »
Barnardos first ever bridal sale
Get the designer wedding dress of your dreams from €120 brand new!
Barnardos Bridal is calling all savvy brides-to-be looking for the designer wedding dress of their dreams for a fraction of the high street cost.
Located in Dun Laoghaire, Dublin and Carlow, Barnardos’ Bridal Rooms are currently hosting their first ever Bridal Sale. The outlets boast a number of beautiful brand new wedding dresses, in a variety of fashionable styles available from €120. There are also discounts of up to 70% off bridesmaids dresses, designer shoes, veils, tiaras and bags; everything a bride needs for planning their big day.
"Many new brides are now more eager than ever to save money but without having to compromise on the most important aspect of the big day - looking fabulous, and now they don't have to. Our winning combination of quality stock donated by top bridal retailers, wholesalers and designers along with our team of bridal experts on hand to give help and advice and great price 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-
The perfect Thailand honeymoon for yoga lovers
Looking for a relaxing honeymoon destination? Yoga retreats at Koh Ra Ecolodge in Thailand are the perfect spot for couples wishing to disconnect from the world, spend quality time together in an idyllic environment and forget wedding planning stress.
Located on a remote island off the Thai coast with almost zero development, Koh Ra Ecolodge is a secluded nature eco-resort. The bungalows at this sustainable venue have been constructed with local materials, while power is generated by a solar array. The resort also has its organic garden, as well as waste separation and water recycling systems, and all food is locally-produced.
Activities at the resort include twice a day 90 minute yoga sessions, as well as sun bathing and relaxing on the resort’s beach and much more: snorkeling, scuba diving, sea kayaking, Thai cooking classes, photography workshops, jungle treks and night walks, bird watching, hiking and village tours are also part of this paradise destination offering.
Canadian Gi More »
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 »
Fantastic Wedding in Spain Package
Planning a wedding in Spain for 2010? The Wedding Planner has put together a fantastic wedding package at a beautiful hotel (with golf course) near Malaga.
The package includes the following:
-Formal blessing at the hotel’s gardens (civil or religious)
-Live music
-Decorated pergola, table and white chair covers
-Floral displays
-Bouquets (bride, bridesmaids and button holes)
-Welcome cava and canapés, beer and wines (1 hour)
-All wines with dinner (red, rose and white)
-Printed personalized menus
-Table numbers and seating plan
-Microphone / PA for speeches
-Honeymoon suite on wedding night (B & B) and a bottle of chilled cava
-Wedding cake and cutting ceremony
-Professional photography (4 hours), including online gallery for one month, up to 80 processed images on CD plus low res copies of all unprocessed photos on CD.
-DJ for 4 hours
The price of this fabulous package:
50 guests is €7,500
75 guests €9,250
100 guests 10,750
Optional extras, including Flamenco Show 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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