Romantic Dublin Micro Wedding | Sarah & Brian

This Dublin micro wedding was the perfect antidote to all the uncertainty of 2020 – a moment in time to celebrate true love conquering all. This year, many couples have unfortunately had their wedding plans disrupted. But for Sarah and Brian, not even a pandemic could stop them saying “I do”. With social distancing a priority, we reimagined their spring wedding as an intimate summer gathering in a very special location, the family home in Berehaven, Dublin. At-home weddings always stand out for their heartfelt sentimentality and personal touch (after all, what could be better than exchanging vows in a place where you have so many cherished memories!) and it’s also always wonderful to see families pull together to make these celebrations extra memorable. And though it was small, this Dublin micro wedding was nothing short of perfect.

coronavirus rescheduled invitation calligraphy band

floral staircase at home wedding

It was important to Sarah and Brian to plan a wedding that was a great experience for their guests, as well as a safe one. Adhering to the Coronavirus wedding guidelines for Ireland was always a priority, and we did this by implementing various measures including tailored food service, music, and ceremony seating. The couple exchanged vows at the Church of the Sacred Heart in Donnybrook, where guests were seated 2m apart, and signage was in place in accordance with government guidelines. Cocktail hour took place in the beautiful family garden, followed by the reception in a spacious open-sided marquee – the perfect size for social distancing! Again, guests were seated apart, and both canapé and food service were plated as either individual portions or per couple. At the gazebo bar, masked barmen served pre-mixed small batch cocktails, specially created for Sarah and Brian’s wedding.

Ireland church wedding

coronavirus wedding signage

Having an intimate wedding definitely doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice the details. In fact, there were so many pretty touches that we added to this event, from the floral arch decorating a quiet corner of the lawns (perfect for photos!) to a grand staircase draped in white flowers. The tent was set up with three long tables, with Louis XVI chairs, organic and romantic florals, patterned china, and clear glass candlesticks. We added toile napkins for an elegant French touch, and tied them with green velvet ribbons that had each guest’s name written on them in dainty calligraphy. To keep the look light and summery, the tables were set with pale dusty blue velvet table cloths, which allowed the romantic tones of the flowers and place settings to weave together against a soft, neutral backdrop. At the top of the marquee, a sparkling crystal chandelier was surrounded by a maypole of greenery and flowers. It brought everything together beautifully!

floral arch garden

pastel hydrangeas for floral arch

garden marquee at home reception

custom single batch cocktails

tented reception at home

greenery table plan

 

tented reception décor

toile napkins with velvet ribbon

social distancing reception seating

tented reception pastel table décor

toile napkin place setting summer wedding

floral greenery garlands crystal chandelier

pastel florals and candles with glass

If you’re planning a wedding in Ireland during Coronavirus or if you simply want to opt for a more intimate celebration, then a Dublin micro wedding might be just the thing for you. It typically has a guest list of around 50-60 people and is an intimate affair that gives you the chance to focus on personal details, as well as really spending quality time with your friends and family. And while an at-home wedding has many advantages, there are many smaller wedding venues in Dublin and beyond that would be perfect for a micro wedding.  Whilst obviously adhering to local government guidelines in place at the time of planning.

wedding cake

bride and groom

Congratulations, Sarah and Brian, on a wonderful day, and wishing you a happy life together!

Slán go Fóill,
Tara

Planner & Design: Tara Fay Events | Venue: Private Home | Photography: Doreen Kilfeather, DK Photography | Flowers: Mark Grehan, The Garden | Bridal Dress: Suzanne Neville from Sharon Hoey | Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Jenny Yoo from Covet | Hair: Batik Hair Salon & David Cashman | Makeup: Paula Callan | Video: Best Day Productions | Invitations: Grosvenor Stationery Company | Day-of Stationery & Table Plan: Sarah O’Dea, Three Bullet Calligraphy | Furniture, Linens & Chairs: Total Event Rental | Crockery & Tabletop Rentals: Caterhire | Tent: Pavilion Marquees | Catering: Sallyann Luxyx | Staff & Bar: Event Waiter | Lighting: Gorilla Design | Music: Paul Harrington & Gordon Johnson | Ceremony Music: Palestrina Choir

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Adare Manor Wedding Venue: A Complete Guide

About Adare Manor

An Adare Manor wedding is always one to be savoured, whether it’s small and intimate or a grand affair. It has a unique ambience, a mix of old-world glamour and modern technology and comfort, suffused with warmth and good old-fashioned Irish hospitality, that makes it one of my personal favourite Irish destination wedding venues. The property is set on the banks of the River Maigue, in the picturesque village of Adare in County Limerick, and was once the seat of the Earl of Dunraven. The manor house was built in the 19th century, retaining some of the original 17th-century structure. It’s what is known as a Gothic revival calendar house, so named because it has 365 leaded windows, 52 chimneys, seven stone pillars, and four towers, which mark the days, weeks, and seasons of the year. It’s just one of many romantic touches that make Adare Manor feel like a fairytale castle!

The hotel, which is situated on a stunningly beautiful 840 acres of parkland, was extensively renovated in 2017. Every part of the original building was lovingly restored and a new wing was also commissioned in keeping with the manor house architecture. This wing now includes the opulent Grand Ballroom, a spectacular setting for any wedding reception. The award-winning hotel also includes a championship golf course (set to host the Ryder Cup in 2027) and a Michelin-starred restaurant. In 2018, it was named Hotel of the Year at the Virtuoso Best of the Best Awards ahead of properties like the famed Grand-Hotel du Cap-Ferrat in France and the Berkeley in London.

Adare Manor Wedding Venue Walled Garden Tent Reception

Why I Love Planning Weddings at Adare Manor

Planning an Adare Manor wedding is always a pleasure, and that starts with introducing the couple to the property for the first time and seeing them fall under its spell. We drive through the thatch-roofed village of Adare – regarded as one of the prettiest in Ireland – past the limestone gateway and up the winding drive, and the first glance of the manor house is pure magic. (In fact, the manor house is so lovely that some couples choose to include a custom illustration of the building on their invitation suite.) The estate is tranquil and private, with so many marvellous photo opportunities, from the formal French gardens to the ancient Cedar of Lebanon tree planted in approximately 1645, making it the oldest tree in Ireland.

But really, what makes Adare so unique is not only the setting, but the people. They have a motto they use, ‘Beyond Everything’, and that is really what they do. They go above and beyond for every single guest and every single wedding. For example, there’s Philip, the wedding butler and one of my favourite people at Adare. He becomes so involved with the wedding couple that when they say goodbye it’s a little like parting from a member of the family. Another example is Mary, part of the Adare Food and Beverage team, who looks after the top table at the wedding reception. She gets to know every member of both families, what they would like to eat and drink, and where they need to be and when. It really is an extraordinary level of service, which reflects my philosophy as a wedding planner. It’s this kind of personal attention that makes guests feel truly pampered, and turns an Adare Manor wedding from an event into an experience.

Adare Manor Location

Adare Manor is located in Co. Limerick, close to the village of Adare from which it takes its name. It’s about 30 minutes by car from Shannon Airport, which has seasonal, non-stop flights from the US, as well as a US customs and immigration facility. Dublin is a comfortable two to three-hour drive, depending on traffic. The hotel is also within easy reach of the beautiful Irish west coast, as well as both Limerick and Galway. There is a helipad on the grounds of the estate, for guests wishing to transfer by helicopter from Shannon airport (5 minutes).

historic-wedding-venues-in-Ireland-Adare-Manor

Adare Manor Ceremony and Reception Spaces

An Adare Manor wedding offers the grandeur and glamour of a castle wedding venue with the warmth of a home away from home. It is ideal for exclusive use, whereby your guests take over the whole property for the course of the wedding weekend, but it also works for a smaller wedding where you would like to treat your guests to a five-star experience with the very best that Ireland has to offer.

The property has a number of lovely event spaces. Booking exclusive use of the Manor House allows you to tailor these to your unique wedding vision, and make use of the formal gardens for a cocktail reception, for example. Non-exclusive use of the property is limited to the areas surrounding the Grand Ballroom, although the wedding party can have wedding photos taken in the gardens. Adare Manor is licensed for on-site ceremonies, so civil ceremonies, blessings, and unions can all be held there, and you can opt for either an indoor or outdoor ceremony or a church wedding nearby.

Adare Manor Wedding Venue Secret Garden Entrance

Adare Manor Wedding Venue Walled Garden Marquee

Adare Manor Wedding Venue Walled Garden Tent Reception

The Walled Garden

Tucked away within the estate grounds, the Walled Garden is an enchanting option for an open-air outdoor ceremony in the summertime (another is the formal gardens, with the manor house is the background). The original dry stone walls create a ‘Secret Garden’ feel, with climbing roses and clematis scenting the air. In the cooler months or when rain threatens, a clear, open-sided tent is a fabulous option, which allows guests to still be able to see the gardens and feel close to nature, while being protected from the elements.

The Walled Garden isn’t just for wedding ceremonies though! It’s also a unique option for your reception. There’s plenty of room for the installation of a marquee and the two interlinked walled gardens also create a wonderful flow between cocktails, dinner, dancing, and entertainment. We planned a gorgeous Adare Manor wedding here with a glass-roofed marquee and a gated entrance covered with pink orchids. Inside, ornate mirrors and opulent draping lent an air of pure luxury, while water features and cherry trees created the feeling of bringing the outside in. It was absolutely magical! If you do book the walled garden space for a late night celebration, you are obliged to book the lodge accommodation that is located nearby.

Adare Manor Wedding Venue Grand Ballroom Staircase

Adare Manor wedding reception in Grand Ballroom

The Grand Ballroom

One of the standout features of an Adare Manor wedding has to be the Grand Ballroom! With 4,800 square feet of space and a capacity of 350, it can host the most lavish receptions, but can also be tailored for a more intimate affair of a few as twenty people. The Grand Ballroom has its own private entrance, which creates an extra sense of privacy and exclusivity. It features floor-to-ceiling windows, glossy marble floors and huge, glittering crystal chandeliers. The space, which can be customised to suit your wedding style and colours, feels both opulent and intimate, especially when lit up with thousands of candles. It also has a separate cocktail reception area, and an outdoor terrace with far-reaching views across the River Maigue and the rolling greens of the Adare Manor golf course.

Another wow-factor element of the Grand Ballroom is the sweeping staircase off the Grand Foyer, where couples can make a memorable entrance, to the delight of their guests. You truly feel like royalty, enjoying a night of champagne and dancing in your very own castle. Live amplified music has to finish by 2am in the ballroom, unless you have exclusive use of the property.

A section of the ballroom can also be used for a ceremony, especially as a rainy day backup, and then turned around for the reception.

Maigue Suite

Whilst there is lots of space in the ballroom to continue the party here, the Maigue suite is a great option for an after party. A bar at one end of the room ensures the party has drinks service all evening. The suite also makes for a solid ceremony backup, in case of bad weather.

Adare Manor Wedding Venue Holy Trinity Church

Off-site Church Ceremonies

While the ceremony options on-site at Adare Manor are wonderful, many couples prefer to opt for a traditional church ceremony. There are several beautiful churches nearby, making it easy for you and your guests to be transported there to the ceremony and on to the reception in no time at all. A popular choice for Catholic ceremonies is the Holy Trinity Church in Adare village, which is the only Trinitarian order church in Ireland. It has a stunning stained glass window behind the altar, which makes for spectacular ceremony pictures! For a recent Adare Manor wedding, we decorated the stone entrance to the church with garlands of greenery and lanterns. For another, we created a lush floral arch with dozens of roses and hydrangeas. An alternative Catholic church is 20 minutes away in Ballingarry.

There is also a lovely Church of Ireland church, Saint Nicholas, located across from the Adare Manor gates. A former monastery that was ruined and then rebuilt in the 19th century, it boasts high arched stone ceilings, woodcarvings, and stained glass windows.

The Library

The Adare Manor library is another atmospheric event space, which can be used for intimate dinner receptions or small pre-wedding gatherings like rehearsal dinners, family luncheons, or bridal party breakfasts. It features a baronial arched ceiling and floor-to-ceiling wooden bookcases (a bibliophile’s dream!), with a bay window overlooking the picturesque formal gardens. A small reception here can be paired with pre-dinner drinks in the light-filled Drawing Room.

Adare Manor Wedding Venue New Wing

Adare Manor Accommodation

Booking Adare Manor for exclusive use will provide your guests with a wide variety of accommodation options, from lavish staterooms and signature suites to spacious classic bedrooms. There are also two storybook three-bedroom cottages on the estate, and two and four-bedroomed Manor Lodges. When booking a wedding, there is a requirement to reserve at least 25 bedrooms in the hotel. These can be spread across the variety of room types, of which there are seven with full accessibility.

The recent restoration of Adare Manor ensured that the accommodation on offer is truly world-class. The internal finishes were lovingly and meticulously restored by heritage craftsmen, and every guest room received extensive refurbishment. The gracious staterooms feature special details like carved wood panelling and mahogany writing tables, while each of the Signature Suites comes with its very own butler. In all the rooms, you’ll find original art and five-star details like rain showers and marble bathrooms. And the beds are what dreams are made of – once you lay down on an Adare Manor bed you may never want to get up!

I always recommend the couple book the suite closest to the ballroom, which is known as the bridal suite (room 220). What is unusual about this room is that it has a small beauty salon space attached, providing space for both hair and makeup to be completed in your bedroom, with a separate entrance to the area. There is also a small dressing room space, with an area specifically designed to hang a wedding dress, and a large, spacious bedroom. I would also recommend that a wedding couple stay in one of the Dunraven staterooms if the opportunity presents itself. These are all located in the original manor house, and have spectacular views across the river and formal gardens.

Adare Manor Wedding Venue Party Entertainment

Adare Manor Wedding Venue Entertainment Afterparty

Additional Events and Activities

One of the best parts about hosting a destination wedding in Ireland is that you can share a once-in-a-lifetime experience with your guests that incorporates the local culture and surroundings. A typical destination wedding weekend might include a welcome gathering or other pre-wedding reception, a rehearsal dinner, and a farewell get-together on the Sunday as well as activities for the guests to pursue as a group or in their own time. With an Adare Manor wedding, you’re really spoilt for choice in this department! The hotel offers falconry, archery, clay pigeon shooting, archery, and of course, golf. Guests can also indulge in pampering treatments at the La Mer Spa, enjoy walks, picnics, whiskey tastings, or afternoon tea. If wine tastings are more your speed, you’ll be happy to know that the wine menu at Adare is quite special, especially as it has been curated by head sommelier, Jurica Gojevic, who won the new sommelier at the Michelin awards in 2020.

For pre- and post-wedding events, you can reserve a private dining room at the Carriage House, or head to the terrace for a relaxing brunch or BBQ, There is also a magnificent Gallery, which is a dramatic setting for a dinner of up to 50 guests. A hidden gem is the wine cellar, which can also be used for smaller rehearsal dinners or wine tastings. And, of course, there are the event spaces I’ve already mentioned, including the Library and Walled Garden.

We’ve planned some truly special parties for our clients at Adare Manor, including one post-wedding celebration where Ellie Goulding gave an incredible private performance!

Adare Manor is also located within reach of some of Ireland’s top attractions, including the famed Cliffs of Moher. The village of Adare is itself home to some incredible restaurants, multiple pubs, and two more hotels, along with some great boutiques and beauty salons. Everything you need for a wedding weekend!

Adare Manor wedding grounds scenery

Adare Manor Wedding Venue at a Glance

Address: Adare, Co. Limerick, V94 W8WR, Ireland

Phone: +353 (0) 61 605 200

Email: info@adaremanor.com

Website: https://www.adaremanor.com/weddings

Capacity: 350 guests

Real Adare Manor Weddings:

Black Tie Adare Manor Wedding | Brooke & Stephen

Slán go Fóill,

Tara

 

Images by Christina Brosnan, Fred Marigaux Photographer,