Tag: Ireland

10 Reasons to Have a Destination Wedding in Ireland

Posted on by Harmony Walton

One of the reasons I love being an event and wedding planner in Ireland is that it reminds me never to take my spectacularly beautiful home country for granted. From intimate elopements to lavish celebrations on a grand scale, my team and I have planned events in some of the most incredible locations around the country. That’s one reason I’m so passionate about encouraging people from all around the world to choose Ireland for their destination weddings. After all, Ireland has so much to offer its visitors. For example, there’s the breathtaking scenery, the world-class hospitality, the rich cultural traditions. And, of course, the venues! From fairytale castles to lush estates, there’s every reason to tie the knot on the Emerald Isle. Here are my top ten reasons to plan a destination wedding in Ireland.

Spectacular Scenery

Ireland is home to some of the most jaw-dropping natural landscapes on earth. From enormous rugged cliff faces to rolling green hills, waterfalls, and forests, you’ll be spoilt for choice with outdoor ceremony locations and picturesque photo backdrops.

Extraordinary Venues

Whatever kind of wedding you imagine, Ireland has your dream venue. Think fairytale castles, abandoned churches, glorious gardens, stone lodges, and country manor houses (just to name a few).

Unrivalled Hospitality

From one end of the land to the other, Ireland is known for giving visitors the warmest of welcomes. Our award-winning wedding venues and hotels also provide five-star service, meeting and exceeding the highest standards you’d expect for your big day.

The Craic

Weddings in Ireland aren’t just beautiful and memorable. They’re so much fun! From late-night sing songs to dance floors powered by wonderful bands, that stay full long into the early hours, nobody leaves a destination wedding in Ireland without sore feet and a huge smile on their faces.

World-Class Cuisine

Ireland has a wealth of wonderful, locally sourced produce available for your wedding. This bounty has been embraced by Irish chefs and our foodie scene is world-class. From traditional dishes to international fusion food, the menu will certainly be a highlight of your destination wedding in Ireland.

Multiple Attractions for Your Guests

One of the things that makes destination weddings so special is the chance to enjoy everything a location has to offer, both before and after the event. And Ireland has so much! Historic sites, cosy pubs, Irish music, and culture… The list goes on and on.

Cultural Traditions

Speaking of culture, having a destination wedding in Ireland gives you the opportunity to incorporate some of our ancient traditions into your ceremony in a meaningful way. For example, handfasting or Irish dancing. More on that to come…

Ease of Communication

Planning a wedding from abroad is so much easier when you don’t have a language barrier to overcome. English is one of our official languages and is predominantly spoken throughout both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

Talented Vendors

I’m lucky enough to work with some of the most creative, talented, and professional wedding vendors in the business. There are no better people to trust to make your wedding day go off without a hitch!

A Unique Experience for Your Guests

If you truly want to wow your guests, look no further than a destination wedding in Ireland! While other countries may offer some of the benefits outlined above, here we truly are lucky enough to have it all.

Slán go Fóill,
Tara

Image by Eric Kelley.

Why Hire a Wedding Planner in Ireland?

Posted on by Harmony Walton

So you’ve decided on a destination wedding in Ireland? Congratulations! There’s no place more magical to exchange vows, or to treat your guests to the experience of a lifetime. But as much as I love destination weddings, they do come with their own set of challenges. Planning such a big event from afar can be complicated, stressful, and time-consuming. That’s where a local wedding planner is worth their weight in gold! A specialist destination wedding planner can be your eyes and ears, offer insider knowledge and contacts, in some cases be your translator, and help you enjoy the process. Here are some of the reasons why hiring a wedding planner in Ireland is a must.

Specialist Knowledge of the Area

A destination wedding planner knows the ins and outs of everything local. For example, you’ll get the inside track on the best venues to choose, local culture and etiquette, – even the weather! (In fact, the weather is something that you’ll definitely want to keep in mind when planning a wedding in Ireland.) There’s so much more to a destination than you’ll find by searching online. Plus, having a wedding planner in Ireland will also help you and your guests make the most of your trip. They can recommend restaurants and accommodations and help plan activities and excursions to make the weekend extra special!

A Network of Trusted Vendors

Planning a fabulous wedding isn’t just about the details you choose. It’s about having a team of creative, talented professionals to make those dreams a reality. When you’re planning a wedding from abroad, you often won’t meet your vendors in person before the big day and that means you’ll be reliant on online reviews. But bringing am experienced local planner on board means having access to a vetted network. I have Ireland’s top luxury wedding vendors in my little black book. Many I have worked with repeatedly, and I know and trust them implicitly.

A Trusted Advocate

Your wedding planner has your back. They’re your advocate, your accountant, your therapist, stylist, and dear friend. They are the person who is always on your side, always acting in your interests and on your behalf. This is very different from other role players like venue coordinators or stylists. Your wedding planner acts as the buffer between you and all the different aspects of the wedding. They guide you through the process, so your engagement can be the happy time it should be. And they’ll save you a tremendous amount of time. Most importantly, they’ll take the reins so that you can relax and enjoy your big day, completely stress-free!

The Legal Stuff

Each country has its own legal requirements, which you’ll need to navigate for a destination wedding. Ireland’s registration system can be especially challenging. But not to worry! A wedding planner in Ireland can help you through this aspect of wedding planning. For example, by ensuring you have the correct paperwork before and after you arrive in the country and making sure any special permits are in order.

The bottom line is that a wedding planner in Ireland will help you save time, money, and stress. Especially during this uncertain time, when things are always changing and developing, it’s vital to have someone on the ground who you can trust. Not to mention to add to the fun, the personal details, and experiences you and your guests will have on arrival!

Slán go Fóill,
Tara

Image by Lisa O’Dwyer Photography.

Getting Married in Ireland: Where to Start

Posted on by Harmony Walton

Whether you’re coming home to Ireland for your big day, have Irish heritage, or just want an incredible destination wedding experience, getting married in Ireland is a great choice. Of course, there’s a fair amount of legwork and decision making that goes into planning any destination wedding. But don’t be overwhelmed! Here are a few first steps to get you started. Follow these, and you’ll be well on your way to a memorable and successful destination wedding in Ireland!

Work out the basics

First things first! Sit down as a couple and discuss what kind of wedding you both want. Church or civil ceremony? Intimate celebration or big bash? Indoors or outdoors? Which season or time of year? And crucially: what is your budget? Once you have the basic parameters worked out, it’s a lot easier to narrow down your choices and find what’s perfect for you.

Identify possible locations and venues

The location you choose for your wedding will determine the mood and style of the event. If you’re getting married in Ireland, you have your choice of grand country houses, ancient castles, and modern city venues, for example. Start a shortlist by Googling wedding venues in Ireland and looking at venue websites and real celebrations on wedding blogs.

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Plan a visit

If at all possible, I would recommend planning a trip to Ireland at the start of your wedding planning. Although virtual venue tours are increasing in popularity, there’s nothing quite like touring a property or area in person. It will also allow you to meet local suppliers in person, and get a sense of the experience you’ll be giving your guests.

Consider the wedding date carefully

Before you pick a date, be sure to factor in bank holidays, as well as special dates in Ireland (and in your wedding destination in particular). For example, St Patrick’s Day, the festive season, and both the August and June bank holidays are particularly busy. This will usually make flights and accommodations more expensive for your guests. It’s also a good idea to talk to your venue or wedding planner about the weather at that time of year. Although when you’re getting married in Ireland, a little rain is always a possibility!

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Research legal and religious ceremony requirements

Having your legal ceremony in Ireland can be complicated, and having a Catholic ceremony even more so. That’s why it’s important that you start organising the legalities as early as possible so that all the paperwork is in place. You can also choose to get married in your home country in a private ceremony and have a symbolic ceremony in Ireland.

Get some help

You don’t have to do it all alone! Hiring a wedding planner in Ireland may be the best decision you make (apart from saying ‘I do’, of course!). We have local contacts and experience, can take care of all the details and logistics, and save you money, hours, and stress. And if you can’t tour a venue in person, you know we can do it for you and share our first-hand experiences from today and any from the past too.

Slán go Fóill,

Tara

Image by Lisa O’Dwyer and Photogenic Photography