Wanting that perfect venue...
One of the most difficult things for a bride to do is to find a venue for their wedding. They want it to be suitable for the numbers that they anticipate – not being to big if the numbers are low and not being to small if the numbers go out of control. A huge factor with everyone is the food and service – and so it should be. You are leaving a lot of money with the venue and so it has to feel right for you.
First thing to do is draw up a guest list. There is usually an average of a 10% drop off from this – but it has happened where everyone who was invited was able to attend so you need to be ready for that also.
Make sure you see the set up for a wedding in the venue of your choice. From this you will see what they do and then you know what you need to do to make it the setting that you would like. If this runs into big money to decorate it the way you want, perhaps you should look elsewhere as it maybe less work and less money coming up to the wedding.
Also if you are having a winter wedding look at the venue at that time and not in the summer as it will be completely different.
Ensure that they venue you choose suits you and the guests – okay a lot of us want the fairytale wedding and you may go for a venue to fit into this dream but you do not want to take a venue that you feel you can not relax in or you can not enjoy and let your hair down. You will be doing unnecessary worrying coming up to your wedding as to how the day will turn out and will everyone behave.
Always ask lots of questions to see what is included – Corkage, see if the venue offers this. Although a lot of venues will not allow it now and if they do the 
corkage price is very high and you are better off going for the hotel wine.
Insist on getting menu prices in writing along with bar exemption, evening food and room rates. Once you have them in writing you have nothing to worry about, but I have seen it too many times where the price goes up on the bride – all her budgets are done and now because of this she is way over her budget because in the hotel contract they have put – price subject to change. Not every property would do this but it is better to have it all in writing to ease you mind.
Another good point is after you have decided on your menu ask to have a meeting with the chef. It is always good to do this as then the chef knows for whom he is cooking for on that day and that is not just another wedding. He can put a face to the name on the function sheet and calling this meeting he will know that you mean business.
Keep a separate file for the hotel and like everything document everything – therefore you mind in more at ease and fewer surprises can occur.
Getting the venue is one of the hardest things to do but after that has been done everything else will fall into place…..really!!!
Kate Deegan – Co-ordination Made Easy
Oxfam Ireland’s dedicated bridal boutique
BAG A BRIDAL BARGAIN
Oxfambridal is calling all brides-to-be and fashionistas to a fun filled bridal fashion show in Dublin’s Fallon & Byrne on the 25th February to showcase the fantastic range of wedding dresses on sale in Oxfambridal-Oxfam’s dedicated bridal boutique. The dress designers on show include Vera Wang, Rosetta Nicolini and Amanda Wyatt. Almost all the dresses on show have never been worn before.
RTE’s Off the Rails stylist Brendan Courtney is the host on the night and there will be a performance by the Dublin Gospel Choir. Other fashion highlights include a showcase of vintage clothes also on sale in Oxfam’s Georges Street shop. Tickets cost €10 and are available by calling 01 4780777, or dropping into Oxfam George’s Street shop, Dublin 2
DESIGNER BRIDAL GOWNS
Oxfambridal is Oxfam Ireland’s dedicated bridal boutique. It sells a wide range of wedding dresses at low prices. Up to 95% of the wedding dresses are brand new, donated by wedding retailers and designers. The remaining dresses are those that have been generously donated by supporters after their wedding day. As well as dresses, Oxfambridal stocks shoes, tiaras, veils and even outfits for the mother of the bride.
The average price of an Oxfambridal wedding dress is between €200 and €400. There is new stock every month and a discount rail with dresses retailing for as
little as €70. The dress designers include David Brides, St. Patrick, Satine, Rosetta Nicolini, Dante, Amanda Wyatt, White1 and many other top designers.
Oxfambridal receives a large number of viewing requests so appointments are essential.
To make appointment in the Republic of Ireland, please contact:
Solène Rapinel on 01-478 0777 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or call into Oxfambridal at Unit 2, Wicklow House, Georges Street, Dublin 2.
To make an appointment in Northern Ireland please contact:
Gay Jamieson on 028 -9145 8726 or call into the Oxfam Ireland shop at 32-36 Main Street, Bangor, Co. Down BT20 5AG.
Oxfambridal is always looking for donations from individuals and from bridal retailers. If you have a wedding dress or accessories to donate please contact Oxfambridal.
If an Oxfambridal wedding dress sells for €250, this can buy two families a goat for each farther, a vegetable garden for each mother and school books and musical instruments for the kids.
Find out all about Oxfam's unique bridal range in their new Oxfambridal mini site at www.oxfamireland.org/oxfambridal
FAIR TRADE ON YOUR WEDDING DAY!
With lovely hand-made paper accessories your wedding can show your elegance plus express your commitment to artisans in developing countries.
The Milestone Collection is hand-made in northern India and includes a Photo Album (€22.50), a Guest Book (€18.00), a Memory Book (€18.00) and notecards and envelopes (€9.00).
All items are hand-made paper with elegant gold ribbon trim, and you know that the artisans who made these items have been treated fairly.
Available from Oxfam Ireland’s four Fair Trade shops in:
- South King Street, Dublin
- Lower Abbeygate Street, Galway
- French Church Street Cork
- Rosemary Street, Belfast.
WEDDING GIFT LIST SOLUTIONS
Whether you are creating your wedding list or searching for the perfect wedding gift, Oxfam Unwrapped Weddings can solve all your wedding present dilemmas and make a huge difference to the lives of very poor people at the same time. For the ultimate ethical wedding, visit www.oxfamirelandunwrapped.com to find out how to tailor make your Oxfam Unwrapped Weddings gift list. Why not dazzle the bride and groom with an alternative gift from Oxfam Unwrapped – swap the usual wedding gift of a kettle or toaster for a goat or a family hero pack!
Emma Downey from Belfast married Donagh MacDonagh in Villefranche-sur-Mer in the south of France on 6th October 2007. Emma says: "We heard about Oxfam Unwrapped Weddings via the Oxfam Ireland website and thought it was a fantastic idea. We had been together as a couple for nearly four years, so we really didn't need any more towels or glasses. We were well looked after and got very good help from the Oxfam staff. We made the right decision to use Oxfam Unwrapped Weddings – it is very worthwhile and really helps make a difference."
So, spread the joy of your big day – with the help of Oxfam Ireland, you can take the stress out of organising your wedding and instead you will be helping others in the developing world.
Oxfam Ireland works with people around the world to end the injustice of poverty. Oxfam Ireland is an independent and secular not-for-profit organization. Oxfam Ireland is a member of Oxfam International a confederation of thirteen independent members.
This special feature on Oxfam was kindly submitted to us by Paul Dunphy and Clare Quinlan of Oxfam Ireland.
Thank you very much guys, from the idealWeddings.ie Team
