We revealed some of the biggest foodie trends for weddings back in January and over halfway through the year – one thing’s for sure, food trucks and food stations are still as popular as ever! Couples looking to create a fun centrepiece for their reception or treat their guests to a cuppa or something sweet after the ceremony as they mingle are loving the idea of food and drinks trucks pulling up to surprise guests – it’s a brilliant alternative to traditional favours and adds an element of fun! You’ll have guests lining up for a snap at any of these awesome stations too! Check out some great options available for your Big Day below…

Bean & Gone – Mobile Coffee Bar

If you’re looking to fill that post-ceremony lull as guests chat or treat them to a little pick me up for the drive to the reception, a coffee will go down a treat! Bean & Gone is a mobile coffee bar that can serve up luxurious lattes and cappuccinos and all manner of other tasty hot drinks! Based in Cork, it can set up at any location and guests will only be too delighted to find a warm coffee waiting for them when they make their way outside the ceremony. Find out more here.

Crêpes and Craic

If you’re after a seriously sweet treat for guests, Crêpes and Craic is the perfect solution. They can serve up homemade Breton crêpes freshly prepared with un petit peu of craic with a choice of yummy toppings! They can cater indoors or outdoors and can set up outside the church with cocktail crêpes or can serve up crêpes at the drinks reception, dessert, as a late night snack or even on Day 2! Their menu has something for everyone with sweet and savoury varieties including Nutella with Roasted Hazelnuts or Goat’s Cheese & Ratatouille amongst others! Find out more here.

Vintage Vanp

If you’re looking to bring some vintage flair to your celebrations, feast your eyes on Mae! Mae is an adorable restored 70s mobile cafe/bar available for hire from Vintage Vanp. Mae comes with her own waiting staff and can pull up at your ceremony and warm everyone up with hot drinks or can be a fabulous feature at your drinks reception serving up everything from cocktails to champers or even afternoon tea (yes please to warm scones and toasty hot chocolates come winter). Guests are sure to want a pic with her too! Find out more here.

Lovely Bubbly Prosecco Van

Prosecco on tap? We are loving this genius idea! Lovely Bubbly is a seriously stylish pop-up Prosecco van complete with red carpet and its own waiter/waitress to serve guests – they can provide tunes too to add to the party atmosphere! Served with strawberries in real glasses, the van also comes with its own Pimp your Prosecco table! Your guests will love stopping by for refills and are sure to want a snap at this adorable van too. They can cater for large and small events and service most of Ireland. Find out more here.

The Food Truck

Couples looking for something a little bit different to late night sambos are loving the food truck trend – they’re massive at the mo and are a big hit with guests craving a bit of a midnight feast after a few hours on the dance floor! The Food Truck is the answer to many hungry guests prayers – this fun food truck can pull up later in the evening and dole out chip chop faves such as juicy burgers and hot dogs, onion rings, battered cod, and all manner of chips including smothered in curry sauce or yummy garlic and cheese. Watch the queues form fast! Find out more here.

The Airstream

The stylish 50s vintage Airstream trailer would be right at home on the set of Mad Men but can, in fact, be hired for your Big Day if you’re looking to give your evening a retro twist! Adventure Catering currently has 2 stunning retro American Airstream catering trailers (one big and one small), both with that wow factor! They can serve everything from gourmet slider burgers and fries to Prosecco or it could act as your very own Gin Bar. Guests are sure to be impressed whatever you use it for! Find out more here.

P.S. The folks behind The Airstream and The Food Truck can also serve up gourmet streetfood canapés if you’re after something different and they’re the guys behind PigOut.ie too, specialising in delicious BBQs, Pig Roasts, Lamb Roasts and Rotisserie Chicken and sides. Nom!

The Gourmet Kitchen

Chef and owner Liam Prenderville turned a retired ambulance into a fun truck – The Gourmet Kitchen. This vintage style food truck can cater for many aspects of your wedding from street food canapes to the main event – their BBQ feast is a big hit as is their shared wedding feast which is served on platters to the table to be shared amongst the guests! Their Day 2 brunches are also incredibly popular – the perfect send-off for hungry guests the morning after! Find out more here.

The post 7 Food & Drinks Stations Guests Will Flock to! appeared first on weddingsonline.

Your wedding is such a special day for so many people and guests will be only too delighted to celebrate with you! Guests will have a ball all on their own but if you’re looking to include some sweet touches to make the day as stress free as can be, some of these ideas will go down a treat. It can be little things like a flip flop basket full of ‘dancing shoes’ for the ladies so they can kick off their heels come dance floor time when the feet get tired or a bathroom basket full of goodies so people can freshen up throughout the day. Or if you’re tying the knot in the heatwave and want to make things a little more comfy for warm wedding guests – fill a basket with a few fans, suncream, hats, water and sunnies and create your very own ‘relief station’ so guests can pop by and cool down!

Another lovely idea for guests with kids is to hire some entertainment or a professional childminder to give the parents a night off! There are several companies that specialise in childcare at weddings including Fun ‘n Frills, FUNtastic Childcare Events and The Care Necessities who will supervise the kiddos and entertain them with crafts and games for the day. Magic Carl can also keep them busy during the speeches with his awesome tricks. Check out more thoughtful gestures guest will appreciate below…

1. Leave Out Maps & Directions

Photo from Ross & Amy’s real wedding by DKPHOTO

2. Pop Some Balloons & Signs Along the Way

Photo by Amanda Lloyd via Style Me Pretty

3. Bathroom Baskets Will Be a Welcome Sight

Photo via The Signature Co | See what to include here!

4. Keep Guests Cool in the Heatwave with Fans, Sunnies and Sunblock!

Photo by Metts Photo | Photo by Ryan Ray Photography

5. Or Have Umbrellas on Standby if the Forecast is Bad!

Photo from Niamh & Jason’s real wedding by Emma Russell Photography

6. Set Up a Flip Flop Basket & Watch the Queue Form…

Photo by Hollie Carlin Photography via Rock My Wedding

7. Set Up a Small Phone Charging Station (Just in Case!)

Photo by Capture Photography via Bridal Guide

8. Keep the Kids Busy with Some Wooden Craft Kits from Flutter Tree

Wooden Craft Kits available from Flutter Tree

9. Or Give the Parents a Night Off

Photo from Katherina & Michael’s real wedding by Your Wedding Planner in Malta – Dream Days Weddings

Childcare, Babysitting & Kid’s Entertainment Suppliers

Fun ‘n Frills | FUNtastic Childcare Events | The Care Necessities | Kids Magician – Magic Carl

10. Let Guests Know How Glad You Are They’re There!

Photo from Katherina & Michael’s real wedding by Your Wedding Planner in Malta

11. Leave Out Taxi Numbers

Photo by Juno Photo

12. Or Arrange for Buses to Take Guests Home

Bus available from VintageCoach.ie

Irish companies that offer a coach or minibus service include Mackey Coaches, VintageCoach.ie, VintageWeddingCars.ie, Star Wedding Deckers – Wedding Buses & Coaches and East Cork Wedding Cars

Main photo by Fern Edwards Photography via Rock My Wedding

The post 12 Thoughtful Gestures Wedding Guests Will Appreciate appeared first on weddingsonline.

When it comes to planning your own wedding, it’s easy to start to feel a little out of your depth. Most of us tend to get a bit overwhelmed, and staying organised sounds a lot easier than it is. We’ve chatted to the experts – wedding planners! – and they’ve offered some really practical ways you can stay organised AND avoid feeling overwhelmed with this whole wedding planning thing.

Getting organised…

Couples who are planning their wedding themselves, possibly with the help of a friend are often lost and try to compensate their inexperience in wedding planning with an overload on ideas, photos, mood books, notes, etc, resulting in an even more disorganised and subsequently stressful period. – Costa Blanca | View Profile

For “old school” people my advice is to buy a nice wedding planner diary to write their expenses, estimated and real ones, to save their ideas, photos, images taken from the web and/or from magazines.

For millennials and/or tech-freaks a good idea is to download one wedding app to take under control every single aspect.

Anyway… don’t be too obsessed with deadlines and what parents, friends or relatives will suggest.

Every couple has to keep in mind that their wedding must reflect their own personality not that of other people… So, if they don’t like a traditional style wedding and would opt for something easier like for example a party in the back garden of their house… why not? – Damore Wedding Design | View Profile

As a wedding planner we create a file and a package for each couple and we update this as we go along with photos, images and service provider quotes and details, this will always keep the couple up to date with everything and on hand should they want to refer to anything at any time. So we can do all this for our couples to save their time and energy – we do the admin side of everything and they enjoy the fun side of the day. – Lyndyloo in Spain | View Profile

There are a lot of checklists & planners free to download and these can be very useful. Get yourself a good diary to keep track of venue viewings and supplier meetings etc. – Help Plan My Wedding | View Profile

Both bride and groom should listen in this process So, my tip is: write down all the “LIKES” and “DISLIKES” that both bride & groom would like to respect during this journey. Colours they like, colours they do not like… Which things they have in common? Which things make them unique? Personalizing the full process is very important because only, like that, on the wedding day, they will feel that “IT is MY wedding!”. – Mary Me | View Profile

Having a sense of organisation is going to be your best friend when it comes to planning your wedding. That might sound a little scary to some people and if that’s the case, then this is where your wedding planner will come into their own! But being organised will stand to you. Start by getting your guest list sorted first. This is a key element as it will really determine what sort of venue you can go for. There is no point looking at say a stunning, intimate manor house, when you know you’re expecting to have over 350 guests at your wedding and they just will not fit in the venue. – Coordination Made Easy | View Profile

Keep a planner, and if you get confused – just ask us!! We keep careful and detailed notes on everything that has been decided. – Rocks and Roses | View Profile

I would say invest in a good wedding planning folder, book or diary. Even better if it is one that comes with a timeline guide to help keep you on track of what you should be doing and when.

Set yourself an overall budget to work towards and list all the vendors you will require.

When it comes to breaking your budget down figure out what’s most important to you both whether that be amazing photographs, the entertainment on the day or the flowers and decor and ensure you allocate enough portion of your budget to the most important elements.

Be careful not to allocate too much of your overall budget to your venue if you know you are going to want loads of extra decor and flowers etc.

However, if you are happy for the venue to speak for itself and know you will just want some simple florals and decor then allocating a bit more of the budget to the venue can work in this case. – Hollie The Wedding Planner | View Profile

Preventing overwhelm…

Go for a simple, transparent structure, planning and organisation, which connects and is understandable and clear to all involved is key.

Communicate in a clear, understandable way, illustrated if possible, so that you get and keep everyone ‘on board’; venue, catering, vendors, photographers, …
It only works if they all know perfectly what to do, and when to do it.

Don’t assume anything! Check, double check and triple check, from the moment you start planning your wedding, until the end of your wedding day.

If you’re not sure you can do this, or it gives you stress, then the only path to an unforgettable wedding is to hire a professional wedding planner. – Costa Blanca | View Profile

Yes, I have and it is…delegate some tasks to people they fully trust.

Some tasks could be: first contact with wedding venues which meet the wedding couple’s requests, or the first call with caterers, musicians or photographers for first quotations within the budget of the couple.

In addition to this I’d also suggest using some apps downloadable also on mobile phones to check everything in real time and don’t risk forgetting something.

Even in the case of a full DIY wedding, my last suggestion is: hiring a wedding day coordinator. She/he takes care the day of your wedding to coordinate all the suppliers and to solve “last minute” problems, which may occur, allowing the couple to live their most important day without any stress, fully enjoying it, and having time to spend with their guests. – Damore Wedding Design | View Profile

“Don’t get overwhelmed!.” Don’t forget to continue with your date on Friday nights, or the cinema on Mondays. It’s important to have other themes to discuss and don’t bore each other with “the wedding theme” all the time. Ask the bridesmaid to help you with the dresses, the decorations, the favors with you and allow your groom to drink a beer with their mates while choosing the DJ and the band. Don’t forget yourselves in the middle of this process. It’s a big day, but it’s YOUR big day. – Mary Me | View Profile

It is common for couples to get overwhelmed during their wedding planning and it’s not hard to understand why. A wedding is a huge event in their lives, it’s going to be something they will have dreamt about for ages, so naturally, they’ll want it to go off without a hitch. That said, most couples have full-time jobs and busy lives and wedding planning can be something they just do not have time for, or they feel it’s getting too much to take on themselves. If that happens, my advice is to stop. Take a breath, call me and remember it is all going to be fantastic! – Coordination Made Easy | View Profile

Put your hands up and ask for help! This might sound simple, but I believe in the power of teamwork! Your wedding day should be one of the most fun and exciting times of your life as a couple and certainly should not be an altogether overwhelming experience.

If you are feeling overwhelm try and figure out why. Is it a case of you are simply juggling too many things? If so can you ask your bridesmaids or families for help and to lessen the workload?

If however you are feeling overwhelmed because your wedding plans are going completely off track and are beginning to look nothing like what you both originally dreamed of, then it’s time to re-evaluate and take back control!

If for example you wanted a small relaxed wedding and all of a sudden it has turned into a huge formal affair full of people you don’t even really know and it makes you uncomfortable or you wanted a destination wedding but your close family and friends didn’t think it was a good idea etc. etc. then it is no wonder you are feeling overwhelmed!

It is your day and important that you do what is right for you as a couple.

If however a couple is feeling really overwhelmed and it is begging to ruin the experience completely I would definitely say hire some professional help.

I have had a several couples come to me at this exact point, where they have either started their planning and perhaps booked a venue and one or two vendors, but have realised that the time is running away from them and that they are not as far along as they should be in their planning and need some quick help, or that they have an idea of what their dream day should look like and have started with one or two aspects but simply feel they cannot seem to pull all their ideas together to make it the magical day they have always wanted. This is where a planner like myself can come to the rescue. – Hollie The Wedding Planner | View Profile

Don’t become overwhelmed with what others want, it’s your day and make sure you remember this, do what you want and don’t be persuaded to change your ideas for someone else. Ask lots of questions and make sure everything is what you want. – Lyndyloo in Spain | View Profile

Starting out on the wedding planning journey can be overwhelming for a lot of couples. I would advise couples to break the planning down into multiple manageable steps. The first step being finding & booking your reception and ceremony venue/venues. After this has been done book one supplier at a time. Start with the band and once booked move on to the photographer, then videographer etc. You will probably be communicating with multiple suppliers in each category so if you try book everything at the one time it may get confusing. – Help Plan My Wedding | View Profile

Take time out to write everything down.  Start with the end goal (the wedding) and work back from there, ie what needs to be done a week before, a month before, two months before, etc.  By knowing what the goals are and sticking to the time frame, nothing can get out of hand. – Rocks and Roses | View Profile

The post Wedding Planning: How to Stay Organised and Avoid Feeling Overwhelmed appeared first on weddingsonline.

One of our favourite things is seeing all the snaps from the wedding morning as couples get ready with their bridal party! It’s such a special part of the day and brides and bridesmaids go all out to make sure it’s full of fun touches and as special as it can be. There are so many little ideas you can incorporate whether you’re a bride looking to spoil your girls or bridesmaids looking to surprise the lady of the moment, the bride with some epic touches she’ll remember forever! From fun balloons to kickstart the celebrations to the prettiest attire for the wedding morning prep, the bride squad will adore these lovely ideas….

Irish Stockists

If you’re on the hunt for some bridal robes and PJs for you and your ladies, Irish stores Dainty Robes, Simply Personalised Embroidery, Weddingrobes.ie, Cluckers.ie, Robes4You, Engaged Apparel, The Lovely Little Label and WowWee.ie stock a range of gorgeous robes and PJs from pretty floral versions to cosy towelling robes. Click the links above to see their fab collections!

1. Include your girls in the build up with a cute countdown sign 

Photo by Daffodil Waves Photography 

Chalkboard available from Pearls & Lace Bridal Boutique

2. Deck the room out with balloons

Photo from Fiona & Gary’s real wedding by Tara Donoghue Photography

Balloons available from HenWorld.ie, Favour Lane and Pearls & Lace Bridal Boutique

3. Surprise them with hangers with a little thank you note!

Photo from Marie & Brendan’s Real Wedding by Michelle Prunty Photography

Pick up Personalised Hangers over on Cluckers.ie

4. Don some matching PJs or Robes

Photo from Lisa & Andrew’s real wedding by Couple Photography | Robes from WowWee.ie

Pick up Bridal Robes over on Weddingrobes.ie, Dainty Robes, Simply Personalised Embroidery, Cluckers.ie, Robes4You, Engaged Apparel, The Lovely Little Label and WowWee.ie

5. Get ready in style in some cosy personalised slippers

Photo by Michael Svoboda Photography via Inside Weddings

Pick up Personalised Slippers over on Cluckers.ie, Weddingrobes.ie and Simply Personalised Embroidery

6. Add some of the girls’ favourite songs to a playlist

Photo from Yvonne & Danny’s real wedding by AK Photography

7. Big up their role for the day on their morning cuppa

Photo via Something Turquoise

8. Make time for a first look…

Photo from Nicola & Gary’s real wedding by Zi Fernandes Photography

9. And some selfies

Photo from Jessica & Barry’s real wedding by Kevin Morris Photography

 More wedding day photo ideas here: Must-Have Photos with Your Bridesmaids

10. Surprise your girls with a sweet thank you gift

Photo from Alex & Neil’s real wedding by Lyndaloo in Spain

Take a peek at 15 Brilliant Bridesmaid Gifts Your Girls Will Want here!

11. Have some ‘Tears of Joy’ hankies at the ready

Photo via Etsy

The post 11 Sweet Ideas the Bride Squad Will Adore appeared first on weddingsonline.

If you have ever attended a wedding, you’ll know that the worst thing you can experience is long, awkward gaps of time where you’ve got nothing to do. As a former wedding coordinator, I’ve got a few really practical things you can do to make sure there are no awkward gaps of time where your guests are sitting around wondering what to do.

I’m sure that making sure all your guests are looked after is a huge priority for you. If I’m right, then you should take note of these golden rules:

• Don’t allow anyone to go hungry.
• Always give them somewhere to sit.

And if you have the budget and time:

• Give them something to do.

Ceremony

Invitation time VS Actual start time

Let’s say your wedding invitations state that your ceremony will begin at 15:00. You can be certain that half your guests will arrive at 14:15, most will arrive at 14:45 and some will walk in just after 15:00. For this reason, you’ll want to plan on walking down the aisle at 15:15.

With this in mind…

Arrive on time

And by “on time”, we mean 15 minutes after the invitation time. Everyone expects the bride to be late, so this is acceptable. However, if you are (intentionally or unintentionally) running late and your ceremony ends up beginning almost an hour late, your guests will be sitting around for a very long time waiting for you. Set the tone for your wedding day by getting the proceedings underway in a timely manner. Otherwise, the rest of the day will have you playing catchup.

Give them a drink

This depends on a few factors.

• Did your guests travel far to get to your ceremony? By “far”, we mean 45 minutes or more.
• Is it going to be a hot day?
• Is your wedding ceremony outdoors?

Having glasses of lemon water available as guests walk in will make it feel like there’s less waiting time. Something as simple as holding a glass of water while you wait for the bride makes a huge difference.

Pre-reception

Actual time on the invitation

If your wedding reception is taking place at a different location to your wedding ceremony, be sure to include the start time on your invitation. This is particularly important if there is an unusually large gap of time between the end of your reception and the start of your pre-reception drinks. Nobody wants to arrive too early and wander around the hotel lobby, thinking they might be at the wrong place.

Nearby coffee shops

This is only pertinent to wedding scenarios that involve a very long gap of time between the ceremony and pre-reception. Let’s say you have a 10am wedding ceremony and a 15:00 pre-reception. Give your guests a list of activities, coffee shops and lovely spots to kill some time after your ceremony.

Give them somewhere to sit

Standing around outside for pre-reception drinks can feel like an awfully long time. Sitting comfortably, with a drink in hand and a stunning view? Now that sounds like my kind of fun.

Feed them

You don’t have to go overboard here, especially if your budget is tight. A few nibbles, a bread table or cute boxes of popcorn are some budget-friendly ways to feed your guests before the reception starts.

Give them something to do

While you’re out having portraits done with your photographer and bridal party, your guests will be waiting to get the party started earlier. While the dinner and dancing will only commence later, give your guests some games to play and they’ll be happy!

10 Awesome Wedding Games to Keep Guests Entertained

Reception

Have a good MC

Your MC is going to set the tone for the wedding by making sure everyone knows what’s going on. The MC is the best person to make sure everyone knows where the toilets are, where to sit, and when dinner is going to be served. Pick an MC who is reliable, able to keep the festivities on track (with the help of your wedding coordinator, of course) and confident in delivering all relevant information to your guests.

Space out your speeches between courses

Consider this: Walking into the reception hall only to begin with speeches is possibly the worst wedding faux pas. There, I said it! Nobody wants to sit through dull speeches when they’re hungry. My advice? Begin with a short welcome and some house rules, go straight into starters, and then the first set of speeches. Break for dinner, finish off with the speeches everybody has been waiting for (the groom!) and then cut the cake and serve dessert. No more awkward gaps of time where your guests are sitting around wondering when the food will come out. No more holding thumbs that this is the last speech.

The post Wedding Planning: How to Avoid Awkward Gaps of Time appeared first on weddingsonline.

Looking to avoid wedding planning burnout? Follow these trusty tips!

1. Get organised

Wedding planning can take up a huge chunk of your free time. If you want to get off to the right start, make sure you’re organised. Lists will be your saving grace time and time again so invest in a fab wedding planning notebook (like this one from Irish company MyWeddingPlanner.ie) to help keep track of all your thoughts, tasks and constant lists and any other appointments or contact info you’ll need. It means you can have a quick flick through to remind yourself where you’re at with your planning (check out this handy planning checklist too). Less stress!

2. Take breaks

It’s like anything, if you overdo it, it will loose its sparkle fast. Same goes for wedding planning. If you live and breathe it day in day out, you’ll burn out fast. It’s best to give yourself nights off. Make sure to pencil in other fun stuff like a cinema date with the OH, walks with your ladies where you catch up on all the other goings on or chill out with a book. You’ll enjoy your planning sessions way more if it’s not all you do!

3. Avoid constant wedding talk

Sames goes for wedding chat. Your partner and your mates will get fed up pronto if every conversation starts with ‘the wedding’. Life goes on after the wedding so make sure to check in with friends about their lives too!

4. Get friends involved

Photo from Emer & Cian’s real wedding by Paul Duane Photography

If you fancy taking on some DIY, we think it could be fun to get the girls on board and have a bit of a monthly DIY sesh. Pop open a bottle of vino, stick on some tunes and rope in the girls to make it all the more fun whether you’re tying mass booklets together, perfecting your confetti cones or gluing ribbon to mason jars!

5. Have fun days out

Turn your wedding tasks in to fun milestones! You’ll have lots of wedding outings on your agenda from tastings to dress shopping so make them in to a bit of a fun day out by working in a lunch, cocktails or some pampering.

6. Step away from Instagram/Pinterest

It can be overwhelming constantly seeing weddings planned to utter perfection when you can’t even decide on your wedding colours. As gorgeous and inspiring as they are, take some breathers from the likes of Pinterest and Instagram as you may feel swamped by all the inspo.

7. Share the responsibilities

Photo from Danielle & Sean’s real wedding by ATL Photography

Delegation is often the key to your wedding planning sanity! There are two people planning this wedding – you and your partner so make sure to divvy up the tasks so that you both share the responsibility. You might also find you mum or the in-laws want to help too so if you’re happy to save some time, get them involved as well. It can be frustrating if you feel like you’re a one woman/man planning machine which in turn can cause arguments so dividing up jobs from the get-go will help knock this on the head.

8. Don’t get bogged down by others

Everyone has an idea of what a wedding should be. But ultimately, it’s you and your soon to be hubby or wife’s decision how you spend your day. There’s no set formula for weddings these days – it’s all about following your own heart so stick to your guns regardless of the opinions you hear along the way. You’ll never please everyone whether you go black tie or BBQ.

9. Enlist the help of a pro

If you still feel this wedding planning business is all too much, worry not, there are plenty of pros that can step in and help. Whether you’re after a wedding planner, someone to assist with your table plan (What’s the Plan.ie and Table Plan Designs are two great companies that have some amazing options) or a stylist to nail the decor side of things and source some props, you’ll find there’s some brilliant help to hand if you need it.

Wedding Planners & Coordinators

Hollie The Wedding Planner | Weddings by Juliana | Finesse Weddings | Team Bride | The Wedding Festival | Coordination Made Easy | Help Plan My Wedding – Ireland & Abroad | Sharon Mc Meel | Perfect Details | MBZ International- Wedding Planner | Sakura Weddings | Secret Bridesmaid – International Wedding Planner | Weddings by DD

10. Remember why you’re getting married in the first place

Photo from Lorna & Andrew’s real wedding by Mark Donovan Photography

When it all gets a bit too much, take a step back and remember why you’re planning up a storm. As great as it is throwing this perfectly coordinated party, don’t forget the real reason you guys are doing it – because you want to marry the love of your life. Your wedding is a big celebration of this and finding the perfect favours won’t change that.

Main photo by Hive Photography

The post 10 Tips to Avoid Wedding Planning Burnout appeared first on weddingsonline.

If you’re coming to the last month or two in your wedding planning  journey, your attention is probably turning to decor and last minute touches. There are some gorgeous ways to make your Big Day all the more special and you don’t need to splurge too much to get your hands on them. Little things like a sign for your flower girl or page boy to wave, a fab ring dish for the ceremony or a heartfelt letter your other half can open on the wedding morning will make it all the more memorable and special. Check out more budget-friendly finishing touches below…

1. Write a Heartfelt Letter for Your Other Half for the Wedding Morning

Photo from Katharina & Michael’s wedding by Shane P. Watts

2. Pick up Some Fun Socks for the Boys

Photo from Terrence & Louise’s real wedding by The Fennells | Socks are available from Lantz Weddings

3. A Pretty Hanger Will Show Off Your Dress Perfectly

Photo from James & Christine’s real wedding by Sean Jefferies Photography | Similar Hanger available from Cluckers.ie for €6.99

4. The Little Ones Will Look Adorable with A Personalised Sign (this one is just €9 from River Lane Memories)

Sign, €9 from River Lane Memories

5. Pick Up a Pretty Box for Your Rings

Personalised Ring box, €12.50 from River Lane Memories

6. Pop Some Pics from Your Relationship Around Your Venue

Photo from Emily & Tom’s real wedding by Hollie The Wedding Planner

7. Create Your Own Wedding Hashtag for Lots of Photo Sharing Fun

Photo from Kathleen & Gary’s real wedding by The Fennells

8. Name Your Tables After One of Your Favourite Shows or Things

Photo from Roisin & Richie’s real wedding by Paul Duane Photography

9. Share Your Love Story

Photo by Julie Paisley Photography via Style Me Pretty

10. Or a Slideshow of Your Love Story

Photo via Bride Box

The post 10 Last Minute Touches for Your Big Day that Won’t Break the Bank appeared first on weddingsonline.

There’s a nip in the air which means one thing – autumn is on its way! Autumn is a magical time to tie the knot with so many lovely ideas you can incorporate to create a romantic, cosy feel. On the decor side of things, turn to nature for some rustic and seriously pretty ways to spruce up your reception space – fill your flower girl’s basket with pretty pine cones or pop them on your tables. You can also turn branches in to mini tree centrepieces – great for couples that love a DIY project. We also love the idea of having baskets of blankets on hand for guests to cosy up with. And you can create a warm and comforting menu guests will adore with warm drinks and scones galore. Check out some of the best autumn wedding ideas below…

1. Fill Your Flower Girl’s Basket with Pine Cones

Photo by Andrew Jade Photography via Style Me Pretty

2. Trade Your Confetti for Leaves for Your Ceremony Exit

Photo by Simply Rosie via Ruffled

3. Treat Guests to a Hot Drink After the Ceremony from Bean & Gone – Mobile Coffee Bar

Photo courtesy of Bean & Gone – Mobile Coffee Bar

4. Welcome Guests with a Scone Station at the Drinks Reception

Photo by Kim Hawkins via Love My Dress

5. Or Soup Shooters & Toasties

Photo by Aura Marzouk via Brides

6. Leave Out Baskets of Blankets for Guests to Snuggle Up With

Photo by Sarah Kathleen Photography via Bridal Musings

7. Give Your Tablescape an Autumnal Feel with Mini Trees & Pine Cones

Photo by Nick Ray Photography via Love My Wedding

8. Add Some Pretty Old School Charm with Vintage China

Photo from Pam & Paul’s real wedding by Moat Hill Photography

You can hire china from The Wedding Festival in Kildare, Annie Ruffles Vintage Creations in Clare and Add a Little Sparkle – Wedding Venue Stylists in Dublin.

9. Create a Dreamy & Romantic Setting with Candles Galore

Photo by Danielle Nowak Photography

10. Have Some Fun with Your Lighting with Letter Lights

Photo from Terence & Louise’s real wedding by The Fennells

Irish suppliers of Light Up Letters include Wow Weddings, Enchanted Wedding Company (4 Foot letters filled with flowers – twinkle lights optional), Giant Letters, Magic Moment Wedding Decor, 4 All Your Occasions, Lovin Letters, Rosewater Weddings, Infinity Wedding Services, Sakura Weddings, Chic Events.

11. A Warm Pie is the Perfect Dessert Treat

Photo by Joshua Zuckerman Photography via Brides

12. Light Up the Night with Some Magical Sparklers

Photo by Kensington Blue via Runway Chef

13. Finish Off the Evening Around a Cosy Fire Pit

Photo from Crystal & Brian’s real wedding by Glamour Algarve Weddings

The post 13 of the Best Autumn Wedding Ideas appeared first on weddingsonline.

Wedding planning can be full on so if there’s offers of help from family and friends, be sure to jump at them! There’s lots of wedding tasks you’ll have to tackle yourself. BUT, there are plenty of things others can take on as well if you’ve some obliging helpers. Check out some great ways to share the load below… and some sweet ways to make those closest to you feel part of your special day.

Main photo from Brenda & Scott’s real wedding by The Fennells

1. Shopping Trips

From dress and accessories shopping to decor hunting (IKEA anyone?), there’ll be plenty of fun outings on the horizon! Invite your mum or pals along and make them into a fun day out. Or ask your mates to keep an eye out for items you’re after like gold candles or silver dresses for the bridesmaids. Your mum will also be looking for her special dress for the Big Day so be sure to join her! It’s a lovely chance to spend some time together.

2. DIY Sessions

If you’ve got some crafty pals or family members, it could be fun to have some DIY sessions over a couple of glasses of wine! Invite a gang around for the chats and get stuck into a project. From sprucing up mason jars for your tables to glueing ribbons to mass booklets or writing names on place cards, some extra hands will make the job much easier and will be good craic too.

3. Shop for Bathroom Baskets & Put Them Together

Photo by This Modern Romance via Style Me Pretty

Bathroom baskets will be a big hit with guests in need of a freshen up – this could be a project your mum could help with or take charge of! Find out what to include here.

4. Gather Addresses

When the invites arrive back, it’s going to be a flurry of writing and scrambling for addresses. Gathering this info can take time so why not ask your mum or dad to help you out.

5. Chase RSVPs

One of the most painful parts of wedding planning is waiting for the RSVPs to come back. And you might be waiting a while! Inevitably, there’ll be some chasing to do so get your mum or dad on the case and get them to help you to check in with family members or friends.

6. Join You for a Pampering Sesh

There’s going to be lots of pampering in those final few weeks so why not include your mum, bridesmaids or friends while you’re at it. Invite them along to a spa day or to get their nails done. It will be some lovely quality girly time and of course practical too!!

7. Gather Old Photos

Photo from Julie & Sean’s real wedding by Michelle Prunty Photography

We love the idea of including photos from your relationship or childhood in your Big Day. And who better to help you root out old childhood pics – your mum or dad! It will be a lovely trip down memory lane and a great help.

8. Compile a Playlist

A playlist is a great way to get the party atmosphere started as you and your ladies get glammed up on the wedding morning. Delegate this task to one of your friends or bridesmaids. They can pop on lots of you and the girls’ faves… and some surprises! Check out some of the brilliant songs to include here!

9. Put Together a Bridal Emergency Kit

Photo via Oh Happy Day

This trusty little kit is full of useful pieces like a sewing kit and baby wipes and might come to the rescue on the wedding day. Get your mum or bridesmaids to help you put your bridal emergency kit together – check out what to include here.

10. Source Your Something Old/Blue/Borrowed

If you’re going down the ‘Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue’ route, you could task the sweet job of sourcing some pieces to your mum. A brooch bouquet is another lovely way mum can help and is a great way to include some sentimental pieces.

11. Make Dessert Table Treats

Dessert tables have been incredibly popular these past few years! They’re a great way to display your favourite treats and showcase some talent. Yep, if you have a family member or friend who is a whizz in the kitchen, get them to bake their signature dish (if they’re up for it!). Guests will love being able to sample a range of sweet treats too.

12. Collections

There’s going to be lots of bits and pieces to be collected in those final few weeks so you could rope in your dad, mum or a friend to help you with them if they’re up for it. From collecting suits and dresses to chauffeuring decor to the hotel, there’ll be plenty of times you might need a hand.

The post 12 Wedding Tasks Family & Friends Can Help With appeared first on weddingsonline.

It’s Ireland, so whether you’re having a spring or winter wedding, there may be rain! Chances are you’ll be watching the weather like a hawk as your Big Day approaches. And if there’s a chance rain will make an appearance, it’s best to be prepared! Luckily, it’s easy to get your hands on some pretty white wedding umbrellas. Irish stores Favour Lane, The Lovely Little Label, Engaged Apparel, Allure and Wedding Belles Bridal Accessories & Gifts all stock a range of white bridal brollies from frills to fun heart shapes. Check out our edit of the best wedding umbrellas around below…

How to Deal with Rain on your Wedding Day

1. Oversized Salthill Umbrella, €35 from Engaged Apparel | 2. Triple Frill Umbrella, €45 from Fab Fillies | 3. Wooden Handle Umbrella, €19.99 from The Lovely Little Label | 4. FiFi Frill Umbrella, €35 from Fab Fillies | 5. Clear Dome Umbrella, €14.99 from Favour Lane | 6. Graceful Umbrella, €49.95 from Allure Online | 7. Vintage Umbrella, €59.99 from The Lovely Little Label | 8. Frilled Pagoda Umbrella, €35 from Wedding Belles Bridal Accessories & Gifts | 9. Oversized Heart Kinvara Umbrella, €39.99 from Engaged Apparel | 10. Room for Two Umbrella, €29 from Wedding Belles Bridal Gifts & Accessories | 11. Clear PVC Umbrella, €16.99 from Favour Lane | 12. Floral Lace Print Umbrella, €20 from Secret Fashion Fixes | 13. Heart Umbrella, €29.99 from The Lovely Little Label | 14. Victorian Lace Umbrella, €25 from Wedding Belles Bridal Gifts & Accessories | 15. White Pagoda Umbrella, €23.99 from Favour Lane

Main photo from Douglas & Maura’s real wedding by Golden Moments Wedding Photography & Film

The post 15 of the Best Wedding Umbrellas appeared first on weddingsonline.

If you’re looking to surprise guests and treat them to a fun experience, some entertainment is a winner. There are so many great ways to ensure your guests have a ball at your Big Day from games during the drinks reception so they can mingle and have the craic to magicians amazing them during dinner. They’re guaranteed to get the party atmosphere started and ensure guests walk away with some awesome memories as well. Check out some of the best wedding entertainment ideas to surprise guest with below!

1. Games are a Big Hit with Everyone

Photo from Allida & Evan’s real wedding by DKPHOTO

You can hire games such as Skittles, Giant Draughts, Giant Connect Four, Giant Jenga, Giant Kerplunk from TeamBuild Events Ltd

2. Encourage Some Friendly Competition with Laser Clay Shooting from TeamBuild Events

Photo courtesy of TeamBuild Events Ltd

3. Hire a Comedian for Guaranteed Laughs!

Photo courtesy of The Wedding Comedian

Comedians

The Wedding Entertainer | The Wedding Comedian | Jack Wise Magician & Comedian | Steve Spade Wedding Magician

4. Amaze with a Magician

Photo courtesy of Andy James Magician

Magicians

Steve Spade Wedding Magician | Andy James Magician | The Wedding Entertainer | Shane Black Magician | Carl Campbell Wedding Magician | Aidan Murphy Magic | Jack Wise Magician & Comedian

5. Create Some Intrigue at Dinner with a Murder Mystery from TeamBuild Events

Photo courtesy of TeamBuild Events Ltd

6. Surprise Everyone at Dinner with LoveShack Singing Waiters

Video courtesy of LoveShack Singing Waiters

Or The Singing Chef

Video courtesy of The Singing Chef – Dinner Entertainment

7. Add an Irish Twist with Dancers Celtic Dance Fusion

Photo courtesy of Celtic Dance Fusion

8. Wow Guests with Dancing, Drumming and Choreography from The Hit Machine 

Photo courtesy of The Hit Machine

9. A Caricature Artist Will Give Guests a Giggle (Plus they Get a Fab Memento!)

Photo of Mark Heng Carciature Artist from Rachel & Robert’s real wedding by David Maury Photography

Caricature Artists 

Andrew Goti Caricatures | Caricatures by Mark Heng

10. Have Trad Band Dublin City Folk Kickstart a Ceili

Photo courtesy of Dublin City Folk

11. Ensure There’s Plenty of Fun Snaps with a Photo Booth

Photo via Pinterest

Photobooth, Selfie Mirror & Video Booth Suppliers

Shoot Booth | The Fancy Photobooth | The I Do Crew | I’ve Got the Goodies Party Hire | DMC Events – Photobooth | Instaglam Photobooths & Selfie Mirror | Carolyn’s Sweets | Selfie Box | Snap Happy | Paddy’s Photobooth | Booths of Fun | Snapbooths.ie | Magic Moment Photobooth | Partyphotos.ie | Perfect Photobooth | Magic Mirror | Fran’s Photobooth Studio | Gueststars Ireland | Flip Events | Party Photo Booths | The Rhythm & Booth Co | Selfie Shenanigans | S.Pro Entertainment

The post The Best Wedding Entertainment Ideas for Your Big Day appeared first on weddingsonline.

Music really sets the tone for an incredible wedding. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of our favourite wedding reception entrance songs!

This is the moment when your guests will greet you as you enter your reception venue. We love the idea of selecting a fun, upbeat song to accompany you at this moment. Our supplier directory is full of incredibly talented wedding musicians. We’ve asked them to share their favourite reception entrance songs with us. All of the songs below have been performed by some of Ireland’s top wedding musicians, who we highly recommend!

Wedding Reception Entrance Songs

Morrisons Jig – Performed by Celticbreeze

Sweet Child of Mine – Performed by Emma Martin

Picture This – Performed by Jacinta McIntyre

Can’t Help Falling in Love – Performed by Laura Colgan

You’ve Got the Best of My Love – Performed by Della Mannion

Marry You – Performed by Michelle Delmar

Main image: The Fennells

The post Fun Reception Entrance Songs For Your Wedding appeared first on weddingsonline.

We’re a sucker for winter wedding details! While it may be cold or rainy outside (these storms have a lot to answer for!), there’s so many ways to make your celebration as cosy and romantic as can be. If you’re still debating the time of year you want to get married, these gorgeous details might just sway you! From comforting foodie treats like slabs of delicious carrot cake to blankets to snuggle up with, these 13 details will defo have you pining for a cosy winter wedding…

1. Warms Drinks from Bean & Gone are the Perfect Post Ceremony Treat

Your guests will be delighted to warm up as they mingle with a hot drink from mobile coffee bar Bean & Gone. It’s also a lovely touch for coffee connoisseurs! Find out more about Bean & Gone here.

2. A Roaring Fire Will Create a Cosy and Romantic Ambiance

Photo by Love Me Do Photography via Elizabeth Anne Designs

There’s nothing like a roaring fire on a winter’s day and it will create a charming, welcoming feel! Guests will love cosying up beside it so make sure to have it going all day.

3. A Build Your Own Scone Station is a Gorge Winter Treat for the Drinks Reception

Photo by Lifelong Photography

We can’t think of anything nicer than arriving to a winter wedding and being greeted with an array of warm scones. The perfect winter treat!

4. Or Soup Shooters with Toasties! Nom.

Photo by Andi Mans Photography

Same goes for soup and sambos – we’re all for homely, nourishing food during the colder months and this combo is a total winner.

5. Mulled Wine Will Warm Everyone Up

Photo via Woodland Hill Winery

Mulled wine is the best festive tipple! And if you’re having a winter bash, it would be the perfect arrival drink to warm everyone up.

6. Candles Galore and a Fairy Light Backdrop Will Set a Magical Scene

Photo from Rosin & Richie’s real wedding by Paul Duane Photography

When it comes to winter weddings, lighting is super important. Luckily there are so many pretty ways to light up your celebration from twinkling fairy light backdrops to elegant candelabras.

7. A Basket of Blankets will Keep Guests Snug

Photo by Uttke Photography & Design via Style Me Pretty

If you’re looking to create a homely atmosphere, have a basket of blankets to hand so guests can snuggle up if they’re chilly.

8. Drape Some Over Your Own Chairs too!

Rahel Menig Photography

And don’t forget to look after yourselves! Drape some chunky throws over your reception chairs so you can get toasty if needs be.

9. Some Gloves Might Come in Handy for Chilly Guests

Photo by Julie Williams via Wedding Chicks

If there’s a fire pit or outdoor area, pop a basket of accessories like gloves and hats by the door guests can help themselves to!

10. Guests Will Adore a Comforting Take Home Treat like Yummy Carrot Cake from the Carrot Cake Lady

There’s nothing better than a chunk of delicious cake and a cuppa come autumn/winter. So guests would be only too happy to get their hands on these favours. Homemade in Co. Kildare, The Carrot Cake Lady makes the most delicious, moist, light carrot cake in a jar so you can easily take it home! Find out more here.

11. Winter Woollies like Socks and Gloves = The Perfect Favour

Photo via Martha Stewart Weddings

Keep the winter theme going with some adorable winter woollies as favours! Socks or gloves would be a cute touch and are practical too at this time of year.

12. A Warm Chocolate Fountain from Carolyn’s Sweets is the Perfect Pick Me Up

Photo from Jayann & Darren’s real wedding by Paul Duane Photography | Chocolate Fountain from Carolyn’s Sweets

This would be amazing whatever the season but would be a yummy, comforting treat for guests during the chillier months. If you’re looking to hire a chocolate fountain for your own Big day, Carolyn’s Sweets offer this service.

13. Finish Off the Festivities with Fake Snow Confetti

Photo via Tidewater & Tulle

You might well get the real stuff if last winter is anything to go by but either way, create a magical send off with some confetti cones filled with fake snow!

The post 13 Details that Will Make You Want a Cosy Winter Wedding appeared first on weddingsonline.

‘Irish up’ your wedding day with these lovely traditions and sentiments. From music to dancing to colour choices and more! There are some really beautiful ways you can show your guests that you love Ireland!

1. Handfasting

This is where the phrase ‘tying the knot’ comes from! In this beautiful Celtic tradition, the bride and groom’s hands are literally tied together. This symbolizes the joining together of the husband and wife.

A Charming Ballykisteen Wedding

2. Irish dancing

A Celtic Dance Fusion wedding performance is a spectacular Irish dance experience that will be a wonderful entertainment addition to your Special Day.

3. Toast with a Guinness

Incorporate one of Ireland’s favourite drinks into your wedding speeches and toasts!

A St. Paddy’s Day Wedding in Ballymagarvey Village

4. Ceilidh dance

Hire an Irish band to host a Ceilidh dance! This is an excellent way to get your guests up onto the dancefloor and a fun activity for all ages.

Dublin City Folk

5. The harp

The harp was the national emblem of Ireland until the 19th century. So, incorporate this beautiful instrument into your wedding music by hiring a harpist.

Take a look at our supplier directory to find some talented harpists.

A Fab Floral-Filled Springfort Hall Wedding

6. Go green

Still looking for colour inspiration? Green is a classic Irish favourite! A simple way to incorporate this into your wedding is by getting your girls to don green bridesmaids dresses.

Here Comes Your Girl!

7. Irish castle

What better setting for your wedding than a castle? Ireland is home to some pretty spectacular castles which are perfect for weddings!

Visit our supplier directory to view some gorgeous castle wedding venues.

A Quaint Irish Wedding at Darver Castle

The post 7 Ways to Inject Irish Touches into Your Wedding Day appeared first on weddingsonline.

Entertainment is a big part of weddings with couples pulling out all the stops to ensure their guests have a ball. From magicians and Irish dancers to comedians, there are some great ways to keep your guests busy during the drinks reception, between courses or before the band get started. It’s also a lovely surprise for everyone! Magicians are a super popular choice as they amuse and amaze in equal measure. And Ireland is home to some seriously talented performers that will wow your nearest and dearest. We’ve rounded up 7 top magicians below with some info about them, a testimonial from the happy couples they’ve entertained as well as a video of them in action!

The Wedding Entertainer | View Profile

Jason has been wowing guests for over 15 years with his mix of mentalism, comedy, illusions and magic. Want Conor McGregor or Bono at your wedding or your best man to lose his ability to read? The Wedding Entertainer can make it happen!

“Wow what can I say, we got married on Friday and Jason was one of the highlights, I can’t wait to watch it back on video! The only complaint I heard was about the pain in guests jaws from laughing!!! Thank you so much for adding laughter to our special day.” – Mel & Mel

Andy James – Magician | View Profile

Andy is among the new breed of modern, entertaining and unique magic performers, specialising in Up-Close Mindreading and Magic! Coins will bend, fire will transform into ice and a deck of cards will morph into a solid block of glass – right in their hands!

“We had Andy perform at our wedding last weekend (12/05/18) and I could not wait to write this review for him because he was amazing! Anyone here considering booking him, do not hesitate for one minute, he is worth every cent. Our guests were amazed and howled with laughter. The man is a genius, his acts are mind boggling and the way he mingled with our guests was so professional. I found him so easy to deal with from the day we booked him. Thank you Andy so much, you were one of the big highlights of our day!” – Orla

Steve Spade Wedding Magician | View Profile

Steve Spade is a magician that does ‘magic with attitude’! He combines top-drawer sleight of hand skills with psychological subtlety and great comic timing. His dangerous stunts such as escaping from a sealed box, have earned national headlines such as “Ireland’s answer to Houdini”.

“Absolutely delighted we booked Steve for our wedding day. He was a huge hit with all the guests and really added to the fun of the reception, so much so, in fact, he was booked for another wedding later that week by one of the guests. I’ve recommended Steve to a number of friends and all have been impressed. He is amazing and one of, if not the, best Wedding Entertainer in Ireland.” – Rachel & Helen

Aidan Murphy Magic | View Profile

Aidan has his own unique style of magic which mixes comedy, magic and mind-reading. His high energy, high impact show sees magic happen in the spectators hands – decks of cards will vanish, personal objects with disappear in front of your very eyes and through mind manipulation, he can figure out your PIN number!

Carl Campbell Wedding Magician | View Profile

Carl Campbell can amaze your guests with close up magic throughout the day such as the drinks reception, or can perform table magic during a formal sit-down meal or buffet, giving each table a unique magical experience. Carl’s professional close up act is self contained so no special equipment or facilities required!

“Carl recently performed at our wedding and our guests were absolutely thrilled by his performance. As well as his tricks being out of this world, he is also funny and engaging. We highly recommend Carl, very good value for money. Really added so much to our day. Top marks all round.” – Alan

Jack Wise Magician & Comedian | View Profile

Jack Wise mixes eye-popping magic with hilarious comedy… without ever being offensive. Watch your Aunt’s amazed expression when he makes her family ring vanish and then reappear in a burst of flames! Or your dad’s stunned face when he presents him with a gift of his own watch! He can even steal the thoughts out of your sister’s head!

“Jack was brilliant from start to finish! Both kids and adults enjoyed every minute. Magic tricks were brilliant and funny and Jack’s stage act left me with a pain in my face from all the laughing! Every person at the wedding enjoyed it and are still talking about how good it was. Really glad we decided to contact Jack, really nice man and was great to have something different at our wedding that left people talking about how good it was! Would definitely recommend Jack, you won’t regret it!” – Laura

Shane Black Magician | View Profile

Shane Black will leave guests open-mouthed in disbelief as he performs the impossible in front of their very eyes! Moving from group to group, Shane will amaze your guests with his mind-reading skills and intimate, close-up and mind-boggling magic, presented in a friendly, witty and relaxed manner!

“I’d been a wedding coordinator for 7 years and had seen Shane several times and always thought he was so amazing. Then our bridesmaids organised him as a surprise at our wedding and oh my god what a present!! He had guests both freaked out and in awe in equal measures. Everyone young and old enjoyed it. I would absolutely recommend him!! He is amazing and a very down to earth lad too which makes it all even better.” – Eimear & Stephen

Main photo courtesy of Shane Black Magician

The post 7 Amazing Magicians to Consider for Your Big Day appeared first on weddingsonline.

If you have ever attended a wedding, you’ll know that the worst thing you can experience is long, awkward gaps of time where you’ve got nothing to do. As a former wedding coordinator, I’ve got a few really practical things you can do to make sure there are no awkward gaps of time where your guests are sitting around wondering what to do.

I’m sure that making sure all your guests are looked after is a huge priority for you. If I’m right, then you should take note of these golden rules:

• Don’t allow anyone to go hungry.
• Always give them somewhere to sit.

And if you have the budget and time:

• Give them something to do.

Ceremony

Invitation time VS Actual start time

Let’s say your wedding invitations state that your ceremony will begin at 15:00. You can be certain that half your guests will arrive at 14:15, most will arrive at 14:45 and some will walk in just after 15:00. For this reason, you’ll want to plan on walking down the aisle at 15:15.

With this in mind…

Arrive on time

And by “on time”, we mean 15 minutes after the invitation time. Everyone expects the bride to be late, so this is acceptable. However, if you are (intentionally or unintentionally) running late and your ceremony ends up beginning almost an hour late, your guests will be sitting around for a very long time waiting for you. Set the tone for your wedding day by getting the proceedings underway in a timely manner. Otherwise, the rest of the day will have you playing catchup.

Give them a drink

This depends on a few factors.

• Did your guests travel far to get to your ceremony? By “far”, we mean 45 minutes or more.
• Is it going to be a hot day?
• Is your wedding ceremony outdoors?

Having glasses of lemon water available as guests walk in will make it feel like there’s less waiting time. Something as simple as holding a glass of water while you wait for the bride makes a huge difference.

Pre-reception

Actual time on the invitation

If your wedding reception is taking place at a different location to your wedding ceremony, be sure to include the start time on your invitation. This is particularly important if there is an unusually large gap of time between the end of your reception and the start of your pre-reception drinks. Nobody wants to arrive too early and wander around the hotel lobby, thinking they might be at the wrong place.

Nearby coffee shops

This is only pertinent to wedding scenarios that involve a very long gap of time between the ceremony and pre-reception. Let’s say you have a 10am wedding ceremony and a 15:00 pre-reception. Give your guests a list of activities, coffee shops and lovely spots to kill some time after your ceremony.

Give them somewhere to sit

Standing around outside for pre-reception drinks can feel like an awfully long time. Sitting comfortably, with a drink in hand and a stunning view? Now that sounds like my kind of fun.

Feed them

You don’t have to go overboard here, especially if your budget is tight. A few nibbles, a bread table or cute boxes of popcorn are some budget-friendly ways to feed your guests before the reception starts.

Give them something to do

While you’re out having portraits done with your photographer and bridal party, your guests will be waiting to get the party started earlier. While the dinner and dancing will only commence later, give your guests some games to play and they’ll be happy!

10 Awesome Wedding Games to Keep Guests Entertained

Reception

Have a good MC

Your MC is going to set the tone for the wedding by making sure everyone knows what’s going on. The MC is the best person to make sure everyone knows where the toilets are, where to sit, and when dinner is going to be served. Pick an MC who is reliable, able to keep the festivities on track (with the help of your wedding coordinator, of course) and confident in delivering all relevant information to your guests.

Space out your speeches between courses

Consider this: Walking into the reception hall only to begin with speeches is possibly the worst wedding faux pas. There, I said it! Nobody wants to sit through dull speeches when they’re hungry. My advice? Begin with a short welcome and some house rules, go straight into starters, and then the first set of speeches. Break for dinner, finish off with the speeches everybody has been waiting for (the groom!) and then cut the cake and serve dessert. No more awkward gaps of time where your guests are sitting around wondering when the food will come out. No more holding thumbs that this is the last speech.

The post Wedding Planning: How to Avoid Awkward Gaps of Time appeared first on weddingsonline.

If you’re still trying to decide on wedding favours, edible, practical or personalised is always a winner! Guests will devour foodie treats (we’ve rounded up some tasty ideas below), will be touched by a personalised token and practical goodies always come in handy. We also love the idea of donating to a charity close to your heart in lieu of favours and we’re sure guests would approve too! Check out more brilliant favour inspo below…

1. Give Back with a Donation to a Charity Close to Your Heart

Make-A-Wish Ireland

Make-A-Wish Ireland grant wishes to children aged between 3 and 17 living with a life-threatening condition, giving them a magical day they will remember forever. It’s also a much needed break from hospital visits and treatments. Make-A-Wish Ireland can provide wedding favour cards for each table to let guests know that you’ve donated to this lovely cause.

Mercy University Hospital Foundation

Mercy University Hospital Foundation is a non-profit Charity from Cork. They have several brilliant appeals you can support if there is a cause close to your heart such as their Cancer Appeal, Kids & Teens Appeal, or their Stroke Appeal. Your Mercy Wedding Favours can be created to your requirements (colour, font style etc.) and include a personal message from you.

ISPCA

Photo via Rosanna Davison Nutrition

Animal lovers might like to support Ireland’s leading animal welfare charity, the ISPCA. They work to prevent cruelty to animals, promote animal welfare and proactively relieve animal suffering. If you would like to donate to this wonderful charity, you can choose the size, quantity and images to be displayed such as an adorable ISPCA puppy, kitten or pony or provide a pic of your own pets!

2. Edible Treats are Always a Big Hit!

Carrot Cake from The Carrot Cake Lady

Homemade in Co. Kildare, The Carrot Cake Lady makes the most delicious, moist, light carrot cake. It comes in an adorable jar with its own little wooden spoon attached and personalised sticker so guests can take it home… or devour then and there!

Lily O Brien’s Chocolates

Guests will always be happy to see some chocolates sitting at their place setting! And Lily O’Brien’s gourmet luxury chocolates will defo go down a treat. Couples can opt for two or four chocolate collections in a variety of colours to suit their colour scheme. They can also make them extra special by personalising the boxes with their names or including a message to guests.

Crisp Sambo Kits

Photo from Anne & Julian’s real wedding by Denlo Photography

Crisp Sandwich Kits are a super popular choice! They’re great as a pick me up after some dance floor antics or as a take home treat (we’re sure hungover guests will happily devour a sambo the morning after)! You can get crisp sandwich kits from Carolyn’s Sweets, Occasions by Sacha and Pretty Little Ideas.

Candy Buffet

Photo from Jayann & Darren’s real wedding by Paul Duane Photography | Candy Buffet from Carolyn’s Sweets

Full of old-school faves like cola bottles and refreshers, the candy buffet is a brilliant wedding favour. Leave a stash of paper bags and watch guests form a queue to grab some sweeties. People can stop by for a sugar hit throughout the night or fill up a bag for the taxi home!

Candy Buffet Suppliers include Carolyn’s Sweets, Enchanting Events, Occasions by Sacha, I’ve Got the Goodies Party Hire, Pretty Little Ideas, 4 All Your Occasions, Magic Moment Candy Cart, Sweet Co, Bling & Bloom Event Decor and Tara’s Sweet Treats.

3. A Memento from the Big Day is a Lovely Keepsake

Photo of Mark Heng Carciature Artist from Rachel & Robert’s real wedding by David Maury Photography

There are some great ideas for couples keen to give their guests an experience they won’t forget. You can combine some wedding entertainment with your favours and surprise them with a fun show such as a comedian or magician. Another lovely idea is to hire a caricature artist such as Andrew Goti or Mark Heng to whip up a hilarious sketch guests can take home and hang on the wall! And the ever popular photo booth, selfie mirror or video booth will capture lots of fun memories plus guests get a sweet keepsake.

4. A Personal & Thoughtful Token Will Be Cherished

We love personalised tokens and these pretty handcrafted Personalised Clay Hearts by Personalised Ceramic Hearts are sure to be a hit. They work closely with couples to create personalised mementos, inscribed with guests names. Made in Tipperary from the finest porcelain clay, they’re a gorgeous keepsake for family and friends.

5. Funny but Practical, Hangover Kits Will Come in Handy

Heather Rice Photography

If you’re looking to have some fun, wedding hangover kits are genius! Guest will get a great laugh out of them AND the supplies will come in very handy the morning after. Fill yours with everything from water and coffee sachets to painkillers.

The post 5 Wedding Favours Guests Will Approve Of appeared first on weddingsonline.

We’ve created a list of the must-have wedding photos with your groom. These are all the photos that will be taken of you and your groom on the wedding day. Things that your photographer will capture which you’ll be swooning over for years to come. A stolen kiss, a posed portrait photo, your first dance. All the stunning photos that you’ll want to frame!

All of these must-have wedding photos which we are showing off today have been taken by photographers listed on our supplier directory! We’re super proud of them and we love their work.

Walking down the aisle

A Rustic DIY Wedding | By Laura and Benny

A special ceremony moment

A Romantic Glenlo Abbey Wedding | By Paul Duane Photography

Your first kiss as Husband and Wife

A Wonderful Castle Durrow Wedding | By Paul Duane

Walking up the aisle together

A Breathtaking Destination Wedding in The Algarve | By James Hardie

Stealing a kiss

A Pretty Purple Wedding | By Sarah Connolly

Having a laugh together

A Gatsby Inspired Wedding | By Eric Ronan Photography

Beautiful portraits

A Beautiful Wedding with an Autumn Theme | By The Fennells

A romantic moment

A Pastel Coloured Wedding | By Ruth Foran

Enjoying your venue

A Sublime Summer Wedding at Finnstown Castle in Ireland | By Stephen Corkery

Entering your reception hall

Pretty Pink Wedding Festivities in Ireland | By Renata Dapsyte

The wedding speech

A Purple and Cream Wedding | By Stargaze Photography

Your first dance

Outdoor Wedding Photos that Prove that Location is Everything | By Innocent Thunder

The post Must-Have Wedding Photos with Your Groom appeared first on weddingsonline.

You may have noticed some beautiful Autumn wedding inspiration on our Facebook and Instagram pages. If you haven’t seen them, fear not! We’ve gathered our favourites and put together a roundup just for you.

We’re currently swooning over all things Autumn, and these photos are no exception. As the leaves turn from green to red, we’ve brought out our warm blankets, hot chocolate and everything cosy.

Our social media pages are full to the brim of stunning wedding photos. We’ve been showing off the best of the best, by featuring our very own wedding photographers. We’re pretty proud of their work and we love to show it off! If you’ve missed any of it, take a peek at our roundup of inspo.

Autumn wedding inspo

Alex Zarodov

Anthony Kane

Couple Photography

Essence Photography

Paul Duane Photography

Peter Bell Photography

Photography by Jessica

StephenMac Photography

The post A Roundup of Autumn Wedding Inspiration appeared first on weddingsonline.

It’s not uncommon to receive A LOT of questions right after getting engaged.

“Have you picked a date?”

“Which venue have you chosen?”

“When are you going dress shopping?”

The questions can be overwhelming, particularly if wedding planning stresses you out. We’ve got a list of five simple things to do after saying YES.

1. Join the community

The BEST place to get wedding planning advice and support is our Facebook group, Help! I’m Getting Married! This is a wonderful community, full of Irish brides and grooms, as well as wedding industry pros. If you’re looking to make friends who are also planning a wedding, and get some solid advice, this is the place to be!

2. Find your dream wedding venue

It’s true what they say: once you’ve got a wedding venue, the rest will fall into place. We’ve created a tool that will help you do just that! Our Venue Finder is the easiest way to find the venue that ticks all your boxes.

3. Familiarise yourself with the legal requirements

Feeling stressed about the legal side of things? We’ve made it easier to understand how to register your intent to marry, as well as which documents are required. Essentially we’ve demystified the legal requirements to make them easier to understand.

4. Decide which type of ceremony you want to have

Your wedding ceremony is where you do the legal part and where you get to say ‘I do’ in front of everyone you know and love. We really recommend giving this decision a lot of thought. Find out more about the different types of wedding ceremonies in a comprehensive blog post we’ve created.

5. Get a wedding planning checklist

Feeling overwhelmed with the hundreds of wedding planning tasks ahead? Here is a comprehensive wedding planning checklist to help you out!

The post What to Do After Getting Engaged appeared first on weddingsonline.