Topic Summer Wedding Guide

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TOPIC • 13 June, 2019

FEATURE

A FIRST CLASS WEDDING EXPERIENCE AT THE ANNEBROOK HOUSE HOTEL... class service are the main ingredients of any good wedding and the Annebrook House Hotel delivers both these elements seamlessly.

Their friendly and approachable service will ensure your wedding day is everything you want it to be and more.

The hotel is certainly at the top of their game with Ciara Slammon, their expert wedding coordinator who recently won ‘Wedding Coordinator of the Year’ at the Midlands 103 Hospitality Awards. This is a testa-

ment to Ciara and the entire team who support her in delivering excellent service to each and every wedding couple.

Keeping up to date with key current trends is what keeps every good wedding venue on their toes.

Annebrook House Hotel are delighted to announce the launch of their newly refurbished Edgeworth Suite at their exclusive Wedding Open Evening on Wednesday, 3 July from 5pm to 8pm.

For further details contact Ciara on events@ annebrook.ie.

Situated in the heart of Mullingar, the award-winning Annebrook House Hotel presents a spectacular fusion of 17th heritage coupled with ultimate modern styling.

This beautiful Georgian Manor House with its private entrance and exclusive use takes pride of place on the grounds of our four star hotel.

Whether you are considering an intimate wedding or a grand affair, our flexible dining and drinking spaces allow you to custom your perfect wedding your way.

A perfect wedding experience at the Annebrook House Hotel.

Renowned for their award winning weddings, the four star Annebrook House Hotel presents a spectacular fusion of 17th century heritage with ultimate modern styling. Let us be your “something old, something new.”

Whether it's a grand affair or an intimate reception, the style of your wedding is entirely up to you.

As a family owned hotel, we pride ourselves in offering a very personalised service from the initial booking stage all the way through to your dream day. Sumptuous food combined with top-

All I can say is wow!

Tanya and Ronan, November 2017

Seanie Morris presenting Ciara Slammon with the ‘Wedding Coordinator of the Year’ award at the recent Midlands 103 Hospitality Awards.

MU L L I N G A R , C O . W E S T M E AT H 044 93 53300 | events@annebrook.ie | www.annebrook.ie

TOPIC • 13 June, 2019

Summer Wedding Guide • Summer Wedding • Summer Wedding Guide

FEATURE

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T

his summer, Topic would like to pay particular attention to how to get your wedding day as perfect as possible with a wealth of resources available just down your street.

There is nothing that we like more than joining our family, friends, and neighbours for their momentous days where they can make their declarations of love to each other.

Planning a wedding is no small feat, with hundreds of hours spent poring over ideas, explaining your perfect wedding scenario, organising table layouts, menus, flowers, clothes; and on top of all that, you’re supposed to be having a good time.

Sometimes it will seem daunting, but be at ease and place your trust in some of the country’s

finest wedding venues, photographers, videographers, hotels, restaurants, and more to ensure that the most important day of your life goes off without a ‘hitch’.

It is always a good idea to keep in mind that a couple’s wedding day is fully and wholly about them.

Whatever your wishes, they are meant to be catered for entirely, which is why Topic is looking at some of the finest wedding venues and other resources available locally, and why we think they can best serve your interests for the big day.

The Church Restaurant caters for all

Shamrock Lodge Hotel achieves award status for wedding day experience Shamrock Lodge Hotel achieves award status for wedding day experience Winners of WeddingDates 2018 ‘Top Rated Wedding Venue Westmeath’ and also ‘Top Rated Three Star Wedding Venue Ireland’, you can trust The Shamrock Lodge Hotel team to make your dream wedding a reality. These awards are based on reviews from past wedding couples who have married at our venue so they mean the world to the team

who work hard for every wedding couple.

With just one wedding per day, the hotel is exclusive to you and your guests. Avail of the beautifully decorated Civil Ceremony suite, the newly renovated private drinks reception suite, private grounds and gardens for those all-important photos, and the stunning John Broderick Suite for your evening reception.

The wedding team welcomes you to visit the

Shamrock Lodge Hotel, to talk to the team and see for yourself what they can offer you to make your day special and unique to you.

By discovering what you envisage for the big day, the team at the Shamrock Lodge can make that dream a reality. More importantly, they want to see those stunning engagement rings and hear the beautiful story of how the question was popped. Join the generations of families who have spent their special day with the Shamrock Lodge wed-

ding team and ‘let our family look after yours’ on your wedding day. Go and see why a past couple, Lynn and David, said: “...All I can say is there is a sprinkle of magic poured over the Shamrock Lodge when they host a wedding that can never be captured on any website or review”.

Contact the experienced management team on 0906492601 or email on info@ ShamrockLodgeHotel.ie and ‘let our family look after yours’ at The Shamrock Lodge Hotel.

Weedding W Wed ddiinng

At The Shamrock Lodg dge Hotel, Athlone

From the moment you walk through the door to the moment you leave you can expect the very best in service and delectable cuisine at the Church RestauMullingar.

The rant, Church is more than just a restaurant; it is a familyrun fully licensed dining experience with an aim to provide you with fresh, tasty food and friendly, efficient service.

Formerly the Presbyterian Church in Mullingar for over 200 years, the Church held its final service in April 2012, and has since become the location of one of the town’s most well-respected fine dining establishments.

The business has expanded from humble beginnings into a successful family firm which ensures that local suppliers are used as much as possible.

The Church can cater for all occasions including weddings, communions, confirmations, birthdays, and anniversaries. Functions can be held seven days a week. They can also provide a private venue and a wide selection of menus to cater for all tastes and budgets. Excellent help is on hand to help you organise your upcoming event.

The Church Restaurant Castle Street, Mullingar

THE PERFECT VENUE FOR AN INTIMATE WEDDING CELEBRATION

Catering for up to 65 guests, we will create a menu to suit your taste and budget and work with you to make your day extra special.

044 9332517

www.churchmullingar.com

RECORD YOUR SPECIAL DAY WITH OLLIE GALLAGHER

OLLIE GALLAGHER

Professional Digital Video Coverage of:

Videos

• Weddings • Parties • Sporting Events • Musicals

Video to DVD conversions available 39 Beech Grove, Mullingar, Co.Westmeath

087 2054688

A picture is worth a thousand words, therefore on your wedding day it will be essential to have one of the most important days in your life recorded.

When it comes to adding some Hollywood motion to your wedding day, look no further than Ollie Gallagher, who has a wealth of experience in capturing weddings on video.

Based in Mullingar and serving the midlands, Ollie will capture the magic of your wedding day, so you can replay the day for family and friends for years to come.

Along with weddings, he is also available to record parties, sporting events and musicals.

To book Ollie for your big day call 087 2054688.

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Summer Wedding Guide • Summer Wedding • Summer Wedding Guide

TOPIC • 13 June, 2019

ONE STEP AT A TIME - TOPIC’S GUIDE TO PLANNING THE BIG DAY SO YOU’RE ENGAGED

First of all, congratulations. You and your partner have just decided to show the world your commitment to each other by coming together in matrimony. Remember, before you start your preparations, your wedding day should be one of the happiest days of your life, and not one of the most stressful ones.

To ensure that you are not pulling your hair out organising, planning is imperative. If you lay your groundwork carefully, your days leading up to the wedding are calm, pleasant, and free of stress.

While it can be overwhelming, trying to get to grips with having so much to do in a short period of time, careful planning can ensure that once the big day comes, you can relax and enjoy your wedding, safe in the knowledge that you no longer have anything to worry about.

SET THE DATE One of the first things that you and your future spouse need to decide on is a date for your wedding.

You must consider the weather, when you and your spouse can take holidays from work and the availability of the church, registry office and venue for your reception. Remember, that most venues are now being booked more than a year in advance, so get in there early to avoid disappointment. Have a look at some of the venues over the next few pages and have a think about getting in touch to organise a walkaround or to ask a few questions; perhaps visit an upcoming showcase to get an idea of how your day

will look at their facilities.

BUDGET Before you get swept away with the excitement of planning the big day make sure that you and your partner sit down together and draw up a realistic budget, so that from day one you are aware of exactly how much you have to spend.

LEGALITIES Don’t forget the legal aspects of marriage that are important. Make sure you have all your legal requirements met and all your paper work in place well in advance of the wedding date. Get all of this out of the way first to leave plenty of time to concentrate on the more enjoyable things.

Wedding days are ultimately about the union of two people who are in love and who are coming together to unite as one. It is what makes the occasion truly special and often tearful as it is always romantic to watch two people declare their undying love for each other.

PHOTOGRAPHER Booking your photographer is another important part in the planning of your big day. It is vital that you view work which the photographer has done already, either by calling in to his studio or by relying on recommendations from friends and family.

The photographs are going to be a lasting memory of your big day so you want them to be as fabulous as possible. All photographers have a different style of photography so discuss carefully what you want.

THE WEDDING CAR Wedding vehicles can be either quaint or completely ostentatious - it all depends

on your taste, and how you want your arrival at the church to be remembered.

Whether you envisage a simple, country wedding with a modest Rolls Royce, or a lavish, celebrity-style arrival in a stretch limo, there is a wide variety of different vehicle hire services available to cater to different tastes. If you have a large number of guests travelling a long distance to the reception, it might also be an idea to organise bus and taxi services.

THE DRESSES For the bride, the dress is perhaps one of the most important parts in the planning of the wedding, as it is going to take centre stage on the big day. The perfect dress should make the bride feel and look beautiful. The dresses for the bridesmaids are also very important and it is vital that the bride remembers that the colour and style she selects should flatter all shapes and colourings, as much as possible, as no two bridesmaids are the same. It’s often forgotten that a lot of preparation goes into making the groom look dashing also.

Not only that, but his best man and groomsmen have to be fitted out in their finery. Often, these have to match with what the bride and her bridesmaid entourage are wearing, so consult your partner on colour co-ordination.

FLOWERS Flowers are a key detail in the planning of the wedding from the bride’s bouquet to the flowers which will be arranged around the venue. The bridesmaid’s outfits will set the trend for the colours of the flowers, so keep this in mind when choosing the colour theme. These can

range from the most flamboyant bouquet to the simplest white lilies. The most important being the bride’s bouquet, as this will feature in most of the wedding photographs, so don’t skimp on this.

ENTERTAINMENT The entertainment you chose will depend on personal taste and indeed the overall tone of the wedding, which could range from the classical string quartet to a DJ. Any professional entertainment will eat into your budget but, whatever you choose, make sure you go to see them play before your big day, as you want your guests to have a good time and not spend the evening cringing at a nightmare wedding singer.

HONEYMOON The honeymoon is yours and your future spouse’s opportunity to relax and unwind after a long time of stressful planning and organisation. It is also the first key stage in bonding as a married couple and therefore a romantic destination is usually the favourite choice for newlyweds. This will be the most extravagant holiday you have ever had so, depending on what you can afford, make sure you push the boat out and spoil yourself.

INVITATIONS The invitations are the first taste the guests will get of your wedding and should therefore set the tone for your special day.

Don’t be afraid to be different as this is your chance to be creative. Whatever statement you decide to make with your invitations, remember that it will be a keepsake to be treasured for years to come, so it

should be something that you will want to hold on to.

SEATING PLAN Seating plans can be more complicated to execute than you would think, especially if you have combating relatives or lots of guests attending that don’t know anyone but the bride and groom.

Though many brides get extremely anxious about the seating plan, worrying about placing enemies beside each other, even more brides and grooms forget to help the guest from outside the families and close circles and it is very important to ensure you make them feel comfortable.

Try not to sit all the quiet people together or all the loud people together - opt

for a balanced group. It is wise to place all the teenagers in one group, as they will share common interests.

While traditionally, the hotels will work on a table number scheme, nowadays, brides and grooms are trying to invoke some humour or novelty to their dining halls and have chosen to name their tables with iconic names. If you have a set seating plan, you should erect a chart with the seating plan up in the hallway or at the entrance to the dining room. This will make it much easier for the guests to figure out where they are meant to be sitting.

At the tables, it is a good idea to have ice-breakers to help the guests get to know each other and feel more

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comfortable. One common ice-breaker is the betting sheets for having a wager on how long the wedding speeches will be or who will be the first to shed a tear etc. Why not include a trivia quiz about the bride and groom, to get the table talking.

HEAD TABLE Rules have gone out the window with regards to the head table. Traditionally, the bride and groom would sit at a raised table, looking down on their bridal party and guests. Nowadays, brides and grooms are mixing it up. Many are opting for situating the head table in the middle of the banquet room, with the bride and groom in the centre and females to one side and males to the other side. Others are choosing to put their parents at either end of a long table.

EMOTIONS RUNNING HIGH When emotions are running high, it is important that you and your partner take time out and sit back and consider the reasons that you are doing all of it. any brides to be, and indeed, grooms to be, often lose sight of the commitment that they are about to make in the hectic run up to the wedding and the stress involved in organising the big day can often put a lot of strain on even the strongest relationship.

After all, the wedding should be about the ultimate display of commitment between a couple, as they proudly show the world that they are in love.

When you start to consider what is most important, suddenly, all those stressful small tasks will seem irrelevant and not such a big deal anymore!

TOPIC • 13 June, 2019

Summer Wedding Guide • Summer Wedding • Summer Wedding Guide

Glasson Country House Hotel Where love stories begin….

If you are looking for a wedding venue with a wow factor, with stunning panoramic lake views, a picturesque countryside setting, superb food and a level of service second to none, you’ll love Glasson Country House Hotel and Golf Club.

Situated just outside the pretty village of Glasson

close to Athlone, Co. Westmeath, Glasson Country House Hotel is a beautiful countryside wedding venue situated on rolling parkland, overlooking majestic Lough Ree. As you enter the gates and drive down the sweeping avenue with its ancient beech trees, you are welcomed by sweeping views out over the parkland golf course and the tranquil

Small number of key Winter 2019 & Summer 2020 Dates available

inner lakes of Lough Ree. Your arrivals reception takes place in a private room, with floor-to-ceiling picture windows offering uninterrupted views of the stately surrounds, with a roaring log fire for your guests to enjoy. When you walk up the feature spiral staircase to the banqueting suite, its elevated setting further enhances the views. And, with direct access to a spacious glass fronted wrap around balcony from the banqueting suite, your guests can relax and soak up the views after your delicious meal.

As a family-owned and managed property, you can be assured of a genuine commitment to making sure that you, your families and all your guests have a truly memorable occasion at Glasson. The quality of the food and the warmth and efficiency of the service are both signature elements of a ‘Glasson’ wedding, attested to by the wonderful reviews by Glasson couples over the years.

Your wedding guests can enjoy four-star luxury too, with 65 deluxe bedrooms and suites to accommodate

their stay, and the added bonus of being able to select from a private cruise, a game of golf or an on-site massage the day after.

And, to make your planning as hassle free as possible, Glasson Country House offers its couples Moposa, the award-winning planning tool to help all brides and grooms with their wedding budget, RSVPs, seating plans and much more.

Let the wedding experts at Glasson help you arrange your special day your way. They are more than happy to tailor their sample packages to suit your own particular requirements.

Book a ‘showaround’ and see why Glasson Country House Hotel truly is the Lakeland’s stand-out wedding venue.

To arrange your own personal viewing and consultation with the Glasson wedding team, call Glasson Country House Hotel on 09064 85120, email at info@ glassoncountryhouse.ie or visit www.glassoncountryhouse.ie to register a wedding enquiry.

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A WEDDING WITH CHARACTER AT NEW FOREST ESTATE

New Forest Estate is a wonderful wedding venue offering the history and character of New Forest House, a 300 year old Irish manor house, with the privacy of location in the heart of the beautiful 300 acre New Forest Estate.

tion is also available in their wonderful Courtyard Lodges.

If you would like to visit New Forest Estate or find

out more about how to make your dream wedding a reality, call 044-9221100 to arrange a viewing.

New Forest can be the perfect setting for intimate weddings in New Forest House itself, or wonderful Marquee weddings on the front lawn for over 250 guests.

All wedding types, sizes, and formats can be accommodated. If you have something in mind for your perfect day, the team at New Forest Estate will be delighted to work with you to make sure it happens.

Luxurious accommoda-

New Forest Estate is a wonderful wedding venue offering the history and character of a 300-year-old Irish Manor house, with the privacy of being in the heart of a beautiful Irish country estate.

A perfect setting for intimate weddings in New Forest House itself or wonderful Marquee weddings on the front lawn for 250+ guests.

If you have something in mind for your perfect day, we will be delighted to work with you to make it happen.

We accommodate all wedding types, sizes and formats.

On site accomodation available in our luxurious courtyard lodges.

To arrange a viewing please call

044 9221100

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Summer Wedding Guide • Summer Wedding • Summer Wedding Guide

Celebrate in style at the Greville Arms Hotel

Situated in Mullingar town centre, the Greville Arms Hotel has hosted thousands of wedding receptions since its establishment in 1884.

With its grand ballroom and rooftop garden, the hotel has much to offer all couples-to-be and newlyweds. The hotel’s on-site wedding coordinator will look after all things big and small on your wedding day, from colour schemes to dinner menus.

Wedding packages at the

TOPIC • 13 June, 2019

How to choose the perfect wedding venue ?

hotel include a red carpet welcome by the hotel wedding co-ordinator, as well as champagne for the bridal party, on arrival. There is only one wedding per day at the Greville Arms, and the hotel has an extensive car park for all guests. The hotel also provides a complimentary bar extension until 1.30am and overnight accommodation in the bridal suite, and special overnight accommodation rates for guests at your wedding.

Someone popped the question, someone else said yes. An engagement ring was given, a celebrant was decided on, now the only thing left is figuring out how to choose the perfect wedding venue. By following this checklist, you should be able to choose the wedding venue that is right for you.

Wedding 2019/20 Superb banqueting facilities

Celebrate in style at the Greville €1000 SPECIAL OFFER WEDDING PACKAGE DISCOUNT

• Chauffeur driven vintage car to collect you and to be available for your wedding day

• Bridal suite for the bride and groom and rooms for both sets of parents and extra honeymoon suite for the bride & groom the following night • Champagne reception and canopies for the bridal group on arrival • Floral arrangements throughout

• The unique Greville Arms wedding planner file to help in the planning of your wedding from engagement to honeymoon to celebrate the booking of your wedding • This is for weddings booked before February 28th 2019 for the year 2019 (minimum 100 people) booked in advance

Greville Arms Hotel, Pearse Street, Mullingar, County Westmeath, Ireland Ph: +353 (0) 44 9348563 • E: info@grevillearmshotel.ie • www.grevillearmshotel.ie

1. ASK YOURSELF HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE GOING TO COME TO YOUR WEDDING? The best way to get a rough estimate is to take the total number of wedding invitations given and then take it that around 80% will attend. So if you plan accordingly, you should have plenty of space for all of your guests to share your special day.

2. DECIDE IF YOU WANT SEPARATE VENUES FOR YOUR CEREMONY AND YOUR RECEPTION? If you want to do them both in the one location, there is now so much choice on offer with most hotels accommodating for this request. If you wish for separate venues, two choose venues that are nearby so that you and

your guests are not spending most of the day on the road!

3. DO A WALK THROUGH OF EACH AND EVERY PLACE YOU CONSIDER FOR YOUR WEDDING! Bring a camera with you for a walkabout, so that you can get a glimpse of what it will look like, if you were to choose that venue for your wedding. Carry a notebook and pen with you, so you can jot down notes and questions you may have.

4. COMPARE PRICES AND SHOP AROUND! Compare prices of all the venues that you are considering and weigh up what each of them gives you for the money.

5. KEEP IN MIND THE SEASON! It is important to keep in mind when you are getting married and what facilities the venue offers in case of good or bad weather. Great grounds and breathtaking views are a major plus, but what happens if it is lashing rain on the day? Does the venue offer an area to take photographs inside?

TOPIC • 13 June, 2019

Summer Wedding Guide • Summer Wedding • Summer Wedding Guide

A UNIQUE WEDDING VENUE AT THE HAMLET COURT HOTEL WHAT MAKES THE HAMLET DIFFERENT? The Hamlet Court Hotel, a family owned hotel, prides itself on offering a unique destination and perfect wedding venue for one of life's most momentuous days - your wedding day.

The key to a flawless occasion lies in attention to detail. Staff of the Hamlet Court Hotel are committed to making your wedding day one of the best days of your life, offering a first class menu and impeccable service. They can assist you every step of the way to your perfect day and will offer advice and recomon every mendations aspect.

Proprietor John O'Neill takes pride in attending every wedding and personally welcoming the bridal party to the hotel and the grand entrance to the reception. Guests comment on the atmosphere and warmth they feel when they enter the hotel, it needs to be experienced to believe and understand.

ACCOMMODATION AND FACILITIES The Hamlet Court offers a function room that can cater for up to 280 people but can also accommodate intimate weddings of smaller sizes. For a complete wedding experience the Hamlet Court is fully licensed to host your civil wedding and have a beautiful room available. On site

there are 30 bedrooms that blend casual country style comfort with modern luxury. Staff are more than happy to help locate more rooms if required in surrounding hotels.

This charming country hotel has a well-earned and deserved reputation.

Excellent home cooked food and outstanding staff provide superior service and attention that guarentees very happy bridal parties who have spread the word.

The wedding team says that they have been honoured and privaleged to be part of so many magnificent weddings and have amazing testimonials to verify them. The brochure is only a guide and they can offer a bespoke package as requested

LOCATION The Hamlet Court Hotel is located in the small village of Johnstownbridge on the border of Kildare and Meath. It is two minutes off the N4 and 30 minutes from Dublin.

WEDDING FAIR To discover all that the Hamlet Court Hotel has on offer for your special day, drop in to their Summer Wedding Fair on Sunday, 14 July from 2pm to 5pm. Meet the wedding team and view the banqueting and luxurious bridal suite.

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Top Beauty Tips!

1. If your having an out door wedding (even in Ireland) make sure you prep your skin with SPF, there isn’t anything glowing about a sunburnt bride.

2. You want your cheeks to have a natural, elegant flushed look. To achieve this opt for a cheek tint rather than a cream or powder based blush color.

3. A good diet can go a long way to protecting your skin. Stock up on antioxidants to help you glow from the inside out.

4. If you think you’re going to be partial to a few tears of joy after walking up the aisle, choose a waterproof mascara to reduce the chance of product running when emotions run high.

5. Don’t forget to breathe, this is the happiest day of your life, enjoy it!

Summer Wedding Fair Join us on Sunday, 14th July from 2pm - 5pm for our

Meet our wedding team and view our banqueting suite and luxurious bridal suite.

Catering weddings for over 58 years, let our family look after your family.

With 1 wedding per day book in to attend your exclusive perfect wedding venue.