Topic Newspapers- Spring Weddings

Weddings

TOPIC NEWSPAPERS

SPRING 2016

Chrissie Foley, daughter of Maura and Tom Foley and Robbie Wilson, son of Patricia and Padraig Wilson, were married in the Church of the Nativity, Ballynacarrigy on Tuesday, 29 December, 2015.

Picture: Yvonne Cole Dupuis1

2 WEDDING GUIDE

TOPIC • 21 January, 2016

TIME TO START PLANNING! Congrats! You’ve just got engaged! After a few weeks of bliss, relishing the joys of people admiring your ring it’s time you started thinking of wedding plans. Between dresses, cakes, flowers, venues, etc. the world of wedding plans can send the most organised into bridezilla mode. Here to help you along the way we’ve organised a wedding timeline, so you can focus on the necessities bit by bit. Cut it out and stick it on the fridge, that way you can breathe a sigh of relief each time you cross something off the list.

JUST ENGAGED - Discuss your ideal wedding and decide if you will use a wedding consultant.

- Create a budget - Decide on numbers/guest list.

- Choose a date and make sure priest/solemniser is availabe while ensuring it doesn’t clash with any relatives/friends who may also be getting married.

- Research venues for ceremony and reception.

- Choose your bridesmaids and groomsmen.

- Rope in any family members/ friends who can help with cake, flower arranging, hair and makeup, etc.

- Have an engagement party (optional, but you totally deserve it.)

12 MONTHS - Book the venue - Research suppliers for wedding day, e.g. florists, stationery, hair and makeup etc.

- Consider wedding insurance options to protect deposits.

- Research entertainment options and book early to secure for your wedding date.

- Book photographer/videographer.

- Consider decor options such as tables, gazebos - will you need to hire these?

- Start looking for that dress although we know you started way before this!

8-10 MONTHS - Start planning your menu and discuss with your venue.

- Organise accommodation for guests.

- Contact a decor hire company and book any necessary decor.

- Research cake designers.

- Attend a pre-marriage course.

- Book the honeymoon.

6-8 MONTHS - Book musicians for the wedding ceremony.

- Check that passports are in date for honeymoon.

- Start planning your hen and stag parties, or leave it with the bridesmaids and groomsmen.

4-6 MONTHS - Shop for bridesmaid dresses and start looking for men’s formalwear.

- Order wedding rings and invites.

- Enure pre-marriage course has been completed (Catholic weddings) - Finalise orders with florist.

- Organise groom’s suit and fittings.

- Prepare the legalities, i.e. registrar.

- Organise prayers, readings and music for ceremony and confirm with priest if necessary.

- Book wedding transport.

- Gather addresses for guest list and create a spreadsheet for RSVP’s.

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2-3 MONTHS - Send invitations.

- Rent men’s suits.

- Order cake.

- Attend dress fittings.

- Buy gifts for parents and wedding party members if required.

- Book and organise trials for bridal hair and make-up.

4 WEEKS - Attend final fitting. Bring your maid of honour/chief bridesmaid along to learn how to handle your dress on the day.

- Contact suppliers to confirm dates.

- Finalise details for order of ceremony and readings, etc.

2 WEEKS - Review RSVP list and call guests who have not replied.

- Organise table plan and provide hotel with a copy. Don’t forget to check with hotel on layout of tables so as to ensure

close family/relatives are not left down the back!

- Contact photographer and discuss ‘must capture’ shots.

To save time on the day of the wedding have the photographer come to view where you would like photos taken, so they can get ideas for shots.

- Get your last colour and cut before your big day.

1 WEEK - Give venue your final head count and provide them with a list of requirements such as a table for the D.J. or a set-up space for the florist.

- Print placecards and finalise seating arrangements.

- Create a timetable both for yourself and your wedding venue to know when suppliers will be arriving.

- Have a complete wedding dress rehearsal from underwear to veil.

- Pack an overnight bag for the reception.

- Organise money to be paid to suppliers on the day.

- Confirm arrangements and times with all suppliers and wedding party members.

- Treat yourself to a complete pamper day.

2-3 DAYS - Make any last minute changes to table plan.

- Groom attends final fitting and picks up suits. Arrange for bestman to make sure all groomsmen attend fittings and collect their suits.

- Confirm pick up times with transport.

DAY BEFORE - Drop off all place cards, favours and table placing to venue.

- Provide venue with emergency contact for the day.

- Make final payments to venue.

- Rehearse ceremony and bring candled to

church/venue.

- Get to bed early!

THE BIG DAY - Make sure to wear a button down shirt for hair and makeup.

- Give wedding bands to best man, and also give him fee envelope to deal with suppliers.

- Introduce wedding co-ordinator to best man and maid of honour/chief bridesmaid in case of any enquiries on day.

- Introduce photographer to a close family member so they can point out important people to them.

AFTER - Return all rentals.

- Send gown and tux to be drycleaned.

- Write and deliver thank you cards.

- Meet with photographer to decide on photos.

- Enjoy your new life together!

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Recording your special day TOPIC • 21 January, 2016

It’s said a picture can say a thousand words, therefore on your wedding day it will be essential to have one of the most important days in your life recorded. .

Ollie Gallagher Video 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 capuring 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.

Name Change…Or Not? It’s a pretty typical thing to take your husband’s surname after you say “I Do”, with most brides not giving it a second thought. But, are you unsure about giving away your maiden name?

In this article we look at your options and what you need to do if you want to change your name.

If you feel strongly about keeping your own name, we suggest (to avoid upset in the future) that you let your husband-to-be know your plans and your reasons for your decision as early as possible. It is a completely personal decision and one that only you can make, so if you have any doubts about it, make sure you give yourself plenty of time to consider your options.

If you do choose to take your husband’s surname, you do not need to execute a deed poll change in Ireland, as your marriage certificate is evidence of your name change.

So here’s a list of things you may need to change:

Bank Account Changing your bank account details is especially important if you share a joint account with your other half. You might find you receive wedding gifts on your day in the form of cheques made out to Mr & Mrs X, until you change your name you won’t be able to lodge them, so give this priority!

Revenue You can call revenue at any time after your wedding to inform them of your name change, but do remember you will continue to be

taxed as a single person for your first year of marriage. For more information visit Revenue.ie.

Passport You can no longer replace your existing passport with your new married name, instead you have to apply for a new passport – find out all the details on renewing your passport at the passport office.

Driving Licence Whilst by law you should always carry your license, you are not required to have it changed to your married name, unless you choose to, but it is best to keep your information up to date. To change your name you have to apply through one of the NDLS centres with your original marriage certificate.

WEDDING GUIDE

Professional Life You may have qualifications or a career associated with your maiden name. There is no reason for this to change, just like many doctors keep their maiden name, throughout their career, so too can you. If you do decide to change to your married name at work, remember to update your emails and email signatures. If you are a member of any professional societies, you should contact these individually to update your details.

Social Media Okay, so it is not required but many people love changing their Facebook status to ‘married’ and using their new surname – the change will certainly get you lots of comments and likes!

Cole-Dupuis Photography It is no wonder that friends refer each other to Yvonne and entrust her with documenting the most important events of their lives - good news travels fast. With her uncanny ability to anticipate the moment and be there when it happens, Yvonne will delight you in her ability to take beautiful photographs without dominating and taking over your day. She believes that you should be able to enjoy your day and not miss the best parts by being forced to stand in front of the camera and told to pose in a contrived or unnatural way! Whether you are comfortable in front of a camera or not, Yvonne's special talent lies in her ability to put people at ease and capture them at their most fabulous. Yvonne operates in an unobtrusive way taking images that capture the real spirit of the day. From the moments you remember, even to those you may have missed, captured in an instant, yours to cherish and relive, forever.

Yvonne is based in County Offaly and covers weddings nationwide. Packages available for weddings abroad.

Call Yvonne on 087 2878664.

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4 WEDDING GUIDE

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TOPIC • 21 January, 2016

LEAP OF FAITH Are you thinking of popping the big question to your man this 29 February? Well, look before you leap, with our guide to the perfect proposal plan...

WHEN? 29 February is the traditional day that women propose to men, but if you’re the type of woman to take over the proposal, you’re unlikely to be the type to be bound by convention, so really the whole year’s your oyster. It is still important to make sure your relationship is ready to be taken to the next step though.

Have you discussed marriage with your partner? Have you agreed how you’ll solve issues that might arise? Do you share the same goals for the future, and are equally committed to reaching them? All the answers to those questions need to be “yes” if the marriage is going to be successful. If you answered “no” to any of them, why not wait, and use 29 February as a time to talk to your partner about the future instead: cook them a meal or take them out for dinner and discuss what you’re both looking for, and celebrate what you already have.

WHY?

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First, the history: it is believed that the tradition for Leap Year proposals dates back to 5th century Ireland and ‘St Bridget’s Complaint’. The aforementioned Bridget is said to have been

rather miffed at the length of time women had to wait for a man to ask for their hand in marriage. Upon debating this with St Patrick, he told her that women could from then on propose on the leap year. The first documented instance of women proposing on 29 February is in 13th century Scotland, where a law was passed that decreed that any man refusing a proposal on the leap year must pay a fine, which could range from a kiss, right through to a silk dress or, most commonly, a pair of gloves.

Back in the present, there are lots of reasons you might be tempted to take charge of the proposal. Perhaps you and your partner have always had a kooky, non-traditional relationship and this is another way of celebrating that. Maybe you feel your man lacks confidence, and would never have the courage to do it himself. Maybe you just feel he’d love it. I support all these reasons, but if you’re planning to drop to one knee simply because you’re tired of waiting for him to do it, I urge caution! As I said before, it’s important to have discussed marriage before you propose, and to have listened carefully to what your partner said.

Many men won’t feel ready for marriage until they’ve reached a

certain level in their career and finances. If your man has said he plans to marry you but wants to wait a couple of years, a proposal from you won’t change that. If you know he’s where he wants to be in life and just needs a sign from you that the time is right to head up the aisle, then do go ahead and propose.

WHERE? Even if your partner is a lively extrovert, the chances are that he’d prefer to be proposed to privately – far from the madding crowd. You’re bucking the trend by being the one to propose to him, and he might feel uncomfortable sharing that with other people. Also, private proposals are much more romantic!

In general, the advise is to propose when you’re engaged in an activity with your partner: walking somewhere beautiful, on holiday, on the side of a ski slope, cooking... etc. Action stimulates and focuses the male mind, and a holiday when you’re both relaxed and enjoying spending time together is the perfect time and place.

HOW? Keep the proposal fun, lighthearted and flirtatious. Tailor it

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towards who he is and what he likes, not what you like! You could spend hours creating what you think is a romantic proposal, with candles, flowers, poetry and a present that took you hours to make… only to find that when the time comes, your partner doesn’t seem sufficiently “moved”. If you know, deep inside, that you’re creating the proposal you’ve always wanted, then you’ll almost definitely feel resentful afterwards because you had to do it all yourself. Instead, make it all about him. If he’s outdoorsy, write a sign saying, “Will you marry me?” and hang it on a tree in a favourite walking spot, give him a map and a compass and leave him to find it (be waiting behind the tree to surprise him.) If he’s a wine connoisseur, print a proposal label onto a bottle of wine and book a wine-tasting tour, arranging with the owner beforehand that they’ll bring this bottle out at the end. Keep it fun, witty, and light! And don’t worry about rings. If he says yes, you can go ring-shopping together afterwards. Instead of a ring, create a romantic proposal memento that he can keep forever. You can get anything engraved, so buy him something personal to him (a key ring, cufflinks, a silver photo frame, a

TOPIC • 21 January, 2016

MAKE IT PERFECT AT THE BRIDAL LOUNGE WEDDING GUIDE

LEAP YEAR PROPOSALS – HOW TO GET IT RIGHT

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special pen, the back of an iPod with all his favourite albums on it) and have it inscribed with your names and the date you asked him to be your husband.

WHAT IF HE SAYS "NO"?

First of all, don’t panic! Ask him calmly for his reasons. They could well be practical ones: perhaps he doesn’t feel that the two of you are financially secure enough to marry, or perhaps he feels that you need to have some big conversations about the future and your combined goals first. If that’s true, then work together to set a date when you can get engaged. If you feel that he’s using timing as an excuse, and his suggested engagement date seems unrealistically distant, then take some time apart from him and work out what you really want: is it marriage, or is it him? If it’s marriage, he might well not be Mr Right. If there are other reasons why he won’t commit – perhaps he’s got financial commitments from a previous relationship – then sit down and talk through some possible solutions and get professional advice of necessary.

If it’s just a flat-out “No,” then the relationship may well not be the right one for either of you. If you can’t accept the decision, don’t stay and try to live with your resentment; few couples recover from a rejection of marriage. Instead, try to think of it as a positive thing – you are now free to find someone who does want to say “I do”.

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PLANNING THE PERFECT HEN PARTY

6 WEDDING GUIDE

TOPIC • 21 January, 2016

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Along with last minute wedding details, and keeping the bride sane, one of the most important roles as maid of honour is throwing a hen party to remember. Here is how to throw the perfect hen do.

WHO OK, so you and the bridal party will obviously be there, then there’s your shared best friends, but what about cousins and her friends that you don’t know? Don’t forget Aunt Mary and that girl only the bride can stand. The best thing to do is to ask the bride who she would like to see there, then she can decide who she wants to celebrate with.

AUDIENCE Now that you know who is attending, it’s important to cater your event to suit everyone there. Make the day flexible so people can choose to avoid certain parts, but still feel included. If you’re planning something adventurous during the day such as zip-lining, make sure people who can’t take part have something to look forward to when they join the party later.

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Ensure to hold your hen party at least 4-6 weeks in advance of the wedding where possible. This allows time for their wallets to recover in time for the wedding and also means everyone will be looking extra fresh when the wedding comes around.

COSTS Be realistic with the budget and be sure to remember that not everyone will be of

the same financial ability. Include cost of transport etc. and link anything that can be paid for in advance so the cost will be spread over a few weeks.

BREAK THE ICE There’ll be a wide range of groups at the hen, no matter how small, and not everyone will have met before. Be sure to remember guests’ names and their connection with the bride and have icebreaking activities ready to begin the day.

COMMUNICATION Keep in contact with hen guests and keep them up to date with the planning.

Inform them of dress code and any necessary outfit changes e.g. runners, swimsuits or cocktail dresses. It is nice to keep everyone surprised but at the same time they need to be prepared.

DOCUMENT EVERYTHING This is a night that not only the bride, but all guests will want to remember for a very long time. Take as many pictures as you can and keep any tickets/tokens or keepsakes along the way. Encourage guests to do the same and work on a scrapbook to give to the bride as a memento of the event.

The maid of honour can be a stressful role, but once you follow these tips, your duties are sure to be eased.

TOPIC • 21 January, 2016

WEDDING GUIDE

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8 WEDDING GUIDE

MAKE A LIST CHECK IT TWICE, THREE TIMES...

Getting engaged is amazing, and as you begin to plan your wedding you can be so full of love that you want the entire world to attend your event.

While you may want to invite the entire world, venue space and your budget will most likely impose the need to limit your guest list to a specific number of people.

Thus the guest list dilemma begins. Below are six tips to help you decide who should share in your special day.

TOPIC • 21 January, 2016

MAKE THE MUSIC

MEMORABLE The wedding band or D.J., whichever you decide to choose, can make or break your dream day. It’s often one of the things people remember best from your big day (next to how fabulous you looked obviously) and a good band will have your wedding guests glad that they RSVP’d. It is very important to choose your band wisely, but lucky for you we have all the tips you need to choose the band that will help you dance the night away.

1. CRUNCH THE NUMBERS One way to begin creating your guest list is to make a list of all of the family members, friends and business associates you would like to have at your wedding.

Tally that number to get a broad sense of the number of potential guests.

2. PLUS ONE If you’re inviting single friends and family, you will need to decide if they can bring a date to your wedding.

This is a huge factor in your guest list size. You can decide on a hard line of no dates unless you’re married, or loosen up and allow guests who are engaged or who have been together over X number of years to bring their significant others.

3. THE PARENT FACTOR Keep in mind that if your parents are helping fund your wedding, they will have a list of guests that they want to invite (hello golf buddies and neighbours). If you anticipate a lengthy list of folks your fiancé has never met, you can allocate 10 or 20 invitations for each of your parents, so they edit their lists before you have to downsize yours.

1. WHERE TO START Wedding plans have only started and you’re probably already sick of hearing wedding advice from friends and family, but when it comes to band advice you better listen up. Word of mouth is a great way to find out about bands, especially when you’re hearing it from friends who will be attending your wedding. After that google is your best friend. Search for wedding band websites and troll through some band advice forums.

2. STYLE You might be a number one AC/DC fan, but we highly doubt that all your wedding guests

share the same passion. Picking a band personal to your style is great, but make sure that they cater to a wide variety of audiences too. Bands can range from the classic 4 piece wedding band, to ceilí to salsa, so just make sure your band caters to both you and your guests.

3. VIEWING Viewing your band live is crucial before putting down any deposits. Many bands post live videos on their websites but think twice before you ‘look and book’ in relation to online videos.

If you can’t attend send a close friend or family member with similar taste to your own and get them to take their own videos on

their phone. DO NOT hire a band that you saw once at a bar at an outdoor concert. Your wedding venue will create a completely different atmosphere so be careful where you choose to see the band also.

4. QUESTIONS Try to have a list of questions prepared for your band, so you can rest assured everything will run smoothly on the night. Bear in mind questions such as: How long will they play for? What time will they finish at? Will they learn your first dance? Is the deposit refundable? Do they provide music between sets, and if so will there be an extra cost?

While meeting with the band,

discuss the option of a playlist also, and make sure to describe a ‘do-not play’ list. Are your guests really the Y.M.C.A. type?

5. COST Due to the big effect entertainment has on weddings, many couples choose to allocate a good amount of the budget for their band. The cost of the band is completely personal to your wedding as small wedding parties often choose 2-3 piece bands, while larger weddings can sometimes splash out on large brass bands.

Take into account the deposit and also potential extra fees for music in between sets and the cost of providing food and drink for band members.

4. COLLEAGUES Inviting your respective bosses and work associates is another large factor in the size of your guest list. If you invite one of your colleagues, you then have to invite all of the others or risk office drama. This is a personal decision and how long you’ve worked at your place of employment and how closely your social life is tied to your career become factors.

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What do you do when you can’t invite everyone you want at your wedding? One of the best pieces of wedding wisdom imparted to me as a bride was “The people at your wedding should be the ones who will support your relationship and marriage throughout your life.”

Using that wisdom as a lens is incredibly helpful when making your wedding guest list. It makes it easier to cross off a few of your friends who are fun but will probably never support themselves, much less your marriage.

6. THE “B LIST” If there are a handful of guests that you can’t include in your original invitation list, consider making a “B list” to whom you can mail invitations to as you receive negative RSVPs. This option gives you a little wiggle room on your list, but try to send your “B list” invites as soon as you can to avoid hurt feelings (as no one wants to know that they’re on the “B list”).

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We offer tailor made packages to suit all budgets.

To view the house and talk to us about your requirements call us on 086 325 1629 or 044 936 2733

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TOPIC • 21 January, 2016

WEDDING GUIDE

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THE THINGS NO ONE TELLS YOU ABOUT!

Of course, since you announced your engagement you’ve been getting bombarded with useful tips, a million questions and lots of opinions, but we thought we’d share some of the secrets no one will tell you about planning the biggest day of your life!

1. IT WILL TAKE YOU TIME TO GET USED TO WEARING YOUR ENGAGEMENT RING Walking around town with a ring on your finger that could have possibly cost the same as your very first car can be daunting!

Both the physical feeling of wearing it – getting used to not scraping it off every wall you pass and getting it caught in your

best tights stings – and wearing a sparkly symbol of the new life you are planning, will take some getting used to!

2. YOU AND YOUR GROOM WILL DISAGREE We know this is not really what you want to hear, but getting both your personalities into your wedding day will make it all the more per-

sonal for your guests, so a few conversations about what your vision for your wedding day is, along with the obvious what to eat and where to sit your guests will pay off.

3. YOUR CHILDHOOD DREAM OF A BIG WHITE WEDDING MOST LIKELY WON’T HAPPEN Dreams of a five year old, Disney princess wed-

ding are probably not what you want now, are they? It’s okay to have a more grown up approach to your wedding day and anyway, your groom is probably now an actual prince – your prince!!

4.YOU WILL BECOME ORGANISED – VERY ORGANISED! Even if you consider yourself a pretty organ-

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ised person, throw planning a wedding into the mix and you’ll soon be master of the to-do list, spreadsheet queen and commander in chief of your own destiny – or wedding day anyway! An organised bride is a stress free bride…

5. YOU WILL LEARN A LOT ABOUT YOURSELF AND OTHERS You and your groom will quickly learn the art of delegation – remember to choose your bridal party according to their strengths – a very unorganised, dizzy chief

bridesmaid will become a nightmare!

6.YOU MIGHT HAVE SOME DOUBTS When the world is rushing around, your wedding is just around the corner, you will have doubts. Have you picked the right colours, will the guests like your choice of food, music, decor etc… Don’t dwell on these thoughts, nerves are completely natural and will make these nasty ideas appear in your head. As long as you end up with a husband on your wedding day, who cares if your ancient old aunt didn’t like the Bai-

leys cheesecake dessert, her loss!

7.ONCE IT’S OVER After devoting months of your life on this one day, the dress is packed away, the flowers have wilted and your honeymoon tan has begun to fade, chances are you will feel pretty miserable! Yes, it’s not a great feeling but try to not dwell on it, instead focusing on the new chapter of your life that has suddenly started. Enjoy your hubby before you take on any other major life steps!

10 WEDDING GUIDE

TOPIC • 21 January, 2016

THE BRIDE OF THE YEAR SHOW

THE VENUE

THE SHOW YOU SIMPLY CAN’T MISS!

The Bride of the Year Show is Ireland’s largest spring Wedding Showcase. Taking place at Dublin’s RDS on Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 January from 11 am to 5 pm, RDS Wedding Shows are regarded as top quality shows with over 200 leading wedding exhibitors in attendance, covering all aspects of planning your wedding and are the shows that all brides talk about and remember.

An integral part of The Bride of the Year Show is the Main Bridal Catwalk Shows at 12:30 and 3:30pm daily on the Ground Floor. The spectacular Catwalk Shows provide the ideal opportunity for Brides to view over 100 of the newest bridal gowns and for grooms to view the latest fashions in men’s formalwear.

Wedding fashion shows will take place on The Mezzanine level on The Style Stage at 2pm daily with stunning fashion collections for mum of the bride & groom and guests. Admission €12 payable at door or at www.wed.ie.

The Secrets are an all-live four-pieceband consisting of drums, bass, guitar and piano/keyboard with an extensive amount of knowledge in the music industry.

Accomplishments of individual band members include: • An all-Ireland soloist singer • Numerous amounts of appear ances on The Late Late Show • Two singles in the top 20s in the Irish chart • Gigged with the RTÉ Concert Band • Recorded with some of Ireland’s top recording artists

WEDDING

SHOWCASE 24 JANUARY

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They can cater for all occasions including: • Weddings • Corporate events • Parties • Clubs • Pubs

The Secrets can adapt to cater for all your event requirements.

Vast variety of different playlists to play exactly what is needed to make your night one to remember.

For bookings or further info phone Joe on:

086-3641688 or check out the website www.thesecrets.ie

Once a date for your wedding is fixed it will no doubt be time to start planning that all-important venue for your big day. Here in the midlands, there are an endless number of wedding venues which can cater from the small to the large number of guests....

ANNEBROOK HOUSE HOTEL

HAMLET COURT HOTEL

The award winning 4-starAnnebrook House Hotel, a spectacular fusion of 17th century heritage with ultimate modern styling, is the perfect wedding venue for the perfect day. One of the leading wedding venues in the picturesque county of the Midlands, recently voted one of Ireland’s top 10 wedding venues by Ireland.com, The Annebrook House Hotel enjoying the enviable advantage of being the newest and most centrally located 4-star Hotel situated in the heart of Mullingar.

Flexible dining and drinking spaces, a stunning backdrop of 10 acres of parkland with the Brosna River flowing through and our beautifully handcrafted gazebo provide the perfect setting for your wedding photographs. The old world charm of the original Annebrook House brings a wonderful sense of romance, here you truly can create that magical day you and your guests will never forget. The hotel’s experienced events team take care of everything from the ceremony right down to the buttonholes with your menu personally created by their award winning Head Chef. Delectable cuisine combined with first-class service delivered seamlessly by our family run hotel. Don’t miss the exclusive Wedding Fayre at the Annebrook House Hotel, Sunday 7 February 2-6pm.

Meet the team and the hotel’s favourite exhibitors.

Free entry all day. For more information contact 044 9353300 or email info@annebrook.ie.

The Hamlet Court Hotel situated in the village of Johnstownbridge, Enfield is the ideal location for your wedding day celebrations.

The state of the art modern hotel has a vibrant reception area leading from the set down parking area, the grounds will guarantee a wealth of photographic opportunities. The hotel can also boast a well appointed banqueting suite with mood lighting which will add to the lively atmosphere of your big day.

Family-owned and managed, The Hamlet Court Hotel is the perfect venue for your wedding reception. Their one wedding a day policy makes it an outstanding choice for your special day. John, Trish and the team at the Hamlet Court Hotel take great pride in surpassing the expectation level of our wedding couples.

The Hamlet Court Hotel treat it as an honour for couples to entrust one of the most important day’s in their lives to them and in return they strive to enhance their special day that little bit more by offering a truly welcoming atmosphere, which you feel once you pass over the threshold of the Hamlet Court Hotel for the entirety of your stay with them.

The Hamlet Court’s reputation for friendly, efficient service is legendary while its exceptional food and a versatile menu is a tribute to the award-winning team of chefs, lead by our Master Chef, Mr. Paul Fitzpatrick At the end of your wonderful day their spacious and comfortable bedrooms will cater

for all your guests’ needs. The Bridal Suite is designed with every comfort in mind.

Sample the Hamlet Court Hotel experice at the hotel’s Wedding Showcase afternoon on Sunday, 6 February from 2 to 6pm as well as the wedding Fayre with full fashion show on Sunday, 21 February. from 2 to 6pm.

TULLAMORE COURT HOTEL

The staff at the Tullamore Court Hotel know how important it is to have everything absolutely perfect for your celebration including your banqueting suite which is why they work with you to arrange the room to your specific needs and numbers.

The suite itself is decorated in gold damask and radiates a rich luxurious elegance. Wall to wall glass allows natural daylight to fill the suite, creating a wonderfully inviting and natural setting for your wedding celebration. Elegant white or black chair covers and coloured sashes will add a touch of glamour while candles, night lights and our new crystal globe centre pieces create a stylish and sophisticated atmosphere.

Put some immediate sparkle into your celebrations on arrival with champagne for you and your bridal party while your guests are enjoying mouth-watering gourmet bites and seasonal fruit punch as they mingle with family and friends. The standard goes on throughout the day with your selected 5 course menu and a selection of evening food.

Call the hotel on 057 934 6666

for a copy of their brochure and to make an appointment.

Don’s miss the annual Wedding Fair on Sunday, 21 February where you can chat with over 50 top exhibitors who will be showcasing all the latest trends, view the hotel’s fabulous bridal suite, discuss wedding packages on your showaround with the dedicated wedding team. Don’t miss the fashion show at 5pm!

The Tullamore Court Hotel look forward to seeing you there!

WOODVILLE HOUSE

Woodville House is a splendid 17th Century Olde World Period Residence just 7 km from Mullingar at Gaybrook.

Reopened recently by Jack and Maria Farrell and their family, Woodville House is available for weddings and functions for all special occasions. Jack and Maria will see to every detail to make your special day one to remember. Their attention to detail and the warm welcoming atmosphere is what sets them apart from other wedding venues, because you are dealing with a small but professional team who want to make everything special for you. They are happy to meet with couples to discuss all aspects of the wedding reception and will arrange a package to suit individual needs and budgets.

GLASSON COUNTRY HOUSE HOTEL AND GOLF CLUB

If you are looking for a wedding hotel with a difference, with stunning panoramic lake views and superb food, then you are encouraged to pay a

TOPIC • 21 January, 2016 visit to Glasson Country House Hotel and Golf Club.

Situated just outside the quaint village of Glasson, the hotel could be your ideal wedding venue - starting with the magnificent views over the inner lakes of Lough Ree and the golf course as you drive down the avenue, ending up in the superb Banqueting Suite, with its floor to ceiling glass designed to make the most of the stunning panoramic lake views.

Glasson has been receiving consistently excellent feedback and the whole team at Glasson are committed to looking after each and every wedding couple (and their families and guests!), helped in part by the fact that Glasson remains a family owned and managed property.

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 great ballroom and rooftop garden, the hotel has much to offer couples-to-be. The hotel’s on-site wedding co-ordinator will look after all things big and small on your wedding day, from colour schemes to dinner menus. The Classic Wedding Package at the hotel includes 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. Twelve months from your big day, the hotel will invite you to a romantic dinner for two in the James Joyce Restaurant on the first BLOOMFIELD HOUSE HOTEL

Planning your big day? The Wedding Team at the Four Star Bloomfield House Hotel invites you to join them for

WEDDING GUIDE their Wedding Open Day on Sunday, 14 February.

Come and view this stunning wedding venue, enjoy a glass of bubbly and canapés, take a stroll around the magnificent lakeside gardens and through the hotel's interiors to experience the wow factor as it would be on your wedding day!

The hotel will showcase their three beautifully appointed banqueting suites, the Bridal Suite and the fine facilities available at this superb lakeside wedding venue. The experienced Wedding Team will discuss their amazing new wedding packages and offer tips on planning the perfect day. With over 37 year’s experience, they will offer invaluable advice and support to make your wedding day the most memorable and enjoyable of your life. They can promise you their utmost personal and professional attention in the planning and preparation of your special celebration.

This stunningly situated spacious hotel, full of history and romance, is renowned for excellent service, terrific atmosphere and strong emphasis on customer care. The elegant and tastefully decorated wedding suites are easily accessed and located on the ground floor. Chair covers, a choice of sash colour, flowers and centre pieces complete that opulent look for your special day. Mood lighting, audio visual equipment, fairy light backdrops & air conditioning are also available to help in creating the perfect ambiance.

Perched on the shores of Lough Ennell, this charming hotel offers a spectacular backdrop for a lakeside civil ceremony. Say “I Do” on the shores of Lough Ennell and host your ceremony and celebrations within one spectacular venue.

Bloomfield House was awarded Best Wedding Venue in Westmeath and also Top Rated Country House Venue in Ireland for 2014 and 2015 by venue finder website, WeddingDates.ie. These Awards are based purely on reviews and testimonials from couples so are very valued by prospective brides & grooms as they

have the opportunity to get a real insight into how venues perform on the all-important wedding day by reading the experience of other couples who have had their wedding there.

Whether it’s in spring, summer, autumn or winter; a traditional, lavish wedding or a quiet intimate affair; your wedding day at Bloomfield House is something to be eagerly anticipated, enthralled by and most of all cherished by you and your guests for the rest of your life. The team place great emphasis on ensuring that you and your wedding guests are truly impressed and enjoy a unique experience with the spectacular backdrop of Lough Ennell.

The beautiful lake setting and picturesque gardens matched with superb facilities and sumptuous food make the Four Star Bloomfield House Hotel a truly romantic venue, perfect for any wedding.

Discover how Bloomfield House Hotel can make all your wedding dreams come true at the hotel’s Wedding Open Day on Sundaym, 14 February from 2pm to 6pm. For more information on Weddings at Bloomfield House Hotel, please telephone 044 93 40894, email weddings@bloomfieldhouse.co m or visit www.bloomfieldhousehotel.ie HARRY’S OF KINNEGAD

Back with its legendary name since May of this year, Harry’s of Kinnegad is once again serving the masses at its central location on Main St., Kinnegad, conveniently located along the new Dublin to Galway M4 and the Dublin to Sligo M6 motorways.

When it comes to weddings, the iconic hotel pulls out all the stops, with a dining room capable of catering, for up to 250 guests as well as 45 beautifully decorated bedrooms. As expected, the hotel throw in all the extras, including Champagne on arrival as well as a complimentary honeymoon suite for the newlyweds.

“Harry’s of Kinnegad: A memorable wedding for a price you will forget.”

LOUGH RYNN CASTLE

From the moment you first arrive at Lough Rynn Castle you will realise it is no ordinary Venue, from the drive up the tree lined avenue, the magnificent Castle comes into view. You and your Guests will be welcomed at the doors of Lough Rynn on a Red Carpet by our warm and friendly Management Team. Perfect in every season, allow the Team at Lough Rynn to escort your Guests to the Front Lawns for an Arrival Drinks Reception, or indeed be greeted into the Castle by a very welcoming Open Log Fire. The Baronial Hall is our Arrival Reception Room, and very worthy of its name, featuring Bay Windows with uninterrupted views of Lough Rynn and the rolling Lawns, its Inglenook Fireplace is one of the largest in the Country.

Lough Rynn Castle is delighted to offer couples the option to celebrate their Special Day with a Wedding Blessing or Civil Ceremony.

Dependant on Guests numbers Lough Rynn Castle can host Ceremonies in a number of locations. Perfect for a grand affair, the Ballroom at Lough Rynn Castle provides an exquisite décor that sets the tone of opulence underneath magnificent Chandeliers. Our Grand Ballroom offers a picturesque floor to ceiling glass backdrop for the Top Table, overlooking the woodlands and a view of the Lake in the distance. It is a stunning location for your Wedding Celebration. The Romantic setting and breathtaking views are matched by creative menus and impeccable service. The Wedding Meal is imperative to a Wedding Reception, the Lough Rynn team are passionate about food, with a clear focus that ensures the highest standard of quality and presentation, using the best local suppliers in the region.

To view the spectacular castle contact their wedding team at 071 9632700. www.loughrynn.ie.

11

LEGAL WORK In the excitement of picking the dress and of course being newly engaged, it can be easy to forget about the legalities and practicalities surrounding marriage. There are two types of wedding that take place in Ireland, Religious and Civil. Although they differ slightly the basis for both is the same. Whatever style of wedding you choose, don’t forget these important steps along the way to your big day...

1. Notification Whether you are getting married in Ireland, or are an Irish citizen hoping to marry abroad, couples must give a minimum of three months notice to the Registrar’s office in order to get married. An appointment must be made to give said notice, so ensure that your appointment is made in plenty of time to allow for three months’ notification. Visit crsappointments.ie for more information.

Civil marriages that take place in registrar offices only take places Monday to Friday, so bear this in mind if you are hoping for a weekend ceremony.

2. Pre-marriage certificate Catholic marriages require couples to partake in a marriage preparation course and the certificate from this must be given to the priest prior to the marriage ceremony.

3. Pre-nuptial enquiry form This applies to Catholic weddings and must be filled in the presence of the priest in the parish that you live in. When filling in this form the couple must bring baptismal certificate, confirmation certificate and premarriage certificate form.

4. Solemnising the marriage Once you have registered you will be issued with a marriage registration form which grants you the authorisation to be married. This must be presented to whoever is solemnising the marriage, be it religious or otherwise.

5. Returning forms Following the celebrations, the registration forms must be returned to the registrar within one month for the marriage to be registered and recognised.

DERMOT HALL MENSWEAR

O’CONNELL SQUARE, EDENDERRY • 046 973 1475

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Shoes in black/brown/tan....€29 MATCHING SHIRTS, TIES, WAIST COATS AND DICKIE BOWS AVAILABLE FOR ALL SUITS

UP TO 50% OFF SELECTED SUITS

12 WEDDING GUIDE

TOPIC • 21 January, 2016

The Old Cinema, Castle Street, Mullingar, 044 93 42534 www.wilfs.ie

TAKE IT FROM ME Top 10 Wedding-Planning Tips from Newlyweds FORMALWEAR

You're a bride to be. You can never fully anticipate the wedding day until it finally arrives. Here is a selection of wedding tips from brides who have walked down the aisle, said "I Do" and partied with family and friends at their reception!

1. Take Your Time "We planned our wedding for sixteen months, and it really helped to keep stress levels down. We got tons of stuff done early and had time to save for the things we really wanted. You only get to plan your wedding once, so make sure it is a fun time, not a stressful one!"

2. Be Present In Each Moment "On your wedding day, soak up all the love, joy and bliss! Enjoy.�

3. Do A First Look "It was one of the best decisions we made during our wedding planning.

Our photographer and videographer collaborated and found a secluded area, away from all the madness that was going on that morning and we got a moment to see each other for the first time. It allowed us to take a deep breath, let the moment sink in, feel all

the emotion we were about to feel all day. No matter what you decide, the important thing is choosing what's right for you as a couple."

stress made me feel as if that day would never come. However, it eventually did! When it came, I tried my best to savour every moment of the wedding day - from the moment I got out of

4. Don't Get Caught Up In "Perfection" "This event is an expression of yourselves, but it's not all you'll ever be. It's just the beginning! Embrace the unexpected, and each others opinions, and don't let an unattainable ideal sour the big picture: You're in this together, now and for the future."

6. Try Not To Stress "Remember why you are getting married, and try to truly make it be an event about (and for) both of you.

Have faith in your vendors and photographer, and trust that they will do their job well! And once it's happening, just go with it."

8. Prioritise, Prioritise, tise

5. Have Faith That All Of Your Efforts Will Be Worth It "Before my wedding, I remember my co-worker telling me that her wedding day was the BEST day of her life, and she was so excited that I would soon be able to experience mine. When I was in the midst of planning my wedding, the long, daily to-do lists and the

there to do the same."

bed to the moment I walked out of my wedding venue as a married woman and I'd advise brides and grooms out

Priori-

"We wanted the whole day to be a celebration of the rest of our lives. We wanted people to walk away saying, 'That was so much fun.' And we were able to accomplish that. Choose the few things that are really important to you, like the photographer and DJ were to us, and then go from there. Be flexible on the other details and remember to have fun."

9. Accept That You Can't Please Everyone

"You cannot make everyone happy, and trying to accommodate others will just make the whole process more daunting. This is your day; make it about you. It really is the only day that you will get that chance."

10. Remind Yourself What's Truly Important "My biggest piece of advice for brides and grooms planning their wedding is to never forget that it is a celebration of the union between two people."

Also, remember it isn't all about you.

Yes, it is your wedding and the celebration is in your honour, but a wedding is also an opportunity to thank all of the important people in your life who love and support you. It is to celebrate love, and it is meant to be fun!

Enjoy it!"