Weddings in Cork
The one thing that I keep getting asked by our couples I show, is to create an atmosphere in the room now that large wedding guests lists are no longer permitted. I always tell them that just because you’ve cut down your numbers it doesn’t mean you need to have any less of a celebration and there are certainly ways to throw an amazing small wedding.
Not everyone wants the big white wedding and not every couple has the option to have one due to budget constraints therefore smaller weddings are growing in popularity as people choose to surround themselves with just their closest loved ones. With a more intimate guests list you can focus on creating a personal and unforgettable experience.
What’s important to remember is that the size of your guest list does not mean anything else needs to be small – you can still go big on the Dress, Flowers, Cakes, Invites, Menu & Venue for sure.
What we are seeing here at Carrigaline Court Hotel is that our couples that have had to reduce their guest list have been spending more money on beautiful fresh floral arrangements, selecting finer wines, upgrading their menus from perhaps Sirloin of Beef to Fillet and offering a free bar for part of the evening. With the introduction of some of these touches your day will be just as joyful, romantic and fun.
On your Wedding Day
On the day itself you can spend more individual time with your loved ones thus creating a relaxed and personal day which equal less stress for you. Every single person that you invite to your smaller wedding is someone that is so close to you that you simply can’t imagine marrying without having them there – this makes it so special for the couple and guests alike.
You can ditch the full formal wedding party – that rule book is out the window. You can if you wish have a Bridesmaid or Groomsman but its now perfectly acceptable if you don’t. We had a smaller wedding this summer where the Bride had her Grandmother as her Bridesmaid – a beautiful photo opportunity and a beautiful idea.
If you fall in love with a venue that’s meant for 200 don’t panic – there are plenty of ways to adapt the space to make it feel snug. Your wedding co-ordinator can recommend companies that will drape the room for you to lower the ceiling or section the room creating the illusion of a smaller space. Adding the warm glow of candlelight and lanterns is also much more romantic than bright lighting.
Also I suggest adding a focal point in the centre of the room that your eyes are drawn towards, such as a sweetheart top tables, a starlight dancefloor with your wedding cake on or a statement piece of décor like a tree.
Ditching the rule book once more means that you can easily dicate the timeline for your day. Who says that you have to get married at 2pm and dine at 6pm. What about a 10am ceremony followed by a long leisurely brunch? Or marry later in the day as the sun sets followed by a late evening meal. There is so much more flexibility for a smaller wedding.
And finally as the cost of the wedding is likely to be less than originally planned therefore why not splash out on the most amazing honeymoon – it will give you something to look forward to during the wedding planning stage and something to look back on for many years that follow.
If you wish to make contact our Wedding Coordinator Sinead Gillen, you can do so by emailing events@carrigcourt.com or by phoning 021 4852100
We have a fantastic line-up for the weekend with musicians playing from Friday to Sunday. Entry is free and is on a walk-in basis only. We have 
