r/weddingsireland

So to preface my parents divorced when I was 1, my mom remarried when I was 3, and I lived with my single dad throughout my formative years. My new wife would also like to add that we both know next to nothing about weddings and she put me 100% in charge of the license.

My wedding was last Saturday and after weeks of stress, planning, and everything else that comes with it the magical day I got to marry my best friend arrived.

The day itself was magical; we got married outside in an old growth property close to the city with 100+ of our closest friends and family. We had my dad officiate and it turned into the most casual us possible wedding where when it was time for rings we called my Golden Retriever who bounded down to give us the rings.

At the end of the party as things were wrapping up my new wife and I walked up to my dad to ask to sign the marriage license. Without missing a beat my dad goes “oh absolutely I was wondering when we’d do that! Where is it?”

… I stared for what felt like an eternity before my wife and I both looked and said “wait we thought you had it”.

Turns out my assumption that the officiant just got a coupon style book of licenses for them to fill out was wholly incorrect and my wife and I were supposed to go to the government center together before the wedding.

So to anyone out there that found the love of your life but never had a family that talked about the fine points of marriage; make sure you get the license before your wedding day or you’ll end up like my wife and I having a second backyard wedding with just our parents to do the legal paperwork.

TL:DR turns out I’m dumb and to prevent officiants from marrying people willy-nilly the two people getting married have to go in and apply for a marriage license before the wedding and now my wife and I are having a second ceremony later today with just our parents so the government recognizes it.

Hi all! I know I'm a bit late to the game for summer 2027, and I'm quickly finding out how much is already booked. I'm hoping some of you might have hidden-gem recommendations or insider tips.

What we're looking for:
- A grand, elegant five-star estate or castle feel, along the lines of Adare Manor, Dromoland or Ashford Castle
- Room for about 120–140 guests
- Ideally within an hour or so of Dublin or Shannon airport (flexible for the right place)

Already on our list or ruled out: Luttrellstown, Powerscourt, Carton House, the K Club and Mount Juliet (visiting these). Dromoland and Adare are booked, and Ashford isn't quite right for us.

A couple of questions for anyone who's been through this:
- Do venues ever hold back dates that aren't shown as available, or release them later in the year?
- How common are cancellations, and has anyone had luck getting a date off a waitlist?

I'd also love to hear about places that don't always come up in the usual lists, like smaller estates, exclusive-use houses, or anywhere you've been to a wedding and loved.

Thanks so much!

I've been in the wedding industry across multiple roles (photographer, planner, officiant, bride) and after being part of over 500 weddings: the thing that doesn't get talked about enough is the way the personalities and style of your guests affect your event.

Before I go any further I want to give a caveat that I'm not saying your guests are props who are only good for being in pictures and turning up the dance floor. What I'm saying is that your loved ones will not suddenly start being different people for your wedding day, so you need to either adjust your plan or adjust your expectations. I have been to like 30 micro weddings this year where the bride put a ton of work into her vision for the day and her fiance and/or families were just bumps on a log who couldn't muster up enthusiasm, didn't understand what to do, or actively maligned the couple.

I think everyone wants a romantic, connected, easy going and fun filled wedding whether you are eloping with 5 guests, having a microwedding with 30, or a traditional wedding with 120. But is that even possible for you and your circle? You have to ask yourself these questions:

• If I plan a first look with my dad/fiance, is he going to refuse to show emotion and clam up in a way that makes him seem almost kind of mad? If I invite my mom to hang out in the getting ready suite all morning is she going to nitpick mine and my sister's makeup and be fussy about random details that don't matter? Are my parents going to use paying for anything/everything as an excuse to show off and/or be rude to my vendors?
• Are my parents absolutely lovely, but prone to worrying and trying to help to the point of meddling and stressing everyone out? Do my parents have the capacity to be gracious hosts or do they just need to be guests at the event?
• If I invite 20 people to all stay in the same cabin for my all day mountain elopement, will they hang out and have a good time or are they just going to be on their phones all day? Are they going to complain about having to go outside in their nice shoes and duck out of all the photos or are they going to be like "wow what a beautiful place, I'm so happy to be here with the people I love?"
• In general, are my guests going to eat, drink, laugh and be playful? Or are they going to be antisocial and watch football on their phones?
• If I want the dance floor to be hype, do my guests actually seem likely to dance? Or will the older people dance to one song and then hit the shuttle bus as soon as the cake is cut, leaving 10 drink wedding party members on an empty dance floor?
• If I'm looking for dreamy, vibey, editorial style photos is my fiance even remotely capable of doing that? Am I??
• Am I going to spend months of my life planning out all the details with a specific aesthetic and outcome in mind, only for my fiance's family to show up in jeans and their work polos and leave as soon as dinner is done? (This really happened to my sister)

I really really wish every single one of us had the type of friends and family who could fill an Italian villa for a cinematic candlelit wedding where everyone leaves feeling like their faith in humanity is restored. None of this is a dig at your people, but some of us just don't have it like that. Basically every other wedding I go to is a bride realizing in real time that her expectations for her wedding were not rooted in reality.

I do have some ways you can work with this though.

• Only invite people if you enjoy their company. My brother wore flip flops to my wedding and I didn't care because he's fun to hang out with. I didn't invite my mom's husband because he is an asshole and he spent my sister's whole wedding bragging about how much his suit cost. I didn't invite my aunt and uncle because they're the type of people who make everything about them and get weird and sullen when they can't. My family is in general kind of narcissistic and antisocial so I only invited the ones I really like but also planned their roles to be appropriate to our actual relationship.
• Feed people all day long. Food and drink gets people talking, moving and sticking around. A room with no food or drink in it is going to be missing a lot of life.
• Talk to your family about what you want for them out of this experience, particularly if you are having a non-traditional wedding, a micro wedding or elopement. Many people just don't know what the f to do at weddings and it makes them feel awkward and closed down. Literally spell it out for them – "We are all part of this experience together, and before and after the ceremony I hope we can all relax and hang out. You don't need to get out of the way of the pictures! I want photos of you! If I want help I will ask for it, and if you're looking for a task you can ask for one! There is no secret expectation placed on you except to show up on time and be kind to people"
• If something is important to you, don't just hope it will happen. If you want a really emotional first look with your dad explain to him that you're looking for a moment to connect with him and it would mean a lot to you if he showed up to it ready to feel something! Don't spring it on him the morning of and assume he knows what a first look is or what he's supposed to do. If you want a really lovely dinner party at your microwedding, don't just all filter back into the airbnb around dark. Make an itinerary, ask guests to stay dressed, light some candles and open the evening with a toast to them. Sit people near one person they will feel comfortable with and one person you want them to get to know better.
• If you love your sister, but know her husband is just going to drink too much and watch football on his phone (this happens a lot!!), give them an out. Don't invite him or make it clear he can leave early. Pair her up with a bridesmaid she'll get along with. Make sure she is invited and included in other ways that don't relegate her to being with her bummer husband all day.
• Just elope! Only invite your best friends and no family! Have the actual wedding and photo part with the most important people who you genuinely want to share the day with even if that's just your partner. You can still have a party or reception later and you will care WAY less and can plan for the guests you actually have vs the guests you think will appear out of thin air – and it will be fine because you already had a wonderful day.

Once again. Guests who are awkward or quiet or don't know how to dress does not mean you shouldn't invite them. My brother is a crass redneck stoner but I LOVE him and cherish the memories we made over my wedding weekend. I just didn't expect him to be in a tux and hang with my college friends at a small dinner table. Instead of trying to get a party dance floor going with my 10 remaining friends who weren't too old to stay out late or had kids to attend to, we just left and went to a karaoke bar.

A large part of a wedding is celebrating your community in return. So invite only the people you love the most, come up with aesthetic they can participate in, and don't expect them to be different people.

Getting married summer 2027. We have a son who will be 1 years old then. Thinking of hiring a wedding nanny for it. Curious as to people's experience of wedding nannies ( if any)?

Hello, has anyone recommendations for the best spray tan brand for a light natural looking glow for pale skin? Spray tan in the past has always looked too dark on me and I'm worried I won't look myself on the day, but I would like the confidence a light tan would give. I would really appreciate spray tan locations in Mayo ideally.

Hi! Does anyone know of anywhere selling wedding dresses where you can just browse and try things on with the anonymity and ease of just trying on clothes in Zara etc? Maybe it's not a thing since they are expensive, but I would just love to get an idea of shapes etc. by myself.

Help! We’ve booked a venue that they say can fit 200 people and we’ll definitely have 200 people. After going to other weddings recently, I’m starting to worry and overthink that it’s going to be too small. Has anyone been to a wedding venue that they’ve felt squashed in? Is it a bad experience for guests? It’s going to be a winter wedding so can’t rely on weather (which you never can in Ireland tbf) We’ve everything booked but my mind can’t stop worrying!