Hire Venue or Marquee?
Choosing a suitable venue for your wedding reception is one of the key aspects to creating an enjoyable and memorable day. WJ looks at the options available from private houses to marquees…
When it comes to choosing a venue for your wedding reception, Irish brides really are spoilt for choice. There is a fabulous variety of large hotels, boutique hotels, Estate houses and private venues to choose from. Or you may decide to entertain your guests in a marquee. Whatever you opt for, a good venue will be spacious, well located and will ideally enhance everyone’s experience of the day, combining good facilities with a great location. Can’t decide which is right for you? Here’s a little more information to help you make up your mind…
HIRED VENUES
By far the most popular choice with couples today is the hotel. Ireland is coming down with high quality hotels that specialise in weddings. The choice of hotels is so vast that you are guaranteed to be able to find one that reflects the style and theme of your wedding –whether you want a rustic and traditional setting or a cool, contemporary location. Some of the larger hotels can cater for weddings with up to 500 guests and nearly every hotel has small function rooms that are suitable for more intimate wedding parties. The ‘boutique’ hotel is becoming increasingly popular as it offers a one wedding a day policy and can usually be hired exclusively, allowing you to enjoy a very intimate celebration surrounded by friends and family.
Whatever the size or style of hotel they all offer the same benefits including purposefully designed function rooms, tailored wedding menus, a dedicated wedding co-ordinator & banqueting team, room decoration, red carpet arrival, guest accommodation and so on.
 Historical properties, although frequently subject to restrictions, are popular choices for both ceremonies and receptions. They are a good option for couples having a civil ceremony that seek imposing surroundings. Despite being beautiful, these buildings often need more care and attention paid to them when it comes to dressing the room and in some extreme cases you may even have to hire tables and chairs, staff and caterers.
DECIDING FACTORS
If the reception venue is separate it should, ideally be close to the ceremony venue. While people will accept that a certain amount of travel is unavoidable, guests should not be expected to travel for more than 30 minutes.
Venue size is critical. Ideally there should be separate drink and dining areas at the reception. If the venue is too small for both, a marquee for the reception drinks or the dinner can be erected.
FOOD & DRINK
Many venues will offer in-house catering; it is vital that you check the quality of the food before confirming any booking. Ask for a food tasting and arrange to meet the chef to discuss the flexibility of the menu.
Where the venue does not provide the food itself a list of recommended suppliers will usually be offered. Make sure you contact the suppliers for quotes to check that they fall within your budget.
Finally you should confirm whether alcohol and soft drinks are provided in house. Pay careful attention to the choice of wines and the price range of drinks on offer. If you are allowed to supply your own drinks, check the corkage fees as this can add considerably to your costs.
RESTRICTIONS
Check out all the venue’s restrictions before booking
 Some common examples are:
• no flowers prone to cause pollen stains
• no red wine
• no floor-damaging stilettos
• no smoking or candlelight
• time restrictions
• noise level restrictions
• limitations on the age of guests |
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Reception 
Meeting up with the lovely Kirstie McMurray from Cool FM, our compare for The Wedding Journal Reader Awards on Monday!
