West Cork Weddings

Weddings West Cork

2014

Big Day

on a budget

s u o e g r Go guests

Beauty Tips

Bridal trends for 2014

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Petals & Presents

Flowers & Gifts for all occasions Wedding Flowers a Speciality Catherine Shiels 021 4701568 Main Street, Innishannon.

Welcome to our 2014 West Cork Weddings magazine!

It’s a huge understatement to say that getting married is one of the biggest and most exciting events in your life.

Whether you’re getting married in the near future or just starting to plan your big day, you’ll find this supplement a great resource when it comes to current bridal and fashion trends, hair and beauty tips and cost-saving advice. There’s loads of ideas and suggestions when it comes to choosing the right venue, photographer, entertainment, cakes, rings and we even have some exclusive tips and advice from some newlyweds on how you can make your West Cork wedding not just special, but unique.

Wishing you a wonderful wedding experience.

The Southern Star team.

Congratulations on your Engagement!

We have fantastic 2015 Wedding Packages just for you

For your personal wedding consultation please contact Teresa on (023) 88 48722 or weddings@celticross.com

All meetings are held in private in our wedding consultation room www.celticrosshotel.com | Rosscarbery, West Cork Finalist in Weddingsonline.ie Awards 2013

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wedding cake …and eat it!

Have your

One of the first things your guests will notice at your wedding reception is your cake. Traditionally made to bring good luck to both the bride and groom and their guests, in today’s times they are more of a centerpiece and take pride of place at receptions, usually close to the top table.

Enchanted Cakes Made with our Love to Celebrate yours

Your cake also provides a great photo opportunity as no ‘big day’ is complete without snaps of the happy couple cutting the cake.

It has become increasingly popular to match the wedding cake with the colour theme or scheme of the wedding. If the bridesmaids are in pink, many couples might incorporate this into their cake in some way, or if for example your wedding is around Christmas time, why not adorn your cake with seasonal décor such as holly.

Cakes vary in price depending on both style and fillings and should be ordered well in advance of the big day. Normally the cake designer/ maker will bring the cake to the venue on the day and set it up appropriately, so that should be one less thing for you to worry about. It’s also worth checking with the caterer or hotel to see if they can supply a cake stand.

Enchanted Cakes

Made wit h our Lo ve to Celeb rate yours

CONTACT

Susan 087 7720 414 Christine 085 7580 869 Email: enchantedcakes@eircom.net

Suppliers of Wedding and Occasion Cakes all over Cork

Apart from the style of the cake, you’ll want to consider the fillings. For variety some couples have different fillings and flavours in different tiers of cake. Apart from the traditional fruit cake, why not consider sponge, chocolate, vanilla, carrot, cheesecake or even fresh fruit?

When it comes to decorating your cake the choices are endless. From sugar flowers, swirls and twirls, figurines to fresh flowers, fruits, hearts, ribbons, bells or diamantes – every couple can be sure to have a cake styled to the very own individual ‘taste’.

You can liaise with your florist to supply fresh flowers that match the bride’s bouquet. It’s worth putting a little bit of time and thought into this as some fresh flowers are not suitable to be used on cakes.

Rachel Hickey Rachel Skehanore East,Hickey Ballydehob, SkehanoreCo. East, CorkBallydehob, Ph:Co. 086Cork 3457119

Some couples opt for edible figurines on top of the cake or you might also like to enquire about getting a cake in a particular shape, perhaps based on a shared interest that you, as a couple have – e.g. a car or a musical note.

Ph: 086 3457119

Cupcakes are becoming a more popular choice with today’s brides and grooms.

A cupcake wedding tower will not only look amazing, but will also give your guests a real treat for when they’re leaving – or as an alternative why not serve beautifully designed cupcakes as dessert, perhaps with a variety of flavours?

If you’re on a tight budget and have a relative or friend who loves to bake, you could suggest that instead of buying you a wedding gift, that they could make your wedding cake instead. Alternatively, if you somehow have the time, why not make your own cake? Arrange to have it delivered to the venue on the day before or on the morning of the wedding so the venue staff can set it up for you.

Photos: Daisy Chain Cakes

Contact us www.facebook.com/daisychaincakeswestcork email: daisychaincakes@hotmail.com

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Beauty Tips We s t C o r k We d d i n g s | M a r c h 1 , 2 0 1 4

HAir

Words by Carrie McKeown

Whether you’re opting for an updo on the big day or you’re leaning towards tumbling curls, it’s important to make sure that your crowning glory stands out for all the right reasons.

If you frequently dye your hair, ensure you make an appointment to freshen up the colour or cover the roots at least two weeks before the wedding, giving the new application of colour enough time to settle in and to leave time for changes if they need to be made.

If you have issues like dandruff or dry, frizzy hair, take measures to improve on these problems before the wedding, like investing in a good anti-dandruff shampoo or treating your hair with Argan/Moroccan oil in the weeks before the wedding.

for the Big Day

NAils

While you may be afraid to experiment with your look ahead of the wedding, a bit of a style makeover can work wonders! The bob is huge this season, with the likes of Beyoncé and Taylor Swift rocking their new chopped locks, so if you’ve been toying with the idea of a cropped new look, why not chat to your hairdresser several months ahead of the wedding to get some advice on possibly changing up your style.

Seeing as you’ll have a brand new bit of bling on your ring finger on your wedding day, you can be sure that there’ll be more than one camera pointed in the direction of your hands! For this reason, it’s important to ensure that your nails and cuticles are in good shape.

If you’re a bit blasé when it comes to moisturising anywhere other than your face, get into the habit of keeping your hands hydrated and moisturised about a month before the wedding, paying attention to the cuticles, and keep your nails tidy and filed to your chosen length to avoid breakages or cracks.

While a French manicure is a popular choice among brides, a standard polish in a baby pink or nude shade is also an elegant choice.

EyEs

To make your big day memorable why not visit us on www.rochestownpark.com or contact our dedicated management team at weddings@rochestownpark.com or call 021-4890800 to request our wedding brochure or meet with our team.

Exciting new packages for 2014/15. Meet our experienced team who’s reputation for elegance, style and service is renowned.

Civil partnerships and same sex marriages a speciality.

Rochestown Park Hotel, Rochestown Road, Douglas, Cork.

As a bride-to-be, you have no doubt scoured magazines and the internet looking for just the right make-up look for your wedding day. The natural, ‘barely there’ look is very popular with many brides, while others want glitz and glam courtesy of false lashes and shimmering colours. However, whatever look you go for, it is possible to highlight your eyes and make the colour pop by incorporating the right shade of eye shadow into your bridal make-up look.

Here is a general guide for choosing the right shade to pretty up your peepers: Blue Eyes warm shades like copper, bronze and peach Brown Eyes purple, navy, green Green Eyes rust, taupe, purple

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CElluliTE

Key beauty items for the wedding day

Put your brand new wedding bag to good use by filling it with the beauty essentials that will keep you photo-ready all day. Here are five must-have wedding day products:

Tip

Ask at your favourite makeup counters before the big day for samples of your desired products so that you can fit everything in your wedding bag on the day.

Lipstick/Lip Gloss Concealer Powder Eyeliner Cotton buds(to clean panda eyes or

to blend concealer when top-ups are needed)

Perfume (in an atomiser)

So much preparation goes into the big day, but what about the honeymoon? While you may have your wedding beauty routine organised to military precision, it can be easy to forget those usual pre-holiday rituals in the hectic few weeks before the wedding. Treatments like waxing and tanning are usually part of the wedding beauty package, but before booking your appointments, try to tackle the dreaded cellulite! Whether you want to treat yourself to a few pre-wedding body wraps in the spa or you decide to go with the DIY old faithful method of exfoliating and massaging those trouble areas with a body brush and a body scrub, make a point of trying to banish that orange peel look before hitting the beach!

Product suggestions Origins Smoothing Ginger Body Scrub, €31.50 Clarins Ever Matte Powder Compact €32.50

Benefit Boi-ing Concealer, €24

MAC Lipstick in Fleur D’Coral from the Fantasy of Flowers collection, €19

EXCLUSIVE Package Includes: y 5 course meal

y Complimentary bar extension

y Complimentary chair covers and

Fairy light back drop y Overnight accommodation for bride & groom

All for just €38pp for a minimum of 100 guests Special Off Peak wedding Rate of €36pp for Weddings booked for months of November, January, February and March or Weddings booked midweek, i.e. Monday to Thursday.

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gs n i d d e w . . m . y a t e i r l a d e e r k a a m We

Please contact 028 21277 or email info@westcorkhotel.com for further details www.westcorkhotel.com

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Bridal

Trends Words by Carrie McKeown

From fishtail flicks to embroidery fit for a queen, the 2014 bride is something to behold! Take note of this year’s top bridal trends.

Santiago

Embroidery

Your wedding day is one of the most special days of your life, so why not make it one to remember with a show-stopping dress? One way to achieve this is by incorporating the current trend of beautiful, ornate embroidery into your wedding look. The SS 14 catwalks of Elie Saab and Marchesa were awash with dresses adorned in stunning designs that instantly lifted the most simplistic of dress styles and shapes. If embellishment or layers of tulle is not to your taste, then a touch of embroidery might be just the ticket to giving the gown of your dreams a little extra oomph.

Biscay

Sleeves

Whether it’s a simple cap sleeve to delicately cover the shoulders or a three-quarter length sheer sleeve with intricate embroidery, sleeves are big news this year for brides. This is no doubt music to the ears of those who site their arms as their main ‘problem area’, as the addition of the sleeve means that you are an immensely fashionable bride and you will look and feel like a million dollars at the same time! For brides who like the idea of a bit of extra coverage for the ceremony, but who would also like to wave their arms to their heart’s content once the band kicks off, you can get the best of both worlds with the addition of a lace ‘jacket’ that looks as though it is part of the dress, but can be removed at any stage throughout the day creating a whole new look.

Segovia

Fishtail

Make like a Hollywood starlet on your big day with a fabulous fishtail that never goes out of fashion. You may decide to embrace your inner fashionista by opting for the nipped-in look at the knees or calves paired with a bold and voluminous fishtail, but if you want to channel the trend without the possibility of having to walk like a penguin, why not go for a slight fishtail kick? The stunning Segovia dress from the Opulence collection gives the fishtail silhouette but is not so severe that it will restrict too much movement.

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Sheer panels

One of the most prominent trends on this year’s bridal catwalks was sheer panels.

Incorporated on the arms, shoulders or over the chest, the addition of sheer coverage gives the usual tried-and-tested sweetheart, one shoulder or bandagestyle necklines an elegant update. Opting for sheer coverage over the chest or the shoulders offers a little extra coverage for brides who might want to avoid the ‘bare’ look and it can also add an ethereal quality to a gown.

Colours blush pink, gold, silver The blushing bride is very much in fashion this year, with shades of blush pink showing up on many a runway. Shades of gold and silver also made an appearance, giving this year’s bride a free pass to experiment with colour on her big day. Let’s face it; white and ivory simply doesn’t suit every skin tone, so why not try some other shades to see what works best for you? It doesn’t matter if you’re dressed in white, pink or even bright purple on your wedding day, because all eyes are going to be on you no matter what!

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Biscay, Santiago and Segovia images are from the Opulence bridal collection, available at Brides of Eire, Convent Road, Clonakilty.

Call 023 8835566 for information and appointments.

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W : www.bridesofeire.com BRIDES OF EIRE, CLONAKILTY f: www.facebook.com/bridesofeire 8835566 WT: : 023 www.bridesofeire.com f: www.facebook.com/bridesofeire T: 023 8835566

Fairytale Wedding Fayre, Bank Holiday Monday 21st of April

Fernhill House Hotel & Gardens, Clonakilty, West Cork www.fernhillhousehotel.com, 023 8833258

Gorgeous Guests 8

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Words by Carrie McKeown

With many spring/summer trends filtering through to autumn/ winter this year, it’s the perfect time to invest in a gorgeous wedding ensemble that will be a perfect fashion fit for more than one special occasion in 2014! Here are the top trends to watch out for this year.

Sparkle

Tip

let the sparkles do the talking by pairing your outfit with plain and simple accessories.

Alternatively, accessorise a block colour dress with shimmering jewels, shoes or handbag for an instant glamour fix.

Skibbereen

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Sequins, metallics and glitter have gone all high fashion this year, with some of the hottest collections of the recent New York and London Fashion Weeks showcasing sparkle in every colour and on every garment imaginable. A show-stopping sparkley dress is most certainly an investment buy, especially when chosen in a timeless colour or style.

Both Taylor Swift and Beyoncé rocked the look at the Grammys and the Brit awards respectively, so if you opt for a dusting of glitter for an upcoming wedding, you’ll most certainly be in good company!

Midi-length

Hemlines that fall below the knee and well above the ankle – the midi length – are the hottest of the moment. The beauty about opting for a midi-length dress or skirt as a wedding guest is that you get the extra elegance that comes with sporting a longer hem, without getting confused for one of the bridesmaids! Both full skirts and pencil styles in midi length are equally as glamorous and chic, but for guests on the smaller, more petite side, this can be a hard look to pull off. Opt for a midi that falls just below the knee and pair with nude heels in order to give the impression of longer legs

Sheer panelling Sheer panels are very on-trend when it comes to bridalwear, but they are equally fashionable for the guests. From midi skirts/dresses with sheer hemlines to see-through panelling at the midriff, the trend allows you to show off a little extra skin without being too exposed.

At Sean Murrays we carry a large range of Wedding Suits, Page boy suits, co-ordinating waistcoats & neck-wear all in-store, we guarantee you won’t be disappointed!

Tel: 028 21746 Email: info@seanmurrays.com Web: www.seanmurrays.com Follow us on facebook

Pastel colours

While pastel colours are a bright and beautiful addition to any spring/summer wardrobe, shades of pastel blue and pink were also very apparent on the autumn/winter Gucci catwalks. This is good news indeed for those of you with more than one wedding to attend this year, as a pastel ensemble will be right on trend throughout 2014. Be fabulously feminine with a floaty dress in a candy shade or accessorise dark or muted tones with pastel jewels and accessories.

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Folk

To incorporate the folk trend into your wedding ensemble, think floral embroidery, off-the-shoulder sleeves and floaty skirts, as well as plaited updos.

60s style shift dresses Let’s face it – the 60s never go out of fashion! And this year is no exception, with shift dresses and baby doll styles rocking the runway. A wedding is a great place to work the 60s look as you can really emphasise the trend with cool platform heels, big hair and sexy eye make-up.

Graphic patterns Geometric designs and graphic patterns are once again getting an outing this year. While all eyes will be on the bride, you can still turn heads as a guest in a striking print that catches the eye. Go for the full effect with a pattern in bright and bold shades or take a more feminine slant with a graphic floral design in warm or pastel tones.

Fairytale Wedding Fayre, Bank Holiday Monday 21st of April

Fernhill House Hotel & Gardens, Clonakilty, West Cork www.fernhillhousehotel.com, 023 8833258

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Child-friendly

Weddings HERE are ten tips to ensure your wedding is as child-friendly as possible.

It can help avoid tantrums and will also help mums and dads relax and enjoy the big day.

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When you make the decision to take the plunge and include children at your wedding reception, let those who are invited know how special they really are. Send them their own child friendly invitation.

3

We all know how agitated children can get when they are hungry and thirsty, so ask a family member or guest to provide small bags of freshly chopped fruit or boxes of raisins to keep hungry moments at bay.

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Ask the children to draw a picture of the wedding on a piece of paper, with each child writing their name on it. This will provide wonderful and often hilarious mementoes which can be made into a scrapbook when you get back from your honeymoon.

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Ask ushers at the ceremony to seat families towards the back of the ceremony room or church so if any awkward moments arise, parents can slip out with their little ones unnoticed.

If you have the budget and a small room is available, hiring a children’s entertainer may be the answer to keep little ones happy for the period between ceremony and the meal. A magician, puppeteer or clown will keep them amused while the adults can enjoy a drink or two. Another great idea is hiring a giant board game such as ‘Twister’ or ‘Snakes and Ladders’. The adults will get as much fun out of it too!

A puzzle book or small story book placed in each child’s place, perhaps with a bead set for girls and a small box of Lego for boys, will keep them entertained throughout the speeches. Alternatively, seat the kids together at a special ‘kids’ table. Cover the table with paper and put crayons or felt tips in the middle.

Give each child an activity pack which includes puzzles and colouring books.

Give children jobs at the reception, such as asking guests to sign the Guest Book or passing round favours. If they are teenagers who you can really trust and would like to have involved, then provide them with disposable cameras and let them circulate, taking candid pictures of the festivities.

After the meal and when the music starts, encourage the DJ or band to play songs that children will recognise and enjoy. Ask The Master of Ceremonies to anounce a ‘kids only’ dance. Have a dance off contest or an opportunity to dance with just the bride and groom. These are great moments for the photographer to capture.

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Serve a special menu for the younger guests.

While adults may enjoy salmon, the little ones will be much happier with fish fingers or chicken nuggets.

Older children and young teens will need entertaining too. Ask at your reception if a room can be set aside where they can go and ‘chill out’ while the adults enjoy a dance or two. Perhaps they can watch a DVD or play games on their tablets or iPads.

SAY "I DO" IN KINSALE

PLANNING A WEDDING? HAVE IT WITH US! We can make your wedding everything you have always dreamed of and more!

Check out our site for some inspiration www.actonshotelkinsale.com

Check out our site for some inspiration www.tridenthotel.com

OR FOR MORE DETAILS, contact our Wedding Co-ordinator Mary K O’ Donovan on 021 477 9900 e: mkodonovan@actonshotelkinsale.com

OR FOR MORE DETAILS, contact our Wedding Co-ordinator t: 021 477 9300 e: cb@tridenthotel.com

Kinsale Ireland's Ultimate Wedding Destination 30047_Actons Hotel (Trident) fp.indd 1

18/12/2013 11:48

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Oh such a perfect day...

Memories and advice from newly-weds Melanie & Stewart What made your wedding day so memorable?

One word - everything!! Having friends and families around us - everybody was in super form ready for a day/night of celebrations. The fun and laughter we had throughout the day - from getting hair/make up done in the morning with the best bunch of bridesmaids to the ceremony where I nearly forgot my vows to the drinks reception where we had hired a magician to amaze us with his tricks! We were very lucky because the rain stopped as we walked out of the church, just in time for us to get some amazing photos in Duneen by our super photographer Dermot Sullivan. The speeches definitely stick out in my mind as a fantastic memory - all the photos taken during this part are of us laughing!

Dancing the night away to the brilliant band - The Paddies! Everything in the hotel (Fernhill House Hotel) was perfect - the marquee is a fab addition to the hotel - it’s like having your wedding in two different venues.

Don’t try and do everything at once. Make a to-do list and tick things off one by one. Chat to friends/family who have gotten married for tips etc. Also, give jobs to people - people are more than willing to help even though you might think you are burdening them. ENJOY the whole day. So many people said to me it would fly by and it does! SAVOUR every moment. If things go wrong on the morning, don’t stress! It rained for us but I had bought a beautiful umbrella which was put to great use.

Photos: Dermot Sullivan

What advice would you give to a couple about to get married?

Mary & Thomas What made your wedding day so memorable?

The most memorable part of our wedding day was having all our family and friends in one place together - just knowing they travelled from near and far to be there especially for us.

Try to plan or organise any bits and pieces for the wedding well in advance, the less you have to do coming up to the wedding is all the better! Shop local where possible as we found there are great deals in our local areas.

As well as getting great deals, we were provided with fantastic service with a personal touch.

Photo: Dermot Sullivan

What advice would you give to a couple about to get married?

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Helen & John

What made your wedding day so memorable?

John and I got married in my family-owned hotel, the Celtic Ross Hotel, Rosscarbery in October.

Overall for us it was about getting married – and the wedding celebration was an added bonus. The hotel was fantastic on the day and everyone went way beyond the call of duty to ensure we had the most amazing and special day ever. We loved every minute and we were so lucky that many friends and family travelled from afar to be with us – it made our wedding a real family occasion and celebration.

What advice would you give to a couple about to get married?

Photo: John Sexton

Pick dependable bridesmaids and groomsmen – and a great (experienced) wedding co-ordinator!

That way the bride and groom don’t have to worry about anything on the day.

We had our wedding photos taken in Charles Fort, Kinsale and Warren Beach, Rosscarbery as planned – but we did have a Plan B in case of bad weather.

There is so much to put together for a wedding so try and get as much organised as possible as early as you can, because there are so many other things that you cannot do until the last few weeks.

Catherine & Alan What made your wedding day so memorable?

What advice would you give to a couple about to get married?

It’s never too early to start organising, as the earlier it gets done, the less on your list. But, also remember to take time off from all the planning. If you can, organise a regular ‘date night’ where it’s just about the two of you having fun together. Don’t forget why you are getting married!

Ciara & Tim

What made your wedding day so memorable?

Photos: Dermot Sullivan

The most memorable part of our day was the celebrating with our family and friends at a beautiful location. We live in Central Queensland, Australia, so coming home and being with the people we love and having them there to share our special day was just perfect. It really was a day filled with happiness. Also my mum and dad were amazing in the organisation of the wedding and it was a stress-free day! Not even the hail during the photo shoot could dampen our spirits. Also Dermot Sullivan (the photographer) was amazing on the day and captured our happiness perfectly.

What advice would you give to a couple about to get married?

My advice to couples getting married comes down to two main things; on a personal level, be completely honest and open with each other and keep the lines of communication open always.

On a practical level, find a good venue that can take the stress out of planning the big day. We got married at Inchydoney Lodge and Spa and they thought of everything before we could which made our wedding planning go very smoothly, especially doing it from a distance!

Photo: Dermot Sullivan

Being able to have our wedding in a place that means so much to us as a couple and to be there with all our loved ones was the most special feeling and a memory we’ll always cherish!

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Big day

Weddings can be a costly business, but by cleverly cutting corners in certain areas, your dream day will not break the bank.

on a Budget Customise a friend/family Be a 1 member’s wedding dress 2 bridesmaid

Words by Carrie McKeown

NO

NO

minus the maid

After spending a hefty amount on a wedding dress, many brides find that they end up at the back of the wardrobe after the wedding day and can stay there for years!

If a friend or family member is willing to hand their dress over to you, you can then take it to a dressmaker and alter or customise the dress to suit your taste and body shape. It’s thrifty and will make your special day even more meaningful.

If you’re looking for a simple, chic wedding gown as opposed to one with plenty of layers and frills, why not opt for a bridesmaid dress in white, ivory, gold or silver? Many bridesmaid styles that are available now could easily be worn as a wedding gown, so shop around and do your research and you could nab a stunning wedding dress for an absolute bargain!

a 3 Bag bargain

NO

Many savvy brides have scooped their dream wedding dress for a fraction of the price by requesting sample dresses from design houses or by buying ‘off the rack’.

If you are on a tight budget but still want a beautiful, authentic designer gown or if you are having a whirlwind wedding and don’t have time to order a gown, then a visit to the Brides of Eire Outlet Department is a must.

Their exsample, brand new end-of-line gowns and overstock dresses are yours to buy off-the-peg for hugely discounted prices. Enormous savings can be made. Simply try your wedding gown on, buy it and take it away with you there and then.

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NO

Groomed to perfection

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NO

Black tie weddings are becoming a lot more common these days, but an extravagent bash doesn’t have to mean an extravagent budget. If you don’t fancy renting your formalwear for the big day, many off-therack suits sold in high street stores look the real deal and cost a fraction of the price of tailored, designer coats and tails. Pair with a funky and stylish bow tie for a smart but quirky look.

Clever keepsakes It’s usually a given that the bridal party and groomsmen get a little gift as a ‘thank you’ for all of their help during the planning of the wedding and as a keepsake from the occasion, but combining this gesture with practical thinking can help to cut corners with the budget. Treat your bridesmaids to a fab pair of heels for the wedding day that will also match a multitude of outfits and gift your groomsmen with a sleek tie that they will wear again and again, so they will be sure to get plenty of use out of these keepsakes and will remember your special day while they’re at it!

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NO

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NO

Be a savvy shopper Even if your wedding is over a year away, it pays to be organised. Aim to start your wedding shopping when sale season hits. From bridesmaid dresses and fashion accessories for the bride and groom to wedding lingerie and even beachwear for the honeymoon, buy in advance and during the sales, when stock can be up to half the price.

Remember the essentials

As a guest at a wedding, you will often be on the search for things like deodrant, dental floss, plasters or perfume in order to freshen up. Take care of the guests’ needs by placing a basket in each of the bathrooms with sample size products. Ask at pharmacies and department stores ahead of the wedding for beauty samples so that you won’t have to spend a fortune to ensure that your guests are well looked after!

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NO

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You are cordially invited to hold your wedding on the day of your choice.

Inish Beg Estate

Get by with a little help from your friends

A good friend will always offer to help with the wedding preparations as much as they can, so don’t be afraid to delegate. Recruit your family and friends’ help with anything from hairstyling, make-up application and alterations to cake making and singing so that all of the day’s important aspects are taken care of by those closest to you. It will take the pressure off the bride and groom and make the day a lot more special.

RSVP: Inish Beg Estate, Baltimore, Co. Cork 028 21745 email: weddings@inishbeg.com www.inishbeg.com

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Financing your wedding

…some tips from the Credit Union

Your wedding day is probably one of the most important days in your life but you don’t want to be paying for it years after the event. Here are a few tips that can ensure that you are spending money in the right way and not compromising on the lovely things you want for your special day.

Firstly – it’s really important to plan your budget +

Make a list about what wedding costs need to be considered and control your budget by proposing what percentage you need to allocate to things like venue hire, clothing, food etc.

Outside of this – it’s always good to put aside at least 15% of your budget as contingency.

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Decide how much of your and your partner’s savings you want to allocate to your wedding.

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Decide how much money you could save between now and your desired wedding date. This helps reduce the overall cost but also builds up a habit of saving which can be used to show a lender that you have extra capacity to pay a loan.

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Take into account who else will help fund your wedding. (eg will your parents contribute?)

West Cork Credit Unions The Multi Award-Winning Kenmare Bay Hotel & Resort

20% DISCOUNT FOR YOUR 2014 MIDWEEK WEDDING We tailor each package to suit our Bride & Grooms particular requirements so call in today and speak to Sile to see how we can make your day PERFECT! Here are just some of the extras we offer complimentary;

Special Accommodation Rates for your Guests & Late Licence included Sparkling Wine & Canapés for your Guests’ on Arrival; Complimentary Wedding Car Call today to check out available dates or to arrange a viewing of our multi award-winning wedding venue.

Tel: 064 66 41300 or sile@kenmarebayhotel.com www.kenmarebayhotel.com

Plan the Perfect Day BANDON

BANTRY

(023) 8844839

(027) 50535

www.bandoncreditunion.ie

CLONAKILTY (023) 8833842

www.clonakiltycreditunion.ie

KINSALE

(021) 4772955

SKIBBEREEN (028) 21883

www.skibbereencu.ie

Step into the future with your local Credit Union

WEST CORK

We s t C o r k We d d i n g s | M a r c h 1 , 2 0 1 4

Do you need to take out a loan to cover the balance? +

Make your local credit union your first stop. Credit unions provide a number of shortterm loan options with flexible repayment terms. Credit unions do not charge fees and do not charge penalties for early loan repayment. This can be particularly relevant for many couples as they receive cash presents and are then in a position to repay their loan much quicker or perhaps even in full. Many bank loans contain an early payment penalty clause which makes early repayment prohibitive.

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A good tip is to put somebody trustworthy in charge of collecting all money gifts and use this to pay for the hotel with the balance being put against the loan the following day. Many couples have great intentions but the extra money often gets spent on the honeymoon or on some other purpose leaving you with a much larger loan than you intended.

Be wary of credit cards With so many brides and grooms-to-be paying upfront or placing deposits for wedding goods and services, there is a danger of over-use of credit cards. Most credit cards charge a very high interest rate and if you do not pay back what’s owed at the end of the month then cost can rise sharply leaving you with a very expensive wedding bill. Arranging a Credit Union loan early eliminates these extra costs.

Supportive Credit Unions are locally-owned co-operatives designed to support their members through all of life’s stages. Credit Unions know their members and know their requirements, and so can help finance the most special day of your lives in a professional and supportive manner. With your finance in place you can relax and enjoy planning your wedding day.

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Diamonds are a girl’s best friend... ...so if you’re shopping for an engagement ring then it’s good to know the ‘five C’s’ as hopefully the one you buy will be on your finger for a long time CERTIFICATION

Always ask to see the certificate when buying a certified diamond. In Europe the top three certification bodies are ‘GIA’, ‘HRD’ and ‘IGI’.

Stones under other bodies can cost substantially less as may not be as strict in how they grade stones and those certified under a retailer’s own ‘in house’ certificate will not be as independently verified as the main three European bodies.

Circle Cut

COLOUR

Colour ranges from ‘D’ (colourless) to ‘Z’ (strong yellow tints). Ask the jeweller if you can inspect the stone in daylight to ensure the look of the diamond is not overly affected or even enhanced by in-store artificial lighting.

For Best Value in Strictest Confidence

Gold & Silver Jewellery Diamond Rings at Sell Out Prices

First Communion & Confirmation gifts/watches etc

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Cushion Cut

We s t C o r k We d d i n g s | M a r c h 1 , 2 0 1 4

CLARITY

Deasy DENIS

Only around 1% of the world’s diamonds are flawless, with all others have some clarity characteristics that were created when the diamond was being formed millions of years ago. Clarity ranges from ‘Flawless’ to ‘Heavily Included’ (ie. inclusions that are visible to the naked eye). Always ask to view the diamond with a loupe (10x magnification) and you should be able to see the inclusions, then look at it with the naked eye. If you can see the inclusions with your eye then the stone is not ‘Eye Clean’

Emerald Cut

CARAT WEIGHT

1 carat weighs 0.2 grams. Prices jump at what are called certain points. These points are 0.5c, 1 ct, 1.5ct, 2ct etc. The best value is to buy at just under these points, for example a 0.9ct stone could cost around 20% less than a 1ct stone.

Princess Cut

CUT

Cut is the most important of the ‘C’s’. Don;t get confused between the cut and the shape of the diamond. Shape refers to ‘round’, ‘cushion’, ‘pear’, ‘emerald’ etc. Cut refers to how well the diamond was crafted from its rough state. If a diamond has not been cut well it will not have maximum brilliance.

The cut grade scale is Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair, Poor. Always select a diamond that has an Excellent or Very Good Cut grade otherwise you may be disappointed when you leave the bright lights of a jewellery shop.

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10 TIPS

Weddings No matter how many weddings you have been invited to, most nuptials have a formula that is followed.

But if you want to put a personal stamp on your big day, here are ten top tips to make your wedding a truly unique affair. These simple steps will be a talking point amongst your guests and what’s more, they won’t impact on your budget.

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Ditch traditional transport and go for something a little quirky. If you don’t want to arrive at the church or reception in a limo, source an alternative mode of transport that reflects your personalities.

For example, if you backpacked around Australia together, book a camper van.

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Instead of the traditional tossing of the bouquet to the single women – which can be embarrassing sometimes – celebrate the woman who has meant the most to you and then give her your bouquet as a tribute.

There’s no need to spend a fortune on dancing lessons, but choreographing a simple routine together for your first dance will make it more memorable. You can also invite your guests to join you on the dance floor.

Denis O’Leary Video Productions Specialising in wedding video

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Most couples give their guests little presents in the form of favours which are set out on the tables. Why not surprise each guest with a handwritten note and message that means something to both you and your guest – such as ‘Thank you for travelling so far’ or ‘Thank you for introducing us’. Another great idea is to having a picture of your guest on the table instead of the traditional place cards.

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Once everyone arrives at your reception, ask everyone to step outside and release a balloon in honour of your big day.

The younger guests will love this, and it also provides some wonderful picture opportunities.

We s t C o r k We d d i n g s | M a r c h 1 , 2 0 1 4

6

Instead of serving a glass of sparkling wine to toast the bride and groom, why not opt for a bespoke cocktail?

If any of your friends or family are musicians, ask them to bring their instruments to the reception. Your guests will be delighted when fellow wedding-goers get up for an impromptu song or two.

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West Cork

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Rather than getting your guests to sign a traditional guest book, you could get them all to sign some pottery such as a large platter. This will give you a lovely and unusual keepsake of your day which you can display in your home afterwards.

To help break the ice at dinner, why not have your best man host a quiz about you both? Each table could work together as a team, and you could offer a prize for the winners.

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Most couples lay on an evening buffet for guests, so instead of serving sandwiches, sausage rolls and vol au vents, go for a quirky alternative such as fish and chips wrapped in newspaper.

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Contact Pat Gill - General Manager T: 027 50360 E: reservations@westlodgehotel.ie

22 We s t C o r k We d d i n g s | M a r c h 1 , 2 0 1 4 West Cork Wedding Music

Fiona Kelleher & Jim Murray Highly accomplished vocalist Fiona and renowned guitarist Jim provide stunning music for your wedding ceremony. Based in West Cork and with over ten years experience they will ensure that the perfect ambience is created for your special day. A full list of wedding music is available on request.

Please check out our facebook page West Cork Wedding Music Contact: info@fionakelleher.com

Best Man’s Speech

...some pointers

Worried about making your best man’s speech? You should be. You won’t often have the opportunity to offend, embarrass or bore so many people with your public speaking all at the same time!

The good news is that nobody’s forcing you to make a fool of yourself; you’re in control of your own destiny. A little common sense will keep you out of trouble. If you’re lacking in that department, read on DON’T MILK IT Yes, you’ve got a big part to play in the day’s proceedings, but remember; you’re not the main event. A good best man’s speech should be limited to not more than 1000 words. That’s about seven minutes. Any longer and you’ll start to lose your audience.

DON’T MENTION THE EX Hopefully, this one’s obvious. If you can’t see why talking about his exes on your mate’s wedding day might upset some people (not least the bride), then you’re probably already heading for a Best Man disaster of epic proportions.

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Full me-to-you range in stock Balloon Bouquets or Balloon Decorations for table centre - plus cake toppers

IT’S NOT A RACE This is really more about delivery in general, though for the nervous speaker, whizzing through one’s lines at breakneck speed is a common problem. However finely crafted and entertaining your best man’s speech is, if you blow the delivery it’ll sink fast. Speak up. Don’t rush or mumble. Don’t talk into your chest. Do smile and share your good humour with the crowd. And when a joke hits the spot, give it room to breath; let the laughter subside before picking up where you left off.

DON’T FADE AWAY First impressions count, but last impressions … well … last. It’s your closing comments that people will remember clearest, so spend some time finding the right way to wrap things up.

It may be that you want to save your best gag and end on a big laugh. Or perhaps you’d like to sit on the soppy stuff ‘til last, so you can leave them with tears in their eyes. Whatever you decide, don’t let your best man’s speech simply peter out. There’s nothing worse than waiting for a punch line that never …

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WEDDING STYLE SHOWCASE

Style Evening with

Celia Holman Lee Saturday 8th March, 8pm

Wedding Showcase Visit the Inchydoney Suite - Meet the Team - Menu Tasting

Sunday 9th March 2pm -5pm

Tickets

€ 20

Getting married this year?

Great advice on what suits your shape Mother of the Bride, what not to wear!

Men’s Zone with fashion and styles from local outlets Latest Trends & Fashion from Clonakilty Boutiques Honeymoon and Holiday Must Haves…

While the ladies enjoy an evening with Celia, our Grooms to be are invited to a complimentary Consultation with our Menswear Expert who will offer advice & showcase trends and styles in Menswear.

Clonakilty, West Cork | Tel. 023 8833143

Plan & Stay in Stlye Plan your wedding in style and enjoy overnight accommodation with early Dinner in the Gulfstream Restaurant, tickets to our Style Evening with Celia Holman Lee on Saturday 8th March and access to our Wedding Showcase on Sunday 9th March.

Don’t forget to bring the Groom too, our Men’s Zone will showcase this year’s styles and trends.

So make a night of it and enjoy the planning…. €145 per person sharing

www.inchydoneyisland.com