The perfect end to the wedding series would see me deciding on my ideal wedding wine before getting married. Well, as much as I love this blogging business, there’s no way I’m getting married so I can write about myself, so I decided to take advantage of my friends misfortune.

Aaron got hitched at the end of August, so as a farewell to the first in the university gang to lose his freedom of thought, I’ve helped to ease the pain by choosing twelve superb drinking wines to start his collection and help ease the pain with a truly enjoyable wedding gift.

Below is a copy of the notes I included in the case. Aaron and Sarah love their wine, but they would be the first to admit that they aren’t the most knowledgeable on the subject. The only instructions I was given was to choose mostly whites, so I did, with the intention of opening their palate to new varietals and styles.

Farnese Pinot Grigio

Farnese is one of Italy’s best producers.  It was voted Italian Winery of the Year in 2007 by the IWSC for the third year running. Lemon, lime and a mineral crispness with a gentle spicy finish.

Lugana Tenuta Trebbiano

An Italian for Chablis fanatics. Grapes are grown on the edge of Lake Garda, on ancient post glacial soils. It has a restrained style, with lovely minerality and a slight saltiness. Very elegant, and just made to go with shell fish.

Palazzi Chardonnay

Like the Earthworks Chardonnay (which I know you love), the Palazzi has no oak influence. It was fermented in 100% stainless steel tanks. Grapes are grown in Piemonte. Crisp, citrus fruit flavours with hints of ripe peach, balanced by lively acidity.

Mirabello Pinot Grigio Sparkling

I think you’ve tried the still version of this. Made from the white Pinot Grigio grape, it has a splash of the red Pinot Nero for a little extra colour. Simply made, with only 24 hours of cold maceration for extra freshness (as opposed to three weeks for many reds).

Greenhough Dry Riesling

The world’s top wine experts say that Riesling is the greatest of all white grape varieties. It’s a difficult one to grow and hard to get right, but when they do there are none better. This is seriously good drinking. Riesling has a great ability to acquire the characteristics of where it is grown (aka ‘terroir’). Probably the best white here.

Tussock Sauvignon Blanc

This is typical New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc – my favourite country for this grape variety. Think of cat’s pee on a gooseberry bush. Nettle, elderflower and hints of capsicum layer over a subtle background of tropical fruit characters.

Quinta el Refugio Tinto Toro

From the Tempranillo grape, this isn’t unlike a typical Rioja. It was one of the stars of one of our wine tastings, punching well above its weight. The winemakers have used American oak to impart subtle flavours of vanilla. Dark fruits and full-bodied.

Orballo Albarino

Albarino is the grape here. A great alternative to Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc, this could be the next big thing. The Orballo got me hooked on Spanish whites and it won a silver medal with Decanter, who run the UK’s best wine competition.

Muddy Water Rosé

In my opinion, this is one of the best Rosés out there. I’m not a big fan of pink, but this one is exceptional. Strong smooth berry and plum flavours, fresh, slightly sweet and lively with a touch of complexity (from partial barrel aging) and a lingering finish.

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Sierra Grande Sauvignon Blanc

This is our entry level Chilean Sauvignon, from the organic Sierra Grande winery. Although not as concentrated as its New Zealand counterparts, its fresh, vibrant and zesty. Very aromatic with racy acidity, and ironically, one of our most popular wedding wines.

Paarl Heights Chenin Blanc

If you’re not used to drinking Chenin Blanc, this is a good place to start. Soft, rounded and quite ‘chunky’ on the palate. Citrus aromas with tropical fruit flavours, backed by good acidity. Try with seafood, poultry and even mild Indian dishes.

Glaetzer Amon-Ra 2006

OMG. The world’s most renowned wine critic, Robert Parker, gave this the perfect score. Very few wines in the world have such perfect qualities and ability to age this long. It will peak around 2025 (drink up to 2040+). It’s big and bold, as Australian Shiraz often is. Worth leaving for a special occasion and to be shared only with people that will appreciate it. Cellar somewhere where the temperature won’t fluctuate too much (between 12-15 degrees C). It might be worth buying a thermometer to be safe. Lie it on its side to stop the cork drying out, and when open, decant for at least six hours.

The results of our wedding survey are in and it makes for nice reading for online wine retailers if not for hotels.

At the start of July we asked couples recently or about to be married to tell us about their customs and preferences for choosing their wedding wine, and they couldn’t wait to tell us (might’ve been the free case of wine we were offering one lucky respondent!).

The overwhelming message was that hotels are losing out to online and traditional wine retailers when it comes to wedding wine. Only one in six couples had or intended to buy their wine from the wedding hotel, with almost a third of them doing it because they had no choice.

In choosing not to go with the hotel wine, almost one in four couples purchased from an online wine retailer, more than those who purchased from a traditional off-licence or independent retailer and almost three times more than those buying from a supermarket. (Despite accounting for over a half of all wine consumed in Ireland today, supermarkets accounted for only 7% of all wedding wine purchased.)

On closer inspection it would appear that hotels aren’t missing out on too much, however, with corkage still a significant revenue generator on the day. More than half of our couples reported paying €8 or more per bottle on corkage, with one in fourteen reporting charges of €15 or more.

Couples are clearly being a lot more savvy, with 42% reporting cutting back on some aspect of their wedding in light of the current economic climate. This is hardly surprising but it shows once again the responsibility, and opportunity, for product and service providers to respond to changing conditions and consumer preferences.

I’ve been critical in the past of the practice of some hotels of sourcing the cheapest possible plonk as house wines then slapping on obscene mark-ups, and it seems this could be a widely held view - however unfair on those that do actually make an effort in providing quality and value when it comes to wine. Maybe hotels are quite happy just taking corkage fees - after all, it does away with the bother of sourcing wines at all - but there’s pressure there too with many couples reporting significant success in bartering down corkage charges.

I think more than anything our survey has shown that couples are prepared to shop around for their wedding wine, and that value can be found by doing so.

Interestingly though quality appears to be even higher on the wedding check-list - whereas 7 in 10 couples reported price as “very important”, 9 in 10 said the same of “quality and taste” of the wine. That’s fabulous news, as consumers have the only say that matters when it comes to the wine that appears on our shelves or wine-lists. Keep up the good work.

The winner of our wedding survey draw for a free case of wine is Grace Cunningham. Congratulations Grace but a huge thanks to everyone who took valuable time to complete the survey, we hope you found the results interesting.

It’s party time in our wedding series, as guest blogger, Kate Hyde, takes us through her top tips for planning a great henparty. Kate recently appeared on the Irish version of Dragon’s Den, representing her fantastic business, Henparty.ie. Lads, take note!

The Henparty, next to the Wedding day, is the most important day in a girls life. Even better than a birthday, a Henparty is the final send off for the Bride-to-be. Henparties can be extremely well planned and competitive affairs. Gone are the days of a ‘knees up’ in the local pub and a taxi home. Instead women are chartering yachts, enjoying cookery demos, spending weekends at activity centres and more. What was just a night out five years ago has turned into something much more.

Essentially there are five key elements to a typical Irish Henparty– an afternoon activity, a meal, games and dressing up, pubs/clubs and accommodation. And like weddings, despite the recession - Henparties are here to stay with most women, no matter how small or large the budget, going to huge effort to organise the perfect Hen. So the pressure on the bridesmaids to organise ‘the best Henparty ever’ can be fierce. Follow these steps and you are guaranteed a Hen night to remember!

•    Always remember all attention must be on the Hen herself. It is her big night and nothing, including stunning outfits or hissy fits, must detract attention from her.
•    What the Hen wants the Hen gets – including ridiculous outfits, childish games and repetitive stories from school and college.
•    Make sure the restaurant booked is ‘Hen friendly’. Otherwise you may be asked to leave when you turn up with the blow-up-man and 20 bunny outfits.
•    Having the Henparty too close to the wedding is asking for trouble. Breakouts, dark circles under the eyes and the possibility of repetitive-strain-injury from the dance floor are problems the bride could do without on her Big Day.
•    Book accommodation before booking anything else. Availability may be gone when you eventually get around to it and imagine breaking that piece of news to ‘Hen-zilla’.
•    Never book a stripper for a Hen with a shy disposition, a fear of baby oil or elderly relatives present.
•    Think carefully before inviting a man to a Henparty, even if he is a good friend. Tales of wedding night corsets, bikini waxes and ‘feathers versus hat’ conversations will simply bore him.
•    Be mindful of budgets in today’s climate. Asking guests to pay for full day spa outings or helicopter rides could put them in financial difficulty. And no Henparty is worth selling a body organ.
•    Again, we are in a recession people. Be sure to ring service providers ahead of time. Tell them it is a group booking and ask what sort of deal can they offer. Even Nightclubs are prepared to offer incentives to Henparties.
•    What goes on Henparty stays on Henparty. No matter how much you want to tell everyone at work about the antics back at the hotel at the end of the night – don’t. Its just not cricket ladies.
•    Guilt is not a reason to ask your mother to the Henparty. Guilt is what you will feel when she is being revived by paramedics. If your mother isn’t down with Beyonce or shots at the bar then don’t ask her to the Hen. Have a Kitchen Party instead.
•    Money problems at a Henparty are as old as the flood. Have one person in charge of all things financial on the night and make sure no-one goes home without paying. Yes! It does happen!

Kate has just released her new book “How to henparty - The Essential Guide“.

Next up on the Wedding Series, Ciara from WeddingDates.ie explains why it’s OK to put a little (or a lot!) of your personality into your wedding. As we say to engaged couples again and again, please yourself and only yourself, because it’s your big day, and most guests won’t appreciate the effort half as much as you would like. It would seem that Ciara agrees!

Weddings are traditional affairs.  The walking down the aisle, giving away the bride and exchanging of vows has been around forever and a day. Being such a traditional event doesn’t mean weddings have to be boring, or staid, or downright dull.

Now I admit that I haven’t been to THAT MANY weddings, but it has been said on the street that some weddings can have a bit of a déjà vu effect.  Especially if it’s a siblings wedding or someone from the same group of friends.  Especially if it is held in the same venue or has the same band. My tuppence worth is that you should put your own stamp on your own wedding. It should have a flavour of the couple and include their interests and passions.  Why not after all?  Nobody but you is going to think that your wedding day is the most special day of their lives, so why make them sit through something beige?  Give them something to talk about, something to laugh about and something to remember!

Put some personality into your wedding décor.  Particularly with wedding favours or centrepieces, there is great opportunity to be creative!  What is exciting about tables numbered 1 to 10?  Nothing, that’s what.  How about photos of you and the groom in various holiday locations, or with various friends or family members who are sitting at that table.  How about themed centre pieces?  How about Fortune Cookie favours or little plant pots with seeds?  The choices are as limitless as your imagination.

Entertain your guests.  Between the ceremony and the meal and between the meal and the band there will be a lull in proceedings.  People have taken time off work, bought a new frock and possibly travelled to be with you on your big day.  You’d better make damn sure you feed, water and entertain them!! There is nothing worse than people being so hungry before the meal they get cranky, or worse yet – hit the bar too hard!  Provide your guests with some finger food or canapés if there is a long gap before they are eating again.  A cheese buffet is a nice idea here as well, especially if you can serve it with some nice wine.

There should also be something more for the guests to do than just drink – I had a magician at my launch party and he worked really well, mingling between the guests, not intrusive at all but the perfect way to liven up peoples afternoon.  Other ideas I have heard bandied about are Big Games (ie, inflatable twister, giant boxing ring, Sumo suits etc) - sounds a bit mental, but you can be damn sure that people would let their hair down and have a good ol’ laugh – and isn’t that what you want for people at your wedding?

Please yourself.  While you have to consider the needs and wants of your guests (as above) you also can’t please everybody.  And if Granny is coming and can’t stand loud music but you have your heart set on a kickin’ band, then I’d be finding Granny a quiet spot where she could hang out.  As soon as you start to try to satisfy everyone, you will most certainly end up not satisfying anyone, most particularly yourself.  So make the tough choices and make it a day to remember for you guys and filled with fun and personality.  Even if you are into Death Metal (!)

For more tips, musings and unusual ideas for weddings, check out Ireland’s number one wedding blog: www.weddingdates.ie/blog

It may not be as much fun as picking the wedding wine, but planning the financial aspects of your wedding as part of your start together as a couple is so important we asked TWO of Ireland’s top independent financial advisors for their top tips on planning ahead. Liam Ferguson of Ferguson and Associates adds his advice to couples starting out.

It can seem a bit unromantic to be discussing the subject of money in the days leading up to your wedding, but it’s important that you do, especially if you haven’t been living together before marriage.  Get a few ground rules in place and money need never be a source of marital discontent. Fail to agree and money can cause some terrible bitterness and bad feeling.

1. Get the skeletons out of the closet

As you’re both entering into an important financial partnership, both sides need to know the full picture of each other’s finances before signing on the dotted line.  If one partner has huge debts, a damaged credit history, a gambling problem etc., get it out in the open.  There’s no point in one partner assuming that you’ll be able to buy a marital home just as soon as you have the deposit saved, only to later realise that you’ll only be able to buy, borrow or even save when your intended has cleared a mountain of debt which could take years.

If there is a problem, get it out in the open and figure out a way to deal with it together.  Get professional help if necessary.

2. Agree how you’ll manage your finances as a couple

There’s no correct way for everyone to manage their household finances.  Different people will have different methods.  Some people simply pool all their income into one joint account and go from there.  But that can lead to resentment if there are unequal amounts being paid in and/or one partner is spending more on themselves out of the joint account than the other.

One way of solving this is to work out a monthly budget for all necessary household expenses, like mortgage or rent, electricity, gas, food etc.  The Financial Regulator has a useful budget planner here to help you itemise most of the usual ones.  Open a joint bank account for payment of all these bills and agree to contribute a fixed amount into it each month.  Try to keep a bit of a float for unexpected bills.  Once the household expenses account has been fed each month, any remaining income can be set aside for having fun.

3. Have a joint financial plan

Before setting out on life’s road together, make sure that at least you’re heading in the same general direction.  Discuss your longer-term goals and aspirations.  If you want to retire at 50 and then travel the world until you’ve visited every single country in it at least twice, that takes a different type of financial planning and management to someone who loves their job and intends to work until they’re carried out of their office in a wooden box.

Decide and agree a few basics – Are we going to save towards a new / bigger house?  If we’d like to have children, how will we pay for their upbringing and later school and/or college?  When would we like to retire?  These things cost money but if you agree a plan, then you can agree on how to fund your plans together.

4. Accept that your attitudes to money may be different

Some people are naturally very prudent with money and will always live within their means, save something every month, contribute towards their pension every month and never borrow for short-term requirements such as holidays etc.  Others prefer to live in the “now” and spend every cent they earn as soon as it arrives.  As a financial advisor, I try to convince everyone to lean towards the former type.  As a human being, I know it’s also hugely important to have fun and not be so preoccupied with the future that you don’t enjoy life now.

But can these two extremes live together in wedded bliss?  Certainly, provided that they agree the common ground first.  If your man is spending apparently vast sums on golf clubs, low-profile tyres or the latest digital gadgets, don’t berate him if he’s also contributing his agreed share into your joint plans.  Or if your dearly beloved is spending more on clothes, Jimmy Choos, hairstyling and make-up in a month than you spend on your own personal appearance in a year, don’t grumble if she’s also contributing to your agreed joint plans.

Liam D. Ferguson is principal of pension, mortgage & insurance brokers, Ferguson and Associates, http://fergablog.blogspot.com and LDFerguson on Twitter.

Following only closely behind matching the colour of your serviettes with the groom’s party cravates in matters of celestial importance on your wedding day, comes the small matter of budgeting and paying for the day’s extravagances. Ok, we mock slightly. It may not be as much fun as picking the wine, but planning the financial aspects of your wedding as part of your start together as a couple is so important we asked TWO of Ireland’s top independent financial advisors for their top tips on planning ahead. First up, Allan Cuthbert of Financial Wellbeing.

When people are planning their big day one important element that is essential to discuss is a financial plan.

It is key for a happy and healthy marriage that you both can discuss your financial position openly. This is not the time to burry your head in the sand and hope the other partner never see your personal loans! Instead you need to sit down and openly discuss the key financial areas in your life.

1. Loans

First step is to write down your mortgage and personal loans to ensure you both know the level of debt you are bringing to the marriage. Make sure your Bank has you on the right mortgage and that you have a plan to clear all personal loans after the wedding.

2. Protection

Your future together also need to be protected against the real possibility of losing your job, become seriously ill and death. I know this is not a nice thing to discuss. How will you cope, do you need additional protection or is the cover you have sufficient.

3. Will

Another must at this stage is making a Will. It is also cheaper to get a Will made now then having to apply to the courts for your right to your partners assets. Your solicitor should write you a Will for free or minimum cost so give your solicitor a call.

4. Savings

My last tip is to set up a joint bank account. You both have access to this and get your wages paid in to this account each month. All your household bills, mortgage payments, loans need to paid from this account too. Close off all other bank accounts, laser cards, store cards, etc. Each month it will be easier to manage your day-to-day finances and to see if you are building up a good level of savings.

Your financial plan will be the road map to a happier future and will stop many serious arguments regarding money.

Allan Cuthbert QFA is an Independent Financial Planner and specialises in helping young couples become more financially secure. He offers a free service that reviews couples mortgage, protection and saving needs and assist couple in planning a brighter future together. For more information visit Financial Wellbeing.

Continuing our wedding series, this week we spoke to personal trainer and former Olympian Gillian O’Sullivan about getting in shape for the big day, and the dreaded question of whether getting fit and enjoying wine were mutually compatible!

It has been well documented that wine can aid digestion and can help with overall well-being, however like all good and enjoyable things in life, there is a small price to pay. Unfortunately, the average glass of wine can contain 150-180 calories. So, an average of 3 glasses would total 450-540 calories. This equates to 27% of the recommended calories for women and 22% for men on a daily basis.

So how should soon-to-be brides and grooms go about getting in shape without taking all the fun out of preparing for their wedding?

The best way to get in shape for a big day like your wedding is exactly the same as doing it as a long-term lifestyle choice - through exercise and healthy eating.

Healthy eating is about making the right, informed decisions. Eating 3 good meals a day with plenty of fruit and vegetables and drinking plenty of water are the golden rules. In order to make any gains, you must cut back on the high fat products.

Exercise is the best way to burn the calories. Cutting back on calories by restricting food works but only for a short time. You need to get 4-5 days of exercise during the week. This can include cardio and weight training.

I get my clients to fill out food diaries and I can see what they are eating and drinking during the week. Many of them indulge in wine over the weekend, and sure isn’t it one of the more enjoyable aspects of the wedding preparations sampling the wedding wine?

The bottom line is that if you watch your food intake and exercise regularly and consistently, there is no reason why you cannot enjoy a few glasses of wine. If you use it in the right way, you can use it as a reward for the exercise you have done during the week. Also, if you drink wine, avoid overeating with the wine and the next day. Sometimes, this can be where the real damage is done.

Wine is a great social drink and by restricting yourself too much, it can turn you off all the effort of the diet and exercise. Exercise, eat well and allow a little indulgence and you’ll have the right formula to be in-shape and feeling great on your wedding day.

We say “YAY” to that!

Gillian O’Sullivan is a former Olympian, World Silver Medallist and World Record Holder and is now a qualified Personal Trainer in Cork.

In Week 4 of our wedding series, we asked Mary Foyle of Travel Counsellors Ireland to give us the benefits of her extensive knowledge and experience gained from years of helping couples organise the perfect honeymoon.

Your honeymoon should be the most magical holiday of your life, giving you time to unwind and enjoy each other’s company after all the excitement of your wedding day.

And just as your choice of venue for your wedding day reflects your own personalities, you will want a honeymoon destination that suits you both. Remember, there is no obligation to lie on a beach for two weeks. Nor is there an obligation to travel to some far off exotic island. There are plenty of beautiful honeymoon spots in Europe which offer luxury, interesting sights and beautiful beaches.

‘Sun, sea and sand’

Walking hand in hand through the surf on a white sandy beach is surely the definitive honeymoon scene. Just be sure, especially if you are the active types, that you really want to be lazing round for all that time. You might consider combining the tropical beach with some sightseeing or adventure activity. Popular honeymoon combinations right now are Mauritius followed by Safari in South Africa, the Caribbean followed by New York/Las Vegas, or what about the Great Barrier Reef, followed by Sydney and Ayers Rock?

‘To see the sights’

Perhaps you can think of nothing more romantic than sitting together in a café in St. Marks Square in Venice or wandering through the ancient temples of Luxor. Remember to leave plenty of time to wind down and relax after the wedding as a sightseeing holiday can be quite strenuous and you will be exhausted after the all the hype of the big day.

There are some great beaches in Italy on the Tuscany and Amalfi Coasts, or if you are travelling to Egypt, why not pay a visit to the Red Sea and chill out in a luxury hotel on the beach for a few days before heading to the temples?

‘A taste of adventure’

Perhaps you have both always wanted to do something a little bit different and adventurous. Whether it is an African safari, white-water rafting, snorkelling, diving or trekking, make sure you both have the same idea of what you are letting yourselves in for. Your honeymoon is not the time to try something unusual which you may not like!

Adventure options include walking the Inca Trail in Peru, diving the Great Barrier Reef, Bungee Jumping in New Zealand, or hot-air ballooning over the Masai Mara.

‘A quiet relaxing time together’

If all you want is time together and the stress of long haul flights is not your scene, then a beautiful hotel in the Tuscan Hills or a small villa with private pool in Portugal might do the trick.

Top tips for organising your honeymoon

1. Decide first of all which type of holiday you’d both like - see above for suggestions - then compile your ‘honeymoon wish-list’ which will help narrow down the options.

2. Decide on an approximate budget. Remember there is a honeymoon out there to suit every type and every budget.

3. Always check what the weather will be like in the destination you are travelling to e.g. December is not the time to travel to the Mediterranean, it will not be beach weather in Cape Town in June and it will be the skiing season in New Zealand in August.

4. Allow 2-3 days after the wedding before heading off on honeymoon.  This will give you time to relax and enjoy any post wedding gatherings.

5. Ask for advice! A good travel agent will be experienced in organising special holidays and honeymoons and will have valuable advice and tips on what to do and what to avoid.

Mary Foyle is a Travel Counsellor who specialises in honeymoons and holidays for special occasions. For full contact details click here, and for the Travel Counsellors Ireland website click here.

This week we asked Emily Doran of Emily Doran Photography in Cork to give us her top tips on preparing for your wedding photographs. Of course a good photographer helps, so over to the expert!
Prepare to be amazed

I think preparation is key for each wedding day. I always try to visit the ceremony and reception venues, and especially the bridal party photo shoot location beforehand. That way I can really get the most out of a location and don’t waste any time on the day. Your photographer should be happy be to do this - if not, how well prepared will they be.

Expect rain!

Always have a PLAN B for photos if its raining. Nobody wants rain on their wedding day but c’mon, we live in Ireland, it rains between 150-225 days of the year! It’s not the end of the world if the weather’s bad either. I think rain can be very romantic… a couple kissing under an umbrella in the rain, how cute is that? So, don’t forget to pick out a few nice umbrellas, just in case. Also, reception venues often have great areas for interior shots.

Practice makes perfect

Are you are a bit freaked out about having to pose for photos and feel like you’re not going to enjoy it? A lot of photographers offer a pre-wedding shoot. It’s like a practice run for the wedding day. When possible, I meet up with the bride and groom at the wedding shoot location for an informal photo session. It gives the bride and groom a great idea of what to expect, try out a few poses, and you’ll be more relaxed on the big day.

Delegate

Family photos can be difficult to organise. I think it’s best to take these shots just after the ceremony, before Aunty Sheila disappears off to the pub and gets a bit leery. Make a list of the family shots you’d like taken. Give a copy to the photographer and also to groomsmen/bridesmaids or friends who can help round everyone up and have them ready to step into the picture while you’re busy shaking hands with the congregation as they leave the church/ceremony location.

Ready, steady…

Getting ready to go to the ceremony. If the photographer is calling to take shots of the preparations, have a quick look around. If there’s a pile of washing in the corner of the dressing room it could spoil a great photo, just shove it under the bed or in the closet! There’s no need to go crazy tiding though. Mess is good, once its wedding mess! Dresses and shoes can come in beautiful packaging, there’s no need to hide these away.

Old, new, borrowed, blue

It’s great to get shots of little details. The shoes, rings, flowers, cufflinks. If there’s something special like a card or gift from the groom, the best man’s notes for his speech, even a romantic text message, leave these out for the photographer so they can arrange and photograph them.

Don’t worry, be happy

Finally, but most importantly, don’t worry! Loads of brides tell me they hate having their photo taken or are worried about double chins, wobbly bits or just don’t like the way they look in photographs. What can you do to make your photos look good? The answer - don’t worry, be happy! Its the photographers job to get great shots. Just enjoy yourself, have fun, don’t take it too seriously. Hold on tightly to the one you love, kiss, giggle, dance, sing, whatever. Then, when you’re looking back at your wedding photos in years to come, you wont see those wobbly bits you worried about, you’ll just remember what a great time you had on one of the happiest days of your life.

A graduate of Limerick College of Art and Design and the New York Institute of Photography, Emily Doran now runs her own photography business in Cork, specialising in weddings.

Our first guest contributor to our Wedding series is Paula Cogan of Jurys Hotel Group. Here Paula gives some excellent (and very impartial!) tips on picking your perfect wedding venue.

Weddings, particularly in Ireland have taken on a life of their own in the past 10 years. The days of sherry receptions and sandwiches and cocktail sausages have been replaced with champagne and strawberry receptions and chocolate fountains.

While it goes without saying that a wedding day is certainly one of the most important days of your life, there are definitely some practical tips which will allow you to plan effectively and not break the bank while doing so.

One great piece of advice that I was given prior to my own wedding was to consider who would you be willing to pay €60 a head for dinner for and then plan your wedding guest list accordingly.

When choosing a venue, again it is important to view as many venues as possible that meet your general criteria.  Consider what you and your groom have in mind.  Are you looking for a country retreat, Urban location or something with a twist? Compile a check list as to what will be key for your particular wedding e.g. outside space for photographs, plenty of bedrooms for the wedding guests or a ballroom with natural daylight.

The web has opened up so many avenues for research to the bride to be.  Check out each venue and their website.  You can download menus, packages and also check out blogs where you will get feedback from other brides as to venues that have worked for them.

You will then have a good idea of costs and the specific packages that the hotel can offer prior to meeting with the on-site wedding coordinator. In the majority of hotels, it is also worth meeting with the Chef and the Events Manager to ensure that everyone understands your vision for the day.  It is important that you feel comfortable with the staff in the hotel, as you will be liaising with them on a regular basis for a number of months.

Every hotel will be delighted to sit with you and provide a free consultation and answer any of your enquiries.  They will also be delighted to assist with recommendations for entertainment, decorations and many other items, as they will deal with suppliers on a daily basis. If you ring in advance to make an appointment, make sure to ask when the hotel is hosting a wedding and pop in to see the room and make sure that you are happy with how it looks.

Of course negotiate on price.  If you are not a good negotiator bring a mum or dad to do the negotiating for you.  Many hotels will offer substantial discounts for mid week weddings, or Autumn and Winter dates. Ask for a written quotation, as well as all terms and conditions before signing a contract.

At Jurys Cork Hotel, we specialise in the smaller size wedding, and provide a bespoke wedding day, not as much of a cookie cutter wedding, that the larger traditional wedding hotels can provide. Some of the most special weddings that I have been privileged to have helped organise over the years, have been for smaller numbers, 50 to 60 people. The wedding couples were able to spend a little more on a superb menu, nice wines and were able to really get to chat with all of their guests and enjoy the day.

Paula Cogan is Director of Sales and Marketing at Jurys Cork Hotel and has enjoyed assisting wedding couples with their plans for over 14 years.