Cheap, small wedding ideas

bombaybuggs

Hello. I really need help. We got engaged last July and want to get married sometime in '09. We would be inviting 50-60 people. We like the idea of going abroad but are concerned that it's too much of an expense to put on guests.

We don't want a big elaborate spread. We'd be happy with a buffet affair. We like the idea of renting a venue exclusively ie a house, a manor, a rugby club?? Does anyone know of a venue in Ireland that would cater for these numbers that would also not cost the earth.

With all the hassle i nvolved it's tempting to head off somewhere with just our parents? :rolleyes:

smelltheglove

Hiya, I know there are still hotels that take low numbers mainly weekdays. A friend of mine was in a similar situation and when we looked into the likes of rugby clubs restaurants etc it was working out more expensive. She got married in the Springfield hotel in Leixlip on a Thursday with 60 odd guests and they gave her a great price for the menu.

I also covered a wedding in a pub once, it was a function room and it was lovely, the bride and bridesmaids were allowed in the evening before to decorate the room and the puc served a full meal on the day. They were not missing anything as they were married beside the Botanic gardens so they still had a great venue for photography.

There is a lovely restaurant in town though that also has a function room and they decorate it to suit your taste and even have a piano to put in. Lots of choices for the menu also. Fallon & Byrne just off Grafton Street.

keith_donaghy

We thought that getting a marquee would work out cheaper than a hotel...

We where wrong!

You have to hire everything from the bar, toiletes, plates and even knives and forks!

Works out cheaper in a hotel.

Also bear in mind, some hotels will give you discount if you have a mid week wedding.

swimmingly

What about using photography students from the local school who might want to build up their portfolio?

curlybob

There are a lot of unique venues on venuesearch.ie. Cloughan castle in Galway is a beautiful location and you need to hire in your own caterers, not sure of the costs but worth a look!! Such a small initmate guest list sounds fab, wish I could get away with that!! Good Luck anyway!

shoppergal

if you like the idea of going abroad i'd say go for it. i'm getting married in rome in 2010 and everyone has been really positive about it and people really excited.

mikeanywhere

swimmingly wrote: »

What about using photography students from the local school who might want to build up their portfolio?

If you value your photo's then make sure you get the right person. Cheap always isnt best with regards to this.

curlybob wrote: »

There are a lot of unique venues on venuesearch.ie. Cloughan castle in Galway is a beautiful location and you need to hire in your own caterers, not sure of the costs but worth a look!! Such a small initmate guest list sounds fab, wish I could get away with that!! Good Luck anyway!

I have shot 4 weddings there this year and have one for New Years Eve too. Its is a very very intimate location indeed. Your numbers are more than acceptable as their max is 120 anyway. You have to get caterers in with them as they don't do any there.

Here's the link if you want to check it out.

RentDayBlues

Most restaurants will offer this - I know quite a few in Dublin that do it at a good price