Cabra Castle, wont commit to a price

McCABE1

We were thinking of getting married in Cabra Castle but when I rang up they said that their 2011 prices havent been set yet and so wont give me a firm price. Is this standard? Has anyone else experienced this with Cabra Castle? It just means if we go with them and they decide to increase their prices next year it could completely wreck our budget, however they seem really busy so if we want the date we're thinking of we'll have to book soon.

dlambirl

I think most hotels arent releasing their 2011 prices yet.

PRman

I'd tell them to f off. There's no way i'd hand over a deposit on those 'terms'

Sizzler

Why would you even think about giving them your business with that sort of ambiguity? Is that a place you would want to deal with?

Prices are coming down in 95% of venues, regardless of when your wedding is, if you cant screw them for a deal in the current climate, you never will, sorry but thats the reality.

McCABE1

It seems that Cabra Castle may be one of those venues that isnt as affected as others. They have no Saturdays left in April May or June of 2011. They're not feeling the pinch as much. I've come across other hotels that dont have their 2011 prices set either, Dunboyne Castle is one. Its not fair, but its obviously going on in some places.

Sizzler

Go somewhere else then You sound like you are planning the wedding around the venue and not the other way round!

Lots of places in the general area just as good worth checking out who surely have dates available almost 2 years from now and wont act the eejit on prices too Im sure.

The lack of clarity on pricing smacks of them hoping that the economy picks up next year so they can start upping prices again.

McCABE1

I know, but that's easily said. I really like this venue, it fits, it was the only place that I got really excited about and we went to see everywhere else in the locality. I love it and would love to have my wedding there !! Bar the actual committment the venue is the most important thing to me, more so than the dress, the band etc. Anyway we'll see, this is the only time I'll keep my fingers crossed that the recesssion doesnt get better, keep the prices of hotels down !!

Sizzler

McCABE1 wrote: »

I know, but that's easily said. I really like this venue, it fits, it was the only place that I got really excited about and we went to see everywhere else in the locality. I love it and would love to have my wedding there !! Bar the actual committment the venue is the most important thing to me, more so than the dress, the band etc. Anyway we'll see, this is the only time I'll keep my fingers crossed that the recesssion doesnt get better, keep the prices of hotels down !!

I can understand that.

Best advice I could give there is basically get a date sorted that they have free without coming across as desperate, play it like you are easy going and dont really mind when you get married Then when you have that sorted make them an offer and tell them you pay a deposit of say 1k now and get them to print up an agreement on same, if they cant or wont do that then its your call as to how much you are willing to pay etc.

Good luck with it

viztopia

my brother is getting married in Cabra this year and he booked it over a year ago. he went to them recently and he was able to get them down a bit on the price. he also met with the owner who seemed to be a total a*s. my brother was looking to get some of the prices down and the owner said if you cant afford it then why are you coming here!! i think that they have good bookings in the future so they are a bot arrogant about it. I know the grounds of it may be nice for phots but you should take a trip to Dun a Ri park which is accross the road from it. it has some wonderful settings for photos so you could get them taken there and go somewhere else. i coudl suggest the Cavan Crystal or Farham estate in Cavan.

McCABE1

Thanks for all the advise, it really seems like they want to have it all their way which in the current climate is a bit hard to stomach !! We'll just have to make a decision as to whether we'll play ball and do things their way or go off and get a better deal elsewhere. Acutally I'm going to look at Farnham soon, it seems a bit expensive too though but looks really nice???
Would love to hear how the wedding in Cabra goes Viztopia and what you think of it !! Might help me make up my mind.

viztopia

viztopia wrote: »

my brother is getting married in Cabra this year and he booked it over a year ago. he went to them recently and he was able to get them down a bit on the price. he also met with the owner who seemed to be a total a*s. my brother was looking to get some of the prices down and the owner said if you cant afford it then why are you coming here!! i think that they have good bookings in the future so they are a bot arrogant about it. I know the grounds of it may be nice for phots but you should take a trip to Dun a Ri park which is accross the road from it. it has some wonderful settings for photos so you could get them taken there and go somewhere else. i coudl suggest the Cavan Crystal or Farham estate in Cavan.

Slieve Russell hotel in Cavan = omg.
Was there for a weekend and saw a wedding there. The grounds are beautiful and there's a lovely fountain out front with lighting etc.

gaz wac

McCABE1 wrote: »

Dunboyne Castle is one. .

really cant see the atraction to this place !!!

you said you would love to have it in C.Castle so just book it !! i.d say the prices wont be far off the 2010 prices and if it is, just haggle a little or make the saving elsewhere in your wedding. But I do agree with you, the hotel was the most important part for me !!

eddie73

Cabra castle is not one of the nicer hotels. I dunno what all the fuss is about the place. Why not try the Cavan Crystal hotel or the Neumore in Carricmacross

gaz wac

OP, can I suggest Carton House ? we got married there last year and it was just amazing !! www.cartonhouse.com

How Strange

If the hotel won't commit to a price then I'd walk away. The hospitality industry (in general) had a lot to learn about customer service and if this place hasn't gotten one already then it's long overdue one huge kick in the ass.

Weddings have been a rip off for years but some hotels have learned that to secure the booking THEY have to negotiate.

I don't understand the mentality of people who will take this sort of crap nowadays. It's a buyers market, if this place doesn't see that then why would you give them your business and money. OP, it's your way of thinking ('but I really want that hotel and no other') that fuels a rip off economy and certainly fuelled the rip off economy in Ireland for past 20 years.

There are a derth of excellent hotels and country houses on gorgeous grounds who would gladly and appreciatively give you a day to remember at a good price.

As an example, we're having a ceremony and lunch in a very nice country house. We thought about having a full reception there but their brochure price was too expensive. When I said this to the hotel they said there was room for negotiation and it could be substantially reduced. That reduction was offered without any real negotiation.

Sizzler

How Strange wrote: »

If the hotel won't commit to a price then I'd walk away. The hospitality industry (in general) had a lot to learn about customer service and if this place hasn't gotten one already then it's long overdue one huge kick in the ass.

Weddings have been a rip off for years but some hotels have learned that to secure the booking THEY have to negotiate.

I don't understand the mentality of people who will take this sort of crap nowadays. It's a buyers market, if this place doesn't see that then why would you give them your business and money. OP, it's your way of thinking ('but I really want that hotel and no other') that fuels a rip off economy and certainly fuelled the rip off economy in Ireland for past 20 years.

There are a derth of excellent hotels and country houses on gorgeous grounds who would gladly and appreciatively give you a day to remember at a good price.

As an example, we're having a ceremony and lunch in a very nice country house. We thought about having a full reception there but their brochure price was too expensive. When I said this to the hotel they said there was room for negotiation and it could be substantially reduced. That reduction was offered without any real negotiation.

+1 Nail on Head springs to mind.

fiona12

Hi, I'm a local and have to say that I have been to both places loads of times, and if it was my wedding I wouldn't go to either, the food is just so boring and the service is not that good either. If it's a special day you want, you are nocking on the wrong door IMO

Another poster mentioned the Slieve Russel, was there earlier this year and it is amazing. The grounds are fab for pictures and the hydrotherapy suite is something else! It was such a treat and one of the best hotels I've ever been in. I have actually been back twice just to use the hydrotherapy suite.

dlambirl

fiona12 wrote: »

Hi, I'm a local and have to say that I have been to both places loads of times, and if it was my wedding I wouldn't go to either, the food is just so boring and the service is not that good either. If it's a special day you want, you are nocking on the wrong door IMO

Another poster mentioned the Slieve Russel, was there earlier this year and it is amazing. The grounds are fab for pictures and the hydrotherapy suite is something else! It was such a treat and one of the best hotels I've ever been in. I have actually been back twice just to use the hydrotherapy suite.

+1 I'd agree with you there.

I've been to countless weddings in Cabra and when I see an invite coming I pray that its not Cabra for the reception!! The food is boring and sometimes not that great and I wouldnt rate the service that great either. The bar when you come in first is horrible and everyone gets seperated as there isnt great places to sit. The bar staff are slow and the prices are astronomical!!

I was at a wedding a couple of weeks ago in The Errigal Hotel in Cootehill and I couldnt fault it at all. The new extention is fab, the service was top class, the food was excellent, prompt, plenty of it and above all tasty.

I can understand that the OP has their heart set on one place, cos thats what i would be like for the Errigal in Cootehill but dont let a venue dictate your entire wedding.