Galway wedding help!!!!!!!

bridetobeone

Hi,
I am planning to get married in Galway next May but have yet to book a venue. The budget is tight 8-10k for everything,flowers, vehicles,food, etc. Has anyone got married in Galway recently and if so how much were the Hotels charging ahead. We will have 150 pple. Theres a recession and I have been quoted from 55euro pp to 75euro pp:eek::eek:. Has anyone managed to haggle with these hotels?

Any money saving tips would be well appreciated.:D:D:D

curlybob

Thats crazy! Loads of hotels had ads in the Galway advertiser for great wedding deals. 50E per head should get you a whole host of extras. Is it just the city you are considering? Galway Bay and the Westwood have good deals i think! We are getting married in the Meadow court in September and I won't be paying over the odds for anything! best of luck!

Heineken Helen

bridetobeone wrote: »

Hi,
I am planning to get married in Galway next May but have yet to book a venue. The budget is tight 8-10k for everything,flowers, vehicles,food, etc. Has anyone got married in Galway recently and if so how much were the Hotels charging ahead. We will have 150 pple. Theres a recession and I have been quoted from 55euro pp to 75euro pp:eek::eek:. Has anyone managed to haggle with these hotels?

Any money saving tips would be well appreciated.:D:D:D

They're quoting you 'the package'. I nearly died when I heard this... but it can all be broken down. Its likely they're giving you the meal, the buffet for afters, the drink reception, wine with the meal, etc etc. Most places have the basic menu starting at about 36/37 and then you can add on after that, e.g drinks reception for another 4.50 a head + or the buffet from around 6 per head. I don't know about haggling but you can certainly get stuff thrown in.

bridetobeone

Just an update The Venue's booked, band booked, Church is booked.Have decided on the Colour scheme. Havent got a photographer yet,church music,flowers, cake.

When do I need to start looking into these. Also when do we need to do the marriage course??Im sure I have left load out.

elguapo

bridetobeone wrote: »

Just an update The Venue's booked, band booked, Church is booked.Have decided on the Colour scheme. Havent got a photographer yet,church music,flowers, cake.

When do I need to start looking into these. Also when do we need to do the marriage course??Im sure I have left load out.

You still have 9 months before your wedding, so you're well ahead of the game. You shouldn't have too much trouble finding the things you've listed but obviously the sooner you get these things done, the better for your own peace of mind.

The pre-marriage course should be done at least 3 months in advance of the wedding, so you have plenty of time for that too.

You seem very well organised, fair play to you!:)

bridetobeone

elguapo wrote: »

You still have 9 months before your wedding, so you're well ahead of the game. You shouldn't have too much trouble finding the things you've listed but obviously the sooner you get these things done, the better for your own peace of mind.

The pre-marriage course should be done at least 3 months in advance of the wedding, so you have plenty of time for that too.

You seem very well organised, fair play to you!:)

Thanks,the time just seems to be going so quickly:eek::eek:,it's difficult trying to organise a wedding from abroad.:):)

Heineken Helen

bridetobeone wrote: »

Thanks,the time just seems to be going so quickly:eek::eek:,it's difficult trying to organise a wedding from abroad.:):)

I know what ya mean... we're getting married in Galway in April but organising it from England... it's a right pain in the a**e sometimes

bridetobeone

Heineken Helen wrote: »

I know what ya mean... we're getting married in Galway in April but organising it from England... it's a right pain in the a**e sometimes

Congrats Im in London. Theres only so much you can do over the Internert!Im really starting to panic,I havent even gone dress shopping yet!!So much to do so little time.OMG less than 7 months,just realised im doomed!:(:(

magentas

heres a few names of people that do church music if it's any help to you

Frank Naughton http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oho4QyRuWdM

Frankie Colohon plays guitar with the conquerors band but does beautiful church singing on his own.

I can PM numbers if you're interested

Good luck with preparations!

toadfly

bridetobeone wrote: »

Havent got a cake.

When do I need to start looking into these. Also when do we need to do the marriage course??Im sure I have left load out.

There's a girl on boards (Spadina) based in Ballinalsoe that does AMAZING wedding cakes and cupcakes, I have seen her website and tasted the cupcakes - yum!

Heineken Helen

bridetobeone wrote: »

Congrats Im in London. Theres only so much you can do over the Internert!Im really starting to panic,I havent even gone dress shopping yet!!So much to do so little time.OMG less than 7 months,just realised im doomed!:(:(

You're not doomed... find some local dress shops and make appointments for next weekend... grab somebody, anybody (I brought the mother in law and sister in law) to go with you and go try some dresses on simple! Then move on to the next thing!

I found the band the scariest thing to organise... cos it's one of the most important things to me... but I can't go see them myself :eek: I found one and I'm praying they're as good as I was told they were!

What have you got left to do?

Heineken Helen

I haven't got a cake yet either... but I'm not sure I'm going for one... I've asked my brother to make it but if he can't/won't, I'm not paying a few hundred for one.

As for the wedding course, I contacted the local priest here (even though I've never been to mass here and don't even know what he looks like ) and he's taken my details for the course. Just call the local priest!

trixie11

bridetobeone wrote: »

Just an update The Venue's booked, band booked, Church is booked.Have decided on the Colour scheme. Havent got a photographer yet,church music,flowers, cake.

Do you mind me asking where you booked? A few of my friends have started their wedding planning in last few months and word is 2011 in galway is fairly booked out, i couldnt believe it! this booking 2 years in advance is a bit ridiculous cos you dont even know if the hotel will still be open in 2 yrs with the way the country and tourism has gone!

mikeanywhere

I am a photographer here in Galway and can help/suggest/recommend various vendors for you if you are still stuck.

I do it all the time for all my B&G's who are coming from out the country to get hitched here.

Just send me a PM with what you need and I will send info back by return

bridetobeone

Heineken Helen wrote: »

You're not doomed... find some local dress shops and make appointments for next weekend... grab somebody, anybody (I brought the mother in law and sister in law) to go with you and go try some dresses on simple! Then move on to the next thing!

I found the band the scariest thing to organise... cos it's one of the most important things to me... but I can't go see them myself :eek: I found one and I'm praying they're as good as I was told they were!

What have you got left to do?

Well I went dress shopping this weekend, didn't get one yet!
I have to book marriage course,get a letter of freedom from our priest.
I Have to get Bridesmaid dress's,flower girl dress's
I havent decided on a theme (not sure if i'll bother)
Photographer
Videographer (unsure yet)
Flowers,not sure when I should be looking
Cars,out of 15 companies 3 have got back to me way too pricey 500 euro:eek::eek:
DJ
Cake
Church music
Invitations
Cake Figureens
Candles & Stand
Pressies for bridesmaid's and Mother of the Bride & Groom

I have the band booked!!Just hope they turn up!! Can't afford aything too expensive!!

I think the list is wayyyyyyyyyyyyyy toooooooo long lol,
I'm on a serious budget of 10k and I think that im going to go way over,with the way things are looking:(:(:(

bridetobeone

magentas wrote: »

heres a few names of people that do church music if it's any help to you

Frank Naughton http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oho4QyRuWdM

Frankie Colohon plays guitar with the conquerors band but does beautiful church singing on his own.

I can PM numbers if you're interested

Good luck with preparations!

Will have a look at the website:):)

bridetobeone

trixie11 wrote: »

Do you mind me asking where you booked? A few of my friends have started their wedding planning in last few months and word is 2011 in galway is fairly booked out, i couldnt believe it! this booking 2 years in advance is a bit ridiculous cos you dont even know if the hotel will still be open in 2 yrs with the way the country and tourism has gone!

Well I only booked Hotel In May this year.We decided at Xmas to get married and havent given ourselves a lot of time

trixie11

Just heard the Clayton gone into receivership yesterday...hope its not here your planning! I know 3 weddings booked for there next year

bridetobeone

trixie11 wrote: »

Just heard the Clayton gone into receivership yesterday...hope its not here your planning! I know 3 weddings booked for there next year

Oh thats awful,It was on my top 3 hotels:eek: but decided in the end to go with Galway Bay Hotel. What does it mean for all the Weddings booked for that Hotel? Will they go ahead? Will the Clayton have to sort another Hotel out. Glad it's not me though:o:o

Ms. Chanandler Bong

bridetobeone wrote: »

Well I went dress shopping this weekend, didn't get one yet!
I have to book marriage course,get a letter of freedom from our priest.
I Have to get Bridesmaid dress's,flower girl dress's
I havent decided on a theme (not sure if i'll bother)
Photographer
Videographer (unsure yet)
Flowers,not sure when I should be looking
Cars,out of 15 companies 3 have got back to me way too pricey 500 euro:eek::eek:
DJ
Cake
Church music
Invitations
Cake Figureens
Candles & Stand
Pressies for bridesmaid's and Mother of the Bride & Groom

I have the band booked!!Just hope they turn up!! Can't afford aything too expensive!!

I think the list is wayyyyyyyyyyyyyy toooooooo long lol,
I'm on a serious budget of 10k and I think that im going to go way over,with the way things are looking:(:(:(

Have you checked out TK Maxx for these? What age is/are your flowergirl(s)? They do really fab dresses for kids up to about 5-6 years old for about €20, lots of real flower-girl-type dresses in at the moment, don't think they have them during the summer months. Lots of party dresses also for the BM.

I've seen a suggestion somewhere before to buy xmas cake from M&S or the like but that kinda depends on the Best Before date if you're getting married in May!;)

You could ask your florist for a display for the cake...

Heineken Helen

Agree with TK Maxx... I've seen some amazing flower girl dresses in there the past couple of weeks... and I'm not even looking

Got my bridesmaid dresses in house of Fraser... half price at £80 each and they're absolutely gorgeous. I think you have to constantly look and you'll find something.

Ooohh same venue as me too Good choice!

bridetobeone

Well I have the Wedding dress and I have booked the Marriage course and booked the appointment for the Marriage licence for Jan!! Still no bridesmaid dresses,invitations,candles,flowers.Im hoping to get these done when I go back to Ireland for Xmas. I just hope with the current climate our Hotel stays open!!:(:(

How is everyone getting on with wedding plans?

Heineken Helen

bridetobeone wrote: »

Well I have the Wedding dress and I have booked the Marriage course and booked the appointment for the Marriage licence for Jan!! Still no bridesmaid dresses,invitations,candles,flowers.Im hoping to get these done when I go back to Ireland for Xmas. I just hope with the current climate our Hotel stays open!!:(:(

How is everyone getting on with wedding plans?

I think the hotel will be ok

I had my first dress fitting today... it's fab... BUT my gorgeous necklace which I bought in Italy and was gonna be a 'statement piece' doesn't match the dress . The headband which I thought wouldn't match looks fab... so how the hell am I gonna trust myself to get shoes? it's just not working out and I'm starting to panic.

bridetobeone

HH you come across as relaxed to me,I havent even thought of shoes or a Tiara or Veil!OMG:eek::eek::eek: Should I have ordered that with the dress or can I wait?
no flowers
no cars
no candles
no invitations

Well I could go on but i'd be here all night:):)
Your big day's not that far away now,have the nerves kicked in yet?

Heineken Helen

bridetobeone wrote: »

HH you come across as relaxed to me,I havent even thought of shoes or a Tiara or Veil!OMG:eek::eek::eek: Should I have ordered that with the dress or can I wait?
no flowers
no cars
no candles
no invitations

Well I could go on but i'd be here all night:):)
Your big day's not that far away now,have the nerves kicked in yet?

Sorry just seeing this now

Absolutely, the nerves have kicked in :eek: and I'm starting to panic a bit.

When I picked my dress I asked if they throw anything in and she agreed to a free veil... but you can pick that at any point! I picked the tiara later though... I don't know if anything matches and I've no shoes yet :eek:

I've no flowers or cars yet... we've done the invites but haven't sent half of them out yet :rolleyes: what are ya doing with candles?

How's it all going with you now?

portlady

actually looking for a florist too in galway, the church is in bearna and as far as i know hotel is taking care of reception flowers. Any ideas or recommendations and prices please. wedding is in june!

bridetobeone

portlady wrote: »

actually looking for a florist too in galway, the church is in bearna and as far as i know hotel is taking care of reception flowers. Any ideas or recommendations and prices please. wedding is in june!

I went for Evergreen in Eglinton street,they were by far the best I thought.I gave her my budget and told her what I wanted and she worked with it!She was more interested in what I wanted and took time to talk things through.The other florists I found were just after a quick buck and didn't consider anything I had to say. I can msge u details if you like.

SSFG

bridetobeone wrote: »

She was more interested in what I wanted and took time to talk things through.

I spoke to a florist at a wedding fair who told me my flower of choice (sunflower) would be hard to complement to the bridesmaid dresses. She said navy would be the best colour, but when I suggested purple she shot me down. I would have thought that purple and yellow are nice together, if anyone is good with flowers and or colours I would appreciate feedback, thanks

magentas

bridetobeone wrote: »

I went for Evergreen in Eglinton street,they were by far the best I thought.I gave her my budget and told her what I wanted and she worked with it!She was more interested in what I wanted and took time to talk things through.The other florists I found were just after a quick buck and didn't consider anything I had to say. I can msge u details if you like.

I've often got flowers from Evergreen (not for wedding though) and have found them wonderful to deal with,
even if I was only looking for a €20 wreath, David would go out of his way to accommodate me and I've always been happy with the results

magentas

SSFG wrote: »

I spoke to a florist at a wedding fair who told me my flower of choice (sunflower) would be hard to complement to the bridesmaid dresses. She said navy would be the best colour, but when I suggested purple she shot me down. I would have thought that purple and yellow are nice together, if anyone is good with flowers and or colours I would appreciate feedback, thanks

purple and yellow are beautiful together. I think navy would be pretty boring and it just reminds me of school uniforms!
Florists can guide and advise you but remember, at the end of the day, it's YOUR wedding day and YOUR decision, so make sure you're 100% happy with what you go for

bridetobeone

magentas wrote: »

purple and yellow are beautiful together. I think navy would be pretty boring and it just reminds me of school uniforms!
Florists can guide and advise you but remember, at the end of the day, it's YOUR wedding day and YOUR decision, so make sure you're 100% happy with what you go for

I have to agree with Magentas,it's your day if you want purple then dont be persuaded to choose another colour!!Florists should be there to guide you not throw you off track! My advice would be (if you havent already booked a florist) make an appointment to see 2/3 florists,have a few samples with you if you can of the colour and type of flower,magazine cut outs will do etc.. tell them what you want,you'll know the one to go for after being to a few. Sorry if i'm rambling! I knew instantly i'd go with Evergreen as they were the only ones to pay attention and really listen to what I wanted. Obviously I'm not going to know until the day if the flowers are going to be great but i'll have to wait and see. Good luck!

mikeanywhere

SSFG wrote: »

I spoke to a florist at a wedding fair who told me my flower of choice (sunflower) would be hard to complement to the bridesmaid dresses. She said navy would be the best colour, but when I suggested purple she shot me down. I would have thought that purple and yellow are nice together, if anyone is good with flowers and or colours I would appreciate feedback, thanks

I shot a wedding a while back where the bride had sunflowers as her and the bridesmaids. DM your email addy and I will send across a couple of images for you to see

bridetobeone wrote: »

I have to agree with Magentas,it's your day if you want purple then dont be persuaded to choose another colour!!Florists should be there to guide you not throw you off track! My advice would be (if you havent already booked a florist) make an appointment to see 2/3 florists,have a few samples with you if you can of the colour and type of flower,magazine cut outs will do etc.. tell them what you want,you'll know the one to go for after being to a few. Sorry if i'm rambling! I knew instantly i'd go with Evergreen as they were the only ones to pay attention and really listen to what I wanted. Obviously I'm not going to know until the day if the flowers are going to be great but i'll have to wait and see. Good luck!

Great advice