Wedding accommodation dilemma

no fuss

We are getting having a small wedding in Drumcondra and really want to have the reception in Bon Appetit in Malahide as it caters for small parties. However accommodation is a problem - the Grand Hotel have a wedding that day so won't allow another bride to stay!! Does anyone know if there is another hotel in Moalahide? If not, we might look into accommodation near Drumcondra and hire a mini-bus to take people to the restaurant and back but again where to stay then - Skylon but ideally would prefer somewhere more upmarket. Any ideas for accommodation in either of those areas would be welcomed.

Fattes

Hilton Malahide, Carlton Old Airport Road

Little Miss Cutie

White sands hotel in Portmarnock or the Golf links also in Portmarnock. I have heard really good reviews of rooms/ service there. I have been for dinner a couple of times and it was yum. Fits the upmarket bill

White sands is next to Tomangos so a bit less classy but still ok I think.

Happy planning

BC

Links in Portmarnock, (http://www.portmarnock.com/) although you may have the 2 weddings issue there also.

White sands would be the closest i'd guess.

Marine hotel sutton.

I personally would stay away from the Hilton, its malahide road rather than malahide and isn't in the best of locations.

I think there are a few hotels in swords but I can't think of their names.

leap

What about renting a house and getting married from there.

You can check out short term lets in Malahide on Daft.ie

sharonkelly

Hello no fuss,..

I was wondering whether you had went ahead with Bon appetite for your wedding venue in the end?? If so, would you mind sharing with me your experience...

I am looking at a small wedding reception and after eating there before the place was very 'me' but I did worry that the restaurant lay out wouldn't work and whether the fine dining aspect might be a little OTT for some of my guests...? Anything you could share would be greatly appreciated as I can seem to find much out on forums about weddings held there...

Many thanks, Sharon

no fuss

Sharon,

It was a toss up between Bon Apetit and Beaufield Mews and in the end we went with B. Mews in Stillorgan. We only had 30 at our wedding and wanted a nice meal after it but we also wanted it to have the feel of a wedding, not just going for a meal so B. Mews have a fantastic garden and bar area as well as their dining rooms so we had drinks in the garden on arrival and we had a little trad band in the bar after. It meant it had the feel of a regular wedding. We just felt if we had it in Bon Appetit or any other restaurant, there would be no gardens or bar area for people to mingle so it would just be a meal. That was the main reason we didn't go with B Appetit - the staff had been great in all my dealings with them when enquiring and I liked their approach to weddings in that they didn['t up the prices etc.

Sorry I can't be of more help about Bon Appetit. It depnds on whether the meal itself is what you want or if you want a bit more - garden etc. We hired a bus from Drumcondra to B. Mews as they don't do accommodation and because we were a small group we just had their set menu for our guests so it wasn't w wedding rate as such.

Good luck with your planning.

EveT

were going for bon appetit. have drinks in the wine bar first, then dinner in the main restauramt and reception in the wine bar (we are doing a thursday and not sure if they could do the wine bar on a fri/sat).

We got accommodation in the grand, they have no wedding booked for our date yet so was ok.

sharonkelly

Ye know what... BM seems to pop up alot amongst these forums on small wedding receptions. I have to say, I initially snubbed BM after driving by it recently and the drive through the estate plus a neighbouring school wasn't flattering to me but certainly by the opinions from people maybe it is worth a proper visit inside and a wee talk with the manager.... Thanks...

Eve T - how many are you having at your reception?.. I was definitely pulled towards Bon Appetite because of the wine bar thinking I would utilise that as an extension to the evening but also pre drinks.... And if anything most of my guests would leave after having a unique dining experience...! Oh decisions decisions... Just gets harder and given he hope to have a 2012 wedding day, we are cutting it fine... Ha ha... I just want to find the right venue and it's more difficult to find that perfect place for smaller numbers...

Did any of you look at the strawberry tree restaurant at Brooklodge hotel...? Think it could be a possibility but need to pay a visit; again it needs to have a private area for us to mingle and enjoy the company

Thanks again for your replies and hope I am not harassing you now with questions.... Ha ha ... Cheers, Sharon

EveT

Hi Sharon,

were having 60ish for dinner, in the restaurant upstairs, not the brasserie. Ive eaten in the brasserie a few times and it would be nice too.

Im assuming maybe 10ish will leave after meal and inviting about an extra 15-20 to afters! I hope.

Let me know if youve any other questions on BA!

clint_silver

If small restaraunts and lovely gardens are what people want, have a look at the avoca cafe in enniskerry, was at a wedding there recently and was VERY classily done. Will do well to beat the scenery and the food was usual avoca class.

googles yer friend.