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Waterford Castle wedding reviews
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02-02-2012 10:36am#1
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Thanks for all the replies!
Sweetie, how did you find the venue? Was the service good? Any problems? Did it feel like a good day out or were the guests too far spread out to feel like a group?
Username, the ferry isn't really a big deal to us. Its different which is nice but its not a huge pro or con for us. We've been to lunch before and stayed and found that waiting on the ferry was only 2-3 mins so i wouldn't be concerned about it. As for the lodges we didn't know they didn't come with anything like that! Was there towels etc? Anything else they were missing. The castle itself only has 19 bedrooms so most will probably stay in lodges. Did you find it a hassle having to go between the castle and the lodges? I know its a short walk but was it inconvenient for you? Was the dj in the entrance hall and the dancing area in the dining room?
That sounds confusing! I take it that the only bar is the one in the fitzgerald room? Directly across from the main dining room? So guests could be in the dining room/bar/hall/entrance hall/outside?? Were people too split up?
Also what do they do with the conservatory? Are people sitting out there on their own? What happens to it for the rest of the day? Were there any kids at your weddings, and if so what did they do?
Keyboard, we're a while off booking bands i'd say but if you have any links to yourselves on you tubes or gig dates etc then let me know. Any boards discounts!
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Username, the ferry isn't really a big deal to us. Its different which is nice but its not a huge pro or con for us. We've been to lunch before and stayed and found that waiting on the ferry was only 2-3 mins so i wouldn't be concerned about it.
It is different and we enjoyed the first couple of trips on it, but we definitely got sick of it - its not a big deal, I just remember thinking itd be a lot easier to have a bridge lol!!As for the lodges we didn't know they didn't come with anything like that! Was there towels etc? Anything else they were missing. The castle itself only has 19 bedrooms so most will probably stay in lodges. Did you find it a hassle having to go between the castle and the lodges? I know its a short walk but was it inconvenient for you?
Yes they had towels, and bedclothes. They are basically fully furnished little houses with empty fridges, and only towels in the bathrooms - no loo roll, no shampoo or bits youd see in a hotel (not that that mattered, but Id like to have known about the loo roll in advance - a number of people mentioned that). So advise people to bring loo roll and bottled water and teabags/milk. We did a spar run the morning of the wedding for basics - but we were there from the night before and there was nothing. You go to the hotel for breakfast though so you only need those basics.
Another point that everyone talked about was the heating in the lodges - they were like sweatboxes, the controls are hidden and no instructions how to find them - we had to ask at the hotel (us and everyone else who stayed in them) after an extremely uncomfortable first night of no air. Once we located the controls all was well but as we didnt even have bottled water the first night - it was not pleasant!!
Not a bit of hassle going between the castle and the lodges. Most people drove to the castle and back again the night before *private land so people had 3 or 4 drinks and drove without risk of being arrested*. On the wedding day itself most people drove from the lodges to the castle and left the cars there for the stagger home that night - the land was a bit squidgy for ladies in high heels walking to the castle, but no one minded when drunk staggering home. Many ladies brought flats in a handbag and it was fine. Most people went in groups so only one car left at the castle and one left behind at lodges so next morning there was still a car to get to breakfast.Was the dj in the entrance hall and the dancing area in the dining room? That sounds confusing! I take it that the only bar is the one in the fitzgerald room? Directly across from the main dining room? So guests could be in the dining room/bar/hall/entrance hall/outside?? Were people too split up?
The main hall had the DJ and the dancing was there (they rolled out a wooden type dancefloor and moved all the couches elsewhere and put up a few tall tables around the edges where people could perch drinks). The only bar is the Fitzgerald room - there were people in there. The dining room was still open after the meal and some poeple were in there. Later on they closed the dining room and there was only the main hall and the Fitzgerald room (the bar) and outside - although there were a few people perched on couches in the walkthrough area from the main hall to the bar.
People were quite split up I thought, normally all the action is in just one room, dinner, bar, dancing, smoking area off it somewhere - but for this there was plenty of nooks and crannys where people could perch and as a result there was quite a bit of running about from the bride and groom who were anxious to ensure they got to speak to everyone at some stage.Also what do they do with the conservatory? Are people sitting out there on their own? What happens to it for the rest of the day? Were there any kids at your weddings, and if so what did they do?
The conservatory wasnt open during the wedding as far as I remember. I only saw it for breakfasts. I think it was closed off for the day. Certainly during the meal the big doors out to it were closed.
There were kids, not many, I dont know what they did actually. I didnt know the people who had kids.
Its definitely a wow factor venue and the grounds are AMAZING (deer wandering by and rabbits looking in at you in the lodges), and because they only do one wedding at a time your guests feel like they own the place for the day/night. But it is quite a spread out venue and while that didnt seem to bother any guests I did see and hear the bride and groom looking for different people and each other on occasion for photos or whatever.0 -
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Hi nkay,
would love to hear you feedback! Thanks!
Username, as a guest what was your overall impression of the day in comparison to other weddings? The wife to be likes the idea of having the option to sit in the lobby if you wanted a chat, as opposed to all the oldies being trapped in a room when the dj is playing. But if people were so scattered that it just felt like several little groups on a night out it might not be much craic. She said she's do up mini packs with shampoo and toilet roll and make them 'weddingy' for the lodge people as it might be an easier thing for us to do than for everyone to bring their own. 0 -
Username, as a guest what was your overall impression of the day in comparison to other weddings? The wife to be likes the idea of having the option to sit in the lobby if you wanted a chat, as opposed to all the oldies being trapped in a room when the dj is playing. But if people were so scattered that it just felt like several little groups on a night out it might not be much craic. She said she's do up mini packs with shampoo and toilet roll and make them 'weddingy' for the lodge people as it might be an easier thing for us to do than for everyone to bring their own.
Ok - as a guest, there is more to it than just the venue - it also depends on the crowd youre with, the weather, how much you like the music, are the other guests good fun etc...
But just in terms of venue:
There was a good bit of travel involved and because the wedding was quite early in the day (think it was midday), a 2 night stay was required. In honesty (and not being moany, just blunt), I hate having to stay 2 nights for a wedding. I like to just go on the day and stay overnight if necessary and come home the next day. I find it tiring to drive for a couple of hours to attend an event. A 2 night stay costs more, both in money and time off work etc...
So for me, location of the venue was not ideal (but could have been further obviously!)
The venue itself is amazing, beautiful grounds, wow factor of the castle itself, the ferry is 'different' (pain in bum after a few go's but fun the first couple of times!), the staff are very nice, the lodges are really cool and very cheap for guests.
The lodges are probably the best way of staying cheaply at a venue that Ive ever experienced (despite loo roll etc!).
The food - I cannot remember what was for dinner - so thatll tell you something in itself (the wedding was only in September!), it was neither amazing nor terrible.
The breakfasts were good - I do remember them!
The room was a good size and shape for speeches.
The drinks reception was one of the nicest I ever remember, the weather was great so there were a lot of people outside, plus in the main hall, wandering, chatting and taking photos - very very relaxed.
The wedding went downhill a bit from the meal. The meal was fine (as I say, cant remember what the food was), but afterwards there was a kind of lull where the dj was setting up in the main hall, so people were just kind of hanging round the dining room, the bar and outside and waiting for something to happen.
When it did happen and the music started, there was hardly anyone on the dance floor at any one time, because people were wandering off outside, staying in the bar, sitting on couches in inbetween areas etc.. I did feel the groups were very scattered and usually at a wedding I would strike up conversations or dance in groups with other people but there was very little 'mixing', largely because the dance area had these little high tables set up to perch drinks on but other than that there was only a few seats in the room, so people were moving around a lot rather than settling and getting into chats. (This might be different if the dining room was used for the dancing).
After the dj, the hall was turned back into a hall (temp dancefloor removed) and there was nowhere else to go but the bar (dining room closed), and a lot of people went off to bed - which was very early for a wedding, 1am-ish. The bar is small and there wouldnt have been enough seating for everyone, plus people get a bit sick of just sitting drinking, but as there was no more music - that was it. Some hardy souls stayed up later but only the messy drinkers tbh!!
Ive been to much better weddings, and given a preference I think a one room venue (as in the meal, the dancing, the bar all in one room) is better for the craic and getting people mingling and keeping the dance floor going - although a good dj is responsible for a rocking dancefloor too.
But I cant fault the beauty of the place etc... The photos look amazing and there is something special about having a reception in a castle!0 -
Hi nkay,
would love to hear you feedback! Thanks!
Username, as a guest what was your overall impression of the day in comparison to other weddings? The wife to be likes the idea of having the option to sit in the lobby if you wanted a chat, as opposed to all the oldies being trapped in a room when the dj is playing. But if people were so scattered that it just felt like several little groups on a night out it might not be much craic. She said she's do up mini packs with shampoo and toilet roll and make them 'weddingy' for the lodge people as it might be an easier thing for us to do than for everyone to bring their own.
Im also in entertainment and have played there several times. Definite wow factor but as indicated the ferry novelty thing wears off very quickly.
I ate at one of the weddings, Ive eaten better, but not by much.
the biggest thing for me was as highlighted by 2 or 3 other posters that all the nights I was there had the problem of the guests being everywhere except listening to the music. Now you might say ah sure theyll go in if they want to, but every time Ive been there Ive felt like the atmosphere of the guests is different to any other wedding because of this, its just a drinking session with background music in another room. If you've forked out 2k for a band and wonder in to see 10 people sitting ion that room where the band play, don't be annoyed when everyone else is at the bar or outside smoking.
That problem is an issue for every venue in the country where the bar is outside the room where the dance floor is.
still a class venue though.0 -
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So a few things, we've checked and we can have the dancing in the main dining room, the entrance hall will be left as is, with the fire and comfy couches. There are three sets of couches around little coffee tables. With smaller numbers they can put a little bar in the main room, but as our numbers will be their max we can't do that. They will take away about half the seating in the main room for the dancing, leaving about 50 seats in that room plus the conservatory. The bar has 4 seating areas, and the inner hall has two couches. Apart from the smoking (is that just outside the main door?), it doesn't seem like too many places for people to disappear to? They can organise a film and colouring books for the kids attending (about 10 of them) which is a big plus for us.
Yes, smoking is right outside the main door. Its not so much people disappearing, its the fact that they have 6 different places to be in (no matter where the music is), so outside of the meal you never really have all your guests together - that might suit you with a mixed age group. Thats great about the kids.It seems like from the weddings mentioned above, that nobody has really been dancing much. If people don't really dance then is there really much point to getting a band? Might not make much difference to a playlist on an ipod if only a few people are dancing?
People dont really dance because they are spread out all over the place - not like in one room where everyone kind of grabs everyone else onto the dance floor. Totally agree that not much point in a band - all depends on how much you like your music, I was at a great wedding in a not great venue a couple of years back that had an ipod playlist and it was the best music Ive ever heard at a wedding - the groom really knew his music, and his crowd - something for everyone. Some people swear by live music - which is fine if its a band you know and love, but for a wedding, playlist is just as good I think.Also what churches did the other weddings use and how did you find them? We were considering waterford cathedral, due to handiness of people stepping off the train/bus and walking to it and easily get to the castle from it, but it seems tricky to get for a wedding and its in a pedestrian shopping area which is probably messy.
Crooke Church was used. It was very picturesque. We found it by following someone else and when we lost them we asked a woman! It wasnt that far but it was quite a winding drive so seemed further. Got lost for 40 minutes on the way back - no one noticed
About 30% of guests i'd say will come from Dublin. 50% would be from Wexford/Kilkenny. And the other 20% will be a mix of other irish and abroad. The age range for this wedding is quit broad, majority of guests will be from 25-60, with a fair few over 60 too. So not trapping people into one room sounds like it might work in the golden oldies favour?
Oh yeah, much more convenient location if 50% of your guests are Wexford/Kilkenny.I think our wedding will probably be 2 o clock. So hopefully that means guests won't have to stay the previous night if they don't want. We will have a small bbq lunch the next day after check out time as well to see people off. The hotel preferred us to have that about 5 but we felt then our guests would be leaving later then they preferred and some could be at a loss for daytime activities. Its a sat wedding too, so we're hoping to minimize inconvenience.
2 o clock is a much more civilised time - also means not too many hours drinking between church and food which can turn messy when there is a lot of booze on empty stomachs!
Will you bother with the bbq lunch? Ive always just hared off out of the place after breakfast the next morning to enjoy my hangover in the comfort of my own home - Id never hang around for a lunch. I would think a lot of people like to leave rather than spend most of another day there?
I dont mean this offensively, but while its YOUR wedding and one of the most important days of your life, for most of the guests its just another wedding and a lot of people dont even enjoy weddings that much.How much did you end up paying for the lodges? Again while trying to minimize inconvenience for our guests we would like the option of affordable accommodation, worried that they might be a little pricier than what we would call affordable and they don't include breakfast.
The lodges for us were 30 euro per head per night - breakfast in the castle was included. There were 6 of us in our lodge (3 couples). There was one large ensuite room, another smaller ensuite room and one non ensuite room with a bathroom right across from it (so each couple had their own bathroom). The wedding was on a thursday so its possible the lodges were cheaper as a result of a midweek deal - they may not be so cheap on a weekend.For the people who worked.had their wedding/attended a wedding there....does the venue and the service stand out as being out of the ordinary? Or did it just come across as a standard wedding, just in a castle?
Standard wedding - just in a castle.Also if anything 'different' was done we'd love to hear about it. We'd like to take advantage of the exclusivity of the venue to do something special but not sure what. So far we've heard through online reviews and from the co-ordinator that people have turned the entrance hall into a casino, had fireworks/ set off lanterns, had a treasure hunt (sounds like too much effort for our guests we think!) in the castle grounds, etc. All great ideas and would love to hear more
Casino would bore me at a wedding - know your crowd if youre doing that.
Treasure hunt would be great fun, but only if the weather was VERY dry, the ground underfoot is spongy (think woodland road) and not suitable for ladies in heels!
Beware the 'i want my wedding to be different' trap and wasting money on stuff thats not that interesting.
Sometimes free stuff is just as much fun, one recent wedding I was at had a quiz sheet on all the tables - about the guests (I was the answer to one question!). The answers were called out after dinner - it was a COOL way of getting people mingling, people were dashing up to strangers asking 'were YOU the person who broke your leg in Egypt the year the groom was born???'. You could give a funny prize for most right answers?0 -
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Sounds like you were at viserion's wedding!
The wedding I was at in April was just under 100 people I think, and we didn't feel cramped at ceremony or dinner. Dance floor was jammers all night, but the crowd were mega-dancers, and the DJ was a legend.
Reception desk was in the ceremony room. The couple had decorated it with flowers and vases, and put some big birch trees next to the fireplace where the reception was, so you barely noticed there was a desk down the back somewhere. Just looked like more decorations.
Can't speak to the bar prices, couple had an open bar.
Waterford has had financial issues though since, so maybe it's different now?0 -
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