Civil Wedding Venues

SeanoChuinn

Hello all. Myself and Canadian girlfriend are getting married Sept/Oct 2013(haven't decided date as of yet) and we've been looking on line for civil wedding venues and all look lovely, but we're thinking smaller venues, maybe 80-100 people and less of the wedding planners, team of managers, hotels ringing bells, 40k bill when all over and all the BS that has been going with Irish hotel weddings(no offence to anyone, just not our cup of tea) of late.
For a venue we're thinking somewhere older maybe with some more character than a modern hotel and obviously where the civil ceremony can be performed and then the reception can be held afterward. Our families will be in Laois but we are willing to look a couple counties away - maybe Tipp, Meath, Offaly, Kilkenny, Carlow maybe further if the venue really appealed to us.
Again, no offence to anyone who's had a hotel wedding and probably a wonderful experience and day, we're just searching for something a little different. So we're looking for your experiences and advice and any knowledge you may be able to give to us regarding this. Thanks for reading.

sweetie

tons of threads already but possibly step house carlow, glebe house, clonabreany, meath
spring to mind

Gatica

Don't worry, it's not that uncommon to have a smaller country house wedding. Lots of people are opting for the less traditional venue, and thankfully Ireland has lots to offer. Though seems to be more of a UK thing, from watching "Don't tell the Bride" (was our program of choice coming up to the wedding)

1. Dundrum House Hotel
2. Kilshane House - though they'll fleece you, so may not be for you
3. Mount Juliet
4. Castle Durrow - on the expensive side
5. Springfort Hall Country House - I actually quite liked that place, great for outdoor reception in the summer
6. Castle Oaks House Hotel - not the best part of the city, but the hotel and grounds are really nice.
7. County Arms Hotel - they're near enough a road, though civil wedding area inside it's lovely.
8. Brooklodge - it's on the expensive side but the food is organic and they have a "chapel-like" building for civil ceremonies.
9. Rathsallagh House - seems popular for those who like country houses (personally wasn't my thing).
10. Killashee House Hotel - the old house is nice and can fit up to 80 or so, but they've two parts in the hotel for weddings, i.e. they've two weddings there sometimes.

Some might be a bit far for you, I just went off the places I saved on the google map.
We ended up getting married in Mount Falcon, really cosy 1800's hunting lodge. It's in County Mayo though.

liliq

I'm getting married in Boyne hill house soon.
It's a private hire venue so not a hotel, and the way it's laid out can be suited to a wide range if numbers of guests.

SmilingLurker

We had a civil ceremony (in Dublin, so not in the area you were looking for, cannot help you there).

Wedding venues for civil ceremonies must be approved - but need not necessarily be hotels:
http://www.groireland.ie/guidelines_for_venues.htm

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/birth_family_relationships/getting_married/civil_marriage_ceremony.html

We got married in a yacht club which had already been registered (could be GAA/rugby/golf...) bought in wine, and used the caters recommended by the venue. It was a brilliant day. It also cost a small fraction of the amount for 93 guests to the meal plus 30+ more to the afters.

Our ceremony/reception/meal/band were all in the same venue, and the local hotels although not getting the business itself were more than delighted to provide rooms and free transport to the venue.

Good luck in finding a suitable location, don't limit where you look to the standard places - most places will be quite flexible if getting the business!

Congratulations as well!

SeanoChuinn

Thanks all. Have another quick question regarding registering for the wedding. I am going to contact my local RGO in County Laois and start the registration process there, but does that limit us to get married in a registered location only in Laois or will they care where the venue is once it is a recognised and approved venue??? Or do we need to register in the county where we decide to have the actual the ceremony???

So basically if we register in Laois will they care if we get married in Mayo for example?!?!

Thanks again for all the responses.

liliq

You can register in a different county-
We registered in Dublin and are getting married in Meath. The registrar with be from Meath

Gatica

The registration office that does your paperwork is separate from the office that will provide you with an officiant. The officiant/solemniser usually comes from the county or near the location where you will actually be getting married. Don't forget that in some cases you'll be expected to cover travel costs.
The registration office on the other hand just gives you the page you'll need to sign on the day of your wedding, you'll need to give them at least 3 months' notice.