Country House venue cost

hometruths

We're in the early stages of planning, and trying to get head round budgets and costs!

Looking for a ballpark figure for a weekend's exclusive use of a private country house, as we're not keen on hotels or anything too corporate. Have been googling and reading the forums and I can only find prices per had as packages.

Looking for somewhere close to Dublin - 45 mins max - spacious enough to hold a drinks reception in house, or maybe dinner depending on size of party, but with option of having marquee in the garden if we decide on bigger party. We'd need maybe 5 bedrooms.

We are keen to provide our own caterers and drink, so really just looking for a house to use that will allow us a fair bit of control in the organisational details.

At this stage mainly looking for an idea of what this might cost, as we might have to rule it out if it is prohibitive. Though obviously would welcome any suggestions as to venues as well, though before we contact specific venues would like to have some idea of what we're talking about!

Any help much appreciated, thanks!

Pistachios & cream

I was at a wedding in Ballybeg house in Wicklow. Its a fabulous location. A quick look attheri website says its 8,500 for full weekend rental that includes Valet car parking on your wedding day, tables, chairs, crockery, cutlery etc, All heating and linen expenses, Audio system for wedding speeches, Night security, Chauffeuring to Grouse Lodge (usually in the early hours!) and a marquee. It does not include: Catering, Band, DJ hire, Flowers or Wedding Co-ordination.

http://www.ballybeg.ie/ballybeg-wedding-costs.html

berrecka

I have been looking into something similar in the west. I have found prices vary greatly - from 4k to 16k for the exclusive weekend access. Also, I have found in the west that many of them only hold smaller parties than I will be having. Find the places you like the look of and ask them for quotes.
Sometimes you will have to take out your own insurance for places like that. And if you want to fully cater it yourself, you may have to price supplying tables, chairs, table linen, crockery, cutlery etc and not just the food/booze so keep those costs in mind also.

Moonbeam

Have a look at Ballycumber house in Offaly.

clint_silver

you may be narrowing your options if you want to bring in your own caterers but try luttrelstown castle or ballymagarvey.

kkcatlou

We're going with private country house rental too. Like you, we weren't keen on corporate hotels, and when we costed it up, including caterers and all that, it doesn't come out at a whole lot more than an upmarket hotel.

We costed three places, all 90 mins from Dublin (so a bit far for you), and price of venue rental varied from €4,000 to €7,000 for 2 nights. At the end, they all more or less evened out when you considered things like corkage, second day charges, bar costs, caterers, etc.

I'd agree with Clint_Silver in that you may be narrowing your options if you want to go with their own caterers.

If you're interested, I can PM you exact details of the places we viewed and their detailed costs, but as I said they are all 90 mins from Dublin, so may be too far.

sweetie

Have a look at Trudder Lodge, sister venue to Ballybeg but closer to Dublin.

hometruths

thank you very much guys thats all very helpful. kkcatlou I'll pm you thanks!