How to just have a big, quirky party?

donal666

Hi all - just got engaged and want to tie the knot by the end of the year/early next year. We plan on just having a civil ceremony with our family and a big party afterwards for all our friends.

We'd love to have something a little different and just rent a cool place that we could decorate ourselves, get caterers in etc. Looking at about 150 guests. Problem is that all hotels/country houses seem to have the same packages available - i.e. rigid packages, sit down meals etc but that's not what we're really looking for.

Sorry about the general question but does anyone know of somewhere we could just rent for a day or two as a blank canvas with a view to doing everything ourselves? Has anyone else done something like this? We're based out of Dublin but would be willing to travel for the right place.

Thanks a mil!!

eviltwin

When you are contacting venues are you telling them its for a wedding? Sometimes if you just mention party and leave the wedding bit out it gives you a bit more flexibility.

Addle

http://www.hiddenireland.com/house-parties

kkcatlou

Hi, I totally get you!

Borris House in Carlow allow you the option of either renting the whole house and doing your own thing, or going with their recommended caterers, bar, etc. It is an amazing venue, but it is expensive. Worth it though if you're willing to take on the work and want something really different and memorable that you can put your own stamp on. They also do civil ceremonies. I can give you more detail on prices, what to expect, etc. by PM if you wish?

I've also heard of Moongate nearby, which is cheaper, but might not fit your numbers.

What part of the country are you in?

Have you thought about a marquee wedding? I know they are a lot of work, and expensive but can be so worth it if you want something different!

Milly33

Kinda something like we are going for but in Cork, Blackwater Castle..You more or less rent it for the weekend and do what you want after that.. There should be a few places closer to you for options like this. I am sure Slane Castle do it, and surprisingly isn't as pricey as you would think.. There is a place in Meath http://rockfarmslane.ie/weddings-celebrations-venue-hire/

Check out here to for a good list http://onefabday.com/wedding_venues

This is the one it gets different reviews some bad some good http://alternativeweddings.ie/

Dolbert

Mount Druid sounds perfect for you

berrecka

Hi, would you consider something different altogether - like rent a theatre space, a community or sports hall. There are often lots of fabulous old buildings not in use in city centres, which with a little tlc could be fab. We are getting married in a theatre and then having a party in a sports club in Galway city, for example. The theatre is pretty already and needs very little work. The sports club is not at all pretty, but we will make it nice, and I think itll be great craic because itll feel much more like a party than a formal wedding do.

Sleepy

Be prepared for the budget to rise sharply...

The reason most of us end up having hotel weddings is that anything "quirky" tends to involve higher costs, massive amounts of effort and / or the right connections.

We didn't have the budget or connections to do what we'd have liked but with a good degree of effort you can personalise almost any venue.

homemadecider

Inis Beg or Mount Druid. Maybe Kippure Estate as well.

Be prepared to pay way more than the usual price for a wedding, it costs a hell of a lot more to do things independently of a hotel.

Pistachios & cream

Ballybeg is lovely http://www.ballybeg.ie/ballybeg-wedding-special-rates.html

They have a chapel type space, a shibeen, the house itself and a permanent marquee so you can really do things differently if you wish.

and for off peak weddings the package looks to be good value

Milly33

You would be surprised at how little of a difference there actually is with the different style days.. We went through spreadsheet and spreadsheets of prices for this and prices for that with hotel v's lets say your own diy venue and in one case (and this is on a tight budget) there was €1,000 of a difference... Between the extra costs the hotels charge for it nearly works out the same

Ballybeg looks lovely

berrecka

Yea, its definitely costing us as much to do it independently. We aren't doing it to cut costs though. We were never going to have a church followed by a hotel type wedding. If the couple want a big, quirky party, staying away from hotels, I think, is a good way to start. It takes more work, for sure, but that's half the fun!

donal666

kkcatlou wrote: »

Hi, I totally get you!

Borris House in Carlow allow you the option of either renting the whole house and doing your own thing, or going with their recommended caterers, bar, etc. It is an amazing venue, but it is expensive. Worth it though if you're willing to take on the work and want something really different and memorable that you can put your own stamp on. They also do civil ceremonies. I can give you more detail on prices, what to expect, etc. by PM if you wish?

I've also heard of Moongate nearby, which is cheaper, but might not fit your numbers.

What part of the country are you in?

Have you thought about a marquee wedding? I know they are a lot of work, and expensive but can be so worth it if you want something different!

I'm in Dublin but happy to travel. Love the look of Moongate but it's too small. Borris House looks fab but ballpark how expensive are we talking? Love the idea of a marquee wedding but not sure it'll suit a winter/spring wedding... Thanks for the help!

donal666

Milly33 wrote: »

There is a place in Meath

Thanks! Never heard of Rock Farm Slane and I'm from Meath! Anyone know anything about this place - not a lot on the site but looks interesting?

donal666

Dolbert wrote: »

Mount Druid sounds perfect for you

Cheers! Contacted them but they will only have viewings mid week and seemed very inflexible about this. Have seen a few dodgy reviews too so a bit put off...any experience of the venue yourself?

donal666

berrecka wrote: »

Hi, would you consider something different altogether - like rent a theatre space, a community or sports hall. There are often lots of fabulous old buildings not in use in city centres, which with a little tlc could be fab. We are getting married in a theatre and then having a party in a sports club in Galway city, for example. The theatre is pretty already and needs very little work. The sports club is not at all pretty, but we will make it nice, and I think itll be great craic because itll feel much more like a party than a formal wedding do.

Love the theatre idea!! Sounds cool - best of luck!

mrsbyrne

My daughters school have a almost brand new sports hall which is available to hire every weekend of the year and everyday in the summer holidays. Its popular for 21sts 40ths etc. Its ideal really.

clint_silver

Where do 150 people sleep after a party. Keep it in mind when booking anywhere remote.

Milly33

Yep true for above make sure there is accommodation close by no one wants to travel a fair distance after, and it is nice to have a room close by to freshen up. Also those with kids will want to have somewhere they can settle them

pwurple

Ballinacurra house kinsale sounds liek what you are looking for. Expensive though.

Also, was at a party for 70 people in the penthouse in the clarion cork. Was great spot for a party. I think they charge 250 euro or so for the evening. Great views over the city. And, you can get a boat to the door.

mrsbyrne

pwurple wrote: »

Ballinacurra house kinsale sounds liek what you are looking for. Expensive though.

Also, was at a party for 70 people in the penthouse in the clarion cork. Was great spot for a party. I think they charge 250 euro or so for the evening. Great views over the city. And, you can get a boat to the door.

The OP has a small budget

pwurple

mrsbyrne wrote: »

The OP has a small budget

250 should be ok then?

jlm29

mrsbyrne wrote: »

The OP has a small budget

Don't think this was ever specified actually.

donal666

jlm29 wrote: »

Don't think this was ever specified actually.

Thanks guys - looking at €15-20k net for 150 people so have a decent budget to play with (I think/hope!!).

ThunbergsAreGo

Hi,

Just wondering how you got on with this? looking for something much the same!

Starrgrrl

Hi!
Borris house was around €7k to hire for the weekend I think. Huntington castle was around €4k. Trying to do anything different for large numbers is difficult and expensive unfortunately!

lovelystuff

I'm having similar issues,most of the places I liked are ridiculously expensive to rent. We are down to Mount Druid, Kippure Estate, or Leixlip Manor I think, just have to go see them in the flesh. Kippure is way cheaper than Mount Druid but my fiance is obsessed with Mount Druid so we might be saving up extra! Leixlip seem lovely and very flexible with packages and offer barbeques etc and not too bad price wise!

ruadh

I was obsessed with Mount Druid but they finish at night at 1:30, which put us off straight away. Still trawling the country for something as described by the OP. It's so hard. I'm in Galway and have found there's very little west of the Shannon. So many amazing places in Meath.

lovelystuff

ruadh wrote: »

I was obsessed with Mount Druid but they finish at night at 1:30, which put us off straight away. Still trawling the country for something as described by the OP. It's so hard. I'm in Galway and have found there's very little west of the Shannon. So many amazing places in Meath.

Oh I didn't realise that thanks! It also works out very expensive, as much as somewhere with a lot nicer accommodation for guests but it's really unique...I'll go see it anyway and see if I can make it work....at the min it looks like too much hassle!

ruadh

lovelystuff wrote: »

Oh I didn't realise that thanks! It also works out very expensive, as much as somewhere with a lot nicer accommodation for guests but it's really unique...I'll go see it anyway and see if I can make it work....at the min it looks like too much hassle!

Ya, the reception area and tin chapel are great. I loved the yurts and varying accommodation but we didn't have the numbers to justify taking all the accommodation, we would have been paying for emply rooms. It's very expensive for the rental of the space before even looking at the food and drink. No wine is included in the menus. They also don't allow outside caterers.

ruadh

lovelystuff wrote: »

Oh I didn't realise that thanks! It also works out very expensive, as much as somewhere with a lot nicer accommodation for guests but it's really unique...I'll go see it anyway and see if I can make it work....at the min it looks like too much hassle!

Ya, the reception area and tin chapel are great. I loved the yurts and varying accommodation but we didn't have the numbers to justify taking all the accommodation, we would have been paying for empty rooms. It's very expensive for the rental of the space before even looking at the food and drink. No wine is included in the menus. They also don't allow outside caterers.

ruadh

I'm loving the sound of Ballybeg.

As I often reply to these threads hire a hostel you can hire a whole hostel for a wedding and get caterers in.

lovelystuff

I hadn't copped on that wine wasn't included, that's another expense they really add up with Druid! I have heard the hostel idea but I can't picture it at all, is there any you would recommend? It sounds like a great idea i wouldn't know where to start with it!

NewCorkLad

Ballintaggart House outside Dingle if you feel like traveling to Kerry looks good no idea of the price though and they seem willing to cater for whatever you want.

lovelystuff

lovelystuff wrote: »

I hadn't copped on that wine wasn't included, that's another expense they really add up with Druid! I have heard the hostel idea but I can't picture it at all, is there any you would recommend? It sounds like a great idea i wouldn't know where to start with it!

Its not going to be fancy they are hostels look up Knocree hostel if you are in the Dublin area.

I think the problem with people looking for an alternative wedding is the they expect it to be both cheap and glamorous and individual at the same time and that just not going to happen you have to compromise on something.

lovelystuff

mariaalice wrote: »

Its not going to be fancy they are hostels look up Knocree hostel if you are in the Dublin area.

I think the problem with people looking for an alternative wedding is the they expect it to be both cheap and glamorous and individual at the same time and that just not going to happen you have to compromise on something.

Thanks for this. Our budget isn't particularly cheap, 15000 for 80 people, I just don't want to be fleeced either! I'm just notsure the price is justified in certain places. Kippure seems to be reasonable unless there are loads of hidden costs i haven't seen yet 😊

donal666

naughtb4 wrote: »

Hi,

Just wondering how you got on with this? looking for something much the same!

Hiya - ended up going with Borris House in Carlow in the end. First place we looked at and pretty much decided there and then but did visit Tankardstown & the Millhouse too. Both were lovely but just thought Borris was that wee bit different. So much for my original budget though!! Less people and more cost in the end...but it'll be worth it!!!

ruadh

So was Borris House more expensive then Tankardstown and The Millhouse? We're going to see The Millhouse at the weekend and Clonabreany.

Dolbert

Moongate near Bagenalstown in Carlow is another to consider.

donal666

ruadh wrote: »

So was Borris House more expensive then Tankardstown and The Millhouse? We're going to see The Millhouse at the weekend and Clonabreany.

Yep - ending up that way at the moment - lot more hidden costs when you've got to do most of the stuff yourself not to mention the hassle but it'll be worth it. Both of those places you're viewing are great - was at Clonabreany for a wedding earlier this year and it's a super venue...particularly like the sibin at the back!!

Starrgrrl

Kippure is great. The reception room is a little bare but with a bit of effort it could be lovely. The setting in the Wicklow hills is gorgeous and coordinator is lovely. Lots of different options. I would have loved to have gone with it but my fiancé just didn't 'get' it. I think it's one of those places, you get it or don't. Worth a look tho!

amdublin

Would you think about using a hotel but go slightly relaxed compared to rigid sit down meal.

E.g Leixlip Manor is fab and relaxed - like a big country house. Or it can be formal for others if that is what they like.
If going fab and relaxed they can do buffet/pig on spit type of food.

Check out the Anglers Rest as well.

Arbiter of Good Taste

No 10 Ormond Quay is fab with a roof terrace overlooking the Quays

lovelystuff

Just an update, I was at Kippure earlier for their wedding open day and I really didn't like it at all! It was very disappointing. The function room was very average and I didn't feel like they Had it done up nicely at all. The vibe wasn't very friendly either, and the outdoor areas, while lovely, were very under utilised in my opinion. Definitely crossed off our list!

shellbean

Trudder lodge in Newcastle in Wicklow might be worth a look

lovelystuff

Has anyone been to the Millhouse in Slane recently for a wedding? We visited the leixlip open day today, and while it was nice, my OH didn't love it. Millhouse looks amazing but any reviews i have found about it mentioned smelly toilets which is a bit horrible...but those reviews are quite old! Any opinions appreciated thanks!