2021 Bride/Groom

Has the increase in wedding numbers to 100 been officially announced? Simon Convey has mentioned it in an interview and Leo was on Newstalk speaking about it but has there been any public announcement?

Minister Coveney said the decision was made at Cabinet "in principle" and that Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly will now look at the detail.

Speaking to RTÉ's News at One, he said: "Minister Donnelly will now work to produce clarity around everything from indoor, outdoor, music or not, receptions numbers and so on, so that there's clarity before the 5th, and that will be in a regulation to ensure that it's law.

I would hope that they won't be singing into law restrictions on dancing / music and let it be a loose arrangement.

Sure we had Tony Holohan on last night taking about how the excellent vaccine uptake will allow further restriction lifting.

I would hope that they won't be singing into law restrictions on dancing / music and let it be a loose arrangement.

Sorry, but that made me laugh....obviously i know its a typo and should be signing but under the topic of music, singing in the law would be hilarious 🤣

I wonder how the statement by Catherine Martin today effects the music question. She basically said, sit tight, we are not going to make any decision or give any clarity until the end of August at the earliest, we will figure something out then, probably.

Seems to contradict Donnelly's statement about giving clarity before August 5th - or probably more to the point, lets the cat out of bag on what he is going to say about it - i.e. nothing will change until September at the earliest - we will decide then what we will let you do, probably.

I would honestly disagree. No clarity provides music for some. If legal clarity comes it's music for none.

There was a few people here who were due to get married in June and July, would love to hear how ye got on :)

It seems there be a plan in place by the end of August in relation to the return of live music. Sounds like this would include weddings, but would also go above and beyond that.

I got married last Sunday, we had a brilliant day. No regrets, which I think we might have had with 25 but 50 was a great crowd. Our venue let us have music on Spotify and moved tables back to allow dancing, we had a first dance and there were a few people got up for a dance for different songs. Most people were happier having a drink and a chat given that they hadn't seen each other in so long. Tbh the travel restrictions made the biggest difference to us as all our close friends within Europe/UK made it back.

The night porter at the venue was really sound and sorted us out with a seating area and a few bottles for the residents afterwards. Bar closed around 11.15, they did a decent check around for last orders first and the last non-residents left after 12.

Yes I think that’s normal. I was told an hour per person. I’ve 3 including me so 3 hours, you definitely need the hour for getting dressed and photos.

Thanks guys! I was a little surprised at how long it all takes, but talking to my friends too, it seems normal enough. The ceremony venue is probably only a 30-40 minute drive away realistically if there's no issues with traffic, but I'm just allowing extra time in my head atm for bad traffic etc (Dublin like, so unpredictable!).

The reason I'm asking, is because my parents were giving me a hard time about it. I'm getting ready at my own house and my parents are about a 20minute drive away (my Dad will be driving my Mam). They're not impressed that they have to get up at the crack of down to shower and have my Mam at my house for a 7.30am start. I talked them through the logistics of how long it all takes. But my Mam was saying things like she's perfectly capable of doing her own makeup and that her hair will only take 5 minutes to style because it's short. And can they not start with everyone else and she comes later.

But like ffs... can you not just suck it up for one day and show up at 7.30am!? You'd swear I was asking them to do something horrible. I know it's an early start, but it's my wedding day ffs. You'd think she'd excited to be involved in all the morning prep, not trying to get out of it and/or come later.

Thanks very much HildaOgdenx!

@woodchuck, that's a bit longer than I had but not outlandish, mine recommended 45 mins per person. We started at 8.30 for leaving the house at 1.30 and had loads of time for five of us to be done, and the hairdresser actually fitted in an extra blow-dry at that because of it being a Sunday and hairdressers were closed. Definitely no need for everyone to be there at 7.30 though, sure if your mam is going last she would be waiting around for hours. Mine did two of the bridesmaids first and they swapped between hair and makeup then so it was an hour and a half before the third person was needed for either.