The annual Wedding Salon at The Merrion, hosted by The Gloss and presented by top wedding planner Tara Fay, celebrated its 10^th anniversary on Saturday March 7^th.  The day began as it would on a real wedding day, with delicious coffee, rose-scented candles burning (from Rathbornes of course) and flowers everywhere (Appassionata, who else) and hair and make-up. The elegant surroundings of The Merrion were the perfect backdrop. A masterclass from the Brown Sugar dream team – stylist Christian Shannon and make-up director Dearbhla Keenan – involved the creation of three fabulous bridal hair and make-up looks.  Guests, taken through a step-by-step process from skin prep to fake lashes on models Yomiko, Kelly and Audrey, gained many tips and insights: lots of questions were asked on every topic from false tan and longlasting lip colour to back combing and the fitting of veils onto fine hair.

Next up were sessions on bridal dressing. Orla Lee from Sharon Hoey explained the process of selecting and fitting your wedding dress, illustrating the options with exquisite dresses from Suzanne Neville, Jenny Packham and a scene-stealer from Sharon Hoey, where a feathered capelet and underskirt were shown to quickly detach creating an evening party-ready look in seconds.  Designer Helen Cody joined Tara Fay on the podium to describe the experience of designing a bespoke gown: she showed three stunning dresses, all created in her Dublin studio with her team, each handmade and finished with beading, feathers and vintage lace.  The stuff of heirlooms. The morning session finished with jewellery designer Louise Stokes of Loulerie who demonstrated the power of the perfect piece of jewellery, using great looks from designers Simone Rocha, Cecile Bahnsen and Vampire’s Wife at Havana. Using earrings from Oscar de la Renta, Mignonne Gavigan and her own designs, Louise showed how consulting with a jewellery expert can make all the difference to not just the look but the wearability for years to come. The Loulerie service includes advice on what to wear with your dress (and changing your look form day to evening) and the day after,  to selecting gifts for the groom and bridesmaids to making the right decisions on what to bring on your honeymoon.  

Guests then repaired to The Wellesley Room where tables were dressed with stunning floral centre pieces by Appassionata, placement cards and menus specially designed for the occasion by Appleberry Stationery, and The Merrion’s exquisitely executed table settings.  A delicious lunch, prepared by Executive Chef of The Merrion and his team, preceded a cake tasting hosted by Pastry Chef Paul Kelly who revealed the pro’s and con’s of different cake types, how to serve, when to serve and the benefits of a sharp knife in the hands of someone who can cut expertly! The ensuing panel discussion, moderated by Tara Fay, covered everything from scenting your wedding and creating and recreating memories with candles with Siobhan Kehoe from Rathbornes to achieving the flower-look you want with Ruth Monahan from Appassionata. Ruth McGrath of The Merrion, a recent bride, highlighted the joys of surrounding yourself with people you trust on your wedding day. If we were to do it all again, where else would we choose but The Merrion, and its own dream team of Wedding Planner Laura McGinn and Events Manager Ciara Power. Not to mention all of the above.

Make-up by Brown Sugar

Monica O’Gara, Ruth Leeson and Siobhan Lesson from Belfast

Edel McLoughney and Elaine Comerford

Laura Dillon and Barbara Flynn

Edel Traynor, Louise Cullen and Elaine Traynor 

Joan O’Connell, Kate O’Hara and Jane Pyke

Ruth Griffin and Vivienne Griffin

Helen and Aoife Cooney

Katie Baldwin and Geralyn Costello

Bridal dresses by Sharon Hoey

Jennifer O’Connor, Maeve O’Hara and Sarah Bergin 

Gillian Acton and Leah Monaghan 

Bespoke designs by Helen Cody

Jennifer Fancony and Jilly O’Keeffe 

Tara Fay

Jewellery by Loulerie