Intimate, stylish, special and beautiful – here is how to plan a small city wedding or a “minimony” – with advice from wedding planning expert Tara Fay. And discover some of the best city wedding venues in Dublin …
“An intimate wedding usually comprises between 50 and 75 guests. A small wedding would have fewer than 50 guests and a micro wedding (or ‘minimony’) has 15 people or less,” explains event planner Tara Fay. “Planning a small wedding is a different process to planning a larger one. It’s not about replicating a bigger event on a smaller scale. Often couples don’t want to be the centre of attention preferring to spend quality time with their guests during a dinner party-style reception.”
Some of Fay’s favourite city wedding venues in Dublin include the private dining room at Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud, the Museum of Literature and the Georgian salons at The Merrion. “All venues at The Merrion are beautiful: I created a wedding for 26 around a central table using 160 candles and it was stunning.”
A “minimony” at the Museum Of Literature Ireland; www.moli.ie.
Tara advises couples who want to plan their own weddings in favourite restaurants, galleries or museums to consider the following: “What experience do you want your guests to have? What is your budget? How many guests can a venue accommodate? Is it geared up for banquet-style service? You should also ask how late the venue will remain open, what table sizes and settings will be provided, if other guests will be in the venue at the same time and if candles are permitted.”
As for themes, Tara says using unusual flowers in a Dutch Masters style (ie imperfect) in muted tones are trending.“I also see more brides opting for key fashion pieces that can be worn again – a Dior Bar jacket for instance – while grooms are making use of stylists.” Tara will be sharing further information and guidance on planning small weddings at THE GLOSS Wedding Salon on March 23, at The Merrion. See here for details.
VENUES
Five fabulous venues for Dublin city weddings:
French and fabulous: Bresson Restaurant, Monkstown, Co Dublin, offers a private dining room for up to 50 guests; www.bresson.ie.
For an elegant affair: The Georgian salons at The Merrion are simply exquisite. Bespoke weddings can be arranged for under 50 guests; www.merrionhotel.com.
For a swish penthouse feel: The Trinity Suite at The Westbury, Dublin 2, can accommodate 20 guests; www.thedoylecollection.com.
For history buffs: The Constitution Suite, at The Shelbourne, Dublin 2, suits an elegant occasion for up to 22 people; www.theshelbourne.com.
For foodies and restaurant lovers: Marco Pierre White Courtyard Bar & Grill Donnybrook, Dublin will host you all day in their restaurant, or for a more intimate session in their courtyard or library room. www.marcopierrewhite.ie.
For more of the best city wedding venues in Dublin, follow this link.
JOIN US for The Gloss Wedding Salon at The Merrion on Saturday, March 23. THE GLOSS and wedding planner extraordinaire Tara Fay will host an exclusive lunch at The Garden Room at The Merrion to celebrate with brides, sisters and friends, bridesmaids, mothers and mothers of the bride. Click here for more information and to book your table.
Instagram inspiration for Dublin city weddings:
Art director and photographer Anouska Proetta Brandon flew the flag for Ireland wearing a Rixo 1930s-style silk empire-waist gown and a Sinead Keary The Label blazer.
Anouska Proetta Brandon and Eoin Stynes captured the magic of their wedding day on cinema-quality Super 8 film.
Robyn Flanagan (daughter of Louise Flanagan of Emporium Kalu is Naas, Co Kildare) married Munster rugby outhalf Joey Carbery at Dublin City Hall in a tiered tulle dress from Emporium Kalu with Dior pearl earrings and slingback kitten heels.
Mother-of-the bride Louise Flanagan and Kate O’Dwyer, co-owners of Emporium Kalu.
Havana boutique’s manager Suzanne O’Brien’s fashion-forward nuptials with boutique owner Nikki Creedon by her side.
Celebrity Muse
When Michelle Dockery married Jasper Waller-Bridge, brother of Fleabag creator Phoebe, they kept things low-key though stylish. Guests had a pre-wedding drink at a local pub before a church service and a reception held at an art gallery in Richmond, London.