8 Styles of Wedding (Part II)

(Continued from Part I. If you haven’ read it, check it out here)

5. The Destination Wedding

What’s the vibe?
An exotic, sun-kissed bash that’s a physical and mental departure from the monotony of everyday life – essentially, it’s like going on holiday with all of your favourite people! If you live in Ireland or the UK, you’ll want to combine glorious weather with convenience for friends and family, so popular choices are Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece and Malta, but of course, you could pop off to Hawaii or South Africa if you’re so inclined!

Who does this wedding suit?
Seasoned travellers who are happiest when they’re exploring a new place, or time-poor folk who want to combine their wedding and honeymoon! It doesn’t matter whether you want someone else to do the bulk of the organising for you, or you’d like to be really hands-on – there are options for both, although the latter is a challenge if you don’t speak the language of your destination.

OK, this is the wedding style for me! What should I do to get started?
Brainstorm destinations with your other half, (our handy wedding abroad guides may help!) making sure to check out our list of recommended destination wedding planners, and peruse the below beauties for inspiration!

6. The Festival-Style Wedding
What’s the vibe?
A colourful and jam-packed day that has more in common with a boutique music festival than the kind of wedding your parents had! Your venue is a renovated barn in the countryside, or perhaps your very own festival yurt, and some of your guests might even be glamping, giving the whole day a back-to-nature feel (a cast of offbeat animals to appear in the photos is a bonus!).

Who does this wedding suit?
Arty couples who are brimming with ideas and want something super laid-back and effortlessly cool. They may have their heart set on an ’80s theme or want to incorporate references to their favourite movie, but really, the number one priority is giving their guests an epic day out! And like Country House couples, they should have a decent budget.

OK, this is the wedding style for me! What should I do to get started?
Begin with the all-important venue search! We’ve highlighted some great barn-style venues in this post.

7. The Marquee Wedding
What’s the vibe?
A hugely personal wedding day in a once-in-a lifetime location, be it your parents’ back garden, a secluded beach or some other, equally ambitious setting. This wedding may have a similar look and feel to a country house or black tie wedding but something about the location – a ceremony under the tree you climbed as a child, a killer view of the Atlantic ocean, etc. – gives it a completely unique edge.

Who does this wedding style suit?
A highly organised couple who’s willing to build a wedding from scratch. This means organising everything from the tableware to the toilet facilities, and hiring a planner to take over on the day so you actually have time to get married! It’s a huge undertaking, and contrary to popular belief, usually more expensive than a castle, country house or hotel wedding, so it’s not for those looking to cut costs.

OK, this is the wedding style for me! What should I do to get started?
Read our handy post detailing all of the essentials for a marquee wedding. This will leave you with a hefty to-do list, so make sure you rope in some willing helpers from day one.

8. The Hotel-Package Wedding
What’s the vibe?
A hotel-package wedding requires minimum faff on your part, and is more about celebrating with your family and friends than yielding cool photographs! This is the type of wedding that was most common in Ireland ten years ago, and although it’s not always the most unique, there are some beautiful hotels in Ireland to choose from, and this kind of wedding does have one big advantage (see below!).

Who does this wedding suit?
The beauty of this wedding is that it doesn’t require oodles of labour or creativity – you simply book a church or registry office for the ceremony and a hotel with an all-inclusive package for the reception, and you’re 75% done! It’s great for busy couples or someone planning a wedding from abroad, and if you’re the kind of person who doesn’t give a toss about cake styles or wouldn’t know what to do with a wedding piñata, it just makes sense to go back to basics. It’s also cheaper than the DIY approach!

OK, this is the wedding style for me! What should I do to get started?
Contact a couple of hotels in your chosen area and ask about their packages. Just because you’re not going to sweat over the small details doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t shop around! Hotels can differ vastly in their offering, so decide if it’s the location, the food, the event space, or the value for money that’s your biggest priority and go from there. Check out our recommended venues for ideas.