Planning an Irish Castle Wedding
Interview by Grace Sydney

The magical beauty of Ireland draws many couples is search of a special destination wedding. While the island is filled with unique wedding venues, one of the most special locations for an Irish wedding is a castle. We recently talked with Anne Lanier, founder of Anne Lanier Weddings - Ireland Weddings for her tips on planning the romantic castle wedding of your dreams on the Emerald Isle.

How would you explain the romantic ambiance that a castle setting provides on a couple's wedding day, as opposed to other venues?
 
A private castle setting is probably the most romantic location a couple could choose for their wedding.  As guests decend the long drive and entrance to the private castle they will be immediately transformed into a an ancient time.  The castle sets the scene for the ultimate castle experience because the location is a real working castle without parking lots, a front desk, tourists in shorts and the hustle and bustle of a busy hotel. 

What differences can be expected from a wedding held at a privately-owned castle as opposed to a luxury castle hotel?
 
The major differences between a private castle and a luxury castle hotel are privacy, cost and service.  A private castle gives a couple and their guests the most private and authentic castle wedding experience.  The couple and their guests would have the run of the castle and the castle grounds whereas at a luxury castle hotel, the couple would only be allowed in public rooms, individual guest rooms and areas of the grounds open to the public.  Often luxury hotels prohibit wedding attire inside or on the grounds unless the couple has taken exclusive use of the hotel for their wedding day.
 
A luxury castle hotel would require that a couple to take exclusive use (rent every room in the hotel) if they wish to have a private wedding.  In Ireland, a standard hotel room in a luxury castle hotel can start at $500 a room, making a single nights fee as much as $50,000 for the hotel rooms only.  A typical private castle would start at $5,000 a night.  However a hotel's fees include much more than the location itself. 
 
In a luxury castle hotel your typical room rate would also include breakfast, maid service, turn down service, concierge, etc.  In a private castle you would have to pay additional fees for a chef, servers, maid service and a personal concierge.  These fees can cost as much as $2,500 a day depending on the size of the staff.

Additionally you would need to hire a catering firm with a larger serving staff and an on site coordinator for the day of your wedding. 

How can brides create an historic atmosphere through decorations, music, and the ceremony itself?
 
When taking a private castle, my first advice to a bride is to allow the location to be the atmosphere.  Rarely does a private castle need to be decorated and simplicity is the key.  Large flower arrangements should be kept to the main entrance hall and large mantles in formal rooms.  Doing large arrangements throughout takes away from the authentic atmosphere and makes the location look "over done."  Instead allow music to decorate.  There is no better way to create an atmosphere than to hire excellent musicians.  I would recommend the following:

• For guests arrival to the castle have a harpist playing in the main formal living room of the castle.
  
• For the morning of the wedding have a piper playing Irish bag pipes at the entrance to the castle.
  
• For the ceremony I recommend a string quartet.
  
• For the sherry hour (Champagne hour) I recommend an traditional Irish trio (fiddle, flute and accordian).
  
• For the reception I recommend a full six-piece traditional Irish "Ceili" band followed by a DJ in a separate room.
  

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photos courtesy Anne Lanier Weddings

Related Pages:

• "Getting Married in Ireland" by Anne Lanier
• Ireland's Marriage Regulations
• "The Traditional Irish Wedding" by Bridget Haggerty
• Honeymoons & Romantic Getaways in Ireland