Gotcha Covered

Illustrated Wedding Stationery Inspiration

2011-07-25T11:08:00.000-07:00

I've got stationery on the brain this week! I've been trawling the internet looking at wedding invitation inspiration, and have noticed a huge rise in the trend of illustrated wedding invitations.

Personalized illustrated stationery can create a very unique mood, whether it be cute and fun, vintage inspired, or quirky and romantic.

Handwritten style typography can make your invitations seem really personal and would suit the more informal or intimate wedding.

{Images courtesy of http://ohsobeautifulpaper.com/}

Cute lovebirds illustration!

A quirky Sailor Jerry tattoo inspired invitation

The following illustrated wedding invitations by Eloise Timmis create a cute and personalised feel, yet maintain a note of elegance through their colour schemes and clean design. Beautiful.

{images courtesy of http://www.eloisetimmis.com/}

Orange flowers

2011-07-14T07:41:00.000-07:00

Continuing with our current colour theme of orange weddings, I've spent all morning looking at gorgeous orange floral arrangements. Here are some of my favourite, I'm a big fan of orange wedding bouquets as you will see!!

{image courtesy of http://www.wedding-planning-101.com}

Orange gerbera bouquet

{image courtesy of http://www.flowershopnetwork.com/}

I LOVE the idea of using pumpkins as part of your decor. Look at this fabulous centerpiece, a white pumpkin filled with orange and yellow flowers.

{image courtesy of marthastewartweddings.com/}

Orange contrasts beautifully with light grey. I also love the vintage inspired buckle on the bouquet.

{image courtesy of marthastewartweddings.com/}

{image courtesy of theknot.com/}

{image courtesy of marthastewartweddings.com/}

One for the men.

{image courtesy of marthastewartweddings.com/}

A very simple and elegant bouquet of orange tulips.

{image courtesy of marthastewartweddings.com/}

Some more unique bouquets using unconventional flowers:

{image courtesy of theknot.com}

I hope you found some inspiration from these beautiful orange floral arrangements!

Gotcha Covered xx

Rain, Rain, Go Away....

2011-07-07T01:42:00.000-07:00

Has anybody else been feeling frustrated at the unpredictable weather lately? Getting married in Ireland means rain is always a possibility, but certainly not one that should ruin your wedding day.

A very important item for your big day should be the emergency brolly. Find something unique and incorporate it into your wedding theme, and maybe even your photos!

Image courtesy of labellebride.com

Here are some examples of how umbrellas can really add some character to your day and become a fabulous accessory rather than an annoying neccessity!

Image courtesy of labellebride.com

His and hers options!

Image courtesy of labellebride.com

Here's a few of our favourites here at Gotcha:

-Birdcage print from Lulu Guinness-

-A shabby chic floral pattern from Cath Kidston-

For a more classic styled his-and-hers look

-Edwardian Frou Frou Umbrellas from Powder Blue-

-An elegant pagoda from Brollies Galore-

-Lace Umbrella also from Brollies Galore-

-A funky heart-shaped umbrella from Umbrella Heaven-

There are plenty of online stockists or else try Cath Kidston or Avoca handweavers for some funky or vintage inspired umbrellas!

Hope this helps!!

Gotcha Covered xxx

Orange Colour Palettes

2011-07-06T13:48:00.000-07:00

Some gorgeous Orange wedding colour palettes from The Perfect Palette!

I think the orange and grey is my favourite combination:

Here's another example of how orange looks fantastic teamed with aqua blue:

And finally, orange combined with classic ivory and black for a bright yet sophisticated theme:

Which is your favourite?? Are any of you planning an Orange wedding?

Orange Weddings

2011-06-27T15:46:00.000-07:00

Orange is a warm, stimulating, exuberant colour, known for it's mentally stimulating and sociable qualities. It is also representational of transitions in nature.

It is less intense or aggressive than red, calmed by the cheerfullness of yellow. Orange is often synonymous with autumn, yet brighter oranges are a summer colour.

Here are some ideas of how to incorporate orange into your wedding day!

For an autumnal wedding, you could consider using rich earthy tones with warm shades of orange or burnt orange, which look fabulous with cream and gold.

Bright oranges can be used for a zesty splash of colour, or more subdued shades of pale orange can create a very sophisticated feel.

Orange also looks fantastic with deep purple, or tiffany blue, for a fun colourful wedding.

More posts about orange weddings coming soon!

Real Wedding: Roseann & Daryl

2011-06-10T02:07:00.000-07:00

Roseann & Daryl have been together for nearly 13 years & after that long & two beautiful children they decided it was finally time to tie the knot & become mr & mrs.

Roseann came to us unsure of a wedding venue & we visited a number of venues in the south east until Lyrath Estate in Kilkenny was booked {even though Daryl hadn't had a chance to visit}

We provided all of the wedding stationery, which was custom designed by Roseann to include the lace elements from her wedding dress.

The cake was never a huge priority for Roseann & Daryl but we came up with a simple & classic 3 tier design, again incorporating lace elements.

From the beginning it was decided the room decor should be black & ivory, in-keeping with the black tie wedding, & every detail executed this chic theme, including the personalised M&M's.

The ballroom was carpeted in black & the walls draped to transform a vast modern space into a chic classically styled environment.

An oval table was chosen as the head table & all the tables were named after pubs & clubs in their local town- which went down a treat with the guests.

blue florals

2011-05-30T01:57:00.000-07:00

initially when i thought about blue floral i thought

woah... overpowering

but

upon a google search i came across lots of very very pretty bouquets which fit very well with the vintage, olde worlde style that is so so popular for weddings nowadays

{enjoy}

{courtesy of myweddinginspired.com}

{courtesy of wedding-ideas-guide.com}

{courtesy of wedding-splendour.com}

{ailish}

bride on a tallship?

2011-05-27T07:12:00.000-07:00

this weekend brings the tall ships race to waterford & it got me thinking about inventive ways that brides travel to their weddings...

i wasn't sure if there were many brides that travelled on boats on their wedding day & the answer was a definite yes...

i loved this shot from china

so now im wondering if anyone getting hitched in waterford this weekend will go & get some shots taken with the wonderful tallships ???

{ailish}

blue bridesmaids dresses

2011-05-27T04:42:00.000-07:00

so many brides these days seem to be using their best girls {their bridesmaids} as their lucky something blue.

i trawled the net looking for a small taster of some of the blue dresses available

{enjoy}

{wonderful teal & duck egg mix found at crystalbridals.com}

{navy 50's style dresses found at mozhez.blogspot.com}

{royal blue rustic dresses found at weddinginspiration.info}

Lough Rynn Castle Decor

2011-05-18T08:09:00.000-07:00

i've just noticed this image of our room draping at Lough Rynn Castle & had to share.

the wedding took place last summer & the couple were keen to soften the ballroom with our pipe & drape & fairylights

also congratulations to Lough Rynn on their lovely new site

{ailish}

blue stationery

2011-05-18T03:24:00.000-07:00

we all know stationery is a minefield of choices for weddings

if you're having blue stationery for your we've decided to show you a few of the millions of choices available to you

{enjoy}

{courtesy of paperrepublic.ie}

{courtesy of pearlfectworld.com}{courtesy of manolobrides.com}

i'm finding it very very hard to choose my favourite, i think the third one, but only because i have a penchant for teal

holy moly weddings are so pretty

{ailish}

having a pastel wedding

2011-05-10T08:55:00.000-07:00

for the past few months we've had an astounding number of enquiries for all things pastel...

dusky pink, duck egg blue, sage green, tiffany blue & pale pale yellows are huge at the moment & we've just added two more colours to our rainbow-like warehouse...

{our wonderful tiffany blue satin coming out to play with our ivory lace overlay in the showroom}

{& here is it's friend dusky pink satin}

they look amazing & are very in-keeping with the vintage style & muted tones of todays weddings

tiffany blue

2011-05-09T08:34:00.000-07:00

Nothing says elegance, luxury or style like the classic little aqua jewellery box tied with a ribbon! Tiffany & Co have been setting the standard in jewellery since 1837.

Over the last few years Tiffany's signature aqua blue has become hugely popular for weddings

{plus its one of my favourite colours!}

here are a few shots of Tiffany blue weddings

{ enjoy }

{ courtesy of bronzebudgetbride.com}

i love love love hydrangeas they are simple & lovely

{ courtesy of agrandwedding.wordpress.com }

this cake is simple, ornate & wonderful, a playful take on a classic style

{ courtesy of integrityhills.blogspot.com}

for those of you who thought that Tiffany blue could only be seen with white i challenge you. it looks wonderful with a rusty burnt orange, pinks & also bright red

{ailish}

kilronan castle wedding fair

2011-05-04T06:54:00.000-07:00

a few months ago we were invited to Kilronan Castle in Roscommon to decorate their wedding showcase weekend.

Kilronan is such a versatile venue for a castle wedding & we just love it...

here are some of the photos from that weekend...

{the palm court dressed up for a civil ceremony}

{ & here it is pretty in pink}

{ the magical ballroom entrance}

{ the ballroom dressed in our chloe chair covers with purple uplighting }

{ & finally the piece de resistance our stunning fairylight backdrop }

we will also have some photos up soon of a real wedding at Kilronan with black & white decor.

if you have any questions about wedding decor for Kilronan email ailish@gotchacovered.ie

we set the trend for the queen

2011-04-29T06:28:00.000-07:00

in keeping with our april blog theme of yellow the Queen has chosen to wear a wonderful buttercup ensemble to the wedding of her grandson.

{it took months for us to convince her yellow would be better than any other colour :-p }

so it's official...if its good enough for royalty its certainly good enough for your special day.

here are a few snaps of the monarch in her spring fresh ensemble

{enjoy todays wonderful wedding festivities & the rest of the weekend}

about blue

2011-04-11T09:29:00.000-07:00

blue is deeply embedded in wedding traditions, we all know the rhyme, so here are a few options for your something blue, other suggestions would be greatly appreciated as we got stuck after 3/4!

Blue Bridesmaids Dresses

{courtesy of projectwedding.com}

Blue stationery

{courtesy of honeymilkstationery.com}

Blue Jewels á la Kate Middleton

{courtesy of sapphirerings.net}

or of course the traditional blue garter
{i wont put a pic of this up!}

so why is blue important for weddings?

the color blue represents fidelity, trust & unity...

perfect for a wedding

candlelight

2011-04-11T09:18:00.000-07:00

ok so i may be cheating a little bit by choosing candlelight as our final post for a yellow April but believe me it's important...

many brides come into our showrooms and want a quaint candlelit feeling at their wedding reception, which i beautiful, romantic & perfectly understandable, you only have to look at the image below......

BUT ...... {i know you could feel it coming}

.... candlelight can generally only be noticed when the surroundings are dark, or darkening.

therefore candlelit weddings are not overly effective in summer, the desired effect only being achieved towards the end of what will of course be a fabulous day {irish weather or not!}

what we would recommend is to enhance the candlelight with some uplighting, to create the ambiance of candlelight but without having to have the curtains closed!

see image below as an example of subdued coloured uplighting being used in daytime to enhance atmosphere

{ailish}

yellow stationery, but not of the sticky office kind ...

2011-04-11T09:10:00.000-07:00

yellow stationery, much like yellow bridesmaids dresses can take on a range of different guises.

it can be stylish & on-trend {grey & yellow are HUGE this season} like this stunner from

{onewed.com}

or it can be very refined, quaint & pretty like this beautiful example from

{myladydye.com}

then you have a super modern block colour, but with an art deco twist, reminiscent of a luxury brand of perfume or make up like this wonderful specimen from

{esavethedatecards.com}

{ailish}

yellow bridesmaids ? ? ?

2011-04-11T08:54:00.000-07:00

to continue our yellow month we're talking about bridesmaids dresses, these can be anything from a classic vintage pale yellow

{weddingbee.com}

to the strong contrast of an almost mustard, whatever your style, yellow is a possibility for you!

{wedding-splendor.com}

{ailish}

yellow weddings

2011-04-04T05:55:00.000-07:00

yellow is considered the colour of happiness. it can be associated with honesty, bliss & sincerity.

when someone says yellow i think daffodils which of course are v v spring-y!

subtle yellows can be used at the beginning of the wedding day & moving to deeper tones for the evening

see below some winning images of yellow at weddings

{enjoy}

Real Wedding: Ciara & Paddy at Rathsallagh

2011-03-24T08:37:00.000-07:00

We first met Ciara & Paddy last September & realised quickly that they would be a fun couple to work with in the run up to their big day.

They wanted colour & fun to be the basis for their wedding day & of course there had to be a place for their doggies, who sat quietly at the ceremony & were allowed to wander free after dinner.

Here are just some images of Ciara & Paddy's special day.

{church door decor, these oversized carvings have become huge over the past few years & i am still in love with them}

{pew ends with ceremony booklets, great place to put them}

{custom-made table plan complete with photos of parents weddings-a nice touch i think!}

{this linen was ordered especially to suit Ciara's colour scheme}

{table centerpieces - the first time we've used this modern style at a wedding & it went down a treat with the guests}

{ complete tablescape , tres pretty }

{top table & the wonderful macaroon cake }

{ lounge area }

Cake from Laudree @ Brown Thomas Dublin
http://www.brownthomas.com/luxuryhall/gifts-laduree.html

irish weddings

2011-03-15T10:22:00.000-07:00

I might be a day early but the office is closed tomorrow so i wont get a chance to post...

OK folks first & foremost we would like to wish you a happy St Patrick's day.

as you know this month we're discussing green weddings & of course we decided we would have an extra post dedicated to typically Irish weddings, here are a few images we came across while trawling the net & thought you would enjoy them

{courtesy of photographers.ie}

i really like this shot, relaxed & fun

~

{courtesy of onefabday.com/tanya-wedding}

my favourite of a collection of shots from a wedding in Dublin city centre, i love the use of the typical Dublin icons

~
{courtesy of podgekelly.com}

i came across this image on flickr & thought it was great fun... wedding serenity in the centre of Dublin city

lá fheile padraig

{ailish}

new items arriving soon

2011-02-08T08:51:00.000-08:00

our brides are always looking for something different so we've a few things lined up:

personalized m&m's will be added to our repertoire for 2011

along with chair roses which can be used as favors for your lady guests... they turn themselves into shopping bags, HOW CUTE

if there's anything you would love to include let us know

{ailish}

new additions

2011-02-08T04:33:00.000-08:00

we've decided we're going to go a bit mad & purchase a whole load of new & exciting linens
i'll be showing you them as & when we make decisions but here is a definite newbies to the warehouse

{silver roses}

{vintage ivory}

{ailish}

bridesmaids

2011-02-07T09:00:00.000-08:00

this post showcases two styles of green bridesmaids dresses & a testament to how green doesn't have to be old fashioned

{richardsonwedding.wordpress.c om}

{dressesforbridal.com}

{weddings-place.com}

green linen

2011-02-07T08:38:00.000-08:00

green is alway refreshing & theres nothing more refreshing than sitting down
at a table with green linen
embrace march & go green

{andrewinfryeeventsblog.com}

{theknot.com}

{loricurie.wordpress.com}

{ailish}

green stationery

2011-02-07T08:09:00.001-08:00

adding colour to your stationery is a way to set the ball rolling for using a colour throughout your whole wedding. here are some samples of pretty green stationery

{beautifulpaper.typepad.com}

{wrenpress.com}

{invitesite.com}

Enjoy

{ailish}

green weddings

2011-02-02T09:09:00.000-08:00

so we're really seeing spring at this stage & beginning to notice elements of green returning to our landscape after a long winter

so for march we've decided to choose green to discuss

this week its Eco weddings, or green weddings as we're going to call them!

being green may involve using recycled paper for the stationery, choosing a setting to minimize the travel impacts of your guests or offsetting your carbon footprint for your honeymoon but even these small steps are steps int he right direction.

tell me how you're making your wedding green

bridesmaids

2011-02-02T08:53:00.000-08:00

to continue our red month we're talking bridesmaids & red this week

having your bridesmaids in red works in a number of ways:

1} it suits us brunettes really well

2} it looks great in photos against the more neutral tones of the wedding dress & the majority of wedding flowers

3} men dont panic when they hear red tie/dickie bow as much as they would when they hear pink tie/dickie bow!

4} suits most complexions, including the pale irish one!

enjoy some red bridesmaid elements below:

{cheapbridesmaiddress.net}

{manolobrides.com}

{offbeatbride.com}

{ailish}

greenifying ourselves

2011-01-31T04:26:00.000-08:00

In 2010 & early 2011 we were {as a nation} all concerned

with the economy, so now as we say goodbye to January

we are focusing ourselves on something else, THE ENVIRONMENT

,We hope to minimise the impact of our business on the environment & make our enterp

rise increasingly sustainable.

Obviously as a rental company we are very good at the ‘reuse’ end of things but we felt we weren’t doing as much as we could in the ‘reduce’ & ‘recycle’ departments!

Our main mission to reduce our impact on the environment comes in the form of our new state of the art laundry. Previously we would have outsourced this meaning extra delivery & packaging. Now, following the installation of our new, more energy efficient machinery & the switch to gas rather than electricity we have lighten the load on the planet.

Packaging has been cut almost completely as our linen is now placed & stored in plastic containers rather than bags or boxes.

Regarding reducing the impact of our paperwork on the planet we are all using recycled paper & also using it twice in so much as we can. Recycling bins have been placed under all of our desks & we have dragged the shredder out from the doldrums & begun using it again, allowing us to avoid sending a huge amount of recyclable material to landfill.

We are now looking to our operations staff to come up with more methods of saving time, money, energy & most importantly the planet that we live on so we’ll keep you posted on our new initiatives as they happen.

If you have any ideas on how we can be the brightest of bright green by the end of 2011 I really want to hear them

black wedding decor

2011-01-28T07:24:00.000-08:00

here are some images of the black trends which we think are going to be huge this year

after all black is and always will be the new black

2011-01-07T03:29:00.000-08:00

we will be featured on Ireland AM on TV3 next Thursday as part of their annual wedding week.

we will be dressing their studio up like a wedding reception & also discussing wedding trends for 2011

even if you're not an early riser try to get us on the website

I'll post the video here too

{v excited!}

Competition Time AGAIN

2010-12-30T05:52:00.000-08:00

it may be quite obvious that the Christmas season has driven us a
bit mad & led us to give away oodles of things so here goes....

we are exhibiting at The Wedding journal Show in citywest january 14th,15th & 16th and we've decided that the first five couples to register their wedding with us will receive €250 worth of free wedding decor to start the ball rolling.

the wedding registry allows an alternative for couples who would like cash gifts but don't want to be so brazen.

your guests can call us with your registration number & their gift will be added to your decor account with us, allowing you to decorate to your hearts content using your guests gifts as funding!

easy peesey...

so come find us on stand j10 at the wedding journal show & register your wedding with us, you might just win €250!

HAPPY NEW YEAR

{ailish}

luscious linens

2010-12-16T08:21:00.000-08:00

apologies for the serious lack of recent posts we've fallen behind but i promise this will not be the case from now on, with two posts this week to make it up to you!

Red linen is sumptuous & luxurious, romantic & rich.

Please see below instructions for how red works well at a wedding

{courtesy of designsbyhemingway.com}

{courtesy of ashleysbrideguide.com}

{courtesy of weddingsonthefrenchriviera.com}

{ailish}

2010-12-16T08:08:00.000-08:00

its the day after valentines day & a dozen red roses are required for every woman in the country {sorry guys but the bunches of flowers are for us!}

here are some wonderful red wedding florals for you to peruse

ps. congratulations to all of you tying the knot on val's day {you big softies!}

{courtesy of bridalcookie.com}

{courtesy of weddingringsreview.net}

{courtesy of projectwedding.com}

{ailish}

roaring red weddings

2010-12-16T07:49:00.000-08:00

red is the central theme of weddings in the Chinese traditions. it signifies love,joy & prosperity.

in the western world red can be described as the colour of love... & it being February love is the name of the game.

although its quite a contrast to white/ivory red+weddings=stunning

here are some little elements for a splash of colour

{courtesy of berndesweddingsblog.com}

{courtesy of weddingcakesite.net}

{courtesy of cadillacs4u.com}

{ailish}

wedding cars

2010-12-16T07:37:00.000-08:00

black wedding cars exude style, elegance & timelessness.

Vintage cars make a huge statement for your wedding

as henry ford once said 'Any colour- so long as it's black!'

{courtesy of tripler.com.au}

{courtesy of weddingcars.org.au}

{courtesy of vintagewedding-cars.co.uk}

{ailish}

black table linen

2010-12-16T07:01:00.000-08:00

here are some more wonderful images i fell across to include black in the wedding linen

{courtesy of paperchick.blogspot.com}

{courtesy of weddingbydesign.blogspot.com}

{courtesy of bride.ca}

{ailish}

ok down to the serious business2

2010-12-16T06:46:00.000-08:00

for centuries black has been associated with male wedding attire & 'the black suit' has become synonymous with grooms-wear.

a brightly coloured shirt or tie will contrast well with the strong coloured jacket &/or trousers

serving suggestions below

{courtesy of harbourdirect.com}

{courtesy of projectwedding.com}

{courtesy of lifestylesfashion.com}

{ailish}

a new beginning...

2010-12-16T06:32:00.000-08:00

not to start the year off on a dark note but we've chosen black as the colour for our January posts.
black has always been a prominent wedding colour.

black indicates formal & sophisticated. it is a colour that never goes out of fashion. black is a great choice for weddings as it stands out wonderfully in photographs.

an indicator of just how popular black is at the moment is the black wedding dress, a matter of controversy in the wedding business.

is black really the new black when it comes to weddings?

{image courtesy of bridetide.blogspot.com}

wedding information evenings

2010-12-15T06:47:00.000-08:00

hello ladies {& lads}

As you know The Bridal Bar provides a full planning & concierge service. To improve our service & widen our expertise in wedding industry we have teamed up with a number of other suppliers to provide you with free monthly information evenings. These evenings will be held at our showroom, The Bridal Bar & we’ve decided to offer a few nibbles & a glass of bubbly. We will have evenings based around numerous topics e.g. wedding rings, wedding dresses, hair,beauty,makeup,flowers & anything else we consider weddingy

If you would like to register or receive more information about our supplier information evenings please email concierge@thebridalbar.ie

{Remember places are limited so sign up fast}

{ailish}

2010-12-01T06:35:00.000-08:00

we're normally not the number crunching type but after hearing some CSO stats we decided we'd give you the info on weddigns in Ireland in 2010.

surprisingly weddings are one of the few things that dont suffer from the wrath of an economic downturn.

in fact there were 3381 weddings in the first 3months of 2010, thats 56% higher than the same months of 2001, when everybody was still spending money like it was going out of fashion.

end of random wedding facts

{ailish}

Mount Wolseley

2010-11-30T06:17:00.000-08:00

Recently we decorated a wedding at Mount Wolseley in Tullow. Here are a small selection of images from the day!

Completely new kind of Fairylight Backdrop

Wonderful Cake & Cake table

Floral arrangement at Backdrop

Also check out our video on youtube http://bit.ly/gfYc8h

floral designs

2010-11-02T06:06:00.000-07:00

ok i am the first to hold my hands up & say i have no idea about flowers, in fact the

florist we use laughs at my descriptions {no really!}

classic table designs include domes of flowers in simple colours housed within oversized silverware such as candelabras

country style flowers consist of different shapes & sizes in more rustic containers

colourful flowers consist of lower clusters in hot colours

modern brings to mind tall vases & black tableware to add drama

romantic evokes english tea party,enchanting wild garden roses & candelabras

so basically this is a guide & this is all i know {explaining why we call in the experts} but i hope it helps those like me

{ailish}

kids at weddings

2010-10-29T09:12:00.001-07:00

there are any number of things to keep kids entertained at weddings:

colouring books & crayons {please for your own sake don't get markers, they will be ALL OVER everything}

bubbles bubbles bubbles, they keep both the young & the old entertained

kids backpacks filled with goodies & toys & some puzzles {kids always love anything that looks like a present or a party bag!}

sweet tables {although bad for the teeth they are good for the sanity of all other guests, grumpy kids + weddings = no fun!}

exotic weddings

2010-10-29T08:20:00.001-07:00

its winter in Ireland so i thought I'd give everyone a day dream today as we speak exotic

exotic weddings have become really popular in the past few years

beach weddings are most popular for Irish couples as they try to escape the uncertain weather.

this seems like a lovely option for a small intimate wedding & means you get a holiday into the bargain {yay}

fanciful wedding styling

2010-10-29T07:08:00.001-07:00

this type of wedding is adventurous, fun & quirky.

bright bold colours & mismatched suits are the signature of this look.

props & themes are the key eg. a cinematic themed wedding might have mini popcorn cupcakes instead of a cake & waiters dressed as cinema-ushers.

this is one way of ensuring something different for your guests

countryside wedding styling

2010-10-29T06:03:00.001-07:00

countryside weddings are serene, carefree, relaxed & rustic

nature provides endless inspiration for this style of wedding,

for this style of wedding selecting the site gives indication of what sort of decor needs to be included, a winery might allow you to use wine bottles to hold table names

play around, this is a fun one

contempoary wedding styling

2010-10-29T05:02:00.001-07:00

contemporary is all about simplicity & sophistication... clean lines, modern colours & definitely all about being chic.

elements which could be considered contemporary are:

1} bright, bold colours mixed together, such as apple green & chocolate brown

2} stationery could feature emblems or motifs rather than lace & ribbons

3} dramatic flowers such as cala lilies with their clean lines & dramatic long stalks fit well within the modern theme.

4} plan on an unusual shaped cake rather than the traditional round or square

festive wedding

2010-10-29T04:10:00.001-07:00

December has really arrived with a bang & most weddings will have some kind of festive air to them, ways to portray this are:

1}your colour palette can take inspiration from the rich reds & burgundy which emanate Christmas cheer

2} the key is to create a synergy between your wedding & the festive season

3}a Christmas wedding doesn't have to be burgundy it can evoke memories of snow also, silver & grey tones & shimmer can be used in your table dressing & centerpieces

4} stationery can be playful & shimmery to suit the winter theme

most of ll if you're having a winter wedding remember that even if the whole of Ireland is covered in snow,or some of your guests are unable to attend, it will still be the day that you will marry the man of your dreams!

have fun with it, it's christmas

{ailish}

classic styling

2010-10-29T03:49:00.001-07:00

ok so we're all kind of over the snow now & are hoping it doesn't return before christmas, so we resume normal transmission to discuss classic

what defines a classic style wedding?

classic is traditional,timeless,elegant & tasteful. there are many ways of capturing this for your wedding.

1}a traditional location for your ceremony such as a large church or a cathedral

2}exquisite paper with custom calligraphy for your stationery

3} beautiful table decorations such as silver, crystal & elegant linens including elements of candlelight & large floral arrangements

4} a three tiered round wedding cake with white / ivory icing

5} a white wedding dress in a classic line, full skirt in lace or satin

6} classic doesn't have to mean colorless, red & black can be classic if done correctly

remember this style looks expensive but doesn't have to cost a fortune

vows & ceremony talk

2010-10-29T01:50:00.001-07:00

where does the music fit in?

anywhere you can fit it in.. a few nice tunes before you arrive are always nice & add to the sense of the occasion of the day. obviously you need to have some sort of music as you're walking up the aisle ... another key moment is to have a song play straight after you kiss,meaning you can have a minute or two to chat!the end of the ceremony allows for another piece of music which will move you forever.

do i need to make a wedding programme?

not necessarily but its nice as a keepsake for guest & allows them to follow the ceremonies proceedings, stopping them from losing interest

in what order should we walk up/down the aisle ?

its your day your way! speak to the priest/ registrar about the usual order. the traditional order is:

grandparents; mother of the groom; mother of the bride;groomsmen;bridesmaids;maid of honour; flower girl; bride & her escort.

how do i handle our families when comes to different cultural & religious differences?

as soon as you & hubby to be agree on your type of ceremony tell both sets parents what you're planning to do, listen to concerns & try to come to a compromise. if you're having an interfaith wedding try to bring elements from both beliefs.

when do i need to get a marriage licence?

in ireland you need to apply 12 weeks in advance, you must speak to your priest/registrars office beforehand.you must apply together as a couple.

how can we recognise absent loved ones in our ceeremony?

there are a number of different ways & its often lovely to do this is your ceremony. you could light candles, display a photo, recite a poem or say a prayer for them.

where should guests sit for the ceremony, does there have to be a bride & grooms side?

its not 100% necessary to separate the guests but often immediate family & close relatives will prefer to have reserved pews towards the front.

how long should the ceremony last?

theres no magic number, church ceremonies are generally an hour long & civil ceremonies may be shorter, talk to the priest or registrar about the length. its important not to have it too long as guests may get restless.

what should we cover in the rehearsals?

go over the order of your procession & who stands where. make sure the priest/ registrar know what parts to give you clues, nervous brideys & groomies can forget but more often than not dont!

is it possible to prepare for disasters?

chances are nothing will go wrong as long as you have chosen the right people. kids are almost always the most awkward thing to control however it is important to always have a contingency plan

cake {again}

2010-10-28T07:37:00.001-07:00

what are the icing options?

butter-cream {although it doesn't last very well in high temperatures}

Fondant - this is the most traditional & gives a clean line

should we serve our cake?

that all depends on how much your guests have had to eat, most venues will serve the cake with the evening food but it might be worthwhile to ask the catering staff not to cut the entire cake as its often a waste!

cake cutting-do we have to do the ceremony part?

a ceremonial slicing of the cake is a lovely idea & makes for a great photo op... why not ???

cake toppers?

traditional bride & groom statues are not so popular anymore. monograms, cartoons, funny bride & groom statues & flowers are the most popular items {fresh flowers are my absolute favorite}

saving a slice?

if you have any cake left its tradition to keep the first slice for the 1st anniversary. ask your baker about this as many different fillings store differently.

what fillings can i get?

well there are a huge number of fillings available but our most popular are:

carrot cake; chocolate biscuit cake; chocolate fudge cake; lemon sponge; raspberry sponge & last but by no means least fruit cake

but remember cake doesn't have to be cake at all it could be

... cupcakes, mini cakes, truffles, fruit pies, a very healthy fruit salad or for the dessert fiend among us a tasty profiterole tower

food & drink

2010-10-28T04:53:00.001-07:00

ok so maybe we dont remember most of the meals we have at weddings but we'll certainly remember if we go hungry....or thirsty

open bar????
depending on the venue open bars may turn out to cost the sun moon & stars but don't panic there are a few options available to you ...

an open toast means your guests will have a drinks order taken at their table & they can toast you with a drink of their choice.. this is a great idea as it means your guests wont be crowded at the bar when you enter then room

you could also offer signature cocktail which could be waiting for your guests at their table when they take their seats for dinner...

how much food????

generally catering staff can recommend best & will always overestimate so don't panic about shortages, in fact there is always loads of food at weddings. evening nibbles should be underestimated as they are often wasted.

starters & choices???

its OK only to have one starter as long as its not going to go uneaten by the majority of your guests.

is a menu tasting necessary?

definitely... not only will you get to sample all the delicious treats available but it will calm your nerves about the quality of the food offered

i'm worried that me & hubby wont eat on the day & we'll be grumpy & tired....

you must eat it is 100% necessary, if you're having photos taken during the drinks reception ask the hotel to bring you a platter of nibbles. when you enter the reception hall ask the master of ceremonies to usher you to your table, this will ensure you're not sidetracked by guests en route

{ailish}

cake cake cake {yummy}

2010-10-28T03:46:00.000-07:00

brides often ask us what sort of cake should they have as there are so many options

our reply is always the same...

the design should match the aesthetic of the day. a formal wedding generally needs a multi-tiered cake, this can be either elaborate or simple but must imply ceremony.

white & ivory are the classic colours for icing but pastel shades are making a huge appearance at the moment.

for a less formal wedding you can embrace the unconventional, cupcakes, mini cakes, donuts or pastries towered high on cake stands can be very impressive.

white icing is a timeless look & can be used as a blank canvas for the decoration of your choice,bold colours against white always look stunning.

{ailish}

zillas

2010-10-21T02:52:00.000-07:00

ok ladies we can all be accused of becoming zillas as our special day approaches but don't worry there are certain members of the bridal party who were designed to become your ~~slaves~~ helpers...

the best man is a prime example & must be prepared to

arrange wedding transport
arrange the stag night
carry cash to pay suppliers on the big day
usher people into photos { & make sure he knows your aunty mary from your aunty josie}
make a speech...the speech is one of the most poignant moments of the day & hopefully he won't try to turn it into a standup gig!
dance with the chief bridesmaid for the first dance {& attempt not to break all ten of her toes!}

most importantly it is the best mans duty to keep the rings safe until hey are on your finger...

anyone prepared to take on best man duties should be told of all this so he knows what he's getting himself in for!

{ailish}

{thebridalbar}

seating politics

2010-10-13T08:12:00.000-07:00

planning seating for your wedding can be a tricky business, you will always have to deal with the 'i don't want to sit beside' or 'i'd rather be closer to'

here are a few tips to make it as stress free as possible...

first of all figure out which part of the room you would like to sit in with hubby & then establish what type of table you will be at {oval, round, rectangular?}

next you will need to factor in: kids tables; single guest & work colleagues. the etiquette is generally that you dont need to invite colleagues partners {unless of course you have endless space for guests}

assigned seating is highly recommend but there are a few things you need to remember:

parents of both you & hubby must have VIP tables {they won't be happy at the back of the room}

dont seat your elderly guests near the speakers {you will be adjusting the music all night}

last but not least be prepared to make changes...

hope this helps

{ailish}

{thebridalbar}

irelands first wedding registry

2010-10-01T04:47:00.000-07:00

hi guys

We've launched our new site & now we're launching a first in Ireland, The Bridal Bar Wedding Registry.

So what is this all about???

We all know that most couples nowadays live together before the big day, gone are the days of living with mammy until you put on the white dress & veil, therefore the old age subject of the wedding present rears its ugly head, how many picture frames can one couple fit into their house? how large are their ornament cabinets to house countless numbers of trinkets???

OK we know it's the thought that counts but presents can be a bit odd sometimes & asking for monetary gifts is often considered a bit brash

ta dah we have the perfect solution The Bridal Bar Wedding Registry...here's the plan...

you register your wedding details with us & are given a code, your guests can then call us using the code & make a contribution towards your wedding co-ordination & styling. Thus ruling out embarrassment of sending thank you cards for the receipt of flouncy toilet roll holders!

if you need more info please don't hesitate to ask concierge@thebridalbar.ie

{ailish}

{the bridal bar}

Time saving tip

2010-09-29T07:03:00.000-07:00

well folks

a time saving tip that can be used by all and sundry whilst planning a wedding.

with a huge number of suppliers in so many categories it will save a huge amount of time by:

#1: doing research on the internet {getting feedback from other brides etc}

#2:picking your favourite suppliers 

 #3:setting up meetings with only three suppliers in each wedding category {planners,entertainment, photographers etc}

this will avoid information overload & many days of stress

speak soon 

{ailish}

{the bridal bar}

Accesories

2010-09-01T05:12:00.000-07:00

our new accessories have arrived & are taking pride of place in The Bridal Bar

so I decided to take a little time out of my hectic week to show you what treats we have in store for you now.

enjoy the pics below

{ailish}

{gotcha}


CHIFFON ROSE ON BLACK CHLOE CHAIR COVER & BLACK LACE OVERLAY	CLOTH

LIMEWASH CHIAVARI CHAIR WITH CHIFFON ROSE


DIAMANTE TRIM ON BLACK CHLOE CHAIR COVER WITH BLACK LACE OVERLAY CLOTH

candy station

2010-06-16T08:54:00.000-07:00

no no we don't mean Candi Staton 

to all brides hiring items from us & thinking about ordering your cake through us too we have another little incentive for you...

for every cake ordered before January 1st 2011 worth over €450 you will receive a wonderfully dressed candy station for your wedding, this will include a tablecloth to suit your theme or colour {it doesnt have to be pink!}& also a selection of :

marshmallows

wine gums

lovehearts

sherberts

jellybabies

chocolate buttons

{i'm very excited}

{ailish}

{the bridal bar}

bridal bar launch

2010-06-03T04:27:00.000-07:00

we officially launched our bridal bar on 26th may last

here are a few sneaky pics

the cake gallery

2010-05-31T05:27:00.000-07:00

ladies and gents not only do you get access all areas to the bridal bar but we now have the absolute creme de la creme in cake couture . . . . our cake gallery . . .

so that means as well as having our very own pastry chef to make your wedding cakes all our sample cakes have their own bedroom in our fairytale wedding house . . .

yummy ...

wedding glamour

2010-05-31T04:39:00.000-07:00

would you like your wedding to have that extra bit of glamour

our brand new damask cloths featured at the TV Now Awards recently & can be used with any number of other colours

if you would like to see them with your very own eyes in our showroom please do not hesitate to ask

Showroom

2010-03-12T05:10:00.000-08:00

When we decided on The Bridal Bar we realised we would have to create a lovely place for you to visit {so we did!}

Here are images of our new showroom . . .

New arrival

2010-03-03T08:51:00.000-08:00

Hello ladies & gents

I just thought I would post to let you know that are cake has arrived & is sitting happily in our newly renovated showroom.

Welcome . . .

2010-02-26T04:16:00.000-08:00

Hello one & all

Today we are {very} proud to be launching our new blog , The Bridal Bar.

Just to explain a little, we don't do dresses, we're not a haven for brides who need a stiff drink after all the planning but we are most certainly here to ease your planning woes . . .

The Bridal Bar is a full planning & styling service , The Bridal Bar was created with the busy modern-day bride in mind. Our personal touch & passion for our work, with over 20 years of experience in the industry, will ensure that every aspect of your special day is considered.

Each element brings you one step closer to creating a magical ambiance which will make a lasting impression on your guests. our consultation service allows us to interpret your dreams to create the masterpiece that is your wedding day.

Enjoy

Ailish

Vintage wedding

2010-02-16T17:19:00.000-08:00

at the moment vintage is HUGE, its everywhere and it's so so pretty {and in our business pretty makes things fun}

if a bride mentions to us that she is having a vintage theme we have a number of items to recommend :

crystal candelabras
vintage lace overlay cloths for the tables
satin chair bags
glass beaded charger plates

i think its the randomness of vintage which works so well & we've also used gilded table plans; photoframe placenames; duck egg blue ribbon on napkins . . . .

the list is endless . . . .

i'm off to ponder more about pretty

{ ailish }

* gotcha

Crystal Collection

2010-01-21T08:46:00.000-08:00

I've also just been informed that we are adding to our crystal collection with new

Crystal Candelabras

Crystal Candle Holders

For information on crystallizing your special event please contact us

Tip of the century

2009-12-09T05:49:00.000-08:00

having read many many many many blogs over the past few days i've decided that the single most important tip you should take with you on your wedding day is....

take time for each other,whether that be an extra long car journey to your venue or a sneaky half hour in a quiet room . . .

Gotcha

Tip of the week

2009-11-18T02:59:00.000-08:00

Sorry for taking so long with this

Always check with hotel manager or your banqueting manager at your venue about their decor policies. Some venues do not allow certain confetti or anything hung on the walls/ceiling. Your venue decorator should know the policy at your chosen venue.Always ask before you have your heart set on anything.

Advice & comments welcome

Gotcha

New images - recent work

2009-11-05T04:00:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone

It's been a while but we have been really busy, and I have been really busy updating the website.

Please see images below of some of our most recent work.

Finnstown House Backdrop

Finnstown Full Room

Chloe Chair covers in all their

glory at Fitzpartick Castle Hotel.

Hope you enjoyed these, more to follow.

Gotcha

Tip of the week

2009-10-27T08:03:00.000-07:00

Hi ladies & gents

After a relaxing week in the sun I'm back-all guns blazing with the wedding planning tips of the week :

Besides the “wow” factor of seeing the bride walk down the aisle in her gorgeous gown, couples want their guests to do a double-take at the reception as well. That’s why it’s important to really take your wedding theme and ramp it up a notch with top quality wedding table decorations.

Hope this helped

Gotcha

Tip of the week

2009-10-14T05:32:00.000-07:00

Use photo frames as placecard holders at your wedding, these will look beautiful but they can double up as gifts for your guests after the big day.

Why not use something like this:

Hope this helped ease the planning woes

Gotcha

Tip of the week

2009-09-30T04:19:00.000-07:00

Another tip of the week to ease your planning woes:

The main thing at a wedding that should be high quality is the linen, this will convey the image of the wedding to your guests, whether that means a splash of colour, or just a soft / bold texture.
Good quality linen will reduce the need for expensive/elaborate centrepieces or favours-why not ask us today about our speciaility linens for your wedding!

Did this help?

Do you need more information on any aspect of your wedding decor-contact us!

Seating Chart

2009-09-29T14:47:00.000-07:00

During my many hours of trawling through the web I come across some really very simple but sensible wedding/event ideas.

Like this one:
A large seating chart with names arranged alphabetically & the number of the table they are sitting at. Ingenius, saves printing hundreds of tiny place name cards & will save the big crowd around the table plan.

I love it

Magazine Article

2009-09-21T06:33:00.000-07:00

Hello bloggers

Social & Personal Weddings magazine plays host to one of our very own wedding & event designers this season. Diane discusses marquee weddings- the do's & donts !

Why not pick it up & check it out, at all good newsagents now.

New Chair Cover

2009-09-15T04:41:00.000-07:00

We have just taken delivery of our new Chloe Chair Covers & they have been placed in our newly redesigned showroom.

They offer sophisticated elegance to any bride, within any budget.

The beautiful diamante brooch will add the glitter & sparkle that all brides deserve.

Previous Experience

2009-09-15T03:21:00.000-07:00

Good morning bloggers

I have decided to give you a taster of the work that we do & the products that we have available to our brides.

K Club,Straffan,Co Kildare

Radisson Galway

Carton House

Summer Wedding at The Ice House,Ballina,Co.Mayo

Winter at the Wineport Lodge,Westmeath

Our little details

Below are images of the details we use to create your special event.

Crystal Globes, Uplighters & Tealights to create the perfect ambiance.

Using sashes in a different way can add a touch of elegance to any chair

Charger Plates & folded napkins add a touch of class to an otherwise boring place setting.

That's all for now folks, hope you enjoyed it!

Powerscourt House Wedding

2009-09-09T05:04:00.000-07:00

Last weekend Gotchacovered were honoured to be involved in designing & decorating the wonderful Powerscourt House in Enniskerry,Co Wicklow.

Have a look at the images below & let us know what you think.

Reception area

Drinks Reception Area

This is one of our most detailed weddings of 2009 to date & all of our team are very proud to have been involved.

There are many many more pictures from this wedding but we have decided to keep some to ourselves.

Best wishes to the wonderful new bride & groom.

Gotchacovered

www.gotchacovered.ie

events@gotchacovered.ie

http://twitter.com/got_chacovered

External links:

http://www.powerscourt.ie/gardens/