Irish wedding bingo works like this: couples issue their guests with specially-made bingo cards, featuring phrases and clichés from the wonderfully weird world of Irish weddings, and the first person to complete a full line wins a prize. To help you put the game together, we've created a free download of printable bingo cards, plus a handy step-by-step guide. You can even use the cards to make a drinking game (if you don't mind your guests getting extra tipsy during the reception, of course!)

How to Play Irish Wedding Bingo

Step 1: Download the pdf below. It contains 16 Irish wedding bingo cards in total, each with a different combination of Irish wedding phrases and clichés. Print it off as many times as you need for your number of guests.

Step 2. Place one card at each place setting, with pens or counters. This should be done before dinner to provide a talking point for guests who don't know each other.

Step 3: Arrange a couple of prizes for your winners. These can be joke prizes, or even a bottle of champagne or round of drinks for the table.

Step 4: Set the rules of the game. You may decide to give a prize to the first person to complete a vertical line, the first person to complete a horizontal line, or both!

Step 5: Ask the first speech-giver to explain how it's going to work. They should tell guests;

• to keep their eyes and ears peeled for any of the phrases or clichés on their card
• to mark off each one as it happens
• to shout "Bingo!" when they complete a vertical or horizontal line, depending on the rule you've set.

How to Play The Irish Wedding Bingo Drinking Game

To turn Irish wedding bingo into a drinking game, simply complete Steps 1 and 2, and for Step 4, ask the speechgiver to explain the following rule: every time a phrase or cliché from your card appears, drink!

Designing Your Own Irish Wedding Bingo Cards?

You may prefer your stationer to design bespoke Irish Wedding Bingo cards to fit in with your themes and colour palettes for the big day. Or you may have your heart set on a spot of DIY. No problem! We've printed our favourite Irish wedding clichés below for you to use. Just remember to use them in different combinations to make the game more competitive!

• widespread sunburn
• crying dad
• reference to the weather in the speeches
• someone asks the priest for a selfie
• use of the phrase "notions"
• "It's far from Prosecco we were reared!"
• a guest watches the match on their phone
• rain
• everyone is starving
• the best man writes his speech during dinner
• betting on the length of the speeches
• betting on the first dance
• cocktail sausages
• crisp sandwiches
• no-one can keep track of their drinks rounds
• someone bursts into song
• an Irish mammy asks if you've had enough to eat
• impromptu Irish dancing performance
• Maniac 2000
• Galway Girl (Mundy version)
• Galway Girl (Ed Sheeran version)
• Riverdance
• bouquets for the mammies
• someone asks when the resident's bar closes
• someone wraps a tie around their head
• "Weren't they blessed with the weather in the end?"
• two guests who've never met realise they're related
• the people at Table 1 chant "We're number one!"
• shots
• a woman removes her shoes before 7pm
• someone orders the beef "well done"
• "You're next!"
• a winning Irish Eurovision entry

Download Your Free Irish Wedding Speech Bingo Cards!

Please not that this free printable is copyright One Fab Day and is not for commercial use.

Irish Wedding Bingo Printable Download

Looking for a stationer to create gorgeous paper goods for your wedding? You'll find our favourites here!

First things first, let's get better acquainted with our fabulous couple. Mary Grace is originally from Austin, Texas, and Alexander hails from Chicago in Illinois which is where their story began. "We met just after we graduated college. We were together for about a year before the pandemic hit, which meant we essentially started living together from then on and never looked."

Alexander popped the question at the top of the Half Dome in Yosemite National Park after an early morning hike which began at 4am. Alexander was constantly checking his backpack to make sure he didn't drop the ring box on the way up the mountain! "Mary-Grace's sister and her now husband joined us for the hike, as did two of our best friends, Edan and Kelsey, who also ended up officiating our wedding."

As their loved ones live in different places all around the world, they always knew that they would have a destination wedding. "So we thought, might as well make it a vacation for everyone!"

They searched for a breathtaking venue where all their guests could check in for the full weekend. "We had seen at other weddings how busy the bride and groom were on the actual wedding day, and we wanted a chance to spend more quality time with all of our loved ones over the whole weekend. We also wanted to get married somewhere with a ton of natural beauty, as we've spent a lot of time hiking and camping across the US national parks throughout our relationship (on top of getting engaged at one)."

They knew Alpaga was 'the one' instantly for its modern style, beautiful mountain views, plentiful accommodation, and its proximity to Megeve so their guests could explore throughout the weekend. "Even before we visited the first time, the staff at Alpaga were so friendly and welcoming, and really solidified Alpaga as our perfect venue."

Planning and styling was done by Prune Wedding and they loved the venue so much that they wanted to make sure the styling, from the flowers to the decor, all worked together to enhance the already gorgeous space.

Their outdoor ceremony was not only stunningly scenic but immensely moving. "It was absolutely perfect. We had two of our best friends, Edan and Kelsey, officiate the wedding, and had both of our mom's participate as well: Alex's mom did an interfaith reading, and Mary Grace's mom lead the ring warming ceremony, where the rings were passed around to each member of the audience so they could all play a small part in the ceremony. It had just the right blend of emotion and humor, which is a balance we've strived for in our relationship overall over the past seven years."

They felt utterly blessed to be able to soak up every moment with their nearest and dearest during their intimate August fete. "It was a really incredible experience for the whole weekend at Alpaga, where literally every person that we saw was either one of our guests or part of the Alpaga team."

The stationery was by Tecoma Studios and Mary-Grace put in a ton of physical and emotional effort into so many parts of the wedding paper goods and signage which helped make their weekend wedding so unique and Pinterest-worthy. "She hand made each and every save the date, invitation, dinner menu, embroidered brunch napkin, welcome note, ceramic place card, and silk bar sign, as well the seating chart and welcome sign."

"When first researching the property, we saw purple flowers all over the property, which was what initially inspired the color palette, along with the deep greens and browns that matched the overall mountain vibe," they reflect.

Wedding table lamps are trending and it's no wonder why. The charming lighting accents add a cosy, elegant touch to wedding décor, creating intimate ambience on reception tables while combining style and functionality in the most delightful way.

We couldn't be more in love with the blooms by Botanique Bazar that oozed moody drama.

Their cherished people were the beating heart of the summer celebration. "It was great to see all of our friends and family in one place, catching up with old friends and making new ones. It made the whole weekend feel very unique and special, knowing that this was likely the first and only time this whole group would all be together in the same place for such a long time, and that they were there to celebrate with us."

Their fun-filled celebration included a first dance to Lavender Girl by Caamp and a dazzling dress change!

They kept the celebrating going with their group honeymoon immediately after the wedding and they would highly recommend every stop they took. "We went to Nice with about 30 of our friends from the wedding right after the wedding weekend. We called it our buddymoon and it was an awesome first stop to keep the party going after Megeve. We then made a few other stops around Europe, highlighted by a mountain resort stay in the Dolomites. We spent lots of time relaxing in the spa and pool there, and took advantage
of the electric bikes on site to explore the countryside as well, and ended each day with a delicious meal overlooking the mountains."

Congratulations Mary-Grace and Alexander! The biggest thank you to our wonderful couple and to photographers Cleya Asulon and Louise Leavau for sharing this captivating destination wedding with One Fab Day!

Here are five recent weddings on One Fab Day that we loved (as well 13 more from the archives). Prepare to take notes! Here we go...

The Italian Great Escape: Megan and Matthew's Intimate Wedding in Sicily

There is something inherently romantic about the idea of running away to Italy to say "I do". For Megan and Matthew, a couple from New York, that destination wedding dream became a reality when they chose to follow their fantasy of a classic Italian wedding. Deciding on the intimate path of an elopement, they traded a traditional guest list for the sun-drenched coast of Sicily, proving that sometimes the most powerful celebrations are the ones where you can be completely by yourselves. Check out their stunning sunny big day at Castello San Marco in Taormina in these exceptional images by Anna Vlasiuk.

An Irish Getaway: Kelsea and Jesse's Wild Woodland Wedding in Meath

Based in Maryland in the US, Kelsea and Jesse wed in an intimate and heartfelt destination wedding in Ireland. Immersed in the natural beauty of Killyon Manor in Meath, they tied the knot in a wild wood by the ruined chapel where they were joined by just three guests - their daughters and Kelsea's mum. Their wedding day, which was co-ordinated by Eloping in Ireland, was full of spellbinding style, from Kelsea's black dress to her dark and dramatic bouquet. Michelle BG Photography was on hand to capture every detail in all its glory. Enjoy more of this wedding and see more details of all their suppliers here.

On the Road in America: Amanda & Dan's Two-Day Elopement

Inspired by their love of adventure and music, Amanda and Dan had an epic two-day elopement into the heart of the Olympic National Park in the northwest corner of Washington State. Based in New Jersey, their wedding adventure started when they rented a camper van and road-tripped across the country with their baby boy Mason. As avid travelers and nature lovers, they had always dreamed of tying the knot in the mountains and the story for their great adventure comes across beautifully in these stunning images which are by destination elopement photographers Sammnie and Micah of The Chaffins.

Highland Fling: Misty and Brett's Scottish Wedding Inspired by Harry Potter

Misty and Brett's chic real wedding in the Scottish wilds feels so magical. From the medieval castle setting on the Argyll coast, to the local spring flowers and the cosiness of the celebration, which gathered just 15 of the couple’s nearest and dearest to this special part of the world, this wedding blends vintage sophistication with Harry Potter-`inspired enchantment. Scottish law allows couples to marry anywhere - whether on a beach, mountain top, forest or historic site - and this sweet marriage and intimate celebration, with photographs by Amanda Roberts from Thistle & Pine Photography, in the grounds of the Kilmartin Castle feels very magical. You can read further about their wedding story here.

Mountain High: Jessica and Taylor's Elopement in the North Cascades National Park

Jessica and Taylor didn’t want a traditional big wedding and having got engaged hiking in Colorado, they had their hearts set on eloping in the mountain nature wilds, surrounded only by their closest family. Travelling all the way from Tennessee they certainly found all the nature they could at the North Cascades National Park, which is just three hours from Seattle in Washington State. This couple's autumn elopement included a ceremony with amazing views and a beautiful reception at the nearby cosy cabin Freestone Inn. You can feel the love in every moment with their candid, romantic pictures from Hannah of The Foxes Photography.

Still want more inspiration? Read on for 13 Romantic Real Wedding Elopements to Make you Swoon. Thinking of eloping? Find our Dos & Don'ts planning guide here! 

It's so important to look incredible and true to your own personal style on your daughter or son's special day. That's where our Mother of the Bride and Groom Style Diary series comes in. To inspire your outfit choices, we have asked stylish mums of brides and grooms to share how they found the perfect outfit for the big day.

Here, we take a peek at Mary's dazzling style; what she wore, how she wore it and where she sourced it... let's go!

Mother of the Bride Bio

Name: Mary Moore
From: Kilcock, Co. Kildare
Daughter's Wedding Date: 26th September 2025
Daughter's Wedding Venue: Casa Santonja, Dénia, Spain

Mary's daughter Áine tied the knot in a romantic destination wedding with a Mediterranean edge. For the very special occasion, Mary wanted to move away from the traditional mother of the bride style and choose something that felt modern, elegant, and reflective of her own personality.

Mary's style varies depending on the occasion, in her work wardrobe she gravitates towards tailored and structured pieces and she embraces relaxed and casual looks at the weekend. Her wardrobe for her daughter's wedding was a perfect fusion of the both - effortless elegance personified.

"Áine gave me complete freedom to choose something that suited my own style, which made the process much easier and more enjoyable. Comfort was very important, particularly as it was a destination wedding in Spain. I also love the colour blue, so I knew I wanted to incorporate that into my outfit. The fabric needed to be lightweight and breathable while still looking polished and occasion-worthy."

Going MOTB dress shopping with her daughter was such a lovely experience and it was one of her favourite memories from the lead-up to the big day.

She visited just two boutiques and she found her perfect dress at Ellen B in Clontarf, Dublin. Afterwards they celebrated with lunch overlooking the seafront.

"Inspired by the timeless glamour of 1950s American fashion, I selected an ocean blue mother of the bride dress that felt both sophisticated and fresh for a destination wedding in Spain."

Wearing her hair in a stylish up do with a bit of extra height to add to the elegance of her look, she accessorised with statement Swarovski earrings, Jimmy Choo mules, and a matching evening bag that she has treasured for many years.

Her wardrobe included a maroon Ferrache dress for the welcome drinks that was elegant and sophisticated and set the tone for the celebrations ahead. For the rehearsal dinner, she chose a Hope & Ivy dress that struck the perfect balance between occasion wear and understated glamour. For the day two, she wore a printed trouser suit by Irish designed brand Kate Cooper from Lisa Baker in Lucan with nude Jimmy Choo heels.

"I wanted something that felt more relaxed while still looking polished and elegant. It felt much more like my everyday style. It was sophisticated, comfortable and allowed me to feel completely myself while continuing the celebrations with family and friends."

"A week before the wedding, do a complete trial run with your outfit, shoes, accessories, and hair and makeup. It gives you confidence, allows you to make any last-minute adjustments and ensures everything works together perfectly."

A very special thanks to our wonderful mother of the bride Mary! You can see even more pictures of her style in the gallery below.

If you know someone with incredible mother of the bride or groom style, contact us at hello@onefabday.com to be part of our Mother of the Bride Style diary series!

The Best Ceremony Singers & Wedding Musicians in Ireland

Tracy Gallagher

With songs by the likes of Stevie Wonder, Eva Cassidy, Van Morrison, Neil Young and Florence & The Machine in her repertoire, Tracy Gallagher is a wedding singer who can cater to all genres, from classical to soul to folk. A talented singer/songwriter with a beautiful voice, Tracy will create a romantic atmosphere for your ceremony.

For more information and to check availability, visit tracygallaghermusic.com

Encore Occasions

For over a decade, Encore Occasions has been raising the bar for live wedding ceremony music in Ireland. Founded in 2007 by classical crossover vocalist Naoise Stuart-Kelly, a Royal Academy of Music-trained talent, Encore Occasions delivers world-class performances, stunning artistry, and flawless planning to make every wedding truly unforgettable.

For more information and to check availability, visit encoreoccasions.com

The Canapé Cruisers

While the name may suggest they only play drinks receptions, The Canapé Cruisers are an acoustic duo specialising in rock and pop classics, bluegrass and trad who will serenade your guests throughout your ceremony too. With two acoustic guitars, a mandolin and a 12-string guitar, this pair can create a full-bodied sound. They love to give their own twist the tunes they play, so if you're looking for something unique, just let them know.

For more information and to check availability, visit thecanapecruisers.com

Trio Royale

Want something fun and unique for your ceremony music? You can't go wrong with Trio Royale, a jazz trio and swing band who will set a sophisticated tone for your big day. Their distinctive sound can be applied to everyone from Rat Pack crooners and Stevie Wonder, to modern artists like Amy Winehouse and Radiohead, so they can be trusted to put a cool twist on your ceremony or reception music.

For more information and to check availability, visit trioroyale.com

Natalie Turner Wedding Singer

Dublin-based Natalie Turner is a classically trained, versatile and acclaimed gospel and soul singer. With over 15 years' experience, Natalie is known for her soulful and dulcet tones, and is a regular soloist with the Dublin Gospel Choir. Working with a guitarist or pianist, Natalie can perform a wide selection of genres, and will work with you to tailor a personalised programme of music for your big day.

For more information and to check availability, visit natalieturnermusic.com

Lisa Maria Wedding Music

Lisa Maria of Lisa Maria Wedding Music is a seven-time All-Ireland champion on harp and banjo, and an award-winning singer, so she's perfectly placed to take your wedding ceremony or drinks reception to the next level. Lisa Maria has performed at over 300 weddings all over the world, so she really can't be beat on quality of performance or experience. She's happy to tailor a setlist for your big day or even compose a song especially for the occasion!

For more information and to check availability, visit lisamariaweddingmusic.ie

The Cazettes Duo

Looking for something different? Then you're going to love the mega-talented Cazettes Duo. An acoustic two-piece comprising Caroline Whelan and Stephen Byrne, they're available for ceremonies, drinks receptions and any other occasion that requires a musical touch. Caroline and Stephen have been performing together for many years, so their voices blend together effortlessly. Together, they'll happily help guide you on song choices for every aspect of your ceremony and/or reception.

For more information and to check availability, visit thecazettes.com

The Gramophone Social

The Gramophone Social is a truly unique musical experience that vintage-loving couples will adore. Dreamt up by Trevor Gyves, The Gramophone Social consists of two original hand-cranked gramophones from the 1920s era, vintage microphones, 1930s cinema speaker and original records spanning the early 1900s to the 1950s. The gramophones play 78 rpm records spanning everything from ragtime, jazz, and traditional Irish, to classical and early rock'n'roll, combining to create a set your guests will never forget!

For more information and to check availability, visit thegramophonesocial.ie

Naomi Laide Music

Hailing from Monaghan, Ireland, Naomi Laide is a professionally trained singer with more than 15 years of experience in her craft. She has a soulful, powerful voice that can cover a wide repertoire of songs and genres. Naomi has a calm, warm demeanour that will bring an air of tranquility to your day and ensure everything will run seamlessly. Covering both classic and contemporary pop, she's available to book as a vocal and guitar duo, or with the addition of piano, violin or harp.

For more information and to check availability, visit naomilaidemusic.com

Harp Duets

Harp Duets is a unique ensemble comprising two renowned harpists, who also happen to be mother and daughter! Edel and Alida are both gifted musicians, specialising in classical, jazz, modern and Irish music, and when they perform together, the result is nothing short of magical. If you're looking for something sophisticated and romantic for your ceremony or drinks reception, Harp Duets might just be the duo for you!

For more information and to check availability, visit www.harpduets.com

The Best Men

Looking for a wedding musicians guaranteed to deliver a setlist to remember for you and your guests? Meet The Best Men, an award-winning group of four full-time professional musicians with over 20 years’ experience. From dreamy harmonies and heartfelt performances to make your "I do" moment even more magical, what really sets these guys apart is their fully live performance bringing an authentic and electrifying sound that makes every moment feel special.

For more information and to check availability, visit www.thebestmen.ie

 Jenny Cullen Music

Dreaming of live music that’ll make every moment unforgettable? Singer Jenny of Jenny Cullen Music is an incredible acoustic performer who brings a touch of magic to every event she’s part of – and she’s even sung for former President of Ireland Mary McAleese. Want more than a solo performer? Jenny also leads a band called Entourage, one of Leinster’s most-loved acoustic wedding bands.

For more information and to check availability, visit jennycullenmusic.com

The Kooky Ukes

Want something alternative, quirky,and unforgettable for your drinks reception?​​ You just found it! The Best Men are also The Kooky Ukes Ireland’s hippest and happiest award-winning roaming wedding band and event entertainment trio! Set the perfect mood during your cocktail hour with a mix of quirky, upbeat, and sing-along favourites. Armed with ukuleles and great vibes, the band can roam from table to table and serenade your guests. Say goodbye to awkward silences and hello to a riot of fun!​​​​

For more information and to check availability, visit www.thekookyukes.com

The Victory Dolls

The Victory Dolls are a close-harmony trio that puts a playful flair on the sophisticated class of "the good old days" with a little something for everyone. The trio also offer The Dream Dolls, an upbeat 60s-inspired act that will bring a vintage feel and keep the party going with soulful Motown tunes. Winners of the Best Pre-Dinner Entertainment 2023, hep step to The Andrews Sisters classics, reminisce over the smooth jazz of Ella and enjoy the best of both worlds with a vintage twist on some of your modern favourites!

For more information and to check availability, visit thevictorydolls.ie

Allison Saul

An experienced soloist, Allison Saul is a talented performer who is colourful, charming and full of charisma. Allison's passion is unquestionable - not only does she perform solo, she's also part of the Pop Rocks wedding band, vintage harmony trio The Victory Dolls and she works as a singing waiter too. Basically, you're in expert hands booking her to entertain your guests on your wedding day! Allison is available to perform for ceremonies, drinks receptions and even day two events and will tailor her performance accordingly to suit the atmosphere and vibe. Allison's past couples say five stars isn't enough to describe how brilliant she is, adding that she's an "absolute pleasure" to deal with.

For more information and to check availability, visit www.allisonsaul.com

Ukebox

Ukebox are a fun ukelele trio who play and harmonise together beautifully - your guests are going to love these guys! The band - who are available to travel nationwide - will create the perfect laid-back atmosphere for your drinks reception, evening entertainment or Day Two party - their versatile setlist can work for alternative ceremony music too. If you're looking for something fun, different and entirely memorable, these are the guys to call.

For more information and to check availability, visit ukeboxmusic.com

The Hitmen Duo

​Any couple who love their music will love The Hitmen Duo! Award-winning, multi-instrumentalists Jonny & Roly are known for their uplifting signature mix of pop, rock and classical favourites. Both part of wedding band The Hitmen Trio the duo can play bespoke ceremonies and drinks reception packages geared towards couples who love their music and great songs and want that reflected in their wedding... and of course The Hitmen Trio could be an option for the evening too!

For more information and to check availability, visit www.thehitmentrio.com

Poplife

Poplife are a five-piece live band from Dublin, with a dedicated acoustic duo specialising in beautiful live ceremony music for weddings across Ireland. With over a decade of combined performance experience, they create the perfect atmosphere for every key moment, from the bridal entrance and signing of the register to your first steps back down the aisle as newlyweds.

Offering a tailored and personal approach, Poplife can perform acoustic favourites, modern love songs, and timeless classics, carefully chosen to reflect your style and make your ceremony truly unforgettable.

For more information and to check availability, visit poplife.band

Looking for more recommended wedding suppliers? Visit our Wedding Book directory! 

What are Wedding Welcome Bags?

Wedding welcome bags are essentially a goodie bag for your guests, most commonly your out-of-town guests. They're a great way to say, "Hello, we're delighted to have you with us!" and to thank your guests for making the journey to your wedding. As well as little treats, wedding welcome bags often contain important information about your celebration and the local area, so your guests don't miss a thing.

What to Put in your Wedding Welcome Bags: A Handy Checklist

As with all of our checklists, the following run-down is designed to be customised. In short, take the ideas you like and ditch the rest!

• Water - adding a custom label would be a cute touch!
• Sweet or savoury snacks - cookies, popcorn, crisps or sweets are a great idea, particularly when they're exclusive to the area (think Tayto in Ireland, shortbread biscuits in Scotland, a stick of rock by the seaside, etc.)
• Fresh fruit - energy-giving apples, oranges and bananas are the easiest to pack in a goodie bag.
• Mints

• Snipes of Champagne or miniature bottles of local alcohol or cans of locally brewed craft beer.
• Weather essentials - for warm weather weddings, these might be mini bottles of SPF, fans, after sun or bug spray, for other climates, ponchos, hand warmers and umbrellas are a good shout.
• A mini hangover, or wellness kit - this can include things like painkillers, eye masks and a vitamin tablet or hangover defense tablets such as Tipple.
• Bandaids (blisters happen!)

• Flip flops or slippers
• A beauty or grooming product like soap or lip balm.
• Something that reflects your personalities or represents a beloved pastime of yours - a sachet of tea, a deck of cards or a candle are all great choices. You could add little tags on each that say “Bride’s Favourite” and “Groom’s Favourite” to tie it all together for guests.
• A small toy or activity book if they've travelled with children.

• A postcard, fridge magnet or other local souvenir from the area.
• An itinerary for your wedding weekend - don't forget to include your wedding hashtag if you have one. We love the wedding newspaper trend!
• A guidebook or map of the area - some couples even create their own, and include their favourite local hotspots.

• Uber vouchers or taxi discount cards
• A thank-you card or note - guests will really appreciate a simple note to let them know how thrilled you are to have them.
• A pretty bag, box, basket or tote to store everything in - some couples have their own canvas tote bags printed, others source simple carrier bags and tie gift tags around the handles.

Tips for Putting Together your Wedding Welcome Bags, Boxes or Baskets

1. Enlist your bridal party or family members to help you pack and distribute bags to your venue or hotel. We love the idea of guests finding their welcome bags in their rooms when they arrive! Remember, each venue will have a delivery policy – they can provide bags to guests at check-in or put them in guest’s rooms before their arrival. Make sure to check with your venue, or wedding planner on this.
2. Keep it simple and remember that you don't have to fill the whole thing – your guests don’t want to lug a bunch of extra stuff home with them.
3. When planning your quantities, it’s normally one bag per couple (meaning usually one bag per room).
4. Make sure favours or gifts are suitable for travelling guests to take home with them. If they won't be able to fit it in their luggage, or they won't be able to take it through security, ditch it from the list! The one exception to this rule is small food, drink and cosmetic items - your guests will likely polish them off during their trip.
5. Consider each individual guest while packing your wedding welcome bags, and ask your helpers to do the same. For example, alcohol won't be appropriate for all guests.
6. Make them personal! A little touch makes a big difference, so it's worth adding name tags and handwritten note if you've got the time to do so.
7. Upgrade the bags – think linen totes, baskets, farmers market totes, or chic boxes so your guests will be able to reuse them later.

Looking for budget-friendly wedding favour ideas? You'll find our favourites right here.

Lucia and Diarmuid, who are from Dublin and live in Armagh, met at the gym. "We became friends and things naturally progressed from there (with a little proclamation of love in between)," they tell us.

Lucia fills us in on their super sweet proposal, "The proposal happened during a weekend away to celebrate the successful defence of my PhD. We stayed at Glenlo Abbey Hotel & Estate, a place we had visited a few times before to celebrate birthdays or simply take a break from normal life. Much to Diarmuid’s dismay, I had unknowingly made him postpone the original plan after getting my return flight dates wrong following a conference in Korea. This meant he had to keep the secret - and settle his nerves - for a couple more weeks. On the first night of our stay, we had dinner booked at the Pullman Restaurant, so we got all glammed up. As usual, I took a little longer to get ready, while Diarmuid made several trips downstairs - supposedly to grab things from the car and order drinks."

Little did Lucia know, he was getting the ring and calming his nerves with a pint while secretly working with the barman to find the perfect spot! "The barman even opened the abbey doors so he could propose in the archway, but Diarmuid decided against it when he realised there were too many people around - knowing I wouldn’t want an audience. Just as I was ready, I said I had a surprise for him and made one last trip to the wardrobe to grab a present I had hidden - a Rado watch, a belated birthday gift and a thank you for being my rock throughout my PhD. When I stepped back out, he was down on one knee, ring in hand."

The rest of the evening couldn't have been more perfect as they took photos in front of the abbey, toasted to their exciting new chapter with drinks at the bar, and enjoyed a beautiful private carriage dinner in the Pullman. "The rest of the weekend was filled with great food and even better memories, with highlights including pizza at The Dough Bros, candlelit dinner at Ard Bia by Nimmos and stunning walks along the River Corrib and throughout the gorgeous Galway countryside."

It was immensely important to the couple that the wedding day felt deeply personal and true to who they are. It was also really important that them that had moments together and that they didn’t get lost in the busyness of the day so they chose to do a first look and carved out time to spend with their bridesmaids and groomsmen before everything began. "At the end of the day, all we really wanted was a celebration of our love, and that’s exactly what it felt like."

Lucia's wedding day look made our jaws drop as she wore the Kasia corset and Milford skirt by KYHA Bride which she purchased at The Suite in Dublin. She accessorised with the Kanika pearl mules by Dolce Vita, bespoke lace sleeves and pearl earrings by Irish luxury bridal accessory designer Lori Muldoon, a Toni Federici veil, a rented Simone Rocha bag, a bracelet which was a gift from her husband, and her wedding ring of course which was from Gear Jewellers.

The florals by Fionnuala Fallon were intentionally imperfect. The bride elaborates, "They were ethereal and meadow-like, yet thoughtfully curated - adding a softness and natural movement to the overall look. We incorporated more natural, textured elements like moss and even fruit. I definitely had a clear vision in mind, which was inspired by beautiful weddings I’d seen on Instagram and Pinterest, although no one in particular."

They wanted their closest family and friends to be as involved in the celebration as possible. Their ceremony had nothing to do with legalities and it was officiated by their close friend and groomsman, Seán Mok. "Our family members sang and read poems, we even chose a guest at random to be our ring bearer. To get more of our guests involved in the day, our wedding coordinator taped our wedding rings to the bottom of one of the guests’ chairs. When it came time to exchange rings, Seán asked everyone to check under their chairs, and whoever found them became our ring bearer for the day."

“I will forever be in awe of Clodagh (our singer) and the amazing job she did on our aisle song - a mashup of Dive and Float by Olivia Dean! I don’t think it will ever not bring a tear to my eye.” They give a special shout out to Diarmuid’s sister Bryana who sang Ain’t No Mountain High Enough accompanied by her friend Reese Martin on the guitar. “She did an AMAZING job!"

Lucia and Diarmuid fell in love with the luxurious country house venue in the heart of the Boyne Valley the very minute they arrived. "We visited their winter showcase not long after we got engaged and, although we initially didn’t think we would have a winter wedding, seeing the house dressed for Christmas completely changed our minds. With the fires lit and the reflection of the chandeliers and candlelight glistening in the orangery, we just knew it was the one."

While they didn't need transport on the day the father of the bride organised for a friend’s vintage Jaguar to be at their venue for photographs - so stylish!

Ivory Films who specialise in classic, romantic and contemporary wedding films captured every unmissable moment in motion.

The bride and groom planned their magical celebration together and their wedding coordinator at Tankardstown House, Áine, brought the stylistic vision to life on the day in all its glory with the help of their florist.

They created a vividly romantic glow with lots of candle light and all the candlestick holders and small candelabras were sourced through Vinted and various charity shops.

Lucia designed and created all of the stationery which exuded effortless elegance which was perfectly in keeping with their stunning venue. "This included handmade place names, menus, ceremony and vow booklets, table settings, signage, and even a bespoke wedding crest, with details like embossing and gold foil adding a refined, personal finish throughout the day."

With their timeless ability to evoke memory, projectors are gently reappearing in wedding design and the talented bride showed just how magical the trend is. "Another really special touch was a video I created, played during the reception on a fabric backdrop. It included clips from our legal ceremony, as well as footage from my parents’ wedding and Diarmuid’s parents’ wedding, which made it feel like a celebration of both of our families and the love that has come before us."

They set aside another quiet moment before dinner and the bride ended up playing the piano for the groom. “It was something I had always hoped to do, but hadn’t planned exactly when.”

They paid beautiful tributes to Lucia’s Italian grandparents, Giovanni and Luisa, who live in Wales but were not well enough to join them to celebrate. "To bring a piece of them into the day, we incorporated several Italian-inspired details - the tiramisu tower, cannoli on our décor table, and our guest book, which was the Tuscany Marvel coffee table book by Assouline. It felt especially meaningful as both Giovanni and Luisa have since passed away, so we will always think back fondly on the elements of our wedding that were inspired by them."

As for advice for those planning their wedding, "It is going to be the best day of your lives - make sure you take some time just for the two of you. Trust your suppliers to bring your vision to life on the day - they truly go above and beyond." 

More and more couples are saying ‘I do’ to tiramisu, the indulgent cake trend has really been taking over weddings. The couple's tiramisu tower made by Lucia's mum Maria with help from the bride and bridesmaids absolutely wowed. "It was one of the most special elements of the day, it added such a personal, hands-on touch to the day."

The couple's first dance was to Beneath Your Beautiful by Labrinth and Emeli Sandé and Blacktye, the energetic band with a huge sense of fun, had the dancefloor packed all night long.

The newlyweds went on a mini-moon in the West of Ireland after the wedding where they stayed at Ballynahinch Castle and Ashford Castle. “We would 100% recommend it! Last minute we added on an additional night in Glenlo Abbey where it all began.” Their official honeymoon is TBC for now but the wait will certainly be worth it.

Congratulations Lucia and Diarmuid! The biggest thank you to our fabulous couple and to Daria Iershova of Daria Photographs for sharing today's beyond magical Tankardstown House wedding with One Fab Day!

Wedding Cheese Cake Tips & Advice

There are a few things to bear in mind when choosing the cheeses for your cake:

• You will need at least three layers for it to look like a traditional tiered wedding cake and also to balance flavours.
• Six layers will be the maximum you can achieve, given the limited sizes of cheese rounds.
• Aim to create a balanced cheeseboard, including at least one hard, one soft and one blue cheese.
• The cheeses must each be structurally suitable for stacking, i.e. no squishy, melty cheeses that will collapse under weight of upper layers.
• The bottom layer will need to be strong to support the weight of the upper layers, so a boxed cheese or waxed hard cheese would be best.

 The Icing on the Cheese Cake

Wedding cheese cakes can look just as beautiful as sweet wedding cakes! By putting a little thought into the decoration, you can create a gorgeous piece of culinary architecture that's also a great talking point.

The best ways to decorate a cheese wedding cake are:

• Adding complementary fruits, such as figs or grapes
• Incorporating touches of greenery and leaves, or berries
• Using a great selection of plates and cheese knives
• Providing a bounty of chutneys and crackers for your guests to enjoy
• Investing in a cake topper (or making one yourself!)

Where to Get Your Own Wedding Cheese Cake in Ireland

We've gathered a few of our favourite wedding cheese cake suppliers here, but it's also definitely worth popping into your local cheese shop and having a chat with them. Chances are, they'll be delighted to help you put together a gorgeous spread for your big day!

• One Fab Day recommended supplier Wildflower Grazing
• Sheridans Cheesemongers
• Horgans
• On the Pig's Back
• Traditional Cheese Co
• SuperValu
• The Wild Grazer
• Cheese & Chutney
• Indie Fude

Looking for more wedding food ideas? You'll find them here!

If you are looking for a truly special and memorable location to host your wedding ceremony or drinks reception, a cinema wedding venue is a unique venue option that is sure to impress your guests. If you’re thinking to yourself, “This is exactly what I'm looking for!” then take a look at our our favourite cinema wedding venues in Ireland below that will give you your dream spotlight moment. 

You can also hire out a cinema for your very own wedding video viewing party - a great idea if you've had a destination wedding or elopement! - or for an epic date night!

Cinema Wedding Venues Around Ireland & Northern Ireland

Irish Film Institute

If you're a movie buff, chances are the IFI is already one of your favourite cinemas in Dublin. Boasting big and small screens of 60 to 258 seats, it suits most guestlists. With stylish surroundings in a beautifully preserved 18th-century Quaker meeting house, a bright foyer and newly-refurbished interiors, the well-stocked bar and super location in Temple Bar are the cherry on top of this historic spot for celebrations in the city.

Location: Temple Bar, Dublin 2 | ifi.ie

Queens Film Theatre

Conveniently located next to the Lanyon building at Queen's University Belfast, the Queen's Film Theatre can host wedding ceremonies and is fully licensed, with a modern bar area perfect for a cocktail and canapes reception. Queen's Film Theatre can even add a cinematic flourish to your special day with a film screening of your choice - get inspired by Lucy and Phil's Queen's Film Theatre wedding here.

Location: University Square, Belfast | www.qub.ac.uk

Lighthouse Cinema

With its colourful seats, handy location in Smithfield and its super cool subterranean bar, Lighthouse Cinema is a cool spot for a unique ceremony or fun private screening. With four screens to choose from, there are options for small gatherings seating 68 and larger parties up to 277 - get inspired by Emer & Alan's Lighthouse cinema wedding here.

Location: Smithfield, Dublin 7 | lighthousecinema.ie

The Sugar Club

The Sugar Club on Leeson St. might be best-known as a bar, club, and gig venue, but it also offers itself up for private film screenings. Formally the Irish Film Theatre, the venue reflects it’s cinema roots with plush tiered banquet seating and a large screen available for projections. With tables throughout, a bar and terrace and a central setting just off Stephen's Green, it ticks a lot of boxes for those planning an alternative wedding in Dublin city.

Location: 8 Leeson Street Lower, Dublin 2 | thesugarclub.com

Triskel Arts Centre

Cork film lovers, this one's for you. Housed within a beautifully restored Georgian church in the heart of Cork City, Triskel Arts Centre is one of Ireland's most unusual wedding venues. Better known as the home of Cork's beloved arthouse cinema, the space combines historic architecture, stained-glass windows and soaring ceilings with a creative, cultural atmosphere. It's the perfect choice for couples looking for a ceremony venue that's full of character, history and a touch of cinematic magic.

Location: Tobin St., Cork City | triskelartscentre.ie

The Stella

Simultaneously one of Dublin's oldest and newest cinemas, the Stella Theatre in Rathmines is a lavish, refurbished cinema that harks back to the ritz of old Hollywood, with chandeliers in the foyer, its very own art deco cocktail club, plush red seats, and antique-style lamps dotted throughout, as well as an on-site kitchen. Offering private hire for events seating up to 215, the award-winning Stella is probably the most photogenic cinema in Dublin for a wedding, hen party or private screening. There's also its smaller sister cinema close by in Ranelagh, that forms part of The Devlin hotel.

Location: Rathmines, Dublin 6 | stellacinemas.ie

Sea Church

For film lovers looking for something a little different, Sea Church Ballycotton offers a wedding venue with a cinematic twist. Overlooking Ballycotton Bay, this beautifully restored 19th-century church combines historic charm with a stunning coastal setting. Couples can exchange vows beneath the original stonework and stained glass before celebrating in the atmospheric space with sea views and tailored dining experiences. The venue is also home to a unique cinema club experience, where classic films are projected onto the church walls while guests enjoy food and drinks served to their tables, adding an extra touch of movie magic to your wedding weekend.

Location: Ballycotton, Co. Cork | seachurch.ie

The Dot Theatre

The Dot Theatre (previously Mutiny Theatre) is a unique private hire theatre and cinema venue, located in Dublin 2. This little gem has been an important part of Dublin’s arts and performance community since the 1960s. With 39 vintage theatre seats, a 25 square metre raised stage, large retractable cinema screen, surround sound and  bar area, The Dot is the perfect venue for a multitude of private function requirements including small weddings.

Location: 6a Pembroke Place, Dublin 2 | thedot.ie

Still looking for your dream wedding venue? Check out our favourite library wedding venues, great venues for garden parties, barn wedding bashes, city celebrations or small wedding venues in Northern Ireland.

By referencing the Moon's phases ("fractions" and "broken fragments"), Gill reminds couples that true love does not falter when a partner feels incomplete or broken. The core message is that an ideal partner never smothers you or dims your identity, instead providing the safety and space ("the entire sky") needed for you to express yourself fully. She describes love as the sun stepping back to grant the moon her space to shine.

They are such simple and elegant words, which you will find written out below. We've also created a useful print and go version of the poem here .

The Sun and the Moon by Nikita Gill

Aim for a love
that reminds you
of the devotion
the sun has to the moon.
Whether she is in fractions
or she is whole,
he still shrouds his intense light
in the darkness of the night.
To give her the entire sky,
without judgment,
so she can shine in any way she wants to.
You deserve someone
who adores you
on the days you are
in broken fragments too.
You deserve someone
who lets you glow
in every way
you need to.

Looking for more ideas for wedding readings? You have come to the right place! See our Essential List of Ceremony Readings which are broken down into categories to make it easy and there are lots more non-traditional readings here too.