We’ve always been a curious bunch here in the office. We love knowing the ingredients of what makes a recipe great. One such recipe is definitely Fota Island Resort. The breathtaking scenery, fantastic staff and inviting interior are just a few aspects of what make this 5 star clock tick. But of course, we wanted to learn a little more! Samantha, an NYC student and intern at the tranquil resort was kind enough to give us a behind-the-scenes of her life so far at Fota…
The LIM student and Fashion Merchandising major, begins by explaining how her day usually begins. “Working at Fota Island Resort has been quite the experience to say the least and extremely interesting! I have never worked in the hospitality industry before, so all of this is brand new to me. I get to my office at 9am and the first thing I do is check my emails and then read up on daily wedding alerts along with bridal blogs to keep myself updated and knowledgeable on the latest trends, tips, themes and ideas.”
A typical day for Samantha is never a typical day at all, explaining, “The best part of my internship is that each day is different from the last. If there are booked weddings on the weekends, it is my duty to make sure menus, floor plans, table plans and table names are completed and printed correctly. And our Wedding Coordinator has given me the opportunity to take part in the production aspect of the weddings here by interacting with couples. On the marketing side, I manage the websites that our venues are advertised on. I am also in charge of posting on our social media accounts to connect followers about wedding related inspirations. There is always room for creativity in my daily routine; this is what makes coming to work so enjoyable.”
When explaining what her favourite experience has been so far, Samantha mentions representing Fota Island Resort at a Wedding Conference and Gala as being a proud moment for her. “I had never been to a conference that was based solely on weddings and being given the chance to experience it first hand was very beneficial to me. Weddings are my passion, I didn’t mind sitting for 8 hours to exclusively listen about weddings; I was in heaven! And the gala, now that was a treat! It was a black tie affair; I wore a beautiful black evening dress, ate a 4 course meal and was able to network with a lot of fascinating people within the wedding industry.”
And as for Fota Island Resort itself, Samantha beams that there are so many beautiful features to show to couples, which she loves doing. “What is so special about having your wedding at Fota Island Resort is that you have two entirely different options of where your wedding reception could take place. We have two great wedding venues for couples to choose from. The Smith Barry Suite has striking chandeliers with a grand fireplace and two private bars. For a more intimate venue, the Clubhouse radiates characteristics of a rustic country feel, having its own unique charm and style. I personally like to have options, and I think there is a fantastic choice available for couples.”
Samantha Chirico is a Weddings and Events Marketing Intern at Fota Island Resort, Cork. She possesses an extreme love for the bridal industry with experience in weddings having worked with Kleinfeld Bridal, Manhattan.
