Remember that episode of Downton Abbey when the Lords & Ladies arrive for a party with the Crawley family and the house is a flurry of excitement and activity? Well, we were lucky enough to hear about the modern-day equivalent from a different perspective.
“There is always great excitement around the hotel on the day of a wedding. Everyone is spruced up and ready for action, and that’s just the staff! It reminds me sometimes of a scene from Downton Abbey when the lords and ladies of the house are due and there is great activity and readiness in the House. It can be hectic at times, in making sure everything comes together for when the bride and groom, and their guests, arrive. But, it always goes perfectly. Sometimes I feel like the swans in the estuary, gliding along gracefully from above, not a feather out of place, but the legs are going like the clappers under water!”
We spoke to Teresa, who has been the Wedding Coordinator for the Celtic Ross Hotel, Cork for over ten years.
“There is a magical moment when the ‘just married’ couple arrive at the hotel for their reception and then they see how the reception venue and function room has been transformed, incorporating their ideas and personal touches. The planning and discussion has happened over many cups of coffee and tea for weeks and months beforehand. The look of pure joy when they see their dreams realised and in front of them always puts a big smile on my face, every time. Happiness is infectious, that is a stand out memory for me because I know we’ve succeeded again. I also really love meeting the Bride’s and Groom’s families on the day and making them feel at ease. The day is so special for them, especially if it is for their only daughter!”
“Our location is superb. The pretty town of Rosscarbery is on our doorstep and we are right on the Wild Atlantic Way. Many of our Brides and Grooms are bringing their weddings from Cork City, Kinsale and Bandon as we are an easy drive away from all. Rosscarbery Bay or the Lagoon can be seen from every function room in the hotel, so you never forget you are by the sea. And many of the bedrooms have seaviews, including our Bridal Suite. My Bride and Groom will always go to the beach for their professional photographs and then back to the hotel, which is only minutes away. I will stand at the front door of the hotel so that I can watch their bridal car make the short journey back to the hotel. Even on the greyest day, the Bay looks beautiful and very romantic. And we have a resident flock of swans in the estuary that love being photographed.”
“It is very hard not to bring the work home. I will always give my bride and groom my personal phone number three weeks before their Wedding Day to ensure they have me at the end of a phone if they have a question, or thought of something they would like to discuss with me. From three weeks before their Wedding Day the bride and groom can sometimes get a little tense, and a bit fraught. It is one of the biggest days of their lives. I want to be sure they can get to me immediately to ease their minds. Sometimes they just need to talk and I’m a good listener.”
Go to a venue where you feel most comfortable and with a relaxing atmosphere. A place close to home you are familiar with is always preferred by couples. The quality of the food in the venue is a huge part of the day, as everyone will remember an exceptional wedding meal. So, eat there. Go to the venue some day and try out their Sunday carvery, or bar food; if the venue’s daily bar menu is tasty, its function food will be too. Spend time there. Watch the staff and see how happy they are to work there. Friendly and happy staff are essential.
A huge thank you to Teresa for taking the time to chat with us about the Celtic Ross Hotel, Cork Wedding Venue.
