Real Wedding: Mark and Claire at The Radisson Blu Cork
Wedding Date: 6th of July 2013
Location: St Michael’s Church Blackrock Cork and onto the Radisson Blu Hotel, Little Island.
Wedding Photographer: Declan Hehir Photography
We heard you love to bust a move! Was a lot of your wedding themed around this?
It is true; I do love to bust a move! The wedding was not themed around this however we wanted personal touches to reflect our individual personalities. Our guests knew this only too well and one friend bought us a fantastic gift. Recession Squad, an amazing trio from Cork danced at our wedding. It was not your usual wedding evening entertainment but to Mark and myself it was perfect. Many guests commented after about the quality of the entertainment provided.
What was your first dance song?
Our first dance was ‘Empire State of Mind’ by Alicia Keys. We chose this as we got engaged in New York in November 2011. We are frequent visitors of the Big Apple and this theme ran throughout the wedding, from the table plans and numbers right through to the first dance.
Claire, your dress was just stunning! Where did you find it?
Thank you very much! I found my wedding dress in ‘Brides of Eire’ in Clonakilty. It was the easiest decision I have ever made. After explaining what I liked and did not like, Maria and the girls knew exactly what I wanted. It was the second dress I tried on. The moment I stepped into it, I knew it was my wedding dress! It only took me three days to race back down to Clonakilty to order it!! Every time I look at it, it brings back the most special memories!
We also heard that you had a lovely red carpet greeting from your guests, tell us all about it!
This we have to say was not planned! However both Mark and I have amazing families and friends. We are both the eldest and the first to get married. From the moment we got engaged the excitement was electric! The weeks leading up to the wedding were made very special for us and as you heard our families and friends went all out on the day!! We could hear them from the entrance of the hotel!!
What was your menu like?
Our menu was superb and exactly what we wanted. The beef is still being talked about today!! We also had fish and chips in our evening food. This certainly went down a treat compared to the usual sandwiches!
What made you decide on The Radisson Blu in the end?
After attending several weddings here, what really stood out for us were the beautiful food and the impeccable service. Of all the weddings we have attended, we have never received such friendly and personable service as we have in the Radisson. We did look around and we did price other options but we always came back to the Radisson as our number 1 choice. During the lead up to the wedding, the planning was made all the easier by the friendly faces in the hotel, from the wedding coordinators to the floor staff. We knew if we were lucky enough to get fine weather on the day that the lawn and Ditchley house would be a real treat for our guests. That it was! It was scorching and the sparkling wine tasted a lot better sitting in the sun. The Jazz band added to the fantastic atmosphere also!
What was your favorite part of the day?
The whole day was magical and it is very hard to pinpoint our favorite part. We do have some really special moments throughout the day that we will always remember! For us it would have to be our entrance to the reception room as Mr and Mrs Lester. We came into Barry White’s ‘Your my first, my last, my everything’. The room erupted with excitement and we knew at that point we were in for the most special night of our lives!!
We love the idea of having a cart; did you have anything interesting on your day?
Mark – (Claire) has a very sweet tooth and this was something she always wanted!! Everyone needs a sugar rush now and then!! After all the dancing that night the sweets were definitely needed!
My uncle and magician Liam Sheehan also entertained the guests throughout the day as well as an impromptu performance after the speeches.
Claire – We were then entertained by the incredible and talented J90. This band was booked before I found my wedding dress!! This was another easy decision for us. We have been to many gigs over the years and we knew they would rock the crowd!
What is the one moment of the day you would love to relive?
The whole day was perfect, we could not pick out one moment! We would do it all again in a heartbeat!
