A First Communion is an important time in the life of any young Catholic, and it’s important to plan a communion party that they can look back on to remember it as the happy memory that it should be.

The first communion party is different to other parties children are likely to participate in within our culture, because it is a festivity with a more religious significance and theme than typical parties.

Preparing for it can be a little more work than for the average party, but getting it right will pay off considerably in terms of ensuring a memorable and happy occasion for your child’s first communion. The following tips will help you achieve this aim:

• Plan well in advance

Neglecting to plan the party is a sure way to invite a substandard result. If you plan everything meticulously, you can avert many disasters including the dreaded budget over-run and not being able to find necessary supplies or services in time.

One of the most important things you’ll need to arrange in advance is the marquee hire. Remember, many people will be hosting communion parties around the same time, so if you wait until closer to the party to arrange it, you may miss out.

The same applies for formal communion clothing. Many suppliers may run out of items quickly, and if you don’t order early, you could be left disappointed.

Ideally, it is best to start planning at least eight weeks in advance. Invitations should be sent at least six weeks in advance, and should be RSVP so that you’ll know the head count and can plan accordingly.

Bear in mind too, that some people will receive multiple invitations and they can only be in one place at a time. If your invitation is received first, it’s more likely to be the one the invitee accepts.

• Ensure you have a sufficient marquee

In our climate, a marquee is essential, no matter what the official season happens to be. You need to choose something large enough for adequately hosting your party and, in the case of a big party, you may even need multiple marquees.

It is not only the size that matters, but also the construction of it. You want to choose something sturdy and well made so it will provide adequate shade and shelter.

• Choose your catering sensibly

Catering can be a difficult thing to get right. You want to try to provide a good spread that has plenty of options, because food allergies and food intolerances are such a big deal these days.

You may think this is something that you’re not going to worry about, but this is a children’s party on a very special day, and you don’t want the highlight everyone remembers to be someone complaining about the lack of vegan or gluten-free foods.

Finally, it’s important to remember that a first communion is a joyful occasion and an intimate celebration of Jesus Christ. However, it’s also a time of celebration, where children and families should feel free to express their joy.

With the festive season just around the corner, the whole country is slowly turning their attention from work and responsibilities to Christmas shopping and partying.

If you’ve decided to throw a last minute Christmas party of your own this year – whether it’s for family and friends or your employees and customers – we’re about to throw you a lifeline with this Christmas party checklist so your event will be a resounding success (for all the right reasons!).

Here are the most important must-do’s…

Set a budget

First things first, determine how much you can comfortably spend and budget for that amount, and nothing more. Christmas is generally an expensive time of year so don’t leave yourself short.

Decide on a date

Chances are that your guests already have something else planned for the big days over the holiday season so try and select a date that will suit most people.

Get a guest list together

Ask yourself how many people you want to attend? Is it ok for people to bring their kids or is it a strictly adult-only night out? Will you be asking people to bring their partners or leave them at home? These are all important questions that need to be answered.

Choose a venue

As hotels are normally booked up months in advance with weddings and Christmas balls at this time of year, party marqueesare becoming one of the most popular Christmas party venues in Ireland.

And because they’re weather-proof, affordable, completely customisable, cosy, comfortable, classy and totally flexible in terms of how many people they can hold, what’s not to love?

Organise the food

If you’re having the get-together in your back yard with a small group of people, you might choose to look after the food yourself, which will mean you’ll have to source the ingredients, set the menu and get busy in the kitchen.

If, on the other hand, your guest list is much longer, getting an outside caterer is most likely a better option. Either way, since it is the Christmas season, be sure to include some festive favourites in your menu.

Décor

Do you have special decorations that you’d like to hang? Or is there a specific theme that you’d like to create with your choice of fixtures and fittings? If so, choosing to have your party in somewhere that allows you to add your own personal touch is the best solution.

The entertainment factor

As it’s the season to be jolly, entertainment is essential. Whether it’s in the form of a live band, a choir, your favourite DJ, or something alternative like a hypnotist or magic show, make your bookings as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

Oh, and it goes without saying that a visit from Santa is a must if there will be kids in attendance at your party.

Dress code

If dress code is important, you need to tell your guests whether you’d prefer them to come in formal, casual or in a Christmas-themed outfit. And, to make sure each of your guests is dressed appropriately, everyone must get the memo on dress code.

And there you have it; your go-to Christmas party planning checklist. Now that we’ve made the list for you, check it twice to be sure your event is a success!

Are you breaking away from the traditional mould and hosting your big day in a wedding marquee? If so, you won’t be disappointed as marquee weddings are classy and beautiful and they also provide a fabulous venue for celebrations.

As with all elements of your big day, however, success is all in the planning. Not to worry as we’ve put together the ultimate guide to everything you need to know and consider before booking a marquee for your wedding.

First up are the questions that you need to ask yourself…

How many guests will be attending?

Perhaps the most careful area of consideration you need to focus on is the size of the marquee you intend to hire. Don’t just go for the biggest or the cheapest, or choose a size at random.

Trust us, hiring a wedding marquee that is far too big or too small to cater for the exact number of wedding guests is an instant atmosphere killer. Speak to your marquee hire provider about the approximate number of guests you expect both for the sit-down meal and for evening celebrations.

They will then be able to advise (per square feet) the most appropriate size marquee.

Where would you like to hold the celebrations?

The hill over-looking the lake might seem like the ideal location for your wedding marquee but unfortunately it’s a no-go. Your wedding marquee must be installed on flat grass with easy access and, ideally, not too far from power sources.

You will need to find an area of the grounds of your private site or hire a site which matches these requirements.

Does the hire company provide toilet facilities?

Don’t make the critical mistake of not hiring toilet facilities, as this is not an area for cutting costs. No one will fancy making a trip indoors to the nearest building to use the toilet and it will lead to guests scattered everywhere except where you want them to be which is on the dance floor enjoying the celebrations.

Will the hire company be able to organise electricity?

Despite it being a key requirement, it’s quite easy to forget about electricity. It’s a given with most venues but when hiring a wedding marquee, you will need to check with your provider whether they will give and set-up a generator, whether this cost is included in your package or whether this is something you will need to organise separately.

A generator needs to be set-up by someone with electrical knowledge or expertise too so it’s not a job for a member of the bridal party.

What kind of decorations would you like?

One of the key attractions to hiring a wedding marquee is the ability to assert your own décor. Few venues offer the customisation opportunities as a marquee so get planning your decorations.

Consider lighting, colour schemes, wall covers, table covers, chair covers and flooring as you can put your own stamp on all of these elements.

Ok, now that we’ve got all of the questions that you should ask out of the way, let’s cover the types of marquees that are available for rent for your big day.

What types of marquees are available?

Solid Side Marquees – These structures are built to the highest standard and feature clear span structures, glass window panels, hard panels, and steel cassette floors. There’s a variety of different sizes available, making them an ideal solution for wedding parties of all sizes.

Soft Side Marquees – These are clear span aluminium modular structures that are also finished to an extremely high standard. Much to the delight of Irish brides, they can withstand variable weather conditions and they’re finished with wooden floors and white PVC.

Pagodas – This option is ideal for couples that are getting married in the open air and have a small guest list.

And that completes our ultimate wedding marquee guide!

We hope you’ve found some inspiration from our post and remember; marquees provide a unique and super stylish venue for your wedding celebration so cover the logistics outlined above and your venue will be one of the biggest highlights of your day.

There’s a lot to consider when you are hosting an event in a marquee, and one of the most essential factors to consider is keeping the temperature in your marquee at a comfortable level.

There’s nothing that will kill a party faster than a bunch of freezing guests or guests who are struggling to enjoy themselves in the sweltering heat. So putting the correct heating and cooling measures in place is a necessity.

Summers in Ireland aren’t excessively warm and the evenings can get quite chilly. If your event is planned for the summer months then it’s always a good idea to provide some warm blankets for your guests to drape over their legs when outside.

It’s during winter, however, that your real heating needs are going to come into play. Even if you have your marquee sides down, outdoor events are bound to get cold and so you need to ensure that you have some big heaters to put in place when it gets a little colder.

Do’s and Don’ts of Heating Your Marquee 

Do’s

• Hire a heater that has a powerful fan.
• Do a test run of the heating a few days before your event and do it the same time of day to ensure that it works and is sufficient for the amount of space that you’ve got to heat.
• If it’s a really cold time of year, make sure you have the heating on at least an hour before your guests arrive. Guests who walk into a cold marquee are unlikely to warm up by the time the celebrations get underway.
• Use several small heaters, if you can, as doing so will create a more consistent temperature throughout the marquee.
• Always have a heater pointed towards the entrance.

Don’ts

• Use a halogen heater, cabinet heater or any other kind of infra-red heater with no fan as they are unable to heat larger marquees.
• Have anything in close proximity or touching any of the heaters.

The Best Heaters for Your Marquee

Choosing the best heater for your marquee is the next step in the process, and these are the most popular options to choose from:

• Indirect heaters: Indirect heaters are undoubtedly the most popular heaters for marquee events. They allow the heating element to be stored outside the tent, and this means that your guests can enjoy their evening without the sound, smell, or fumes that often come from heating appliances.

  As they are running from outside, they draw in and circulate heaps of fresh, clean air for your guests so it will ensure that they are warm and awake.

• Fan heaters: Fan heaters are also simple and effective; they work by blowing air across a heating element. The air moves around the marquee, gradually heating up the entire space. They are also the most cost effective option when it comes to hiring prices.
• Radiant heaters: Radiant heaters provide direct heat to the area around them, and by having a few in your marquee; you can heat up the whole place quite easily. These are particularly great for marquees that are slightly open, as they won’t lose their heat.

Whether it’s a company rewards night, a team building event or a charity fundraiser, planning any successful corporate event takes time and a lot of effort.

That said; when the planning is broken down into actionable steps, it’s really not that big of a task and the benefits of holding a corporate event are more than worth the effort that’s required to organise a great event that everyone will enjoy.

If you’re currently planning a corporate event, the following are 5 tips that will help you make it a resounding success:

Know Your Audience

Who’ll be attending your event? Will it be your employees or partners? Do you plan on inviting clients? Will there be children in attendance? Will it be a formal event or do you prefer to create a more informal vibe?

Answer these questions and you’ll be more than prepared when it comes to making important decisions such as choosing a venue, entertainment and budget.

Have Clear Goals in Mind

Are you holding the event with the intention of improving client relationships? Perhaps you want to bring your employees closer together and give them the opportunity to mingle outside of the office environment? Maybe you’re launching a new product and you want to hold an event to celebrate its release?

Ask yourself these questions, as it’s essential to establish the goal of your event and what kind of outcome you’d like to achieve.

Choose a Suitable Venue

Once you know how many guests will be in attendance, the next step is to find a suitable venue to hold your event. Suitable options will include conference rooms, function halls and corporate marquee hire.

What you choose will depend on a number of different factors including the number of people in attendance and the kind of atmosphere you want to create.

Food & Drinks

Depending on your budget and the theme of your event, you might want to completely avoid having a formal sit-down meal. Instead, you might want to offer your guests a buffet of snacks and sweet treats with complimentary hot and cold drinks too.

Your catering options will be limited depending on what venue you choose so holding your event in a marquee might be the best option if you want total flexibility when it comes to catering options.

Know your Budget

It’s easy to go over budget when planning a corporate event so you need to know your budget, accept your budget and, most importantly, stick to it. Don’t overspend in one area as you’ll be left skimping in another area and that’s not a situation that you want to put yourself in.

We hope that you’ve found some great tips for planning your next corporate event and remember; all you have to do is split up the organising into actionable steps and your event will be a resounding success for all the right reasons.

Happy planning!

Confirmation celebrations are a huge deal in Ireland and venues can book up pretty quickly, some even a year or two in advance. With thousands of children receiving confirmation every year, dining out in a local bar, hotel or restaurant simply isn’t an option for everybody, as these kinds of businesses cannot facilitate demand. If you’re looking for a venue to hold your child’s confirmation, it’s time to think outside of the box.

We’ve put together a list of various venue ideas for you to consider, which will ensure your child has a confirmation day they will thoroughly enjoy and will always remember.

• Sports Centre

If you’ve got a sports mad son or daughter, why not hire out the local sports centre or community hall for their confirmation?

The sports centre can be turned into a complete fun zone, playing host to a bouncy castle for little ones while the older ones can take up the challenge of an obstacle course, inflatable sumo wrestling, soccer, basketball or whatever games they wish. Food can be laid out in a separate seating area where parents can mingle in peace.

• Hire a Marquee

Set up your venue in your back garden or in a location of your choice by hiring a party tent. A tent or marquee can become an instant confirmation party venue, and it will come equipped for the various types of weather we experience here in Ireland.

If you’re setting up the marquee at home, you will most likely be able to facilitate a larger number of guests than you could if everyone was to stay inside and it’s a good way to ensure your house doesn’t suffer from people trampling in and out.

A marquee will enable you to fire up the BBQ and have a big party without having to worry about the stresses that come with hiring a function room in your local hotel.

• Private Cinema Screening

Rather than a group meal, why not have a small family meal at home or in a restaurant and then throw a party with a private cinema screening in your local cinema?

The confirmation boy or girl gets to experience some VIP treatment with a whole screen for themselves, their family and friends to enjoy. They can also be treated with popcorn, sweets and drinks.

• Race Track

Enjoy a memorable confirmation day out with a difference at your local greyhound or horse racing track.

Enjoy a full meal with friends and family in a VIP area or private suite with great views of all the racing action and your own tote betting and bar all within your suite. It can be a really fun day out and an experience that people of all ages will enjoy.

• Glamping

Get the family together and attend a glamping retreat (there are lots of venues all over the country). Enjoy a huge family BBQ on site to celebrate the confirmation and allow the celebrations to continue right through the night with sing-songs around the campfire before retreating to comfortable glamping tents or cabins.

And there you have it – 5 alternative party venue ideas for a confirmation. There really is no need to fret when it comes to organising a confirmation party. There are so many options to consider in terms of venue, and that’s true no matter how much time you have left to spare before the big day!

May is the month for First Holy Communions. It’s the beginning of Summer and the weather is just about nice enough to hold a communion party outside.

If you have decided to host your child’s communion party in a marquee and you want to make it perfect, memorable and a little extra special, here are some tips on how to decorate your marquee.

The following decorating tips are very easy to do and, best of all, they won’t break the bank;

Use Buntings

Wherever there are buntings, there’s a party going on so they’re a must for most people. They’re super easy to make, there is an endless number of colours, patterns and designs to choose from and they come in all different lengths too. You can also buy male and female communion themed buntings from your local shops so do keep an eye out.

Buntings can be placed all over your marquee but we would suggest placing them on the roof for maximum effect.

Get some flowers and balloons

Fresh flowers and balloons can really give life to your marquee.

If possible, get a theme going in terms of the colours you use and you will create a cohesive look that will wow your guests.

White is always a good choice and pair it with light blue if you’re celebrating a boy’s communion or choose light pink for a girl’s big day.

Welcoming table

Everybody loves canapés and cocktails (for the adults only) and they would look perfect on a table to welcome your guests.

It’s also a good idea to set up a smaller welcome table beside the adults’ table with some soft drinks and light nibbles for the kids. Use tablecloths and add some coloured confetti to the tables for more effect.

Lighting

Marquees usually have high ceilings so it’s important to create height and drama with the table and ceiling decorations and lighting you use.

Try decorating the ceiling with lampshades of different sizes and hang them at different heights. Placing a centrepiece on each table would also be lovely, for example tea light candles in jam jars of different sizes always look great. You can also hang fairy lights for added effect. Check out our post on marquee lighting ideas to find out more!

Get a photo booth for the kids

If you don’t have the budget to rent a photo booth, it’s time to get creative and make your own!

All you need to do is segregate a section of the marquee with a white/blue/pink ribbon. Look around your kid’s bedroom and pop into your local toy store and fancy-dress shop for dress-up props. Get some cardboard and create a large frame that the kids can hold whilst taking their photos. You’ll also need to have someone there to take the photos so get one of your older kid’s or one of the adults in your family to be the designated photographer for an hour or two on the day. Trust us; a photo booth is always a big hit so make it possible!

Chill out area

Having a chill out area in your marquee for the children would also be a great idea. Get some beanbags and cushions and have some board games organised for them to keep them entertained. Designing a chill out area is cheap and cheerful and the children will love it.

Winter has retreated to another part of the world and summer fun has arrived so it’s time to kick off your boots, take out the flip-flops and bust out the invitations. That’s right; it’s time for a BBQ party!

Summertime Party Planning is Simpler than You Think

Summer is all about rest and relaxation, and that applies to the party host too! That’s why we’ve come up with a few tips for throwing the perfect party without breaking a sweat. Good food, good friends, and no hassle: because that’s how it should be.

So, if you want to throw the perfect BBQ party that everyone will enjoy, here’s a little advice to get you started:

Plan an Easy Menu that Tastes Gourmet

You don’t need 10 types of seasoned meats with enough sides to feed an army. Instead, focus on key summertime foods and build a simple menu around them. We suggest using gourmet ingredients to spice up your dishes.

There are a lot of ways to turn simple into gourmet and the following are a few things to keep in mind as you plan your menu:

• TURNING SIMPLE INTO GOURMET

Never underestimate the power of putting a little twist on a party classic. Skewered vegetables take on a whole new taste when you add a little sriracha and lime! The best way to get ideas for this is to look into recipes online and always choose a site that allows you to set filters by ingredients and prep/cook time.

• MAKE IT A POTLUCK

Most people are happy to bring something to the party, so why not make it a potluck? Not only will that cut down on your cooking time and costs but it will also give your friends the chance to share their delicious cooking too. Just make sure you keep track of what people are bringing. That way, you don’t end up with 20 desserts.

• KEEP DRINKS SIMPLE

Cocktails can be a lot of fun, but they also have to be made in small batches. That means you’ll be spending your day bartending so we suggest considering serving beers and wines instead. Much like the food, you can even suggest guests bring their own favourite drinks. If you’d rather do something a little more sophisticated, make a hard punch or Sangria.

Hire a Party Marquee

Nice weather isn’t always a guarantee, so it’s good to have a backup just in case. Instead of bringing everyone inside, why not rent a marquee for the day? You can set up the seating area and some games within it and put all the food onto a buffet table with warmers. That way, hail, rain or shine, your preparation will not go to waste and you and your guests can still party!

Set Up an Area Outside for Games

Games are a must for any BBQ party. They are an excellent way to break the ice between guests that don’t know one another. The classics are great, but don’t be afraid to throw something a little new into the mix.

Here are some ideas for outdoor games you can easily put together:

• HUMAN CHESS BOARD

In this game, your guests play as the chess pieces, with two people playing either side of the board. Of course, the chess pieces often have their say in the matter too! You can buy human chess boards, but it’s also easy to make one with a bit of twine and some large wooden skewers. Mark the outside dimensions of your board using the skewers and twine, then fill in the squares. You can play like this or use spray paint to fill in the board.

• GIANT JENGA

You can purchase a set of wooden blocks all the same size and shape from your local hardware shop. Stack the tower as tall as you dare and watch as your guests try not to knock it down.

Make sure to relax and have fun!

The last tip we have is to just relax, as an anxious host doesn’t put guests at ease. Besides, summertime parties are all about letting go of your worries for a short while and as long as the company is good and there’s plenty of food and drink, everyone will have a great time!

Ever been captivated by a beach wedding scene in a movie? Found yourself mesmerised at a beach side wedding abroad? If so, you’ll be delighted to know that beach weddings are no longer just a dream wedding scene for couples in Ireland.

Finally, we are finding ourselves experiencing prolonged dry spells of weather here in Summer time and budding brides and grooms to be are taking every advantage of this opportunity. Enjoying a true fairy tale wedding beach side, with the sounds of crashing waves behind you and a stunning backdrop for photographs, can be a reality on the Emerald Isle.

However, there are some considerations you need to take into account, so we’ve put together our top 5 tips for ensuring the perfect beach wedding:

• Take advantage of the views

One of the main reasons to have a beach wedding is to take advantage of the amazingly beautiful backdrop. If you’re seeking permission to hold your wedding by one of our country’s fine beaches, ensure your designated area allows you to have a clear, uninterrupted view during your ceremony and that you work with your photographer to find the perfect spots on the beach to land those dream wedding shots.

• Hire a marquee

Beach side wedding venues in Ireland are few and far between. However, by hiring a marquee, you can make any beach destination your wedding day venue. The key is to hire a marquee with windows so your guests can clearly admire the breath-taking views and ensure that the marquee is well secured – even the calmest Summer nights can see winds creeping in on the coast.
In terms of location, choosing to have a marquee weddingincreases the number of potential beach side destinations that you can choose to host your wedding celebrations.

• Embrace the beach theme

If you are going to have a beach wedding, you’ll need to embrace the setting. You don’t need to go all out with inflatable rings, fake palm trees and Hawaiian leis to pay homage to your beach theme.
Subtle additions like putting fold away beach chairs outside for guests to lounge on, colourful bunting, coconut cocktails and driftwood signage can be a really classy touch. You’ve set the scene by setting your venue beach side so allow your theme and decorations to match the setting.

• Have a relaxed dress code

Everyone will still want to get suited and booted for your big day but it is important to let your guests know the specifics of the location.
High heeled shoes and sand can be a difficult combination so be prepared to relax the dress code a little – communicate that both male and female guests can wear flat sandals and comfortable shoes. Females can wear lighter material dresses rather than the typical occasion wear, heavy material gowns while males can opt for smart cotton pants or shorts. It’s also wise to provide a stack of flip flops on the day as some guests will miss this important detail!

• Know the local limits

When hosting a beach wedding, you need to get to know the local limits. If the beach is in a relatively public area, you will likely need to obtain a permit and obey noise disruption laws as well as committing to protecting the environment and leaving the area rubbish free when you leave.

Beach weddings in Ireland – who would have ever thought that this would be a luxury we could enjoy? Well now it is! You can hold your very own Hawaiian inspired beach wedding by the secret beach hideaway in Ireland you’ve always adored. Happy planning!