We are delighted to share that Waterlily Weddings and our expertly talented and knowledgeable head designer Michelle Johnstone Clark is featured in the Winter 2016 edition of Ireland’s Wedding Journal!

Discussing estate houses as the perfect venue for intimate weddings in Ireland, Michelle takes inspiration from the estate and house itself when conceptualizing the wedding with the couple. “When we are planning a wedding in an Estate House we really look to enhance the beautiful interior that is already there,” she says. “Look at the period of the house, the tone set by that time period and the colours and hues used. Of course you can still put your own stamp and personal style on the day, but if you want to theme or transform a venue into say a tropical paradise or a winter wonderland, I am not sure that a period estate house is for you!”

Another major advantage of hosting at an estate? The food! “To date most venues have concentrated on producing vegetables but now we see more and more venues raising livestock too,” says Michelle. The result is many estate houses offering amazing menus with ingredients from their own grounds. The seasonal and freshness factors together with skilled chefs can make for a memorable culinary experience for your wedding. Michelle advises to meet with the chefs directly, “Talk to them about what will be in season and what they recommend; most of them are quite literally geniuses!”

Smaller than a castle but offering the same levels of luxury, together with an existing palate of colors and textures to work with and major culinary potential makes Estate Houses the new go-to venue for hosting your dream Irish destination wedding.

 

Pictures courtesy of Waterlily Weddings, Ballinacurra House, Cork.