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Speeches before or after the meal?

Wedding Speeches your way !

Wedding Video Tipperary

Wedding Video Tipperary

Just filmed 2 wonderful wedding videos in Kilkenny last week-end, both quite local to me.  Nicola Gleeson from Killenaule, just a few kms from Cashel, was married to John Cleere, also from Killenaule, in Moyglass Church and the reception was held in  the Kilkenny Ormonde Hote. The next day I was in Kilkenny city itself with Kelly and Brandon and their church was St Mary’s Cathedral in the heart  of  Kilkenny city  with reception in Langtons Hotel Kilkenny.  This year I am booked for  a large amount of wedding videos in the Killenaule and Mullinahone areas with Kilkenny and Tipperary being my main wedding video catchment area.I will also be back to film another wedding in Moyglass /  Killenaule this Friday!

Video shoot locations Hoare abbey cashel - abbey video productions

Hoare abbey cashel – abbey video productions

At both of these weddings the speeches were held before the meal and I have noticed of late this trend is getting more common. I understand with hotels they have to keep the meal hot while the wedding speeches are being conducted, but from feedback from couples 70% now want their speeches before the meal. This way all involved in the speaking  can relalx and enjoy their meal knowing it’s done and dusted! It’s a great idea for  people that are not used to public speaking. Of course from the hotel’s side of things this can be a nightmare! The bride and groom tell the hotel they will only be 15 minutes but I have see this 15 mins drag on to an hour!  The poor chef is doing his best to stop the veg from sticking to the pans, so i can understand why the hotels frown on this!  If your speeches are going to be before the meal tell the hotel this and stay to an agreed time-frame – this way your guests won’t be eating cold food and all will be happy.

Ardmayle Church – abbey video productions

Ardmayle Church – abbey video productions

The traditional scenario of having the speeches after the meal is fine as well, but think of the groom & best man and also the dads  all  sitting there eating their meal thinking the speeches have to be done soon – it can and will put them off their meal.

Getting back to recent weddings: Saturday’s wedding reception was in Langtons Hotel  in Kilkenny.  The couple arrived at the hotel after the photo shoot in Butler House and Kilkenny Castle with their photographer  John Delaney Photography.  Sean, the manager  at the hotel who is a fantastic guy, was happy to see the couple arrive at the hotel early as their speeches were being held before the meal, so this worked out great for all concerned.

Abbey Video Christmas Weddings

Abbey Video Christmas Weddings

Friday’s wedding was in Moyglass  and the reception was in the Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel.  Again after the church we went to Butler House and Kilkenny Castle for the family photos and their photographer was local man  Eamonn McGee  from Thurles in Tipperary.  Once again when we arrived to the Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel every thing was done with the photographs  and this is what the hotel wants when the speeches are before the meal.  The couple had time to mingle with their guests, whereas often they  don’t get time to meet people until later after the meal.  I tend to recommend to couples  when they ask to book my wedding videography services here in Kilkenny that they should give themselves about 1 hour with their guests  before the meal is served as often I have seen couples arrive to the hotel from the photo session only to be rushed into the dining room as its so late and their plans to have the speeches before the meal have to be abandoned.

But what ever you decide for your speeches …. enjoy your day.  ~  Joe