The Pros & Cons of a Restaurant Wedding

The last two extraordinary years have led to a revamp of what a typical Irish wedding looks like, and one trend which is likely to outlast the pandemic is the ‘micro-wedding’. The move towards a smaller, more intimate event comes with host of benefits, from the added atmosphere to the reduced cost, and even with the lifting of restrictions wedding couples are seeing the ongoing value of keeping the head count low.

During the pandemic many couples had neither the budget nor desire for the typical banquet hall wedding. While some venues were able to adapt the rooms to a guest count limited to 50 or less, most of these large rooms had an empty feel, with the overall atmosphere being lost. The ‘restaurant wedding’ became a popular alternative, and one which remains ideal for catering to the unique style and budget of the post-COVID19 bride!

Hosting your wedding at a restaurant has some wonderful advantages but these venues also have some challenges to be overcome to put together the day you’ve always envisioned.

T H E B E N E F I T S

The Food

Let’s get to the obvious benefit first – the food. Not only is a delicious menu pretty much a guarantee at any restaurant wedding but restaurants will usually be able to offer you something different to the traditional ‘beef or salmon’ options. Depending on their signature style you can expect anything from tapas to buffets to barbeques. The foodies among your guests will be in heaven and even those who are just there for the prosecco and dancing will be impressed!

The Intimacy & Exclusivity

Unlike hotel venues who will often have numerous guests staying onsite, restaurant venues can usually offer exclusivity for your event at very competitive prices. The intimate feel of having a venue for just you and your guests is unparalleled and the undivided attention from the venue leads to top-quality service.

Individuality

While hotel venues can provide a stunning location for your wedding, they do tend to all adopt a similar style, whereas restaurants tend to be more individualistic in their décor and vibe. Each restaurant has its own distinctive style and unique charm, making it easier to find a venue that matches your own style and one that can give you a one-of-a-kind backdrop for your wedding.

The Layout

With more limited space you will need to get more creative with your seating plan. Many restaurant venues don’t follow the banqueting style seating you see at hotel weddings so you can expect to see unusual layouts on your floor plan! While this can be a challenge in some respects it can add also add to the atmosphere and individual style of the wedding!

All in One Packages

Most restaurant venues who offer wedding services are typically registered for Civil Ceremonies (or can easily be registered). If you are looking for the convenience of having your ceremony and reception all in one place, restaurant venues can be a simple and stunning option!

T H E C H A L L E N G E S

Accommodation

The biggest challenge of hosting your wedding at a restaurant it that, unlike hotels, they don’t typically include accommodation as part of their wedding packages. Not only does this place an additional burden on your wedding budget but it can cause a logistical nightmare if there are no nearby accommodation options available. To combat this challenge, many restaurant venues will have a list of the nearest accommodation and transport options available, and perhaps even some preferential rates so be sure to ask if this is an option at your preferred venue!

Small Numbers

While the intimate atmosphere of a smaller event might be a growing trend, some aren’t willing to forgo having all their friends and family at their wedding. For many brides who might love the vibe of a restaurant wedding, the smaller capacity can be a deal breaker. That being said, a number of restaurant venues offer a marquee style wedding to extend their normal capacity. While they come at an additional cost, these options are brilliant for the bride who wants all the benefits of the great food and charm of a restaurant venue while still getting to invite all the extended family!

The Dancefloor

With a smaller space comes a smaller (if any) dancefloor. While most venues will be able to clear away some tables after the meal to allow space for you to dance the night away, you can expect a much smaller dance floor than in a hotel style wedding. If you had your heart set on a five-piece band or you’re looking for somewhere to ‘Rock the Boat’ then the restaurant option might not be for you.

AV & Décor

Traditional wedding venues come fully equipped with all the AV needed for your speeches and various other wedding supplies such as centrepieces, seating plan displays and other décor. While some restaurant venues who host weddings on a regular basis may have some of these available in their wedding package, most alternative venues will be ill-equipped in comparison to hotels, and you may need to fork out a little extra to get all you need for your big day. That being said, the smaller space can eliminate the need for any AV and the existing décor can often be stylish enough to offset the need for any extra embellishments!

So, what can you expect from a ‘restaurant wedding’?

A restaurant wedding can be full of personality, with a menu and setting you aren’t likely to forget! If you are going down the alternative route, however, be prepared to have to do some additional legwork for accommodation and other vendors.

If you think a restaurant wedding venue is for you, contact us to find out more about our partner wedding venue Paddy’s Bar & Restaurant, who offer both marquee weddings for up to 200 guests, and small wedding packages for up to 70 guests.