Following our insightful Instagram live with Sara Kennedy, founder of Irish Wedding Blog, we sat down with Sara to bring further insight into her background.
1. Can you tell us a bit about your journey and how you got to where you are?
I've always had some involvement in weddings, in my first job, I worked for a high street jeweller and at the great age of sixteen became a diamond specialist. I was the go-to for engagement rings. I studied hospitality management and luckily had the opportunity to work in a hotel in Chicago. That was my first taste of the wedding day and I fell in love with it. From the style to the joy, I then moved to work as a dedicated wedding coordinator for a beautiful family run wedding venue called The Station House Hotel in Co. Meath.
As I progressed in my career, I moved more into marketing and upon returning to college to do a master’s in Marketing & Digital Marketing. We were tasked with setting up a blog and I just started sharing my knowledge with couples and low and behold.
Ten years on and here we are as Irish Wedding Blog which in the next few months will evolve into something a little bit new but it’s a secret for now.
2. What are the current trends you're seeing in wedding planning and design?
I'm seeing so much influence from American brides sweeping across the Irish Bride. From champagne towers instead of cake cutting, sweetheart tables, more abroad hen parties and not to mention a big increase in abroad weddings.
I'm also seeing so much diversity in wedding composition and to break that down, I'm seeing so many throw certain parts of the traditional format out the window and opt to suit their personality. After-all, many say that a wedding is like an extension of your own personal identity! Wedding celebrations are becoming standard as two days over one too. Overall, couples are really valuing that they have the ability to suit themselves and can think outside the box for their own day.
3. Planning a wedding can be overwhelming. How do you suggest brides-to-be stay organised and stress-free throughout the process?
Initially when a bride looks at this big wedding project, they tend to look at they go into an overwhelm mode. I have a text book which breaks down each item you may book and if you book one thing at a time. It’s good to put a plan in place, it is the key here.
Don’t get caught up in the hype that if you don’t book everything now that the date won't be free, all of that will work itself out. Just take it one step at a time. Lean on your venue coordinator or planner, that’s what they are there to do. Also, if this whole concept of planning an event is just not in your available time or it is overwhelming, book a planner. It can even save you money.
Also, feel free to delegate, if you need help sourcing or getting quotes, get a friend or someone in the bridal party to do all of the fact finding and then all you need to do is review and make the decision. Work smarter, not harder!
4. Choosing the right vendors is crucial for a successful wedding. What criteria do you suggest brides use when selecting vendors like photographers, florists, and caterers?
I always say that weddings are a personality business. Your vendor needs to be a good match for your personality. Meet your vendor in person or online, see if you connect. Always check reviews from other couples. You can also look at their feed and see couples that may be tagged and you can reach out to those couples to see what their opinion was. This covers off reputation. Next, you need to look at their work, and ask to see previous work. In the case of food, you need to sample their work. Most venues have menu tasting or have a restaurant.
5. What are some unique and memorable ways couples can incorporate their personalities into their wedding day?
I believe that each couple will have their own personality traits and that will naturally come through in the day. Many couples have some shining moments where they can mix it up to show their vibe so this could be their ceremony and vows, music choice, first dance, and of course, speeches! I'm seeing so many couples opt to not do a speech at the formal post-meal and instead during the drinks reception in a more casual way, do a lighter speech. Other couples might include something that is important to them such as their fur baby, it’s all about a reflection of the people they are to define what's unique for them.
6. After the wedding is over, what are some creative ways couples can cherish and preserve their memories?
This is where your photography and videography or content creators output plays a big role. Those moments captured are your footprints in history. I love a memory box. I have kept items like my invitations, mass booklet, eternity candle, DIY items, thank you cards, marriage prep course workbook all in that box. Every now and then I have to go up to the high shelf in the wardrobe to get something and I always take a little moment to look back!
7. What are the wedding trends you are seeing for 2024 and 2025?
- Two dresses have been around a long time but it appears to be standard, particularly for the bride going abroad where you have a legal ceremony here then vow ceremony abroad.
- Wedding content creators for social media footage of the day
- More looking for smaller, more intimate weddings
- Bows, bows and more bows
- More opting for first looks
- More having joint hen and stag parties
- More hen parties abroad
- Bride and Bride Squad Merch! The matching PJ’s are going nowhere!
8. How long in advance, in your opinion, should couples start to plan their weddings?
I don’t have a set guideline as you can plan a wedding in three months if you know what you’re doing but between one and one and a half years is ideal as it gives you time to think about what you need, have good date options and save!
I think if I could go back and talk to myself ten years ago, I would say trust your gut. There were so many times I was talked out of ideas and they are the ideas that left me feeling regret!
10. What advice would you give to couples to savour the day as much as possible ?
Have core moments throughout your day where just the two of you come together and acknowledge the moment! The day flies and you can easily end up not seeing each other after the photos so it's important that you have that time to be together at your own wedding.
