Real Weddings with Sara

This week Sara talks to blogger, teacher, model and influencer Sarah McDermott aka Sarah`s Secrets as she navigates the journey of being a Bride to Be! Sarah can be found showcasing boutiques and brands from all over Ireland, the UK and more and is now documenting the planning of her upcoming 2024 wedding and sharing all her fashion, venue and suppliers advice along the way! This episode takes you through the many thought processes that take place after an engagement and why it is key to take your time to do what suits you and your partner. Sarah talks about how she worked out her non negotiables when it came to planning the day which helped in each step of the planning. A tip she learned here on the Real Weddings With Sara podcast! Sit back and take in some great advice and top tips from Sara and Sarah!

Sara talks all things wedding invitations with the wonderful Corrine Smith from An Siopa Páipéar or The Paper Shop if looking for her on social. Corrine has been designing since 1995 when she started up an award winning graphic design company in Co. Louth which specialised in menu design. It was during this time that she discovered a passion for handmade papers, stationery, cards and crafts and began designing wedding invitations. In 2005 she sold her business and moved to the US where she continued to work with happy couples to create one-of-a-kind designs. While in the US she began embellishing my designs with various techniques to achieve a uniqueness that is displayed in her work. Happily, she has returned to Ireland with her family and has realised her dream of sharing her passion for design with happy couples on a full time basis.

Corrine`s studio is in her home in Belturbet, Co. Cavan. She is open by appointment only, but says she is fairly flexible with her hours. Give her a shout +353 (0)86 067 7737 or email: [email protected]. This is a great listen if you are looking for options of bespoke, DIY, templates or something completely different plantable invitations! Yes you heard that right - these ideas are something you won`t find everywhere! Corrine sets the record straight on the do`s and don`ts of wedding invites, the common mistakes and tips to make the whole process really enjoyable!

Welcome back to Real Weddings With Sara! We are back and ready for 2023, another busy year ahead we can feel it in the waters!

This first episode sees Sara talking to four incredible make up artists, Pamela Matthews, Keira Smyth, Hayley Coleman and Patrycja Rusiecka who have huge experience in the wedding industry. They have invaluable advice for upcoming brides on how to research, what to expect and how to approach your make up artist chat and decision making. These are the people who live and breathe the business so if you are looking for some great advice on booking that make up consultation for the big day - this is a great listen for you!

This week Sara chats to the CEO of Laser Skin and Hair Clinics, Anne Gunning. This episode is a fascinating listen for brides and non brides alike who want to get a closer insight into the ever increasing and expanding world of cosmetic procedures, enhancements and just general face and body maintenance. Many brides to be may often put the facials and maintenance to the back of their minds until weeks before the big day , which is of course totally individual to every bride - however Anne lets us know that if you are planning on doing anything more , planning needs to be a bit further out than that! Anne talks through the many various treatments that are now available on the market, Laser Skin and Hair Clinics pride themselves on using the very best product out there with qualified clinicians taking care of your journey with them. The world of treatments are vast, from fillers to injectables, facials, tighteners, bum enhancements and much more , there are options galore - which can be daunting if this is something that you have ever considered and is very much a personal choice. Anne and Sara get to demystify in this must listen epside!

This week Sara chats to Carole the owner of the well known Pearls and Lace Bridal and Accessory Boutique in Donegal town. It was Carole`s dream to not only open her own bridal boutique but to create something different in the bridal industry. To make shopping for a wedding dress an experience, a memory to treasure. Carole`s advice for wedding dress shopping is invaluable and gives some much calming and practical advice for any bride starting out on the journey of making the most emotional purchase of all! The dress! It`s something that most brides take much pride and time in selecting so Carole wants to make sure it is stress free and full of enjoyment from day one! Step into this podcast and maybe her boutique to find out more!

This week Sara chats to Ian Dolan of the synonymous Carolyn`s Sweets, a well known and trusted supplier in the wedding industry! Ian is the man to go to if you are looking for that extra bit of sparkle and fun to sprinkle on the wedding day, from Chocolate Fountains , Candy Ferris Wheels, Ice Cream Bikes to Sparkle Dance Floors ,4ft Letters & more, they have something for everyone. Ian`s business idea all started from when he was getting married and wanted a Ferraro Rocher pyramid! While the Pyramid was not purchased - he did get a Ferraro Rocher heart built and went on to test the market with the idea - and the rest as they say is history ( of the sugary kind). If you are wondering how all those little magic pieces you spot get sorted and shipped/ set up and how to go about it - this is the episode for you! Ian takes you through the A to Z of novelty items that will create a talking point and most importantly enjoyable memories!

This week Sara chats to the incredibly talented soprano wedding singer Yvonne O`Toole who has over 15 years performance experience in the wedding industry in Ireland and abroad. She has performed in some of the most beautiful venues accompanied by strings, piano, harp and more! Not only has Yvonne extensive wedding singing experience and performed with The Celtic tenors, she was offered a position to study at London's prestigious West End Academy! Yvonne has great advice for upcoming brides and grooms on how to navigate the music choices for any type of ceremony you choose. She insists that asking a dozen questions is the way to get the ball rolling and not to be afraid to ask for what you want, even if that means additional singers or something you think may not work - ask Yvonne anyway! This episode is gold for anyone daunted by the thought of picking a wedding singer for their ceremony and what they can/can`t do and what rules to follow! Sit back and enjoy!

In this week`s episode Sara chats to David O`Connor Group General Manager of Louis Copeland and Sons, also known as Styledoc on Instagram. When it comes to wedding attire - we probably all automatically think about the bride , but don't forget the groom! The style is just as crucial for him and his entourage! David gives us the top tips on what styles, trends and factors matter on distinguished dressing for the men on their wedding day. This is a brilliant listen for top style advice from the best in the business!

In this week`s epsiode Sara chats to Cathal Molly founder of the Wedding Band Association and member of The Pink Champagne Wedding Band, Nicola Maguire from The Cosmonauts and Steve from Flog The Dog. The Wedding Bands Association is home to the finest Wedding Bands Ireland. It was set up to help protect couples in their search of finding a professional, quality and trustworthy wedding band to play at their wedding.

The website is your one stop shop to check out the best bands in the business today - sample the music and check out the vibe of the band and what might suit you. From trad to jazz to 50s to 90s and everything in between!

This one is for the couples who are wondering how it all comes together when choosing the music, first dance, and the most popular songs they are seeing right now for weddings including a Beyonce number "Love on Top" that The Cosmonauts have mastered! This is a super listen if you have no clue on where to start in picking your wedding band and giving you some top tips on how to get it right for you!

In this week`s episode Sara chats to Des of Bokeh Photography and Film. One of the big decisions for couples on their wedding day is how it is going to be captured and the latest photographic memories - on a Wedding day, they are countless! There are many different styles and themes that exist within photography, picking who you want to capture your big day might be a dazzling thought! Sara breaks it down with Des and delve into what a wedding photographed by Bokeh would be like. Bokeh Photography & Film is a tiny collective, with an enormous passion for weddings. They deliver images and film unique to their couples, focusing on their personalities, and the fire that makes you who you are as a couple. They understand that picking a wedding photographer and videographer is one of the most important decisions you have to make right now. They have developed a deep sense of what it takes to give you an experience to remember. This one is a great listen for anyone bamboozled by whats involved in picking a photographer and what goes into the day. Sit back and enjoy!