Hot chocolate with marshmallows, piping hot soups, full-bodied red wines – what’s not to love about winter? While not the first season to spring to mind when planning your special day, there are plenty of reasons why couples should opt for a winter wedding. This magical time of the year is ripe with cosy, intimate ideas for a memorable event. And when you think about it, winters in South Africa, especially along the coast of KZN, aren’t cold at all, but rather mild, moderate and humidity-free. The afternoons, in particular, are pleasantly warm, providing a comfortable temperature for your big day. Here are our top four reasons to consider tying the knot in winter:

1. The romantic ambience

Is there anything more romantic than cuddling on a chilly day? A winter wedding lends itself to an intimate atmosphere, dripping with romance. Think fairy lights everywhere, an abundance of candles and open fires to congregate around. You could even provide cosy blankets for your guests to huddle under later in the evening when it’s a bit cooler. When it comes to colour palettes and warm, little touches, you can really ramp up the romance for a winter wedding. It will be a whimsical affair from the moment the sun starts to set.

2. Comfort food

Ask anyone who’s ever attended a wedding what they remember most. The food. It’s usually (always) the food. Luckily, when it comes to a winter wedding menu, the doorways wide open for hearty, crowd-pleasing comfort foods. Soups, fall-off-the-bone roasts, mashed potatoes, warm puddings – the opportunities are endless. (At Collisheen, we can tailor-make your perfect winter menu.)

3. The best photo opportunities

It’s no secret – winter has the most amazing lighting. The sun is further away, offering soft, warm rays and a gorgeous orange glow in the afternoons. It’s the perfect time of the year for a magical creative shoot with romantic natural lighting. The afternoon lighting at Collisheen will be sure to leave you with wedding photographs you’ll cherish for years.

4. It’s a perfect time for black tie

Suit up! If you’ve set your heart on an elegant wedding with a formal dress code, winter is the time to host it. The chilly season is by far more fitting for black tie attire. It’s also the ideal occasion for a sophisticated long-sleeve dress and full, floor-length bridesmaid’s gowns.

The Collisheen Winter Wedding experience…

There’s no better place than KZN’s dolphin coast for those planning a winter wedding. After all, Durban is the warmest place to be in South Africa during the chilly season, and Collisheen Estate epitomises warmth. Once winter sets in, the weather settles, offering pleasant sunny days and cool (but not freezing) evenings. While winter is the ideal time to create the perfect indoor wedding, our picturesque gardens remain attractively green for those with a vision of saying their “I do’s” out in the open. And there’s no doubt you’ll have the best photo opportunities, especially with the golden afternoon glow through the sugar cane fields. With two gorgeous venues to choose from, our outstanding kitchen feeding your guests and the option to adorn the trees (and everything else) with twinkling fairy lights, your Collisheen winter wedding will be nothing short of spectacular.

Are you ready to book your winter wedding? Give us a call to schedule a viewing of our venues. And in the meantime, while you’re waiting to come and visit us, take a peek at our wedding packages.

You’ve just gotten engaged to the man or woman of your dreams, and simply can’t wait a year (or more) to put that wedding band on. Can you plan your wedding in six months? The answer is yes – you can plan it all, and still enjoy a beautiful ceremony that reflects the efforts of a wedding that takes a year to plan. All you need to do is stick to a few essential jobs per month to get everything done in time – and we’ve got it all planned out for you.

6 MONTHS TO GO:

1. Determine your budget

First and foremost, you need to determine your budget. Is anyone contributing, and if so, how much? Once you’ve settled on a rough figure, sit down with your partner and make a list of your priority items and hires for your wedding day, so you know where the majority of your funds will go. For example, to your wedding venue, cake, photographer, and wedding band.

2. Plan your guest list

Now’s the time to plan who’s coming, who’s bringing a plus one, and who’s unlikely to attend. It would also make sense to sit down with your parents and ask if there is anyone significant they would like to invite. Once you’ve roughly worked out how many guests will attend, you can start discussing the size and style of your wedding venue.

3. Choose your venue

Yes, it’s true that most traditional wedding venues do get booked out a year (or more) in advance. But if you consider alternative dates, like Fridays and Sundays, you are likely to find a suitable venue for your ceremony. Our two beautiful wedding venues, the Boma and Orchid House, have affordable wedding packages on Fridays and Sundays – take a look.

4. Secure your priority vendors

Not only do venues get booked up in advance, but popular vendors do too. So now is the time to lock in that photographer you’re interested in, and favourite wedding band or DJ. It would be a good idea to secure a florist too, if you’ve got a specific wedding day flower fantasy in mind.

5. Choose your dress

Now, the urgency of your wedding dress really depends on whether you are opting for store-bought or custom-made. Choosing a store-bought dress will free you up a lot of time, especially if it doesn’t need many (or any) alterations. If you go the custom-made route, it’s important to pay that rush fee to guarantee it will be ready in time. It would also be wise to pre-book your fittings close to your wedding so your dress fits perfectly on the day.

6. Book a nearby hotel for your guests

If you’re planning a destination wedding, or have a lot of guests coming from out of town, it’s important to secure hotel rooms in advance, so that your wedding guests have the option of spending the night. If you book a Collisheen wedding venue, finding accommodation for your guests should be easy, as we are conveniently situated on the doorstep of Ballito.

7. Schedule your engagement shoot

Once you’ve established your photographer, you’ll want to schedule your engagement shoot as soon as possible. Why? So you can use the photos on your wedding website and save-the-dates, of course!

5 MONTHS TO GO:

1. Hire a wedding coordinator

If you’re interested in hiring a wedding coordinator, now would be the time to do so. A coordinator can be very useful when you have only six months to plan your wedding. So if you’re overwhelmed by the seemingly endless detail, why not leave it all to a pro? A huge perk of our wedding venues is that they come with a coordinator as part of the deal – only the best for your special day! Read more about our 2020 wedding package.

2. Establish your wedding party

If you’ve chosen which family members or friends you would like at your side at the altar, ask them if they’re up for the task early on. Remember that you might need to order or rent bridesmaids dresses and tuxedos, so start arranging outfits as soon as possible.

3. Send out your save-the-dates

Whether you’ve opted for digital save-the-dates or printed cards, send them out at this stage. Now would also be a good time to start planning the design of your official wedding invitations.

4 MONTHS TO GO:

1. Hire any additional vendors

If there are any vendors left to hire for your big day, like hairdressers and make-up artists, now would be the time to secure them.

2. Order your wedding bands

A lot of love and care goes into making a wedding ring, so naturally, it is a time-consuming process. Wedding bands can take up to 90 days to get delivered, so it’s important to leave the ordering of them no later than this.

3 MONTHS TO GO:

1. Decide on your wedding cake and menu

You’re halfway there! So it’s time for a little treat – go cake tasting and menu sampling, and settle on a wedding spread you both love. We offer a broad menu selection as part of our wedding packages, and if you have any special requests we would only be too happy to make them happen for you. If you’re interested in using one of our venues for your wedding, have a look at our menus.

2. Plan your honeymoon

It’s time to pick a destination, book flights, and a hotel. This part is also a lot of fun!

3. Send out your invitations

By this stage, you should have printed your invitations so they are ready to go. Now all that’s left to do is send them off. If you have opted to create a wedding website instead, head online to send out your digital invites.

2 MONTHS TO GO:

1. Enjoy your pre-wedding celebrations

Time to let loose and party! You and your partner can celebrate your union with loved ones at a bridal shower, bachelor and bachelorette party.

2. Do a hair and make-up trial

No bride wants a surprising hairdo on her wedding day. It must be exactly as she imagined. So with just over a month to go, schedule a hair and make-up trial to make sure your hair will be exactly as you want it at your ceremony.

1 MONTH TO GO:

1. Pack your bags for your honeymoon

There are only a few weeks left until your wedding day, and then you and your special somebody will be off on your aromatic adventure. Be sure to pack your bags around this time so you don’t need to worry about packing the night before your wedding.

2. Confirm your wedding day details

This is an important step, and it’s all about communication. Get in touch with your vendors and bridal party members to run through wedding times and details. You’ll want your wedding to run smoothly, so make sure you properly communicate your expectations to the people who need to know them. A wedding rehearsal would be a good idea to schedule in a few weeks before your wedding, so you can make sure everyone is on the same page on the day.

3. Finalise your seating chart

With your wedding day around the corner, your RSVPs should all be in. So now you can finalise your seating chart and print out your escort cards. And you’re done! All that’s left to do is live in the moment and enjoy your big day.

Keen to plan your wedding in 6 months?

If you’re ready to take the plunge and plan your wedding in six months, we say “go for it”! You know what to do – just check our list from time to time to make sure you are on track. And for more information about our wedding venues, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.

Our spring favourites: Indigenous wedding flowers

Proteas

King Protea

King proteas are stunning in a bouquet, drawing your gaze and inspiring a sense of African pride. Available in shades of pink and cream, these large, ornate flowers are striking in a fynbos bouquet – fresh or dried. And when held as a single bloom by the wedding party, a King Protea can look so effortless and natural. It’s no wonder this stately bloom is our national flower – is there any other with more of a presence than the king? The King Protea’s majestic beauty is only topped by partnering with a beautiful bride as she walks down the aisle, and turning her into the queen of her wedding ceremony.

Queen Protea

Equally beautiful with soft and gentle features, the graceful Queen Protea is delicate in contrast to the King. This bloom looks particularly eye-catching when arranged in a mixed bouquet that includes other protea varieties and pops of fresh greenery. If you’re keen to try something different for your wedding day, pair Queen Proteas with succulents – you’ll be surprised by how effective the combination is!

Pincushion Protea

Unusual and bright, vibrant yellow, orange and red Pincushion Proteas are a cheery pop of colour in wedding settings, standing out among shades of cream and white. Their textured look brings a hint of whimsy to a bouquet, and when paired with contrasting varieties can be a dramatic statement piece. Are you keen to mix things up with a pincushion bridal arrangement?

Strelitzias

Is there any flower more striking than the Bird of Paradise, or Strelitzia? You might feel this variety is an off-beat choice for wedding flowers, but trust us, they make a spring statement like none other. So why not freshen up your ceremony with bold greens and oranges? Your guests will love the quirky departure from the norm.

Arum lilies

Nothing says simple, effortless elegance quite like the arum lily. A bunch of these in shades of white will classically complement your bridal gown and emphasise your natural beauty. And if your wedding dress has a hint of coloured detailing, choose arum lilies of that same colour to tie your look together – seamless and beautiful!

Loving indigenous wedding flowers? 

Your wedding day is all about you, and this includes the flower décor and accessories. So go on, have fun with them! Be bold and choose indigenous wedding flowers that reflect your personality and style. And if you love them all, add them all! If they make you happy, how can you go wrong?

Once you’ve settled on the flowers, what’s next? That’s right – the venue. And we’ve got two gorgeous ones for you to choose from. Explore the Orchid House and the Boma and make a booking for your spring wedding.  Get in touch with us today.

8 wedding cake styles we love

Floral delight

Elegant and traditional, a floral wedding cake is a great way to make a statement with colour, and is the perfect complement to a summer wedding. If you love this style, think about how you will decorate your cake with sugar flowers. Will you scatter it with petals? Place a large flower in the centre? Maybe you want to place a pretty bunch on the side. There are so many options, so have fun with it.

Tall and stately

By tall wedding cake, we’re talking tiers upon tiers – a real ‘all eyes on me’ sort of cake. If you’re looking to make a big impression, this is the cake for you. Tall cakes look lovely in pale pastel shades, and can be decorated with fine patterns for a textured effect. 

Naked layers

This style of wedding cake has become more popular in recent years, and acts as a blank canvas (though beautiful on its own) which you can decorate with fruit, flowers or both! Naked cakes have a fresh and light feel to them, and are simply gorgeous in a tea party garden reception. Are you planning a relaxed outdoor wedding? We have two stunning venues that will be just perfect for you.

Painted to perfection

Love a wedding cake with a personal touch? Then why not get creative with edible cake paint? You can do the painting yourself, or hire a cake decorator. A work-of-art wedding cake will wow your guests and be remembered for years to come. 

Metallic masterpiece

Who can resist the charm of a metallic wedding cake? Classy and sophisticated in black tie settings, cakes with a shimmering finish of gold, bronze or silver are hard to miss. And when themed with pops of colour, remain trendy all year round.

Laced and lovely

Planning a vintage-themed wedding? A lace wedding cake would be a nice touch. Refined and elegant, a lace-draped cake will glam up your ceremony and look stunning against a vintage backdrop. 

Thematic surprise 

If your wedding décor is following a specific theme, you can really go to town with the cake. Rustic, garden party, whimsical – you can take your cake style in any direction. And if your cake reflects your theme in a clever and beautiful way, it’s sure to be a talking point among your guests. 

A novel departure 

Your wedding, your rules. So if you want to go off-book and skip the cake altogether, go ahead. You can have a doughnut wall instead, or a cupcake display. And a stack of brightly coloured macarons would be lovely too, wouldn’t it? The options are truly endless with this one. So if you’re up for the challenge, go on, do something original – your guests will love it!

Do you hear wedding bells?

So you’ve got the fiancé, the dress and the wedding party. And now you’ve got some inspiring ideas for a wedding cake too. So what’s left? The venue. 

If you’re planning a wedding and still looking for that perfect venue, we’ve got two gorgeous ones for you to consider. The Boma is the larger venue, and the Orchid House is a more intimate setting for smaller weddings. Interested in making a booking? Get in touch with us today.

5 Tips to help you pick your bridal party

1. Take your time to think about it

Choosing your bridal party is a big decision. Not only will your wedding crew stand up with you on the big day, but they will be your support system during the busy planning phase beforehand. When it comes to picking your party, you want bridesmaids and groomsmen you can rely on to have your back. As excited as you are about sharing this special occasion with your favourites, it doesn’t hurt to put some serious thought into the decision. Depending on the length of your engagement, give yourself a couple of months to consider your shortlist. You’ll know deep down who’s meant to be up there with you. Once you’re ready, you can go ahead and pop the question – your friends will be just as excited as you are.  

2. Think about your wedding size

You can have as many or as few bridesmaids and groomsmen as you want, it is your day after all. But, if you’re struggling to narrow down the selection, use the size of your wedding as a guideline. For intimate weddings with smaller guest lists, it’s advisable to opt for a smaller bridal party – no more than four. But if you’re planning a grand affair with loads of guests, feel free to add to your wedding squad. Don’t forget, the bigger your team, the more there is to organise – gifts, dresses for the girls, suits for the boys, it all adds up. 

3. Include your family members

No matter what, your family will always have your back. They were there when you and your partner met, and they will still be there when you celebrate your tenth wedding anniversary. You’re stuck with them (in a good way). Even if it’s not a bridesmaid or groomsman role, you should try to include your siblings in some way. Whether you put them in charge of ushering the guests or helping with set up, they will appreciate being a part of the proceedings.

4. Be honest with your expectations

We know. Planning a wedding comes with a long checklist of tasks leading up to the big day. Your bridal party are there to help you get stuff done and ensure your special day runs smoothly. When it comes to handing out the jobs, be honest and realistic with your expectations. Whether you need constant back-up or you’ve got it all covered, let your team know well in advance what their roles are. There’s no doubt they will want to get involved – they are your besties, after all.

5. Forget the rules and have fun

The most important rule of wedding planning is that there are no rules, even when it comes to your bridal party. The bride’s best friend is a guy? The groom couldn’t imagine standing up without his sister? No stress. Whether you want a man of honour or a best woman, it’s up to you. Whoever you couldn’t imagine your big day without, that’s who you choose to stand next to you – regardless of gender. 

Your wedding is all about sharing your love with your favourite people. If it doesn’t conform to traditional preconceptions, that’s completely fine. As long as you and your partner (and your crew) have fun, that’s all that matters.

Got your bridal party sorted, but not your venue? No problem, we can help. We have two magical options to choose from – The Boma, perfect for larger guest lists, and Orchid House, ideal for intimate wedding parties. Browse our wedding packages and then give us a call to set up a viewing. We can’t wait to help make your wedding dreams come true.

Our 4 favourite winter wedding colours

Cranberry, caramel and sage

When it comes to winter wedding colours, we love distinct combinations. Cranberry and sage green, with touches of caramel, is a palette that is both tasteful and arresting. The muted green and caramel shades provide a soft, tranquil backdrop, allowing the invigorating cranberry to pop. It’s the perfect twist on the traditional red and green combo and adapts easily to any theme. Elegant winter affair, effortless vintage, cute and quirky – there are no limits. And don’t get us started on the florals! Striking cranberry nestled in shades of sage – beautiful. 

Ivory and burgundy

Burgundy is one of those popular winter wedding colours – usually paired with navy. Don’t get us wrong, when a colour combo works, it works, and we are partial to a sophisticated navy and burgundy event. But, for the couple looking to put their own spin on an old favourite, burgundy and ivory is the way to go. An organic ivory nuance does wonders lifting and modernising the deep burgundy, allowing the darker shade to shine. Exuding refined charm, this stylish palette whispers romance. Add extra little touches such as fairy lights (we can include string lights in your wedding package) and cascading eucalyptus and you have a winning winter theme. 

Cream, green and copper

If understated elegance sounds like your wedding style, you can’t go wrong with a chic mix of cream, copper and green. This gorgeous blend of winter wedding colours accentuates that wintry atmosphere without feeling too stark or cold. The soft, simple cream shades paired with an abundance of sophisticated greenery balances the modern copper accents. This is an ideal palette for the romantic boho bride, offering ample opportunity to include natural elements from evergreen foliage to fragrant herbs. 

Shades of purple

Deep mulberry, shades of plum, muted mauves – if there was ever a time to let your love of purple shine, it’s for your winter wedding. Purple tones prove to be a versatile range of winter wedding colours, from dark moody tones to lighter lavender. Paired with gold, a dark, rich purple oozes plush opulence for the couple wanting a glamorous celebration. While dusky mauves matched with grey offers a refined gracefulness every guest will love. To take your purple palette to the next level, add pops of yellow and peach, which works particularly well in floral arrangements. 

No matter what winter wedding colours you choose for your special day, they will look breathtaking in either of our beautiful venues – The Boma or Orchid House. Get in touch with one of our coordinators to arrange a viewing of our venue.

Luckily, when it comes to natural wedding confetti, the options are endless (and often far prettier than sparkly paper). Here are some of our favourite biodegradable ideas that won’t harm the environment.

Flower petals

Pretty, delicate and still a traditional option for those not keen on straying too far from the norm. Stepping out into a shower of soft flower petals oozes romance. Not only does this natural wedding confetti idea look spectacular in photographs, but it adds a touch of understated elegance. Many couples go straight for the rose petals, but there’s no limit to your creativity here. Depending on your preferences and wedding palette, the possibilities are endless from the colour choice down to the type of petal. You can also decide between fresh or dried flowers – charming no matter which you choose.

Birdseed

If you love nature, this wedding confetti alternative is right up your aisle. Birdseed is a fantastic wildlife friendly option and still considered traditional, being a grain. Whether your feathered friends find it straight away or save the feast for later, a scattering of seeds won’t cause any harm to the natural surroundings of your chosen venue. There are also plenty of creative ways to package handfuls of birdseed to add a personal touch to your special day.

Lavender

Dainty and fragrant, dried lavender buds make a popular choice of wedding confetti. This delicate option is light and easy to throw, and unlikely to hit the bride or groom too hard. No one wants to get knocked out by their confetti. Whether you opt for the iconic purple shades or a neutral cream, the buds have an attractive way of landing in the bride’s hair. Couples aren’t limited to lavender, either. There’s a range of sweet-smelling herbs which work equally well, such as rosemary, thyme, and chamomile. Many herbs have symbolic meaning too, perfect for couples wanting to personalise the moment.

Leaves

Regardless of the season, the world never runs dry of leaves. If you’re looking for wedding confetti that’s natural and affordable (free if you’re willing to collect them yourself), this trendy option is for you. The perfect fit for a wedding focused on greenery, olive and eucalyptus leaves are stylish foliage choices. While autumn weddings have the benefit of the warm range of seasonal tones found in the falling leaves. For the more creative brides, you can even turn your foliage into traditional looking confetti by punching circles or shapes out of the leaves. Time-consuming, but well worth the effort.

No matter which wedding confetti you choose, it’s sure to look gorgeous, especially if you’ve chosen a picturesque venue. At Collisheen, we have two beautiful options – The Boma and Orchid House. If you’d love to say you ‘I dos’ in one of our charming chapels, or scenic gardens, give us a call to arrange a viewing.

Budget wisely

Every bride dreams of her perfect wedding – the cascading dress, gliding down the aisle, dancing in a halo of twinkling lights. But, once he pops the question, bringing your daydream to life requires planning. To start, you’ll need to determine a budget. Many crucial decisions depend on how much you’re willing to spend, especially if you’re planning a large wedding. It’s a simple matter of prioritising your needs and wants. A great idea to help keep your budget under control is deciding on the must-haves (perhaps it’s a top photographer or a seven-course meal), and ranking the rest accordingly.

Iron out the logistics

One thing to remember when inviting a large number of people to your wedding is travel. Organising a high volume of guests between different locations can end up being a nightmare. The easiest solution for a big wedding is to have the ceremony and reception at the same venue. This way, your guests only have to make their way to one destination. Luckily, we have the perfect wedding venues at Collisheen. Both our options provide everything you need to host your entire wedding from start to finish.

Don’t forget to do the rounds

While your guests understand weddings are often a blur, they are there to celebrate you and expect to exchange at least a few words at some point in the day. No matter how many guests you invite, you should make the time to meet and greet everyone, even if only for a few minutes. A great way to ensure everyone has a chance to share some quality time with you and your partner is by visiting each table at the reception.

Pick the perfect wedding location

When it comes to planning a big wedding, you want your guests to feel comfortable and relaxed, not cramped and claustrophobic. At Collisheen, we have the perfect wedding venue for couples with a long guest list – The Boma. Surrounded by a tranquil sea of rustling sugar cane, The Boma’s reception area comfortably accommodates up to 400 guests, including room for a dance floor. Not to mention the picturesque gardens, which provide ample space for your guests to spread out and mingle. The venue also boasts a private chapel and bridal salon, allowing couples to host their perfect wedding in one convenient (and beautiful) location.

Do you want to host your perfect wedding at The Boma? Give us a call to arrange a time to come and view our charming sugar estate, you can take a peek at our wedding packages in the meantime.

1. It’s all about the personal touches

Every couple wants to host a wedding that reflects their love story. Writing your own wedding vows? Individually penned invitations? It’s the personal touches that make a celebration truly unique. When your guest list is bursting at the seams, these little elements are time-consuming to achieve. But, scaling down the size of your special day gives you the chance to focus your energies on the finer details. Whether it’s hand-painted menus and place cards or personalised thank-you gifts, it’s easier to bring it all together for an intimate wedding than a large to-do. As a wedding venue, we love the fact that no two celebrations are the same. It’s always a thrill watching our space transform as each couple’s dream day comes to life.

2. Your guests can share the love

We adore the idea of a cosy affair where everyone feels a part of the experience. It’s the perfect opportunity for all your favourite people to get to know each other. Often, big weddings become a blur of people for the bridal couple. So much time is spent flitting from one group to the other that the bride and groom barely have a minute to stop and enjoy the moment. But, when you opt for a smaller guest list, everyone can share the happy couple’s joy without them feeling like they are leaving anyone out.

3. Outdoor receptions feel cosy and romantic

There’s nothing more romantic than an intimate wedding reception beneath the trees. Despite the open space of an outdoor setting, garden receptions feel cosy and personal. Can you picture it? You and your closest friends and family, all seated together under the stars. Fairy lights twinkling in the branches above. Glowing lanterns on the table. Dreamy!

Not only can we host your intimate garden wedding at Collisheen, but you also have the option of adding atmospheric lighting to your package. From string lights on the trees to garden lights, and even charming outdoor fireplaces, your wedding will ignite with passion. (Not sure if an outdoor wedding is for you? Our garden wedding blog can help you decide.)

4. You can indulge in an elaborate menu

Realistically, one of the biggest expenses of any wedding is the food. Whether you have your heart set on a three-course dinner or a harvest table brimming with edible delights, the cost of feeding over a hundred mouths has a habit of escalating. With so many different vendors to pay, sometimes a couple’s dream menu becomes one of the compromises. But, when planning an intimate wedding, you have more freedom and flexibility to indulge in a few choice menu upgrades. Personalised cocktails? Wine pairings with each course? A gourmet dessert trio? Your menu is your oyster. A smaller guest list makes a memorable dining experience far more attainable.

At Collisheen, the menus on our wedding packages are entirely customizable. We’re happy to create a personal menu for your special day.

Choose our intimate wedding venue

The perfect venue plays a big part in creating a memorable atmosphere for your romantic, intimate wedding. We can happily offer couples The Orchid House, a gorgeous venue for smaller wedding parties. Surrounded by a sea of rustling cane fields, this original homestead oozes charm and is the ideal size for a cosy gathering. With a private chapel, personal bridal salon and reception facilities overlooking the picturesque gardens, it’s exclusive and tranquil.  

Are you ready to book your intimate wedding venue? Get in touch for a quote. If you want a taste of what you’re wedding could look like, have a peek at previous Collisheen weddings on our social media pages.

Our 5 favourite 2019 wedding trends

Alternative engagement rings

Move over diamonds, the circle of friends is growing. While this sparkling rock will always remain a classic choice, more and more brides are opting for alternative styles. Opals, sapphires, emeralds – colourful stones are taking centre stage. These days, engagement rings are more than a token of commitment, they are an expression of individuality. Couples are selecting or commissioning styles that are unique to their personality, and it’s beautiful. A popular option is a soft-pink morganite gemstone – delicate and elegant.

Eco-conscious weddings

One of the emerging 2019 wedding trends we can’t get enough of is eco-conscious weddings. Couples are keeping the environment at the front of their minds when planning the aspects of their big day. From farm to fork menus to recycled paper invitations, the options are endless. Instead of imported floral arrangements, native, seasonal flower installations are making an appearance. And your traditional confetti can be swapped for a bird-friendly seed or fragrant herb.  

Dark colour palettes

The time for soft hues and pastel shades is coming to an end. The 2019 wedding trends for colour palettes are favouring moody accents and bold, edgy colour combinations. Think intense and effortless elegance – midnight blue, dazzling emerald, rich burgundy and deep squid ink. These adventurous avant-garde tones have an air of sophistication and will be a popular choice, regardless of the season.

Statement wedding cakes

In recent years, the naked cake has dominated the scene with its rustic, natural charm. But, 2019 wedding trends indicate this look is about to change. Intricate, structural wedding cakes are making a comeback. Tiered, textured and colourful – there’s no holding back. These opulent show-stoppers are the perfect accentuation for your dark colour palette. And they aren’t there merely for aesthetics. Many couples are opting to cut the cake early in the day, giving their guests a tasty distraction while they sneak off for their creative shoot.

Grazing tables

Last but not least, our personal favourite – grazing tables. This 2019 wedding trend will have foodies feasting in delight. Shifting the focus away from formal sit-downs and waiters floating amongst the guests with trays of canapes, the grazing table is an edible work of art. Fresh and bountiful, these laden tables allow guests to snack to their heart’s content. From gourmet cheeseboards to family style spreads and moreish late-night snacks, grazing tables work for any course. At Collisheen, our talented chefs are more than happy to help bring your grazing table dreams to life.

Now that you have our top 2019 wedding trends to get started with, you’re ready to find the perfect venue. Collisheen Estate has two gorgeous options, flexible wedding packages and a passionate team on hand to help manage all the tiny details. Give us a call to organise a viewing.