Real Weddings

Nathalie & Vivian

Sometimes you just know. For Nathalie and Vivian, that feeling arrived the very moment they stepped inside The Shearwater Hotel & Spa.

“When we visited The Shearwater as a potential wedding venue, it was the first time either of us had been there. The minute we walked in the door it was a massive yes. The layout, the décor, the chandelier in reception, everything was beautiful.”

From that first visit, they could already picture their wedding weekend unfolding in a space that felt elegant, welcoming, and full of atmosphere.

Planning Made Simple

In the lead-up to the big day, Nathalie and Vivian felt completely supported.

“Kate made the planning process absolutely stress free. She was always on the other end of the phone and no email went unanswered.”

That reassurance allowed them to relax and truly enjoy the excitement of planning, knowing every detail was being looked after.

A Moment They’ll Never Forget

One of the most memorable moments came as they arrived at their reception.

“Walking into our reception with the red carpet laid out, staff waiting for us with champagne and all our guests cheering was magical.”

It set the tone for a celebration filled with joy, warmth, and shared happiness.

An Atmosphere to Remember

The energy throughout the day was something truly special.

“The atmosphere from our guests, other hotel guests who stopped to congratulate us, the food and beverage staff, and management was fantastic. It was such an enjoyable time.”

From start to finish, there was a sense of celebration not just from their loved ones, but throughout the hotel.

A Weekend Their Guests Are Still Talking About

Staying at The Shearwater made the weekend even more memorable.

“The Bridal Suite was exquisite, absolutely beautiful. Our children stayed in the Executive Suite and the teepee in their room was a big hit.”

Their guests continue to rave about the experience.

“Our guests are still absolutely raving about the weekend. The food was delicious and cooked to perfection, and the hospitality was second to none.”

Their Advice to Future Couples

“If you are considering The Shearwater as a wedding venue, go there, view it, eat, and speak with the staff. You will not be disappointed. We had the most amazing weekend.”

Hannah & Oisín

When Hannah and Oisín began planning their wedding, they knew exactly where they wanted to say “I do.” St. Michael’s Church in Ballinasloe held a special place in their hearts, and finding a venue nearby that felt equally meaningful was top of their list.

“We attended a wedding open evening at The Shearwater and fell in love with the venue. The staff were all so welcoming. We knew it would be perfect for the size and style of wedding we wanted. It was an added bonus that the hotel is within walking distance from the church, which made it so easy for our guests.”

A Planning Journey Filled with Support

From the very beginning, Hannah and Oisín felt completely supported.

“Kate was such an amazing help with our planning and she was always at the end of the phone or email whenever we had any questions. Anything that we requested was catered to with enthusiasm.”

One of their favourite moments during the planning process was their wedding menu tasting.

“A table was set up beautifully for us when we arrived and we were looked after by all of the wonderful staff. We were asked to give honest feedback and every detail was considered. We were worried about the timings of the meal, but everything was absolutely perfect. We got to choose exactly how long we wanted the sit-down meal to be.”

A Grand Arrival and a Magical Celebration

Arriving at their reception was a moment Hannah and Oisín will never forget.

“Arriving at the reception to champagne and a red carpet entrance and being greeted with big smiles from all the staff was such a lovely moment. To walk in and see all of our friends and family gathered together, having a great time, was incredible. The venue was set up beautifully and had all of the extra touches we had requested.”

Elegant Details and a Joyful Atmosphere

The ballroom reflected the couple’s vision perfectly.

“Kate and all of the staff went above and beyond with the set up for our big day. We told Kate our wedding colours and she made a beautiful table plan to match and personalised our menus. The ballroom looked stunning with cherry blossoms and candelabras on the tables, and the top table looked amazing with a beautiful backdrop. The room was a great size for our guests to be seated comfortably and the dance floor was more than big enough once the band started.”

The energy throughout the day was everything they had hoped for.

“Exciting, fun and full of love, the day felt truly magical in every way.”

Exceptional Service and Unforgettable Hospitality

For Hannah and Oisín, what made their experience truly special was the care and attention from the team.

“I cannot emphasise enough the amount of people who went out of their way to tell us how amazing the staff and the service were. Both Kate and the general manager Des were on hand all day to make sure everyone was looked after, checking in regularly with us and our guests. The serving staff were amazing, we didn’t have to ask for a single thing all evening as everything was so well thought out. Several guests said the food was some of the best they’d ever had, and there was so much of everything. We genuinely couldn’t have been looked after any better and it made our day extra special.”

Their Advice for Future Couples

For couples considering The Shearwater, Hannah and Oisín’s message is simple.

“We couldn’t recommend The Shearwater highly enough. They have amazing packages with affordable prices, the staff are all wonderful, and the venue itself is stunning. Choosing The Shearwater was the best choice for us, and it will always be a special place for us to go back to.”

Ciara & Joe

For Ciara and Joe, choosing their wedding venue was about finding a place that felt effortlessly beautiful and welcoming from the moment they walked in. When they visited The Shearwater Hotel & Spa, everything just clicked.

“The Shearwater Hotel was the perfect place for our wedding due to the amazing layout, location, facilities, and of course the dedicated staff. The ballroom, foyer and civil ceremony space were all so beautifully decorated and designed, and they suited our vision and dreams perfectly. We adore the food served in the Shearwater also.”

A Planning Experience to Remember

Every couple hopes for a calm and enjoyable planning process, and Ciara and Joe found exactly that. Meeting with their coordinator, Kate, turned their excitement into confidence.

“The first day we met Kate to organise our final details, we felt so heard and understood, and any stress or worries disappeared after that. We felt that she almost knew what we wanted better than we did. Her help and support were amazing. From then, we were so excited for the day to come. We knew we were in good hands.”

From that meeting onward, everything flowed easily. They could picture their day unfolding, surrounded by family, friends, and the laughter they’d soon share together.

A Celebration Filled with Heart

When the day finally arrived, Ciara and Joe’s wedding was bursting with joy, warmth, and connection.

“We will never forget the dedication from all of the staff in the hotel. They made every guest feel so welcome and catered to family members who needed alternative meals. At the top table, we were so well looked after. The hospitality was exceptional. Their kindness and humour were also amazing to see. It’s not often you get to talk to staff and have an enjoyable time with them.”

Every detail was exactly as they had imagined.

“It was a dream come true. There is nothing we would have changed. We brought extra decor which was placed exactly where we hoped it to be. It was perfect.”

The Energy of the Day

What stood out most to the couple was the incredible buzz that carried through the entire celebration.

“The energy and atmosphere was out of this world. We felt so happy and so lucky to be experiencing this day, not just together with our families and friends, but also in the most wonderful place. The energy was so high due to the exceptional service. It was fast, yet nothing was forgotten. True experts.”

Their wedding was a reflection of everything they had hoped for: seamless service, joyful faces, and that unforgettable feeling of being surrounded by love.

Comfort, Style, and Unforgettable Moments

The newlyweds continued their celebrations by staying at the hotel before and after their big day.

“Our stay in The Shearwater before and after our wedding was so comfortable. The Bridal Suite is so beautifully designed. It is sleek and modern, and the most perfect backdrop for photos.”

Guests spoke highly of every moment, from the food to the attention to detail.

“Every single person was catered to, from children to elderly guests, no one left unhappy. The meals produced were of the highest quality. Every dish was perfect in every way.”

Words of Advice for Future Couples

Ciara and Joe’s advice to anyone planning their day is simple.

“We would highly recommend The Shearwater as a wedding venue for all of the reasons above, but mostly because they truly know how to cater for weddings. The team involved were fantastic. We wish we could do it all again.”

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