Wedding Stories:

Jody & Jenny Senior

The Portlaoise Heritage Hotel were proud sponsors of the first ever Wedding Giveaway on Pigsback.com in association with Nescafe. The prize which included a banquet for 200 guests, Arrival Drinks Reception, an evening reception, bedrooms and suites for the bridal party. The lucky couple based in Kildare were Jenny Farrell & Jody Senior. Their wedding took place on 27th April 2007

Pictured on arrival at the Portlaoise Heritage Hotel are the lucky couple

Shane & Melanie Bentley

We entered a competition to win a wedding On Midlands 103 in conjunction with The Portlaoise Heritage Hotel. To say it was a “dream come true” is an understatement. We were ecstatic to win.

Along with the wedding reception we also won money towards the brides dress, our honeymoon, bridal party flowers, wedding rings, photographer and mother of the bride outfit. So that was a great help for us. As we had just bought a house so it would have taken years for us to save up the money to get married and at that we would only have afforded a small wedding.

Luckily as part of the prize the Portlaoise Heritage Hotel sponsored a wedding for 150 people so we were able to have all those close to us there to celebrate with us. We met with Victor O Brien Assistant Manager at the Portlaoise Heritage Hotel. We booked our big day for the 5th March 2009 and planning was in full swing.

Everything went relatively smoothly with the plans and before we knew it the wedding was upon us. The day of the wedding had come and the bride of course was a few minutes late to the church making the groom sweat. It was a wonderful service and finally we were Mr & Mrs Bentley.

After many photographs were taking we made our way to the Portlaoise Heritage Hotel. We were greeted on arrival with a glass of Champagne what more could we ask for. There was music in the hotel reception area and all our Friends and Family were relaxing drinking tea or a beautiful punch or propped up at the bar. Before we could relax of course we had to get a photo of cutting the cake. When we walked into the Maryborough Suite it looked fantastic with the candles lighting it looked so romantic just perfect.

We went back out to mingle with our guests for a while before everyone was called for dinner. We were then led into the Maryborough Suite as we were called in and the place looked even more magical with our friends and family standing clapping for us as we were introduced as Mr & Mrs Bentley for the first time. We felt like royalty as we were given our dinner. All the courses were delicious; there was no need to get seconds as the plates were piled high with food. And the desert was out of this world. We got more than we could have ever wished for.

Each hotel staff member was so efficient everyone was served together so there was no one waiting while the rest of us were eating. And they were so friendly and polite it was like talking to someone you’ve known for years. When dinner was over it was party time and for the men to prop up the bar once again. At this stage we went for a sneaky look at the Bridal suite followed by about 20 of our guests who also wanted a peak. The Bridal Suite is fabulous - WOW doesn’t even cover it!  We would have sold our house and moved in if we were allowed. With the First Dance about to commence we had to head back down to the Maryborough Suite once again. You could tell by the faces of the guests that they were all having a ball. They all had so much praise for the day that it was just prefect. The rest of the night passed so quickly it was all over before we knew it.

The next morning we had a Champagne Breakfast in bed and a chance to sample the Jacuzzi in the Bridal Suite which was amazing. Before we knew it the time had come for us to check out. The staff had everything ready for us so it was time to say our thanks and goodbyes. We were sorry that it was all over as we had become friends with the staff who had helped us so much in the lead up to the wedding. The Portlaoise Heritage Hotel really did deliver their promise o the ‘Perfect Wedding Day’, from the meal, to the staff, to the layout of the room. I would highly recommend anyone who is getting married to choose the Portlaoise Heritage Hotel as their reception venue. We could not have dreamed of a better day or a better venue. If we were to do it all again we would do it exactly the same. I wonder if they cater for renewal of vows . . . . . . .