Over the years in the videography business here in Kilkenny and Tipperary I have heard it all, with wedding speeches anyway! I remember 15 years ago at weddings, the Smokey hotel function rooms and the speeches that were short and to the point. As time went on the smoking ban arrived and the speeches got longer & longer for some reason.
How long is a good speech? Well I guess the way to answer that is how long in a piece of string… who knows, but the attention span of your guests should not be over looked. The total duration of the wedding speeches is usually 20 to 30 minutes max. If you want your wedding speeches to be short, then you have to make sure all the speakers know their limits and no more. Long speeches can risk repetition and guest boredom and I have see this while videoing weddings all over Ireland.
My advice to couples that ask about what I think regarding speeches is this: I tell them it’s their day but just to be aware a short speech is always remembered and spoken about later, a long speech is soon forgotten because it was too much for people to take in. Also bear in mind that if the speeches are after the meal and are long winded, people get fed up as they need to stretch their legs. I have heard horror comments after the speeches from guests after sitting for nearly an hour listening to a guy that “loves his own voice!” but as I emphasise – it’s your day and your speeches. The traditional scenario of having the speeches after the meal is fine as well, but think of the groom & best man and also the dads all sitting there eating their meal thinking the speeches have to be done soon – it can and will put them off their meal.
A trend that is becoming increasingly popular is to have the wedding speeches before the meal. This really helps people who have a speech to deliver and are somewhat anxious about making it. This will have to be arranged with your hotel in advance so that they can Plan to accommodate it with your meal.
I understand with hotels they have to keep the meal hot while the wedding speeches are being conducted, but from feedback from couples 70% now want their speeches before the meal. This way all involved in the speaking can relax and enjoy their meal knowing it’s done and dusted! It’s a great idea for people that are not used to public speaking. Of course from the hotel’s side of things this can be a nightmare! Also you band can start on time if all is done and dusted before say 9pm, and this way you get value for money from you nights Entertainment as well. The bride and groom tell the hotel they will only be 15 minutes but I have see this 15 mins drag on to an hour! The poor chef is doing his best to stop the veg from sticking to the pans, so i can understand why the hotels frown on this! If your speeches are going to be before the meal tell the hotel this and stay to an agreed time-frame – this way your guests won’t be eating cold food and all will be happy. Brand new blog in the making for next week, very interesting one at that! check back ~ Joe
Last Wednesday evening I got word that I had won the Mrs2Be brides choice awards for wedding 
I was nominated last year and was honoured to become a finalist. This year I was nominated by a couple whose wedding I filmed early in 2017 and I progressed once again to the finals, but this time I went all the way and won! It’s a nervous wait to see how things go with the judges and of course how the couples vote. But as I always say, every wedding video I complete is a winner for me – when I get an e-mail, text, Facebook review or a phone call to say how delighted a couple are with their wedding DVD, well I just won all over again!
As I mentioned, Oola Church was my next stop. What a huge amount of friends they have, guests from Galbally, Cashel and all over the world turned up! The ceremony was conducted by Fr. Jack O’Neill and when Aoife and Frank were married we moved on to Aoife’s granny’s house, a lovely farm setting with the old milking steps providing a lovely backdrop for the photo session.
Aoife and Frank had thought of every thing, with green wellies for the lads and flowery ones for the girls! Their photographers captured some great photos here and I got some lovely footage.
The Bunratty Castle Hotel was our last stop for the day. Aoife and Frank arrived soon after me – I like to try and get to the reception venue before the bride and groom to film the drinks reception so they can see what was happening elsewhere on their day. The function room in the hotel is splendid and looked fabulous on the day. The wedding cake was fantastic and the speeches were excellent – funny, emotional, and just the right length. One of the highlights of the day for the lads was when both mothers sang “The Voyage” together after the speeches; it sounded fabulous so well done to the mams for that!
I’d like to wish Aoife and Frank congratulations on their marriage, and all the best for the years to come.
It’s strange when I hear stories that some videographers are 3 -5 months behind on editing , so it takes months for couples to receive their wedding DVDs. When booking your wedding video be sure to ask how long it will take to see the completed product. I am very busy here in Tipperary along with covering a large area of Kilkenny and Waterford, so we are very proud that we can deliver when a couple return from honeymoon. Have a look here at some of the fantastic reviews we have got along the way for our quick but professional delivery of your special DVD. So if you are planning on getting married in 2016/ 2017/2018 give me a call and let’s discuss the wide range of packages available to you, along with our highly competitive prices. See our Reviews
It’s great to have had a local wedding video job in Cashel Tipperary on Friday last after 3 the week before in 
The Bridesmaids were on hand to do the last bit of lip gloss and away we went to capture John standing at the top of the aisle awaiting his brides arrival. Fr Jim Purcell our very popular priest in Cashel was giving John some good advice 🙂 After the ceremony we went to a local area with stunning views of the
We’re out again this weekend, so if you’re in Waterford on Friday or Kilkenny on Saturday you might see me there
The length of time for which a couple are engaged has become shorter. In 2012, most couples were engaged for at least 2 years before getting married. However, last year, the majority waited just 13-18 months.As well as this, almost one in four couples live together for at least five years before walking up the aisle. On average, brides are getting married in their late twenties, while grooms are in their early thirties.
December is now the most popular month to get engaged, with February following behind.
Although up to a quarter of couples shun a church wedding, it is still the most popular venue in which to hold a wedding. In years gone by Churches were the place to get wed now you can get married anywhere you like to a certain extent, and it’s nice for people that are not religious to have this choice.
So, with a fantastic looking year ahead and with 80% of my work in and around 
