Wedding Blog | Arklow Bay Hotel
More Than Bricks and Mortar: Choosing a Wedding Venue That Truly Supports You
When couples begin their wedding planning journey, it’s natural to focus on the tangible things first — the look of the room, the value of the package, the menu tasting, the location. And while all of those elements matter (and matter a lot), choosing a wedding venue is about so much more than bricks and mortar.
A wedding package can offer excellent value. The food can be delicious. The views can be stunning. But what truly elevates a venue is the experience it offers — and the people and partnerships that quietly work behind the scenes to bring your day together.
One of the most valuable (and often underestimated) parts of choosing a hotel venue is the knowledge and guidance of your wedding coordinator. Your coordinator isn’t just there to manage timelines and table plans — they are there to support you, to listen, and to connect you with suppliers who will genuinely enhance your day.
Photography opportunities, for example, are hugely important. Beautiful surroundings allow your memories to be captured naturally and effortlessly. Here at the Arklow Bay Hotel, we are incredibly fortunate to be located right by the water, offering a scenic seaside backdrop just steps from your celebration — a gift for couples and photographers alike.
We are equally blessed when it comes to the talented suppliers on our doorstep. Over the years, we’ve built strong relationships with local wedding professionals whom we trust implicitly and love to work with. These are people who not only excel at what they do, but who understand our couples, our venue, and the level of care a wedding day deserves.
A recent styled photoshoot gave us the perfect opportunity to shine a light on just a few of the wonderful local vendors we are proud to recommend:
Dress, veil & shoes: The Bridal Gallery
Hair: Louise Carter Salon
Make-up: The Bay Beauty Rooms
Décor & bouquets: All About Weddings
Cake: An Ciseán Arainn
Each of these suppliers brought their own creativity, professionalism, and warmth to the shoot, and we are so grateful for the talent, time, and passion they shared with us.
And while this list highlights just a handful, we are proud to say there are many more exceptional local vendors — from photographers and musicians, celebrants, bands and DJs to florists and bridal boutiques — whom we can recommend with complete confidence.
Our advice to future couples is simple: trust your venue, and trust the suppliers they recommend. Your wedding coordinator has one goal — to ensure your day is as seamless, stress-free, and joyful as possible. They know who will suit your style, your vision, and your personalities, and they truly do have your best interests at heart.
At the Arklow Bay Hotel, we don’t just host weddings — we support them, nurture them, and surround them with the very best people to help bring them to life.