Wedding FAQ
Q. How many guests can we have at our Wedding Reception?
A. Ah! The eternal headache of the guestlist! At the County Arms, we offer a range of spaces, catering for both intimate gatherings and ballroom galas, hosting from 25 to 350 guests.
For couples seeking an intimate wedding for between 25 and 50 guests, our First-Floor Georgian rooms are the perfect setting for a gorgeous heritage celebration, with original Georgian décor, ornate high ceilings, full length windows, glittering chandeliers, crackling open turf fires and a gorgeous view over the County Arms gardens and grounds.
Larger parties will be wowed by our stunning Moorpark Ballroom, which can be configured to suit numbers up to 350. The Moorpark is a highly adaptable space, offering a variety of options for bespoke layout, décor, and lighting, enabling you to create the perfect ambience for your dream wedding.
Q. Can we have a Civil Ceremony at the County Arms?
A. Absolutely! We’re fully approved to host all Civil and Humanist Ceremonies and Blessings. We can help with a list of recommended local Wedding Celebrants and Registered Solemnisers and will support your wedding planning with any other local information that you might need. To legally register your ceremony in Offaly, email midlands.registration@hse.ie or call the registrar on 057 9315957.
Whether you choose to exchange vows in our stunning new outdoor Pavilion in the 18th century Walled Garden or opt for a romantic heritage celebration in our gorgeous Georgian Rooms or decide to create the party of the year in the vibrant, contemporary County Arm’s Moorpark Ballroom, our promise to you is quite simple – your dream wedding brought to life in all the ways you envisaged it.
Q. Can my guests stay at the County Arms and how do they book?
A. Yes of course, we are delighted to host your guests! On booking your wedding with the County Arms, we will set aside an agreed number of bedrooms for your wedding guests, based on how many you reckon will want to stay for the night.
These rooms will be offered at an exclusive discount, and you will be able to advise your guests to book directly with us at the County Arms, noting they are with your wedding party when booking. We will then ensure that they benefit from your exclusive wedding guest rate.
Q. Can we use the County Arms gardens and grounds for our wedding photographs?
A. We would be honoured to provide our beautiful gardens and grounds as the backdrop to your wedding album. No matter the time of year, our gardeners ensure the gardens and grounds look their seasonal best. We have a range of spaces to suit the seasons and Irish weather, from the 18th Century Walled Gardens buzzing with life, colour, texture, and heady scents over the summer months, to our quirky Gazebo, with its vine covered roof and walls and inviting open turf fire, crackling away throughout the winter. At certain times of the year, our wildflower gardens are in full bloom and make for a spectacular backdrop or you can choose some fun, stand-out set ups such as playing family statues on our life size chessboard or shots of the wedding party reeling around the fountain!
Q. Do you have alternatives for taking photographs on cold wet days?
A. Good thinking, but we’d never let the weather spoil your plans. The Maple Room on the first floor is heritage splendour at its best, with floor-to-ceiling Georgian windows ensuring this stunning room is flooded with light all year round. Add a huge open fireplace, authentic Georgian décor and twinkling chandeliers, the Georgian Rooms are a wonderful backdrop for your photographer to work with.
Q. Can we have live music performances at our Arrival Reception?
A. If music be the food of love, play on. A live music performance is such a beautiful way to welcome your guests to this celebration of love and friendship. Whether it’s string quartet, a jazz ensemble, a salsa band, or a trad session, we welcome all musical expressions at the County Arms.
You may already have performers in mind, but if you need some guidance be assured that Birr and our surrounding area has a wealth of wonderful artists and musicians, and we will be very happy to recommend some of our favourites to you.
Q. Do you have a preferred list of suppliers that we can access for our wedding?
A. When entrusted with ensuring your dream wedding is all you have envisaged, we have high expectations of ourselves, and we hold all our suppliers to the same premium quality standards. We have hosted many hundreds of weddings over the years, of all shapes, sizes, and themes. As such, we have made lasting connections with the best suppliers in the business, ones who have delivered for our couples’ time and time again. We will be delighted to put you together with them.
Q. What is included in the decoration of the Moorpark Ballroom?
A. Your County Arms wedding package will include a fully decorated Moorpark Ballroom. Our elegant décor features beautiful, sparkling mirrored centrepieces and stylish silver candelabras filled with church candles to create a warm and intimate glow at each and every table. Rich fresh flower displays spill over fresh linen covered tables, with comfortable classic Chiavari chairs. Fresh flower arrangements throughout the hotel add to the beauty and elegance of this special day. Behind the band stage in the Moorpark Suite, you’ll find a stunning white backdrop, glowing with hundreds of tiny fairy lights, while your dance floor is canopied with shimmering ceiling swag. A sweet cart is also available for your use if you would like to fill it with your favourite treats, we’ve had everything from retro goodies to cheese wheels! We can put you in touch with our recommended suppliers and you can order your selection online for delivery to the hotel. We will take care of the rest.
Q. Can you provide dishes that meet vegetarian, vegan, and other dietary requirements?
Most definitely! Some of our most delicious dishes at the County Arms are designed with our pescatarian, vegetarian and vegan visitors firmly in mind. We recognise that there are many reasons why people cannot or choose not to eat certain foods and we are very respectful of this. Our chefs especially love to experiment with fresh, seasonal produce and even dedicated carnivores are impressed with the resulting fare!
All we need is advance notice, so that we are assured we have the right ingredients in place, ready for prep. Once you advise us on your preferences and choices in advance, we can design many dish options to suit all tastes and dietary restrictions. If you opt for a fully vegetarian or vegan meal, our preparation and presentation of your wedding feast will receive equal love and attention in our kitchens.
Picking the right wedding venue and team is so important, we understand that. So come take a pressure-free visit to the County Arms and tell us how you’d like your dream day to look and feel. Share your challenges and concerns, ask lots of questions, and we will show you what we can do. We’re always here to help with any queries you may have, so drop us an email, pick up the phone or simply call in when you’re passing.
We host many Wedding Showcases throughout the year, where you can see, taste, and feel what your Big Day could look like if you choose the County Arms. Sign up for our Newsletter here and choose ‘weddings’ as your interest and we will share ideas, trends, tips, and special offers straight to your inbox. Simply unsubscribe when you’ve put a ring on it!
