Here below, you can find an answer to some questions you might have about the wedding.
Fashion choices
Is there a dress code?
No! Just come in your favourite party clothes. If you want some inspiration, the colour palette of the wedding is burgundy red ⬤ and cream ⬤, but this is not a requirement for the guests, only for the flowers 💐
Are there any type of shoes that I should avoid wearing?
We won’t be asking you to walk very far or spend time in muddy fields. As long as you can walk up stairs and across cobble stones in them, your choice of shoes should be fine. (For those rocking heels during the ceremony, think of bringing flats so that you can also rock the dance floor.)
Kids’ Corner
Are children invited?
Yes! Children and family are a central part of marriage so of course we are happy to have your kids present on our wedding day. Generally, your children should be named on your invitation. If this is not the case, get in touch and we can confirm for you that there will be space for your little ones.
Should I include my children’s names when RSVP-ing?
Yes!
Will there be somewhere for children to sleep?
There are not rooms directly attached to the reception venues. However we are planning to have a hotel room available for those who need to nap. Please get in touch with us for more details.
Will there be high-chairs provided?
There are some high chairs at the reception and dinner venues, but probably not enough for all the smallies invited! So it would be great if you could bring your baby seats with you.
Will there be a kid’s option for the meal?
During the reception, there will be finger food, and there should be something to suit all tastes (i.e. pizza slices and potato wedges).
At the family dinner, there will be a chicken-and-chips option for the kids. Please specify the names of the children choosing this option when RSVP-ing.
Getting about
How accessible are the venues?
The church has ramps up to the main doors and an accessible toilet.
NoLiTa is on the first floor and there is no lift. There will be music playing but there is a covered terrace area that will be quieter.
Fallon & Byrne is on the second floor and there is a lift. We will have quiet background music during the dinner, but once the dancing starts, the music will get louder and the lights lower!
If you have any need of some extra help/ accommodations during the day, please let us know and we will do our best to make sure that you have all that you need to enjoy our wedding with us.
What is the best way to get to the church?
The church is easy to reach by bus from the city centre. The 15, 65, 65B, 49 and 54A bus routes will take you almost to the doors of the church. The same buses will take you to the reception venue. See the Venues page for more information.
Is there parking available and how much does it cost?
There is quite a lot of free parking space around the church.
In the city centre, parking can be quite expensive. The most convenient car parks to the venue are the Brown Thomas/ Grafton Car Park on Clarendon Street (closes at midnight, €4.00 per hour) and the Park Rite Drury Street Car Park (open 24/7, price €4.20 per hour).
Are there toilets in the church?
Yes, the toilets are through the door to the right of the altar.
Format of the celebrations
What is the timeline for the day?
11:00 Wedding Mass at St Pius X Church
Mass will be followed by group photos and mingling outside the church.
14:00 Afternoon reception at NoLiTa (drinks, food, music and speeches)
17:00 Family Dinner at Fallon & Byrne. Due to our venue capacity : number of cousins ratio, we can only have our close family at the dinner. We will be thrilled to see the rest of you again for the next step:
21:30 Dancing! at Fallon & Byrne
01:00 Final dances.
01:30 Time to leave Fallon & Byrne. For the bravest souls, we will finish up the night at one of Dublin’s many fine drinking establishments.
What should I do between the different parts of the celebration?
After the Mass, there will be some time for mingling outside the church, and we will also take the group photos on the steps of the church, so make sure to stay for that. It takes about half an hour to get from the church back into the city centre. If you get there early, take a stroll in the grounds of Dublin Castle, or explore the 19th Century shopping centre George’s Arcade.
Between the afternoon reception and the dancing, some of you will have time to explore Dublin’s city centre. We have some suggestions of how you can pass the time on the Recommendations page.
What time will the reception end at?
The afternoon reception will end at 18:00. The dancing will end at 01:00 and we must all be out of Fallon & Byrne by 01:30 latest – please help us by respecting this.
How can I let you know about my dietary requirements?
On your RSVP form. If you have any additional concerns or questions, please let us know.
Presents
So you want to offer us a present?
The best present is your presence, and we do not say that lightly as we know that many of you will spend a lot of money to come to our wedding. For that reason, we really do not expect any presents other than your care and attention on the day.
For those living in Dublin, we have a special request: that you consider hosting one of our international guests for the weekend. Accommodation in Dublin is very expensive, for some people prohibitively so. If you can offer a spare bed, sofa, or place to put a camping mattress to a guest who otherwise could not afford to come to our wedding, this would be a wonderful present indeed. You can let us know your availability for hosting through the RSVP form.
If you really want to give us a present, we ask you to direct your generosity towards one of our chosen charities, by making a donation on their websites:
Saint Vincent de Paul Ireland works for social justice and the creation of a more just, caring nation. They offer a wide range of services and provide practical support to people in need. As a student, Ciara volunteered with the Clarendon Street Conference.
Teach for Belgium trains and accompanies teachers who go on to teach in some of the most disadvantaged schools in the country, so that one day all pupils will have the same chances of success. Émile’s sister Paola works with this organisation, so we know they do amazing work.
Wikipedia democratises knowledge by making millions of articles freely accessible to everyone. Countless volunteers (including Émile) have contributed the content, but financial support is also needed to keep this wonderful resource going.
The Wedding Mass
What does it mean to get married in the Catholic Church?
The wedding Mass is the most important part of the day. For Catholics, marriage is not just a legal contract, but a sacrament. This means that marriage symbolises not only the love between two people, but most importantly the love between God and His people. In marriage, two people give their whole selves to each other, just as Jesus gave His life on the cross. For this reason, a wedding is not just the moment when the bride and groom receive the spiritual graces to live and love as husband and wife, but also an important occasion for the whole community to celebrate the sacred mysteries of our faith.
Can I take photos during the ceremony?
Please do not take photos during the Mass. You can take photos inside the church before and after the Mass, and during the entrance/ exit processions.
What language will the wedding Mass be in?
We will have a bi-lingual ceremony. Some readings and songs will be in English, others in French. The whole ceremony will be translated into both languages in the wedding booklet.
I’m not Catholic; what should I do during the Mass?
Using the booklet, you can follow the different parts of the Mass. It is up to you whether you want to recite the prayers, or stand and sit at the appropriate moments – you are very welcome to fully take part in these parts of the Mass. However, if you are not a baptised Catholic, you cannot receive Holy Communion. When other guests go towards the altar to receive Communion, you can either stay in your seat, or approach the minister of the Eucharist, with your arms crossed over your chest, for a blessing.
Coming to Ireland
What documents do I need to travel to Ireland?
EU citizens need a valid passport or national identity card to travel to Ireland.
British citizens need a valid passport to travel to Ireland.
If you are not an EU or British citizen, it is likely that you will need a visa to travel to Ireland. This is different from a Schengen visa as Ireland is not in the Schengen zone.
Does Ireland use the Euro?
Yes!
Are there any Covid restrictions in place?
Currently, there are no pandemic-related restrictions or requirements for travelling to Ireland, or for wedding celebrations. The Digital Covid Certificate is no longer in use for restaurants or other venues. We will update this page in case this changes.
What is the weather like in Ireland at this time of year?
In November, it will likely be between 7-12 degrees. Rain is always a risk!
What plug adapter do I need in Ireland?
Ireland uses different plugs than “continental” Europe, with three rectangular pins as in the UK (see image). You can find adapters in electronics stores for an average price of €20-25.
In Dublin, hotels and hostels often offer adapters on loan or for rent, but your average Airbnb won’t have that service. You can of course buy an adapter while in Dublin, but we advise you to anticipate this by equipping yourself before you leave.
Contact details
I have a question not answered here: how do I contact you?
Here is the email address at which we can most easily answer you: wedding@emileciara2022.eu
You can also contact us using this form: