Galway Bay Hotel luxurious * charming * elegant
Breathtaking Location
First and foremost, congratulations on your recent engagement and thank you for considering Galway Bay Hotel as a possible venue for your wedding reception.
Choosing a venue is one of the most important decisions you will make. The Galway Bay Hotel is situated in a stunning location on the shores of Galway Bay, set against the backdrop of the Burren and the Clare Hills.
We take pride in our reputation for fine food with a creative and versatile range of menus, presented and served with the skill that only years of experience can provide.
Our experienced management team will assist you in organising your wedding day, attending personally to all details from the first enquiry right through to the end of your memorable reception.
We look forward to helping you plan your very special day. It is our aim that you will experience the true dedication of a team with one objective, making your day a truly memorable one.
Dan Murphy Director / General Manager Stunning Ballrooms
Voted as the best ‘Luxury Sea View Hotel of the Year’, the Galway Bay Hotel is a spectacular wedding venue providing a fairytale location. We have two beautiful ballrooms for brides and grooms to choose from; the Lettermore Suite or the Ballyvaughan Suite. Both rooms enjoy views of Galway Bay and the Clare hills - a picture perfect backdrop for your memorable day.
The spacious Lettermore Suite accommodates between 150 and 400 guests in a luxurious setting while the more intimate surroundings of the Ballyvaughan Suite is perfect for between 120 and 225 guests.
These suites are elegantly and tastefully decorated in warm tones and come complete with mood lighting and full audio visual equipment. Both banqueting suites can be customised to your individual preferences with chair covers, sashes and co-ordinated centrepieces. Luxury and elegance coupled with astounding views lend to the air of romance that is guaranteed when you choose the Galway Bay Hotel. Our dedicated team is on hand to discuss colour schemes with you during your wedding consultation and will ensure your wedding dream becomes a reality.
Civil Ceremonies
At the Galway Bay Hotel, we know how important your ceremony is so why not choose the perfect backdrop of Galway Bay and the Clare hills by booking your civil ceremony at the hotel. We have a selection of rooms to suit your numbers and most importantly your vision.
• Our stunning Sea View Lounge • The intimate and charming surroundings of our elegant library • Our spacious Lobster Pot Restaurant with unobstructed views over Galway Bay • The luxurious Ballyvaughan Suite, a ballroom which can accommodate larger numbers
The room you choose will be stylishly decorated with a fairylight backdrop, red aisle carpet with tall lanterns, chair covers with sashes and tall silver candelabras- a romantic setting for your perfect day.
Some advice for planning your civil ceremony:
Apply to the HSE Civil Registration Office (for Monday- Friday ceremonies), for weekend ceremonies it is a Humanist or Solemniser (Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays). You must apply directly to the Registrar/Solemniser- the hotel is not permitted to apply on your behalf. You must apply at least 3 months in advance, but it is advisable to apply at the earliest opportunity to guarantee your preferred dates.
Civil Registration Office: 25 Newcastle Road, Galway Opening Hours: Monday- Friday 9.30-16.30 Contact: 091-546277
Our dedicated wedding team are on hand to assist should you have any questions
Packages For the most important day of your lives, we offer dedicated packages to cover the most important details. The most popular of these are the ‘Classic Package’, ‘Dream Package’ and ‘Luxury Package’. Our expert team is on hand to help guide you through the options but below highlights what is included in these packages.
Classic Package
• Champagne reception and chocolate dipped strawberries for the bridal party. • Indulgent chocolate fountain with fresh fruit • Summer punch or mulled wine drinks reception • A sumptuous four course meal • Delicious evening fare • Late night nibbles
Dream Package Includes all features of our Classic Package, plus...
• Music on arrival • Drinks reception for your guests, served with tapas and canapés. • A sumptuous five course meal • Carefully selected wine served throughout the meal
Luxury Package Includes all features of our Dream Package, plus...
• Beautiful flowers for your bridal party and church • Chauffeur driven wedding car • Champagne drinks reception for all guests • Mouth-watering three tier wedding cake
Our wedding team can also tailor packages to suit your requirements. Please contact 091-520520 or email [email protected] for further details Classic Package from €46 per person
the arrival the banquet
A lavish drinks reception will await your guests Your wedding menu will be a collaboration of your in our cosy Sea View Lounge. With panoramic vision and the talents of our Head Chef Robert views of Galway Bay and the Clare Hills, the Sea Webster. The wedding banquet will consist of four View Lounge will certainly wow your guests with sumptuous courses; a starter or soup, choice of main its breathtaking scenery. Guests are greeted by course, dessert and freshly brewed tea or coffee. an indulgent chocolate fountain with exotic fruit and marshmallows to dip in the flowing chocolate. evening fare Depending on the time of year, guests will be served one of the following: At approximately 11pm, guests will be offered an assortment of freshly cut finger sandwiches, wraps, Warm seasonal mulled wine baps, cocktail sausages or chicken goujons. This or will be served to the tables on large platters along Cool Summer Cocktail with wedding cake should you choose to offer that to guests. Located in the room will be a tea/coffee A tea/coffee station will be set up in the Sea View station to accompany the evening fare. Lounge with servings of biscuits on each table. Delicious mini scones with clotted cream and late night nibbles homemade jam are also served. Guests will have worked up an appetite after the dancing, never fear, we have this taken care A Tea and Coffee station is set up in the room. of. After guests have finished dancing and have Plates of assorted biscuits will be on each table. moved to the resident’s bar, a selection of freshly Also served are mini scones with clotted cream and made sandwiches will be served. homemade jam. Dream Package from €52 per person
Our Dream Package includes the offerings of the carefully designed Classic Package plus: wine the arrival The most important meal of your lives should be served with a fitting wine. Your guests will be offered We will offer guests a selection of canapés and up to three glasses of wine per person. Our award tapas in the Sea View Lounge along with the drinks winning Sommelier has carefully chosen our house reception and chocolate fountain: wines;
• Sample Warm Canapés - Smoked salmon on Andes Peaks- Sauvignon Blanc brown bread, liver pâté on mini toast, mini A fresh and fruity wine with intense aromas of tartlets with herb cream cheese, serrano ham grapefruit and lemon primarily dominated by the with melon, brie cheese with grapes, honey taste of pineapple. roast ham with baby gherkins Andes Peaks- Merlot • Sample Tapas - Mini quiche lorraine, spicy Blackberry and forest strawberry aromas with notes meatballs, mini spring rolls, mini chicken of thyme and rosemary. teriyaki skewers, goat’s cheese crostini, chorizo stuffed mushrooms, barbequed chicken wings, chipolata sausages wrapped in bacon. the banquet
The wedding banquet will consist of five sumptuous courses; a starter, a soup, choice of main course, dessert and freshly brewed tea or coffee. Luxury Package from €62 per person (minimum numbers 150)
Our all-inclusive Luxury Package includes the carefully chosen offerings of the Dream Package Arrival MUSIC plus the following: Choose from an experienced pianist or harpist who Wedding Flowers will serenade your guests during the arrival drinks reception. Our ancillary floral design specialist will wow you with her artistic creations. This package Three tier Wedding Cake includes stunning church flowers, bridal bouquet, bridesmaids’ bouquets, flower girl bouquets and This plush package includes a private consultation striking button holes. A private consultation will and tasting with our skilled cake supplier who will guide you through the options and help you pick create a magnificent three tier wedding cake. your perfect flowers. Wedding Arrival Reception Champagne Reception Along with a summer punch or mulled wine Your guests will commence the celebrations with reception we will offer glasses of champagne to a luxurious champagne reception on arrival in accompany the chocolate fountain, canapés and addition to the remaining treats offered in the tapas. Dream Package drinks reception.
Chauffeur driven Wedding Car
Arrive in style with a choice of five stunning wedding cars. Our dedicated suppliers offer classic and contemporary options to suit your needs. Sequence of Events
The Ceremony Top Table A church ceremony will typically last approximately The top table usually consists of the bridal party, one hour while a civil ceremony usually lasts 20 parents of the newlyweds and members of clergy. minutes at most. Your wedding banquet is served Photographs Photograph location will be discussed with the Speeches and Toast photographer directly. Galway Bay Hotel is Traditionally the bride’s father is first to make a extremely blessed with its location and some of the speech followed by the groom’s father, the groom options available for photographs are Salthill Beach, and lastly the best man speech. It is also common our landscaped gardens and hotel terrace. for the best man or groomsmen to read cards or emails from those who couldn’t attend. Arrival at Galway Bay Hotel After the ceremony the guests travel to the hotel for Cutting of the Cake the welcome reception and will be followed by the The best man announces the cutting of the cake by bridal party once photographs have been taken. the bride and groom and it is served to the guests With your approval, our Wedding Manager will either after dessert or at the evening reception. The inform guests of your arrival to the hotel and you will cutting of the cake frequently happens after main be greeted by management and your guests for a course is finished. VIP welcome on the red carpet with a champagne toast. Evening Entertainment The dance floor is cleared to make room for the Dinner Call evening entertainment. As the evening guests After consulting with the bride and groom the arrive the band commences the entertainment wedding manager will call the guest to dinner 15 and normally plays for two hours. The evening fare is minutes before dinner is served. served at the band intermission and once the band have finished, the DJ will commence his set. The Grand Entrance As newlyweds, you will be announced into the banqueting suite by management and your guests encouraged to rise and welcome you into the room on your special occasion.
With Our Compliments
• A menu tasting experience to sample your chosen options • An abundance of complimentary car parking for all your guests • Champagne drinks reception with chocolate dipped strawberries for bridal party on arrival on a lantern style red carpet • A striking fairylight backdrop located behind your top table • A projector screen displaying pictures of the romantic journey to your wedding day • Crisp white linen for your tables and luxury white chair covers with a choice of coloured sash • Personalised menus and napkin folds of your choice, themed to your chosen colour scheme. • Striking fresh floral or tall silver candelabra centrepieces on each table and use of our classic cake stand and decorative knife • Complimentary children’s meals during your wedding banquet (applies to 10 children) • Bar extension until 1.30 am • Delicious late night nibbles in your own private residents bar • Complimentary stay in our Bridal Suite on the night of your wedding • Champagne breakfast delivered to your bridal suite the morning after your wedding 4**** Achievements
2016 Luxury Seaview Hotel of the Year - Luxury Travel Guide 2015 CIE Award of Excellence 2015 Deloitte Best Managed Companies Award 2015 Finalist for Waterside Venue of the Year - WeddingsOnline 2015 Finalist for Connaught Wedding Venue of the Year 2014 Best Carvery in Connaught - Unilever 2014 Waterside Venue of the Year - Weddings Online Awards 2013 Readers Choice Awards in Conde Nast Traveller 2012 EFQM – European Excellence Award - Level 5 Why Choose Us
• We have a one wedding per day policy which ensures that you are guaranteed to be the centre of attention on your special day.
• In the heart of Salthill, we are surrounded by picture perfect locations for photographs to last a lifetime; our elegant library, manicured gardens and the beautiful Salthill beach overlooking Galway Bay.
• A rich choice of civil ceremony settings to choose from with altar, aisle and seat décor provided
• Two stunning ballrooms to choose from depending on your numbers.
• Special discounted wedding accommodation rates for your family and friends.
• We have a range of bedrooms on offer from double rooms to family rooms- upgrades to sea view rooms are also available.
• Committed Wedding Team with years of experience who will guide you from your initial enquiry until your special day.
• Dedicated Wedding Manager, overseeing every aspect of your wedding to ensure your plans are executed to perfection.
• Galway Bay Hotel is renowned for food and Head Chef Robert Webster will provide fare that will live in the memories of your guests. Testimonials
“We had our wedding in the Galway Bay Hotel in July 2015 and it was absolutely amazing. From the moment we booked it they were great but the service they provided over the weekend to our guests and family was just amazing. We had dealings with many of the duty managers before the wedding and they were all very friendly, helpful and professional. On the day Stephen and his team amazed us with their eye for detail and their thoughtfulness. There were so many personal touches throughout the day that gave us an extra special experience and the team's relaxed, fun and calm manner was just what you needed on such an overwhelmingly special day.
The guests at our wedding have not stopped mentioning the excellent service and customer care given to them whether they were staying at the hotel or just attending the wedding. The hotel put huge effort into the drinks reception providing a big range of hot and cold appetisers, scones, cream and jam, chocolate fountain and a big assortment of fruit in a room with views of the beach. This was a big hit with our guests.”
Laura and Dai
“We had our wedding in the Galway Bay in June 2015. From the moment we first looked into the hotel the staff were so nice and helpful to us. Everything leading up to the day was so professional and nothing was an issue, especially in the days leading up to the wedding when we were stressed with other aspects.
The day itself was unbelievable. The staff were so good to us from the start and treated us like royalty. This was in addition to the food being perfect, all our guests said so. We also had an after party in the hotel the following night and again the food was fantastic and Stephen Finn obliged us with any requests we had.
A special thank you to Brian and especially Stephen who was in charge on the day itself. We will definitely be recommending the Galway Bay Hotel to anyone getting married in Galway. Many thanks to all in the Galway Bay”
Adrian and Ann Marie
Wedding Banquet
Starters Soups
Galway Bay Melon Plate Cream of Vegetable Soup Melon cocktail, cantaloupe fan, mint jelly and Parsley crème fraiche lemon sorbet Cream of Potato and Leek Soup Classic Caesar Salad Deep fried leeks and chive oil Baby gems, smoked chicken, lardons, tomato fondue and creamy caesar dressing Cream of Celeriac Soup Parmesan and white truffle oil Chicken and Mushroom Vol-au-vent White wine, shallots and tarragon cream Roast Pheasant and Thyme Veloute Vegetable brunoise and chive cream (€1.50 Galway Bay Signature Salad Supplement) Smoked chicken, peach, watermelon, salted pistachio and vanilla dressing Roast Plum Tomato Soup Fine herb and ricotta ravioli, basil oil Assiette of Salmon Smoked, apple tartar, poached rillette, horseradish Cream of Mushroom and Fennell Soup potato and lemon oil Pastis foam
Boneless Quail Chicken & Corn Veloute Onion puree, thyme and wholegrain mustard Créme fraiche and parsnip crisp croquette, broad bean salad (€2 Supplement)
Terrine of Organic Goats Cheese Red pepper puree, cucumber, crisp ciabatta and mesculan
Pressed Pork Belly Apple and pearl onion relish, natural jus
Smoked Cod and Leek Tart Baby leaves, mustard and rarebit crust Main Course Fish Mains Meat and Poultry
Baked Fillet of Salmon Grilled Prime Irish Beef Fillet Mustard and dill pickle, pea puree and onion bhaji Garlic and thyme potato, honey glazed carrot, bordelaise sauce (€7 Supplement) Poached Fillet of Salmon Potato and olive oil mousseline, asparagus and Roast Sirloin of Prime Irish Beef lemon beurre blanc Chive mousseline, béarnaise and rich red wine jus
Pan-seared Seabass Pave of Venison Mustard crushed potato, garden greens, vanilla and Curly kale, swede puree, damson jam, port and parmesan cream juniper reduction (€5 supplement)
Roast Atlantic Cod Supreme of Free Range Chicken Herb crusted with mussel provençale Mushroom croquette, broad beans, truffle foam and madeira. Baked Fillet of Hake Confit chilli and coriander risotto, curry juices Confit of Duck Leg Smoked duck fritter, carrot and anise puree with an Pan Roasted Brill orange and cardamom sauce Goats cheese, red onion, red pepper and spinach, red pepper essence (Supplement subject to market Roast Saddle of Lamb price) Fine beans wrapped in serrano, fondant potato and port wine jus (€5 Supplement)
Ballontine of Turkey and Glazed Donegal Ham Potato and sausage roulade, croquette, bread sauce and cranberry relish Wedding Banquet
Vegetarian Options Desserts
Wild Forest Mushroom Risotto Warm Chocolate Fondant Gratinated with St. Tola goat’s cheese Pistachio ice cream and chocolate sauce
Oriental Vegetable Stir-fry White Chocolate Cheesecake With fine egg noodles Raspberry and framboise compote
Vegetable Lasagne Hazelnut Pavlova In a spicy tomato sauce with buffalo mozzarella Vanilla cream, compote of summer fruits cheese Warm Apple and Mixed Berry Crumble Mexican Style Flour Tortillas Homemade custard and vanilla ice-cream Filled with fajita seasoned vegetables and monterey jack cheese Caramel Profiteroles With sweet vanilla cream and a rich butterscotch Baked Vegetable Cannelloni sauce Filled with wild mushrooms, spinach and roasted walnuts Galway Bay “Pot Pourri” A selection of our finest desserts
Other Vegetarian options available on request Artisan Cheese Selection Plate of three cheeses, water biscuits and homemade apple chutney (€3 Supplement)
A children’s menu, vegetarian menu and a coeliac menu are available on request. Should you or any of your guests have any special dietary requirements, please let us know and we will be delighted to assist you Optional Extras The Day After
Drinks Reception From experience we know that the day goes all too quickly - so why not extend the celebrations Cocktails €2.50 supp and enjoy a post wedding celebration the day Bellini, Mojito, White Russian, Pina Colada after your wedding. This is the ideal opportunity to enjoy some additional quality time with Mimosa €2.50 supp friends and family. Sparkling Wine and Orange Juice We will gladly reserve a private room or section Kir Royale €3.00 supp in our Scadán Caoċ Bar. We can offer you a rich Champagne and Crème de Cassis choice of dining options from sit down banquets to BBQ, buffet or finger food. All of these options can be discussed with our Wedding Co- Ordinator. Sorbets
Lemon Sorbet €4.00 Supp
Green Apple Sorbet €4.00 Supp
Forest Berry Sorbet €4.00 Supp
Campari Orange Sorbet €4.00 Supp
Champagne Sorbet €4.00 Supp Suppliers Directory
Wedding Bands Church and Reception Music
Restless / Vinnie Mongan 087 8266307 Corrib String Quartet 091 528638 The Bentley Boys / Eamon Crosby 087 2100780 String Serenade 091 528485 Jive Buddies / Paul Keating 087 2394846 Sinead Nic Gabhainn 085 7378872 The Lewd Tunes / Pat Corless 086 0547249 Margaret Duggan 091 770339 Conquerors / Willie Carty 090 9741017 Rachel McCall (Pianist) 085 1402680 Face Value / Seamus 085 7388549 Kathleen Cannon (Harpist) 091 523370 Horizon / Jimmy Higgins 087 2490500 Gerry Brodrick (Piper) 087-9022592 Street Wise / Kenneth Doyle 087 9573989 Joe Delaney (Piper) 087 2745093 Kif / James Kilbane 086 1061381 Nicola Mc Guire 0868132828 Discovery / Eugene Kileen 087 2765009 Weightless Astronauts /John Colahan 087 2266237 Irish Music and Dancers Deja Vous / Jarlath Reidy 087 2593822 Oddity / Corina 085 7031848 Ailish Lennon 087 2371581 Keith McDonald Show Band Show 090 9741341 Celtic Rhythm 087 6778204 Peter Byrne & the Glass Onion Band 086 3366395 Emma O’Sullivan 086 2520672 Black Magic Band / Pearce 087 1320463 Galway Ramblers 086 1040686 Marley Road / Michelle Murphy 086 2204082 Harlequin / Alan Geraghty 087 2714649 photographers Fraggle Rock / Shane O’Neill 086 8154976 Raindance / Ollie Moran 086 8211331 Yann Studios 091 562452 Concord / David 086 2311907 The Lane Studios 091 567938 Who Knows / Nigel 087 6421692 Aideen Daly 085 2444065 Pyramid / Turlough 086 3425831 Fiona Saunders 085 1050966 Sean Slattery and the Connections 087 6160201 All in One Weddings 0876884746 Marriage Multimedia 087 9805539 djs Joe Geoghegan 091 523623 Coppinger & Curran 090 9679429 D – John 086 3352900 John McMahon 087 2496571 Kevin Belton 087 2836655 Morgan Tracey 087 2361378 Noel Finnegan (Free Bird Disco) 086 6086264 Lisa Hynes 087 2903976 Alan Geraghty 087 2714649 Aidan Kenny 087 2356859 Johnny Oosten 087 9828015 Bryan Gill 086 8973034 Paddy Healy 087 6385773 Explosive Entertainment 086 3749171 videographers make up
Coppinger & Curran 090 9679429 Cuan Atlantic Beauty 091 520520 Michael Phelan 087 6300324 Powder Rooms 091 515215 Aces Studios 094 23063 Brooks Video 065 6842766 Hair Marriage Multimedia 087 9805539 Olivia Hairdesigns 086 1929020 Stationary Beautiful You 0852752237
Karen Burke 057 9361323 florists J.F.K. Bookbinders 091 773311 Caricatures Ireland 087 7599249 Maddens * 091 522446 Reel Masters 087 6943411 Go Dutch 091 448245 menswear hire wedding cakes
Joe Greene Menswear 091 565745 Goyas Cakes 091 567010 Martin Feeney Menswear 091 566050 Lilies & Pearls 086 8379850 Corless 091 563253 little extras car hire Vogue Events 087 7792060 Getaway Limos * 087 9902294 Great Speeches 091 388 000 Classic Rolls Royce 091 555780 Mayo Wedding Bells 087 7825523 Costello’s * 093 41444 Your First Dance 087 9358160 Des Leonard 096 72676 Atlantic Chauffeurs 086 2607237 Tom Brett 091 794817 coach hire
Costello’s * 093 41444 O’Neachtain Coaches 091 553188
* Suppliers included in our Luxury Packages Terms & Conditions Provisional Bookings/Deposit Requirements/Payment
• Provisional bookings shall be held for a maximum of 14 days only and shall be automatically released unless confirmed with a booking deposit. • All dates must be secured with a deposit of €1000.00, which is non-refundable. • A further non-refundable deposit of €1000.00 is required six months from date of initial deposit. • A further non-refundable deposit of €1000.00 is required one month prior the wedding date. • Should a change of date arise, a second deposit is required for the new date. The original deposit will be refunded if the first date is re-booked. • The hotel reserves the right to refund the deposit in the circumstances where the booking is made through a third party or under false pretences. • Accounts must be settled on departure. • All charges are inclusive of government tax. There is no service charge.
Menus & Food
• The prices quoted above apply for weddings held in 2015-2016 All prices quoted are subject to proportionate yearly increases according to rises in food or labour costs, taxes or unforeseen circumstances. • The menus in this brochure are a selection of the most popular choices. We will be pleased to quote you for a menu of your own choice. • Details regarding your menu choice, drink selection and approximate numbers attending are required three weeks prior to your reception. • Final numbers must be confirmed 48 hours before the wedding reception and shall be the basis for billing. • As a food hygiene precaution the health authorities advise that only food that has been prepared on the premises may be consumed in the hotel.
Hotel Amendments & Cancellations Policy
• Should the hotel, for reasons beyond its control, need to change the event arrangements, it shall use all reasonable endeavours to offer the client alternative comparable arrangements and facilities. • The hotel may cancel the event in the following circumstances; where it has reason to believe the booking might prejudice the reputation of the hotel, or, should any guests attending the event behave in any way considered to be detrimental, offensive or contrary to normal expected standards of behaviour. • Table plans must be submitted 48 hours before wedding day and must be typed where possible or on disk. 091 520 520 galwaybayhotel.com [email protected]