Clarion Hotel Carrickfergus as wedding reception venue

credit_crunch

Evening everyone!

its me again lol!!

still on the hunt for wedding reception venue & someone has suggested the Clarion in Carrickfergus. I am not too familiar with the area/venue but know it is abt 20mins car journey from me.

priced a wedding package for a saturday in 2012 and its £2500 - i think this is fab for 100 guests but just wondering if anyone had first hand reviews?

ive checked trip advisor but you know how they can be a tad bias at times.

ive emailed suggesting a meeting or if they have a wedding fair i think it could be worth a shot!

any opinions welcomed!

Ive_A_Horse_Outside

I checked this venue too - getting married in June 2012. Just watch out as the price is a basic menu etc so the food may not be the best quality (you know everyone remembers the food at a wedding!) and 100 guests into £2500 leaves about £25 per head and for a starter, main, dessert I cant imagine it being great. The price is very appealing but just be aware of room hire charges also etc..

My opinion was to leave this venue alone as the dual carriageway was near by and just didnt seem 'personal' enough for me. But hey horses for course and all that.

Good hunting for your venue.

jjd

Personally know a couple who had their wedding there last year. It was the mid-week package and think they got the whole thing for 100 guests was less than £1000!!! No mention of hidden charges. Sadly I was unable to attend but heard great reports from those who did and the bride and groom had a great day.
OK, it may not be a luxury venue on the outside but on the inside it looks pretty nice in the wedding pics I have seen and the food was good. Wouldn't have been my first choiceof venue but from the reports i have heard I would def consider it..... if i was to get married again! lol

weeclick

I am a wedding photographer and I have a wedding there this year - Ive been to check out the hotel - lovely venue inside and some good places in the hotel itself for photos etc, but not the best location out and about. As far as Im aware my clients got their package for £999! Just worth checking out for as they always seem to have deals on. The staff were really lovely when I went, couldnt help me out more and for me that counts for a lot, after all they are the ones working to make your day what it is behind the scenes!

Check around a few other venues as well as most will be able to work to a budget for you - and if you can get yourself to the wedding show in Kings Hall in Feb - I showcased at all the major venues too and will give you a good opportunity to see who else will work to a similar price! Theres always good show deals on as well so you might surprise yourself as to what you find!

But back to the original question - I believe the Clarion is a good hotel although have never tasted the food so cant judge on that. Good luck!

mypie

I haven't been to a wedding there but one of our suppliers at our wedding had her wedding reception there a few week prior to our wedding. She couldn't have rated it high enough and seemed that all the quests love their wedding.

metalgal

never been to a wedding at it but it seems like a good choice if their car park on a sunday for the carvery is anything to go by.

looby_lou1

Went to a wedding here in September, food was nice, but really small portions, we were all commenting that we were still hungry after the meal. And it's true, you always remember the food (or lack of it)! at a wedding!! There was work being done outside on the dual carriage way and building work close to the hotel, not sure when that's due to finish but it looked like a building site.

mypie

have you thought of the Park Ave on the holywood road. I have been many time for food and always liked it but never been to a wedding recp there. My mum has been to one there and was V impressed. They have a package for £29 per person Obv slightly more than Clarion.

Phoolgrrrl

We had our wedding at the clarion in August, ceremony and reception. We did the 1000 for 100 guests and it was brill! Food was way better that I expected, was veg soup, roast chicken dinner, and meringue and fruit then tea and coffee. Portions were huge contrary to above poster. Far exceeded what I thought, I was worried for the money we would get 'school dinner' type food. Evening buffet and wine was extra 16 a bottle and 6/7 pounds for buffet. They didn't 'hard sell' us, in fact they talked us down in numbers for the evening buffet which was good as most all day guests weren't that hungry.
Had a wee garden which was fine for us for pics as was all in bloom. Not sure if it would do in winter. Carrick castle pretty near and there is a wee park near too.
We spoke with both Claire and Lilly both were realistic about prices and very helpful. We sorted our own chair covers, centre pieces and dj.
The suite we stayed in was lovely, dining bit, seating bit, bedroom bit and a big bathroom with a Jacuzzi bath! They let us get ready in the room from 12pm so me my mum and sister got ready there so no rushin around.
I can't recommend it enough it was exactly what I wanted. Depends what your looking for it may not suit if you want a not princessy wedding but the room can be dressed up a lot.

workaholic38

Hi

I was at a wedding in August at the Clarion and had a brilliant day. It was the offer for 100 people. The food was lovely, room was ideal, plenty of space for dancing/bar etc. Buffet at night seemed to be plenty although I didn't have any as meal was filling, not sure what was paid for this. Would highly recommend.

mofopants

I had my wedding at the clarion in june and it was so much better than i had ever hoped. The food was amazing, the wine was reasonable and the staff went out of their way to make sure everything ran smoothly