Oriel House comes the rescue as couple’s wedding renewal day saved

A Cork hotel has stepped in to save the day for a couple who had their lavish New Year’s Eve wedding renewal party cancelled at the last minute.

Matthew and Deborah Smith from White’s Cross in Cork were due to renew their wedding vows in the Ambassador Hotel last night in front of 90 guests in a package they agreed in July.

However, the hotel cancelled just days before the event in a dispute over the package the couple had paid for.

Speaking yesterday, Mr Smith said he and his wife “couldn’t be thankful enough” to the Oriel House Hotel in Ballincollig for stepping in for the event to mark their 10th wedding anniversary. But he added that it would not be the same as the larger event they had originally planned.

“They have stepped in and offered a champagne reception with finger food and we can’t be thankful enough. However, it’s not the day we planned or the day we had hoped for originally.

“Deborah can’t wear her wedding dress as there is another wedding on in the hotel, so that’s heartbreaking for her. We’d planned this for a long time and it was just taken away from us,” he said.

Mr Smith said he had hoped the Ambassador Hotel might reconsider but said that other venues had shown them huge kindness by offering to help them out.

“I suppose it’s a Corkonian thing. People step up and help out and even the little things people do make all the difference. Places like Clancy’s and Sober Lane wanted to do something for us, which was very nice. I have thanked Sober Lane and I am hoping to get in touch with Clancy’s too to thank them,” he said.

The Irish Examiner reported yesterday that the hotel had agreed a price of €4,500 in July for a wedding package on New Year’s Eve and accommodation for six people.

The package included food for 90 guests, a round of drinks for 120 people, prosecco for all guests at midnight, a bottle of champagne for the bride and groom, and arrival canapés. When numbers were reduced from 120 to between 80 and 90 people, the couple informed the hotel and the hotel agreed to reduce the price to €3,375.

However, a few weeks ago, the couple claim the hotel told them they were getting too much for what they were paying for and were asked to pay an additional €1,200.

When they refused to pay, this week the hotel told them their event was cancelled.