Other notable exhibitors include Appassionata flowers: the luxury florist's coowner, Ruth Morahan, trained at the world renowned McQueen's flower school, and she'll be on hand to discuss floral arrangements.

On the beauty front, bride-to-be favourite, Whetstone Aveda Lifestyle & Concept salons will be in attendance, and their team of stylists will be providing demonstrations and trials throughout the day.

Daintree Paper, who make exquisite invites, garlands and favour boxes, will be also be on hand to showcase their work and discuss their innovative DIY wedding invite online facility.

If you're finding unique entertainment difficult to come by, you'll certainly find a trip to this fair worthwhile.

The organisers have put together an impressive coterie of entertainers, including harpist Emer Kenny, The Swing Cats and The Cuban All Stars; while entertainment on the day comes courtesy of a salon fashion show and string quartet. If you're looking for guidance, they'll also be advice on offer from the country's leading wedding organisers. For linen ideas you can talk to the representatives from Hanley Events.

Meanwhile, the Great Room Ballroom, Pre-function Rooms and Banqueting Suites will all be specially fitted out to showcase the Shelbourne as a prime wedding destination, and they'll be a 10% discount on offer for any The Wedding Fair, Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin City, 14th October weddings booked on the day.

While it may not boast a huge amount of exhibitors, the Shelburne Wedding Fair has certainly striven to assemble the country's finest wedding providers.

From 2pm-5 pm. Entrance is free.

www. shelbourne. ie WHEN it comes to wedding arrangements, an area often overlooked is that of decoration. While most will make a sizeable investment in flowers, the special touches such as scented candles, twinkling fairy lights and scatterings of rose petals rarely make it onto the tick list . . . unless of course you've entrusted it to a professional wedding organiser.

Receptions, a company formed less than a year ago, recognised this and have since set up an event decoration hire service, specifically for those who want to put their own stamp on their big day, and add a unique touch to what can be the all too conventional hotel function room set-up.

To celebrate their first birthday, Receptions will be holding an open day on the 30th October at their showroom in Clonmel. Along with plenty of activities and giveaways, the day will also give couples a chance to view their range, which includes striking table centerpieces, mirrored plates and hurricane lamps if seemingly simple additions but ones that will make all the difference on the day.

Receptions also offer complete church dressing packages, which includes pew bows and topiary trees; not to mention those all-important extras that are often forgotten about in the rush, such as ring cushions and guest books.

Their crowning glory, however, is the five tier chocolate fountain that can be rented for the day and is sure to attract plenty of admirers!

The show runs from 10am-6pm, and all products booked on the day will receive a 20% discount.

For further details call 052 Receptions Open Day, Receptions showroom, Clonmel, Co.Tipperary, 30th October 87111. Receptions, Unit 4, Hughes Mill, Clonmel, Co.

Tipperary; www. receptions. ie On an altogether grander scale, the Wedding and Engagement Fair will return to Limerick for the third year running; only this time around, the show will also be making its debut appearance in Dublin, due to popular demand. Taking place at Leopardstown Racecourse on the 13th and 14th of October, and Limerick Racecourse on the 20th and 21st of October; and with over ninety exhibitors taking part, this epic show is certainly deserving of a place in your diary.

Exhibitors include castle hotels, travel agents, champagne suppliers, photographers and videographers; while the programme boasts twice daily fashion shows with international models The Wedding and Engagement Fair, Leopardstown Racecourse 13th & 14th of October Limerick Racecourse 20th & 21st October flown in especially for the event. Fashion advice will also be available, with stylist Tess Flaherty on hand to provide style counsel to brides-to-be and their wedding parties.

Another welcome addition is the inclusion of destination wedding organisers, should you need any help in negotiating the minefield that is getting married abroad; and there's even a designated Kids' Zone, allowing mothers to take in the show at their leisure.

If you're recently celebrated your engagement, a trip to this event is firmly recommended to acquaint yourself with the country' best wedding providersfat the very least it will stir some excitement!

As organiser Kate Deegan explains, "I am trying to get the bride that comes to this fair to be able to see a huge selection of suppliers and feel that when they leave they have got a nice chunk of their wedding work done while enjoying the atmosphere of it all."

Admission is /10, www. weddingandengagement. com