Denise Meenaghan, wedding coordinator at Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa Sligo, organised her 1000th hotel wedding last month.
Overlooking the Bay of Sligo, with views of Rosses Point to one side and Knocknarea Mountain on the other, Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa Sligo is an award-winning wedding venue.
It is Meenaghan's job to ensure every single wedding day she organises is tailored to reflect each couple’s unique tastes and personalities, while still maintaining an excellent standard of service.
In this interview, the Sligo woman discusses her passion for her job and what inspires her.
You organised your 1000th wedding this month. What have been the highlights?
The highlight for me is watching a couple's reaction when they walk into the ballroom on the day of their wedding and seeing the pure joy on their faces.
Also, being outside the ceremony room just before the bride is about to walk up the aisle is a goosebump moment for me every time.
Just being part of a couple's most important day of their lives is such an honour.
Have people's demands and preferences with regards weddings changed much since 2006?
I find over the years weddings have evolved so much, and nowadays so many things are included in wedding packages. Couples have everything online at the touch of their fingertips, so all this has changed the shape of weddings.
But at the end of the day, they all have the same goal, to have the best day celebrating their love for each other with their friends and families.
Tell us about your background – where you grew up, studied, etc.
I am from Sligo originally, I have worked in the hospitality industry since I was 16 years of age, and I studied in the Tourism College in Killybegs Co. Donegal.
How did you become a wedding coordinator?
I worked in a hotel in Galway as reservations manager for two years and then I moved to America and continued to work in hospitality and while there I learnt so much about customer service and hospitality in general.
I returned home in 2005 and then applied for the job of wedding coordinator in the Radisson Hotel Sligo in 2006 and the rest as they say is history.
I have worked in most departments of a hotel, and this has meant I have the knowledge of how things work operationally too, so this really aids in my role as wedding coordinator, because I understand all aspects of the hotel business, not just the wedding’s element.
What do you like best about your role presently?
Very simple, I love working with wedding couples, ensuring they get to have the best day of their lives. I have a strong focus on ensuring the wedding planning journey fits into their lives and doesn’t take it over!
Life goes by at a very fast pace and I just try my best to ensure the couples enjoy the planning process, that they don’t stress about it, and then on the day the aim is that they are nice and relaxed and can just soak up every moment of such a special and joyous day.
Have you had any mentors that have influenced you along the way?
Yes for sure, I have been blessed to work with so many wonderful colleagues for so many years.
I worked with our regional hotel manager Seamus Preston for 10 years here and also worked with Seamus over 20 years ago in a hotel in Galway. Seamus has played a big part in shaping my career and has been such a positive influence on me.
Our director of sales Paula Scallon and I have also worked together for ten years and she has always been my biggest support, everyone needs a Paula on their team!
I was privileged to have worked with the late chef Joe Shannon for 15 years, Joe was just such an amazing colleague, a great mentor and working with Joe will always be one of the highlights of my career.
What is your business motto?
'There are no problems, just solutions' is one of the most powerful phrases I keep in mind throughout the challenges I face, not just in my job but in life too.
What have been the main challenges that you have faced in the industry?
Definitely the rising cost of products and the cost of living in general has been a challenge for the hospitality industry. It’s a difficult time for couples to juggle it all, planning a wedding, building a house etc.
The couple’s journey has changed a lot over the years and the challenges we now face within the hospitality industry directly affect not just the wedding couples but all customers.
What do you like to do when you are not working?
I love anything to do with DIY, painting, redecorating, revamping furniture etc.
Favourite meal?
Anything Italian.
Favourite drink?
Beefeater Gin and Tonic.
Favourite holiday destination?
Italy.
