Ancient Castles, Cinematic Scenery & Every Shade Of Green: My Complete Destination Wedding Guide To Ireland
So, you’ve decided to have your wedding in Ireland! In the Land of a Hundred Thousand Welcomes, we welcome you with open arms and our famed hospitality. If you’re feeling overwhelmed and unsure where to start planning, don’t worry. I’m here to help with my complete destination wedding guide to Ireland.
With a deep literary and music culture, some of the biggest sports fans around, vibrant pubs that are the cornerstone of social life, and a diverse food culture, there’s so much to explore and fall in love with here. Ireland is also full of rolling green hills, dramatic coastlines, and lush landscapes no matter where you look, which is exactly why it's known as the Emerald Isle. Wedding locations vary from castles, and there are thousands of them, to cliffs, to country houses.
As a Dublin wedding videographer, I’ve shot wedding videos all over the country, so I’m familiar with all the ins and outs of getting married in Ireland. Let’s get started.
Beautiful Places to Get Married in Ireland
The first and most significant decision you’ll make when planning your Ireland destination wedding is the venue. The good news is there are many gorgeous venues to choose from. The bad news is you can only pick one place to get married.
I suggest flying in to view the venue before your wedding day. Seeing it in person helps you plan and prevents unwelcome surprises on your wedding day. You don’t want to arrive the week of, only to realise the venue doesn’t have enough room for your guest list or that one photo spot you had your heart set on!
The location you choose depends on your wedding aesthetic and budget. But with so many beautiful places to get married, you're sure to find the perfect spot. Here are a few of my top picks for destination wedding venues in Ireland.
Irish Castles
Luttrellstown Castle: A carefully restored 15th-century castle featuring 20 bedrooms, vast parks, and a fairytale ballroom, just 20 minutes from Dublin’s international airport.
Castle Leslie: Described as Europe’s Most Romantic Hotel, this estate includes 1,000 acres of Irish countryside and two gorgeous ceremony locations.
Markree Castle: This Gothic 17th-century location combines an elegant castle with homey charm for a unique venue.
Traditional Irish Country Houses
Tankardstown House: A beautiful country house with vast grounds, perfect for an indoor or outdoor wedding, with a winding staircase in the main house, a romantic Walled Garden, and an airy Orangery that can seat up to 250.
Virginia Park Lodge: An intimate wedding experience with stunning lake vistas, seasonally sourced menus, and a team of bar professionals.
Clonwilliam House: A privately owned historic Georgian home for the most exclusive weddings, and picturesque churches nearby for ceremonies.
Cloughjordan House: A French-style manor house works well for natural, home-style weddings – with a forest, a ballroom, and a menu featuring local produce grown on-site.
Exclusive Irish Wedding Venues
Ashford Castle: This 800-year-old castle lets you use the entire estate for your special day, along with a range of activities. With a skilled Events Team at your disposal, this is your chance for a fairytale wedding in an iconic Irish castle.
Adare Manor: Adare Manor is a beautiful, romantic estate with a top-tier wedding team bringing your wedding to life — accommodating everything from intimate weddings to showstoppers. You’ll have access to their formal gardens, woodlands, and indulgent services at the only 111Spa/Clinic in Ireland and the UK.
Ballynahinch Castle: A legendary hotel and in-demand wedding venue due to its privacy and cosy atmosphere. They are quite exclusive, catering to very few weddings each year with all 48 rooms for your use. Laid-back luxury and country charm are what you’ll get here!
Ballyfin House: Ballyfin is a romantic 5-star estate with multiple ceremony and reception locations, fine dining, a sommelier, and elegant surroundings.
Gloster House: There are many beautiful places for your wedding ceremony indoors or outdoors: the house with a number of reception rooms, a white chapel (which can double as a late-night disco), the gardens with Italian terraces, a romantic lit courtyard, and the woodlands for a magical setting.
Finding An Irish Wedding Planner
It can be a bit complicated and sometimes stressful to plan a wedding abroad. A local wedding planner helps you navigate everything from preparing the venue to finding the best nearby vendors. They’re also responsible for ensuring everything runs smoothly from start to finish.
When looking for a wedding planner, ask about their experience with destination weddings. You want someone who’s done them before to make this easier for you. And as a bonus, you'll support a local business by choosing an Irish wedding planner.
Here are my top picks:
Best Times Of Year To Get Married In Ireland
Ireland’s mild climate means your wedding can take place at any time of year. In the summer, highs reach 20-25°C (70-80°F) while winter only drops to about 5-8°C (40-46°F).
Best Month To Get Married In Ireland
August is the most popular month to get married in Ireland — tourism is still in full swing, but the great weather makes up for dealing with crowds!
Peak Wedding Season
Peak wedding season in Ireland is from May to September, as well as December. Most venues and vendors will be more expensive and in demand during this time.
If you want to avoid the wedding crowds, spring and fall are great times to get married. The weather is still relatively warm, and you’ll have less competition for popular venues.
To save even more money, consider a winter wedding. You'll have more places to choose from and beautiful frosty landscapes for your wedding photography and videography.
Weather In Ireland
We have a saying in Ireland that “you can have four seasons in one day.” The weather here is ever-changing and has become part of our culture!
Summer isn’t known for being hot, and rain can appear anytime, but that’s the charm of Ireland. Your best course of action is to relax and go with whatever the day brings your way.
Irish wedding planners, videographers, and photographers know how to work with the weather. They’ll make sure you still have a special day, no matter what!
Getting To Your Wedding
Airports
Most major wedding venues are only a few hours from the airport. Ireland’s main airports include:
Dublin Airport
Belfast International Airport
Shannon Airport
Cork Airport
Rental Cars
You’ll need to pick up a rental car at the airport for out-of-city locations. If your venue is in Dublin, you can skip a rental car and walk or use taxis to get around.
Wedding Guest Transport
Hiring a coach or travel bus is great for shuttling wedding guests to and from the airport. They’re also handy if you have extra activities planned that require driving to reach them.
Legal Requirements For Marriage In Ireland
Getting married in Ireland as a foreigner requires several steps, some of which you must do months in advance.
You and your fiancé must give notification of your intention to marry to a Registrar at a Civil Registration Service at least three months before your wedding date. This applies to every couple marrying in Ireland, regardless of nationality, and both of you need to attend the notification appointment in person. There's a non-refundable notification fee of €200.
You'll also need to meet the registrar again, at least five days before the wedding, to collect your Marriage Registration Form and sign the final paperwork.
You might need additional paperwork if one of you is Irish, part of the EU, divorced, or a widower.
For a civil ceremony, you’ll need two witnesses over the age of eighteen and a solemniser.
For religious ceremonies, you’ll need to book a church and have a church official officiate your wedding.
Visit the General Register Office’s website for more information and to register to get married in Ireland.
My advice for Americans getting married in Ireland? Do the legal parts in the United States and only have a symbolic ceremony in Ireland. It’ll reduce stress and save on travel to and from Ireland.
Working With Local Vendors
Ireland has an incredible wedding industry full of florists, musicians, Best Wedding Photographers in Ireland, and everyone else you might need. They have local knowledge and probably already know the venue you’ve chosen.
Rather than buying everything in the US, choose talented, professional local vendors for your wedding needs. Many have experience working with destination couples and know how to make it easy for you!
Perfect Bucket List DestinationS
Don’t limit your time in Ireland to getting married and going home! Consider spending your honeymoon exploring more of our beautiful country.
Here are a few honeymoon destination ideas:
Wild Atlantic Way: A scenic drive winding along 2,500 miles of Irish coastline, full of picturesque villages and historical monuments. Island tours, seaweed baths, boat rides, cycling and walking trails, farm visits, and food experiences all fit into a full itinerary here.
Causeway Coastal Route: A 120-mile drive between Belfast and Derry, with extra loops for even more scenery. Charming villages, mediaeval ruins, whiskey distilleries, and native wildlife along the way.
Vibrant cities: Choose one or several of our colourful cities around the country to explore. With some of the most romantic inns, cobbled streets, secluded spots, and lively pubs, you’ll never get bored!
Take a road trip: Rent a car, plan an itinerary, and set off on a scenic route of your creation!
The Gateway To Your Honeymoon
Ireland is also the perfect stop on the way to an epic European honeymoon! In a short plane ride, you can reach:
France
Italy
Spain
Greece
And more!
A tour of Europe or simply visiting a single country makes for a beautiful honeymoon. Then stop back by Ireland on your way home. We’re happy to have you.
Stretching Your Wedding Budget
Ireland is a genuinely competitive option for value when it comes to weddings. You can have your dream Irish destination wedding even on a tight budget. It can even be more affordable and of better value than some US locations.
Be careful with the currency exchange. Most vendors allow payment before the wedding, so ask them when the exchange rate is best and pay then. Your wedding planner can help with this as well.
Frequently Asked Questions About Getting Married in Ireland
How far in advance do I need to plan a destination wedding in Ireland?
Most couples start planning 9 to 12 months ahead, largely to secure a preferred venue and vendors. Legally, you only need to give the Irish registrar three months' notice, but popular venues and wedding photographers and videographers book up well in advance, especially for peak-season dates between May and September.
Do I need to be a resident of Ireland to get married there?
No. You can legally marry in Ireland regardless of your nationality or residency, as long as you give the required three months' notice to the Civil Registration Service and provide the necessary documentation, such as proof you're free to marry.
What's the best time of year for a destination wedding in Ireland?
May to September and December are peak seasons, with the best weather and highest demand. Spring and autumn offer a good balance of decent weather and lower costs, while winter weddings are the most affordable and give you the most venue choice.
Can I have a legal wedding ceremony outdoors in Ireland?
Yes, with a secular or humanist celebrant, a legal ceremony can take place almost anywhere, including castle courtyards, gardens, or coastal settings. Civil ceremonies through a registrar are generally restricted to registered venues, so check with your chosen venue and celebrant early.
Is Ireland an expensive place to have a destination wedding?
Not necessarily. Depending on your venue and guest count, Ireland can be comparable to or offer better value than many US wedding destinations, and currency exchange can work in your favour depending on timing.
Ready to Get Started?
If you’re ready to start planning your destination wedding in Ireland, let’s talk! I’d love to help you create a beautiful wedding video to remember your Irish wedding for years. Together, we’ll create something worth cherishing and unique to you.