With its blend of natural beauty, historic venues, and warm hospitality, Ireland offers a unique and enchanting setting for couples looking to celebrate their wedding.
Ireland is a particularly popular destination for couples from North America with family links to Ireland, and to couples from the UK looking for a destination that is easy to reach. International guests tend to fly into Dublin or Shannon. There is a train network from Dublin, but almost every luxury wedding venue in Ireland is in a remote location, and travel is simpler by rental car or coach.
Many of Ireland's luxury wedding venues are 5* hotels available for weddings on an exclusive hire basis over 2-3 days, with a welcome event, the wedding day, and activities and an informal lunch for guests on the final day.
From the experts
The most popular regions in Ireland for weddings
For luxury destination weddings in Ireland, planners and couples tend to favour 5* hotels and exclusive use castles within their own impressive grounds, rather than city hotels, and these are fairly evenly distributed across the country. However, there are several great exclusive use wedding venues near Dublin, covering all the venue types popular for luxury weddings, so we've started with a guide to the best luxury wedding venues within an hour of Dublin.
Travel logistics for research and guests
Travel by train isn't as easy in Ireland, and even if you master the train time tables there are only a handful of venues in Ireland within easy reach of a station. Taxis and car hire companies are scarce in smaller towns. Trains run slowly, with most routes originating from Dublin rather than working as a network across the country.
From the experts
For those comfortable driving on the left, car hire is inexpensive and there is a good road network around Dublin. As you get further from Dublin, or off the main routes, be prepared for narrow roads to take you through the stunning countryside. There are plenty of coach hire companies, including luxury coaches and minibuses, and that's usually the easiest way to transport guests to the venues.
Naturally Beautiful Setting for a Wedding
If you are looking for a location with natural Instagram appeal, you'll love the abundance of flowers and the lush green lawns surrounding Ireland's wedding venues. Think of rose gardens, clematis draped trellis and arches of intertwining vines. The natural beauty of Ireland's dramatic landscapes ensures that every wedding photo is nothing short of spectacular. From the rugged Cliffs of Moher to the serene lakes of Killarney, the country offers breathtaking backdrops and is home to some of the world's most historic and elegant wedding venues. There is no shortage of medieval castles, stately mansions and grand country houses, with historic venues such as Ashford Castle, Dromoland Castle, and Ballyfin Demesne combining old-world charm with modern amenities, creating an unforgettable atmosphere for your wedding day.
Ireland's Welcoming Hospitality
Irish hospitality is renowned for its warmth and attentiveness, and I would add professionalism to that list. Luxury wedding venues in Ireland pride themselves on offering exceptional service, ensuring that every detail of your wedding is meticulously managed, whether by their in-house team or by working closely with your wedding planner. Many hotel venues have Michelin starred chefs.
Activities for Wedding Guests
Beyond the wedding day itself, Ireland offers a wealth of activities for you and your guests to enjoy. It's likely that your guests will want to stay for a few days before or after the wedding to explore the area. Those looking to enjoy the outdoors can explore historic sites and rugged coastlines or participate in outdoor activities like golf, horse riding, fishing and hiking. Visits to whiskey distilleries or the Guinness Factory are always firm favourites and easy to arrange, so whether you put together a guests' itinerary or simply leave them to explore, Ireland provides diverse experiences that will enrich your guests' experience.
Ireland's Weather and Climate
Ireland's weather is rarely extreme, and does not get too hot or too cold for wedding logistics to be difficult, however you can experience all four seasons in a day. As there are so many beautiful outdoor settings, venue teams are adept at moving the ceremony location at short notice and celebrants tend to be very flexible. Most are happy to continue outdoors in almost any weather, and If the ceremony is moved indoors, there aren't restrictions on numbers or requirements that all guests need to be seated.
Wedding Ceremonies
Unusually for a destination wedding, you can have a legally binding wedding ceremony in Ireland without unnecessarily complex paperwork. Most couples can get married in Ireland, as long as they are legally entitled to get married elsewhere. For couples hosting their wedding ceremony at their venue, most opt for what is known as a spiritual ceremony, which is carried out by a celebrant and can involve both religious and non-religious elements. In addition to the cost of the celebrant, it is common practice for venues to charge an additional fee for setting up the area for the ceremony, which tends to be between €500 and €950.
In a country that hosts just 20,000 weddings per year, you can be guaranteed a warm welcome for you and your wedding guests. So, if you're seeking a destination that combines historic charm with an unmistakable touch of magic, Ireland stands out as an ideal choice.