Ireland Elopement Packages

One of the best places to elope outside of the US has to be Ireland. We fall in love over and over again with its mystical, romantic, and unique landscape every single time we see an elopement there. There are so many unique spots to explore and have your elopement in Ireland. If you’re thinking about planning an elopement in Ireland, then we cover everything you need to know when you’re putting together your elopement package here, including trusted wedding vendors who specialize in elopements and micro weddings in the area.

This is a long resource, make sure to use the links below to jump to the section you’re most interested in.

• Elopement Vendors For Your Ireland Elopement
• Where to Elope in Ireland
• When to Elope in Ireland
• Permits and Leave no Trace in Ireland
• Ireland Marriage Licenses
• Best Places to Stay Near Ireland

Elopement Vendors For Your Ireland Elopement

There are a ton of logistics and considerations you need to know when planning your Ireland elopement, so our top recommendation will always be to team up with an experienced vendor in the area. A wedding vendor who specializes in Ireland elopements would also be an amazing resource when it comes to sharing some of the best places to elope that may not be on our list because they are lesser known. Since they have experience, they’ll also be able to give you suggestions when it comes to making wedding ceremonies legal in Ireland, packing for your elopement, and any other things you may want to consider during your adventure.

Where to Elope in Ireland

Videography by ING Studios

There’s something for everyone in Ireland. From gorgeous coasts, green meadows, castles, and cliffs. From picturesque elopement destinations to the rich culture and delicious food to celebrate together. We are going to share some of our favorite places to elope in Ireland. Keep in mind the places we mention below are popular and well-known. It’s important to plan accordingly to avoid crowds and prepare. If you’re looking for a more “off the beaten path” adventure, then ask your elopement photographer (or other Ireland vendor), what spots they prefer.

It’s important to note that Ireland is divided between the Republic of Ireland, which covers five-sixths of the island, and Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom. For this reason, there are some differences when it comes to marriage licenses and regulations within both of these areas.

Cliffs of Moher

Probably one of the most iconic Ireland locations has to be the Cliffs of Moher. Seen in a lot of movies and TV series including Harry Potter and The Princess Bride, these sea cliffs are jaw-dropping and unique. If you’re planning on eloping here, then you’ll need to book ahead of time and you can use the O’Brien’s Tower for your ceremony (max number of people allowed is 10).

Newtown Castle

Ireland has a lot of castles that can serve as not only a perfect backdrop for our elopement in Ireland but also for your ceremony too. Newtown Castle holds so much history, and you can hold your ceremony in the Minstrels Gallery with a romantic fireplace to set the mood. The castle itself is actually right by the Burren College of Art.

The Burren National Park

Ireland has some pretty unique elopement options, but the Burren is probably top of the list if you’re looking for something really different. The park itself has a rocky terrain, famous for its flora and geology. There are plenty of trails to explore with different views to take in.

Doonagore Castle

Doonagore Castle is a 16th-century castle in Ireland with water views and gorgeous greenery surrounding it. Even though this castle has a spooky past, it’s appreciated today for its architecture and beautiful stretch of coastline. It’s worth noting that you can’t actually go inside this castle, but it’s still pretty gorgeous for a backdrop during your wedding portraits.

Dunluce Castle

Part of the causeway coast in Northern Ireland is Dunluce Castle. It’s now a now-ruined medieval castle in Northern Ireland, the seat of Clan MacDonnell. It is located on the edge of a basalt outcropping in County Antrim and is accessible via a bridge connecting it to the mainland. Despite serving as more of a backdrop, this castle on the coastal cliffside is gorgeous. The field overlooking Dunluce is privately owned by a farmer. You can have access to hold your wedding ceremony here if you pay a permit fee of a little over $250.

Dunseverick

Another no-ruined castle is Dunseverick, another spot on the causeway coast. This 5th-century AD castle may be barely there, but there are still some parts of it that stand proudly on the seaside cliffside, making this a great spot for dramatic photos together.

Dark Hedges

If you’re looking up an Ireland elopement, then we are sure you’ve run across images of the Dark Hedges. This gorgeous avenue of beech trees is probably one of the moodiest and most beautiful spots to visit together. If this spot looks familiar to you, then that’s because you probably have seen it on Game of Thrones. This is another gem that you can explore in Northern Ireland.

Giants Causeway

Giants Causeway is another causeway gem. This is an area of about 40,000 interlocking basalt columns from an ancient volcanic eruption. If you’re looking for somewhere to roam around during golden hour for some unique photos, then this is probably your stop.

Connor Pass

Connor Pass is one of the highest Irish mountain passes in gorgeous Ireland. The elevation is 1,345 ft above sea level, giving you one of the most unique and scenic views in Ireland. Depending on the day, you can get a moody setting for your elopement with a glaciated landscape of mountains, corrie lakes, and a broad sweeping valley spread out below. Keep in mind there are some narrow sections where two cars can’t pass in this area, so going with an experienced vendor who knows the area can make all the difference.

 

When to Elope in Ireland

When couples ask what is the best time of year to elope in Ireland, it’s hard to answer. It really comes down to a number of factors you both should consider, what type of elopement vibe are you going for, what weather conditions you prefer, and what type of adventure you want to plan. With that being said, pick a month that works best for you, but we highly recommend consulting with your vendor.

It rains year-round in Ireland, so prepare for some showers while you’re there. It’s also always mild in temperature. If you’re planning a winter elopement in Ireland, then keep in mind it gets dark way earlier (3-4 PM) versus the summer months that won’t get dark till 11 PM. This is something to definitely consider.

We personally love Spring and Fall elopements because we find it’s the happiest of mediums in terms of crowds, weather, and daylight timing.

Permits and Leave no Trace in Ireland

A lot of the locations you decide to visit in Ireland may not require a permit for either photography or your wedding ceremony. However, some of these locations may be private land so you may have to get permission and pay a small fee. At some other locations, you may have to pay an entrance fee. Wherever you decide to elope in Ireland, please double-check with your vendors on who you should contact for the most up-to-date information regarding wedding photography and ceremony regulations and restrictions.

Like with anywhere you decide to elope, please respect the land. Please leave no trace and leave the area you’re visiting better than you found it. Make sure to take all your belongings and trash with you, and please consult your vendor on the dos and don’ts of the area. It’s our duty to keep these lands protected and beautiful for future couples and families to enjoy.

Ireland Marriage Licenses

Videography by Amber Spits / Wild Vows

Eloping in Ireland is an out-of-state elopement experience for some, so it’s important to discuss the legality of things when planning your intimate wedding adventure here. Can you get legally married in Ireland? The answer is yes. You can get legally married in Ireland and Northern Ireland.

If you want to get legally married in Ireland, you need to be near a landmark/building that is recognized by the state. This means you can’t get married on a random cliff in Ireland. In Northern Ireland, however, you can get married anywhere. This is important to know if you are visiting the causeway coast and decide to tie the knot somewhere there. If you decide to legally marry in Ireland then you will need a celebrant and 2 witnesses to make your marriage official.

So what happens if you don’t want to deal with the paperwork and stress of arranging a legal marriage out of the country? Plan a commitment ceremony instead! A commitment ceremony is basically a symbolic ceremony representing your marriage. Couples usually tie the knot, officially, before heading over to their elopement destination. This allows you to have more freedom when picking a location for your elopement ceremony and it gives you fewer logistics to worry about. You can still hire an officiant to help guide you through your ceremony, but there won’t be any legal paperwork involved.

A wedding tradition that’s popular in Ireland to include during your ceremony is a hand-fasting ceremony, which can easily be incorporated into your wedding ceremony.

Best Places to Stay Near Ireland

When it comes to where you should stay in Ireland for your elopement, you should consider how close your accommodation is to your elopement destination. Accounting for travel time can make or break your elopement day. There are a ton of unique Airbnbs, Vrbos, Bed, and Breakfasts, and traditional hotels to choose from.

Find a vacation rental in Ireland using Vrbo