Ireland Elopement Guide: Unveiling the Emerald Isle - How to Get Married in Enchanting Ireland
Quaint villages surrounded by lush greenery, stunning coastlines, and rich history make Ireland the perfect place to tie the knot. Whether you've been there before or you’ve been dreaming of the day you'll be able to explore the Irish countryside, there's so much to love about eloping in Ireland!
This guide will tell you all about planning an Ireland elopement - from finding the perfect location to making your marriage official!
Ireland is also an LGBTQ+ friendly place to get married! For a list of some other countries/locations to get married that are LGBTQ+ friendly CLICK HERE.
Set a Date for Your Ireland Elopement
Choosing your elopement date is an important part of planning your big day. The weather in Ireland is pretty mild year-round, so you'll probably make your decision based on the crowds and activities available in each season!
Weather in Ireland
Ireland's weather is pretty much the same year-round - it rains practically every other day, rarely freezes, and almost never gets above 68 degrees Fahrenheit. If you're prepared for the rain, the weather is totally manageable - they say to be prepared for "four seasons in one day" year-round. Even though the temperatures are mild, each season brings a little different feel, so I'll share what to expect.
The Irish winter is a little chilly but doesn't typically get cold enough to snow - but, this is the wettest season! As long as you're not scared away by a little rain, winter is a great time to visit Ireland. The nights can be long - perfect for stargazing on a clear night!
The warmest - and driest - time in Ireland is summer, but it doesn't ever get unbearably hot. Rain in the summer is more sporadic, but once the clouds clear out, the blue skies are a beautiful contrast to the lush greenery.
Spring and fall in Ireland are both so full of color! The weather is still pretty average in spring and fall, but you'll find fewer crowds. In the spring, wildflowers cover the hills, little lambs are found in practically every field, and the rainy days bring tons of rainbows to the skies - if you're lucky, you might be able to follow one to find a pot of gold! Fall brings warm colors to the landscape, the wildlife begins to prepare for the winter, and the nights bring generally clear skies for watching the stars or trying to spot the rare Northern Lights.
Avoiding Crowds When You Elope in Ireland
One of the best things about choosing to elope is being able to have a private ceremony without an audience there to watch while you say your vows, so knowing how to avoid crowds when you elope in Ireland is helpful to keep your ceremony more private!
If you want to avoid packed hikes and beaches, it's best to visit in the shoulder seasons. The warmer weather of summer normally brings in the most crowds - July and August are the busiest months for visiting Ireland - so you'll want to plan more carefully if you visit in the summer.
When you elope, there are a couple of things you can do to avoid the crowds at any time of the year! Planning your ceremony for mid-week can help you avoid an accidental photo bomber when you say your vows. If you shoot for having a sunrise or sunset elopement, you'll usually find fewer people checking out the view - plus, imagine eloping with the sun on the horizon behind you!
The Best Places to Elope in Ireland
Choosing a destination elopement means you can pick practically anywhere to have your ceremony! Picture your perfect elopement day, whatever that means for you. Do you imagine feeling the gentle sea breeze while you say your vows? Or do you dream of eloping under an altar made of evergreen trees? Ireland has a variety of places to tie the knot, so here's an idea of some of the best places to elope in Ireland and some places to stay nearby!
The Cliffs of Moher
Overlooking the Atlantic, the Cliffs of Moher stretch for 9 miles on the coastline of southwestern Ireland. The famous steep edges of the cliffs are a spectacular place to elope - you'll find tons of places along the 11-mile Cliff Walk to have your ceremony and watch the waves crash against the cliffside. If you're looking for a romantic place to stay, you can watch the sunset over the Aran Islands at this beautiful cottage or go back in time when you stay in this quaint 200-year-old cottage.
Dunluce Castle
Step back in time when you elope in the ruins of a medieval castle in Northern Ireland. A stone bridge over the sea, the magical "Mermaid's Cave," and steep cliffs give an incredible backdrop for your day. While you can't have your ceremony at the ruins themselves, you can rent out one of the farms surrounding the castle and then go to the ruins for some photos afterward! After your elopement, settle in at the Smugglers Inn for incredible views of the ocean or stay at the Apple Barn for a cozy farmhouse retreat.
Killarney National Park
The historical Muckross Abbey stands surrounded by dense woodlands, the 3 Lakes of Killarney, and rugged mountains in Killarney National Park. Take a hike through the trees or enjoy a ride in a traditional jaunting car (the original Irish buggy) when you elope at Killarney National Park! You can stay nearby at this gorgeous riverside chalet, just a 25-minute walk to the park, or if you're looking for a more rustic retreat, cozy up by the fire at this adorable stone cottage.
How to Get Legally Married During Your Ireland Elopement
The logistics of getting your marriage license overseas are a little complicated, so it's usually easier to sign your papers on your home turf. If you want to get legally married when you elope in Ireland, there are a few steps you'll need to take depending on where on the island you plan to elope.
Regardless of where you decide to elope in Ireland, you'll need to give notice about your marriage in advance and have a registered officiant and two witnesses at your wedding. Northern Ireland is part of the UK, so you'll take the steps to get legally married in the UK. The steps to get your marriage license in the Republic of Ireland (the southern part) are different, so be sure to brush up on marriage laws after you choose an elopement location!
Things to Do During Your Ireland Elopement
When you elope overseas, saying your vows is a small part of your celebration. When you're in Ireland, take the chance to make your elopement an adventure - learn about the history of Ireland at one of the thousands of castle ruins, or hike to see stunning views to make your elopement adventure anything you can imagine!
Road Trip the Wild Atlantic Way
The Wild Atlantic Way runs through 9 counties on the west coast of Ireland - 7 are in the Republic of Ireland, and 2 are in Northern Ireland. It's a whopping 1,500 miles long and takes at least 4 or 5 days to drive the entire trip. I think it's better to choose a section of it to explore, or take about 2 weeks to drive the whole thing if you really want to see all the incredible sights!
Explore the Castles
The history in Ireland is extremely rich, with about 30,000 castles and ruins remaining, there's so much to explore! Check out the science center at the Blackrock Castle in County Cork or the remains of McDermott's Castle on a small island in Lough Key.
Go Hiking
Ireland has an incredibly diverse landscape with rolling hills, rugged mountains, cliffs along the sea, and dense woodlands! With hundreds of developed trails for hiking, there's a little something for everyone. Take a coastal walk down the Giants Causeway, or have a picnic by the Glencree River on your hike through the Wicklow Mountains - the possibilities are endless!
Ireland Elopement Packages
Planning a destination elopement can be super overwhelming. Between location scouting, timeline planning, and figuring out the logistics of a visa, it seems like you'll never figure it all out! That's why my Ireland elopement packages are curated just for you, to make sure your elopement is full of magical moments and free of stress! I’ll take care of all of it, so all you have to do is be present with each other and enjoy the day.
If you're ready to plan your Ireland elopement, contact me to book a free consultation call!
