There is no official definition. We generally think of an elopement as the couple alone or with a handful of guests, while an intimate or small destination wedding might have anywhere from around 10 to 40 guests.
Can we have a wedding ceremony at a castle or ancient ruin?
Yes. Ireland and Northern Ireland have incredible castles, castle ruins, abbeys and historic sites. The exact options depend on whether you want a legal or symbolic ceremony, guest numbers and access requirements.
Can we get married at the Cliffs of Moher?
Yes. The Cliffs of Moher area is one of Ireland’s most popular choices for destination weddings and elopements, particularly for couples looking for dramatic Atlantic scenery. You can explore our Cliffs of Moher wedding and elopement options here.
Do we need a wedding planner in Ireland?
It isn’t compulsory, but having an Ireland-based wedding planner can make planning from the USA or Canada considerably easier. Your planner can help with locations, local vendors, timelines, logistics, weather backup options and the practical details that are difficult to manage from thousands of miles away.
Can our wedding in Ireland be legally recognized in the USA or Canada?
A marriage legally performed and registered in Ireland will generally be recognized abroad, although couples should check any specific requirements that apply where they live.
Why choose Ireland for a small destination wedding?
Ireland gives you something that can be difficult to recreate with a traditional wedding at home: the wedding itself becomes part of a much bigger experience.
You aren’t limited to spending the entire day inside one wedding venue.
Your ceremony could take place beside a cliff, castle or ancient ruin. Afterwards, you might travel through the Irish countryside for photographs, stop at a traditional pub for a pint of Guinness and finish with an intimate wedding dinner.
For couples bringing guests, the celebration can extend beyond the wedding day.
You could arrange a welcome night in a pub, sightseeing with your guests, a rehearsal dinner, the wedding itself and another get-together the following day.
For American and Canadian couples in particular, Ireland also offers a combination of history, scenery and culture while remaining relatively straightforward to navigate because English is spoken throughout the island.
Elopement, micro wedding or small destination wedding?
Couples use these terms differently, and there are no strict rules.
Elopement in Ireland
An Ireland elopement traditionally involves just the couple, although modern elopements frequently include a few close family members or friends.
The focus is normally on the ceremony, photography, scenery and experience rather than a traditional reception.
If this sounds closer to what you have in mind, take a look at our Ireland elopement packages to see some of the different locations and options available.
Micro wedding in Ireland
A micro wedding in Ireland typically combines the intimacy of an elopement with some elements of a traditional wedding.
You might have 10–20 guests, a ceremony, photographer, flowers, music and an intimate dinner afterwards.
Small destination wedding in Ireland
A small destination wedding can be slightly larger again.
For example, you might bring 20–40 guests and have a ceremony followed by dinner, speeches and an evening celebration.
The important point isn’t what you call it.
The advantage of keeping your guest list relatively small is that you have far more flexibility when choosing your wedding location and designing the day.
The best places for a small wedding in Ireland
One of the first decisions you’ll need to make is not necessarily which venue, but what type of Ireland experience you want.
Cliffs and coastal weddings
For couples imagining wild Atlantic scenery, Ireland’s west coast is difficult to beat.
The Cliffs of Moher are particularly popular with American and Canadian couples because they offer one of the most recognizable landscapes in Ireland.
We arrange ceremonies at Hags Head, at the southern end of the Cliffs of Moher, where couples can enjoy a more intimate experience away from the busiest visitor areas.
Our Cliffs of Moher elopement and wedding page explains the location, packages and planning options in more detail.
Cliff weddings work particularly well for elopements and smaller groups.
Weather, accessibility and an indoor backup plan should always be considered when planning an outdoor wedding in Ireland.
Irish castle weddings
Search for destination wedding Ireland and it probably won’t be long before you start seeing castles.
There are two very different ways to have an Irish castle wedding.
You can choose a traditional castle hotel or country estate where your ceremony, dinner, accommodation and celebration happen in one location.
Alternatively, you can hold an intimate ceremony at a historic castle or castle ruin before continuing elsewhere for dinner and celebrations.
This second option can be fantastic for smaller destination weddings because the ceremony becomes an experience in itself.
You can explore some of the possibilities in our guide to Irish castle weddings and elopements.
Northern Ireland also has some spectacular historic locations. One of the best known is Dunluce Castle on the Causeway Coast, where dramatic castle ruins sit high above the Atlantic Ocean. Find out more about getting married at Dunluce Castle.
Ancient ruins and abbeys
Ireland has extraordinary ruined churches, abbeys, castles and other historic locations.
For couples looking for a romantic, historic or storybook wedding in Ireland, these can provide an incredible setting without requiring a huge amount of decoration.
The architecture and landscape do most of the work.
Some ruins are suitable for just the couple, while others can accommodate small groups. Access, permissions and legal ceremony requirements vary by location.
See our ancient ruins wedding locations in Ireland for more inspiration.
Country houses and intimate wedding venues
If you’d prefer everything in one place, Ireland has beautiful country houses, manor houses and smaller hotels that work extremely well for destination weddings.
These can be particularly practical for weddings with 20–40 guests because accommodation, dinner and an indoor ceremony option may all be available at the same property.
For couples bringing parents, grandparents, children or guests with reduced mobility, a country house or hotel can also make the logistics considerably easier than some remote outdoor locations.
Traditional Irish pubs
Not every destination wedding needs a formal ballroom reception.
One of our favorite options for smaller groups is finishing the wedding day in a traditional Irish pub or restaurant.
For couples traveling from overseas, it can be one of the most memorable parts of the entire experience.
You can see more ideas for an Irish pub wedding and elopement here.
What is included in Ireland destination wedding packages?
This varies enormously between wedding planners and packages.
A small wedding package in Ireland might include some or all of the following:
- Wedding planning and support
- Ceremony location
- Officiant or celebrant
- Photographer
- Videographer
- Bridal hair and makeup
- Bouquet and buttonhole
- Ceremony music
- Chauffeur transportation
- Assistance with legal requirements
- Wedding-day coordination
- Dinner or reception arrangements
Some companies offer fixed all-inclusive wedding packages in Ireland, while others allow couples to customize their wedding.
At Eloping in Ireland, flexibility is particularly important to us.
You don’t necessarily need every service included in a predetermined package. Your wedding can be built around what actually matters to you.
That could mean investing more in photography and videography while keeping flowers simple, choosing traditional Irish ceremony music, adding additional photography locations or arranging a relaxed pub celebration afterwards.
You can compare our Ireland wedding and elopement packages to get a better idea of the different locations, services and possibilities.
How much does a small destination wedding in Ireland cost?
The cost depends heavily on your guest count, location and the type of celebration you want.
A simple elopement for two is very different from a 30-person castle wedding with accommodation, dinner and evening entertainment.
As a general rule, your budget may need to cover:
- Wedding planning
- Ceremony location or venue
- Officiant
- Photography and videography
- Hair and makeup
- Flowers
- Music
- Transportation
- Legal fees
- Food and drink
- Accommodation
- Entertainment
Our Lite elopement packages currently start from €2,400, while more comprehensive packages vary depending on the location and services selected.
For a larger small wedding, food, accommodation and reception costs are normally influenced significantly by guest numbers.
Rather than comparing packages solely by headline price, look carefully at what is actually included and whether the package can be customized.
Do Americans need a wedding planner in Ireland?
You can organize a wedding in Ireland yourself, but planning internationally creates some challenges that aren’t always obvious at the beginning.
Google can show you hundreds of photographers, venues and ceremony locations.
What it can’t easily tell you is which location works for your particular guest count, whether your elderly relative can comfortably access it, what happens if heavy rain arrives at ceremony time, which vendors regularly work together or how long it realistically takes to travel between locations on your wedding day.
This is where using an experienced wedding planner in Ireland becomes valuable.
A local planner can help you understand:
- Which locations actually suit your wedding
- Local venue and ceremony requirements
- Trusted Irish wedding vendors
- Travel times and wedding-day logistics
- Weather and indoor backup options
- Legal marriage requirements
- Guest transportation
- Ceremony timelines
- Local accommodation options
- What is realistic within your budget
For couples planning from the USA or Canada, having someone physically based in Ireland also means having local knowledge on the ground throughout the planning process.
If you’re wondering what happens after you make an inquiry, our How It Works guide explains the planning process from choosing your location through to your wedding day.
Planning a wedding in Ireland from the USA
Most of our couples plan almost their entire wedding without being in Ireland.
You do not need to make repeated planning trips.
The process can usually be handled through email, video calls and your wedding planner, with your vendors arranged before you travel.
Your main decisions will normally include:
- Choosing your preferred wedding date.
- Deciding approximately how many guests you will invite.
- Choosing the type of location you want.
- Deciding between a legal and symbolic ceremony.
- Selecting your wedding services and vendors.
- Arranging accommodation and travel.
- Creating the final wedding-day timeline.
One of the biggest mistakes couples can make is trying to select every vendor before deciding what they actually want the wedding day to feel like.
Start with the experience.
Cliff, castle, ancient ruin or country house?
Once you’ve answered that question, the rest becomes much easier.
Can Americans legally get married in Ireland?
Yes.
You don’t need to be an Irish citizen or resident to legally marry in Ireland.
However, there is a formal process involved and you need to allow enough time to complete it.
For a legal marriage in the Republic of Ireland, couples generally need to provide advance notification of their intention to marry, supply the required documents and meet the Registrar in person before the wedding.
There are also requirements relating to your solemniser, witnesses and ceremony location.
Northern Ireland has a separate legal marriage system, so couples considering locations such as Dunluce Castle and the Causeway Coast need to follow the Northern Ireland process instead.
We’ve explained the Republic of Ireland process in considerably more detail in our guide to getting legally married in Ireland.
Because requirements can change and individual circumstances differ, always work from current official guidance when completing your legal paperwork.
Legal wedding vs symbolic ceremony in Ireland
This is an important decision for destination couples.
With a legal wedding in Ireland, you complete the Irish marriage requirements and your marriage is legally registered here.
With a symbolic ceremony, you complete your legal marriage paperwork at home and have your wedding ceremony in Ireland without registering another legal marriage here.
Neither approach makes the ceremony itself more meaningful.
Some couples love the idea of being legally married in Ireland. Others prefer the simplicity and additional location flexibility that can come with a symbolic ceremony.
Your wedding planner can explain the practical differences, while the relevant government authority should always be used for definitive legal requirements.
What happens if it rains on our wedding day?
If you’re planning a destination wedding in Ireland, plan for rain.
That doesn’t mean it will rain.
It means you should have a wedding plan that works beautifully whether it rains or not.
For outdoor weddings, we strongly recommend considering an indoor backup location.
Ireland’s weather can also change very quickly. A wet morning doesn’t necessarily mean a wet afternoon.
Experienced local photographers, videographers, chauffeurs and planners are accustomed to working with Irish weather and adapting the timeline when necessary.
Some of our favorite wedding photographs have been created on days that didn’t have perfect blue skies.
When is the best time of year for a destination wedding in Ireland?
Ireland weddings take place throughout the year, but spring through early fall is particularly popular with overseas couples.
The best month depends on what matters to you.
Summer gives you very long evenings and more daylight for photography. Spring can bring fresh green landscapes and beautiful natural color. Fall offers different tones and atmosphere and can be particularly beautiful around castles, estates and woodland.
Whatever month you choose, don’t select your date on the assumption that a particular month guarantees sunshine.
Ireland doesn’t work like that!
Choose the season you love and create a weather backup plan.
How far in advance should we plan our Ireland destination wedding?
For a small wedding or elopement, you may have considerably more flexibility than a couple planning a large traditional wedding.
However, popular dates, locations and vendors can still book well in advance.
If you’re bringing guests from North America, planning earlier also gives everyone more time to arrange flights, accommodation, passports and vacation time.
For that reason, many couples begin planning 12–18 months ahead, although weddings can certainly be arranged on shorter timelines when suitable dates and vendors remain available.
How many days should we spend in Ireland?
Don’t travel thousands of miles just for your wedding day.
For many couples, the wedding becomes the centerpiece of a wider Ireland trip.
You might spend several days exploring Dublin before traveling west, visit Galway, travel the Wild Atlantic Way, explore the Causeway Coast in Northern Ireland or continue on to another part of the island after your wedding.
If guests are traveling with you, consider turning the celebration into a small wedding weekend.
For example:
Day 1: Guests arrive and settle in
Day 2: Sightseeing or informal welcome gathering
Day 3: Wedding day
Day 4: Relaxed breakfast, pub lunch or local activity
Day 5+: Honeymoon or onward travel around Ireland
You don’t have to organize every minute for your guests. Often the best destination wedding itinerary provides a few shared experiences while leaving everyone enough free time to explore.
Is a small destination wedding in Ireland right for you?
A small Ireland wedding can be a great option if you’d rather spend your wedding day surrounded by your closest people than host a large traditional celebration.
It can also give you much more freedom.
Instead of choosing a venue because it can accommodate 150 people, you can choose a location because you genuinely love it.
Instead of spending heavily on decorations, you can stand in front of an ancient castle, on the Atlantic coast or inside a centuries-old ruin.
Instead of your wedding lasting a few hours, you can turn it into an adventure with the people closest to you.
And because you’re bringing fewer guests, you can often make decisions based more on experience than capacity.
Why work with an Ireland-based wedding planner?
Planning a destination wedding from another country involves a huge amount of information.
We’ve been doing this from here in Ireland since 2014.
Eloping in Ireland has helped plan more than 1,500 weddings, elopements and celebrations across Ireland and Northern Ireland, predominantly for couples traveling from the USA and Canada.
Our experience is also backed by 300+ five-star WeddingWire reviews and multiple Couples’ Choice Awards.
But numbers aren’t the most important part.
The real advantage is local knowledge.
We know the locations. We know the distances between them. We know the Irish weather. We know local vendors. We know which options work for two people and which work better when you’re bringing 20 or 30 guests.
And because our planners are based here, we’re planning your Irish wedding from Ireland.
Frequently asked questions about small destination weddings in Ireland
What is the best place in Ireland for a small wedding?
There isn’t one best location. The right choice depends on your guest count and whether you prefer cliffs, castles, ruins, countryside or a traditional venue.
What is a micro wedding in Ireland?
The term generally describes an intentionally small wedding with a limited guest list while retaining elements such as a ceremony, photography, flowers and a wedding meal or reception.
Can we have 20 guests at an Ireland elopement?
Absolutely. You may prefer to call it an intimate wedding or small destination wedding, but there is no reason an Ireland elopement-style celebration can’t include your closest family and friends.
Are there all-inclusive wedding packages in Ireland?
Yes. Some Ireland wedding planners offer all-inclusive or comprehensive packages covering many of the main services required for the wedding day. Always check exactly what is included and whether the package can be customized.
Can we have a small castle wedding in Ireland?
Yes. Options range from ceremonies at historic castle ruins to intimate celebrations at castle hotels and private estates. Our Irish castle wedding guide is a good starting point if a castle is high on your list.
Can we have an outdoor wedding in Ireland?
Yes, depending on the location and whether you’re planning a legal or symbolic ceremony. Always consider weather, accessibility and a suitable backup plan.
Can our family travel with us?
Yes. Many destination couples bring parents, siblings, children and close friends and turn the wedding into a wider Ireland vacation.
Can we legally marry in Northern Ireland?
Yes, but Northern Ireland has a different marriage registration process from the Republic of Ireland. Check the requirements applicable to the location where your ceremony will take place.
How do we start planning a destination wedding in Ireland?
Start with three things: your approximate date, guest count and preferred type of location.
You don’t need to know exactly where you want to get married.
Tell us whether you picture a cliff, castle, ancient ruin or country house, and we can help you explore the possibilities.
Start planning your small destination wedding in Ireland
A destination wedding doesn’t have to mean a huge guest list, complicated itinerary or traditional wedding venue.
Some of the most memorable weddings we’ve planned have involved a small group of people, an incredible Irish location and a day built around what the couple actually wanted.
If you’re considering a small destination wedding in Ireland from the USA or Canada, explore our Ireland wedding and elopement packages or get in touch with our Ireland-based planning team.
Whether you’re imagining the Cliffs of Moher, an Irish castle, an ancient ruin, a country house or somewhere completely different, we’ll help you work out what is possible and create a wedding that feels like yours.
About the author
Stephen Neary is the founder of Eloping in Ireland.
Stephen founded Eloping in Ireland in 2014 and has since helped grow the company into one of Ireland’s most experienced specialist elopement and intimate destination wedding planning services.
Together with the Ireland-based planning team, Eloping in Ireland has helped plan more than 1,500 weddings, elopements and celebrations across Ireland and Northern Ireland, primarily for couples traveling from the USA and Canada.
This first-hand experience includes planning weddings at the Cliffs of Moher, Irish castles, ancient ruins, country houses and other locations throughout Ireland and Northern Ireland, as well as helping overseas couples understand the practicalities of planning an Irish wedding from thousands of miles away.
Eloping in Ireland’s experience is backed by 300+ five-star WeddingWire reviews and multiple Couples’ Choice Awards.
Stephen regularly writes practical guides for couples researching how to get married or elope in Ireland, covering everything from Irish wedding locations and packages to costs, planning and legal marriage requirements.
Learn more about Eloping in Ireland or read our complete guide to eloping in Ireland.
