Elopements are intimate, small-scale celebrations of your life together. What could be more personal than planning your own wedding that reflects your unique love for each other?
Some couples prefer the spontaneity and adventure of eloping because it allows them to truly personalise their wedding day and have complete control over the planning process.
It’s no secret that Ireland is a refreshingly remote and unique place, steeped in history and a romantic place to elope.
As a modern wedding planner and stylist, I love meeting couples who want to design an elopement they envision and it’s so much fun getting creative with them!
If you’re an American couple looking to elope here, I want to help you with the planning process, so here is your guide to your elopement in Ireland.
What to consider when planning
- Legalities
- Places to elope in Ireland
- Accommodation
- Weather
- What to wear
- Activity Ideas
- Choose Suppliers
Legalities
Before we get too far into the topic of eloping in Ireland, it’s important to note that every couple getting married in Ireland must plan at least three months ahead of time. You can post your intention to marriage at least 3 months in advance. While you can have a whirlwind romance here, you can’t make it official unless you notify the government ahead of time.
- You must be at least 18 years old to elope in Ireland
- The couple can be of the same or opposite sex.
- You must be physically present in Ireland for at least 7 days prior to the big day and be willing to pay €200.
Read more here….
Places to elope in Ireland
Whether you want to walk through the countryside’s rolling hills and ancient forests or elope at an incredible castle, Ireland has something for everyone.
Check out my blog post for the best elopement locations in Ireland.
Accommodation
There are plenty of lodging options to suit your budget and preferences, ranging from cosy bed and breakfasts to luxurious hotels.
As a modern wedding planner, I take pride in looking at the details for all of my couples to ensure everything is right for them – so when it comes to a place to stay, it is just as important as everything else.
If you want to elope on Northern Ireland’s North Coast, you’re in luck – there are numerous fantastic air b&bs to choose from. Just keep in mind how far the drive to your ceremony location will be.
If you have guests, you can rent a larger house for dinner that evening. If everyone pitches in, you can hire somewhere truly epic, like House of Bovagh, which is an old Victorian home and a lovely air b&b, where you can host dinner for your guests that evening and possibly even hire a chef to make the most of it!
Weather
If you’ve decided to elope in Ireland, keep in mind that the weather can be unpredictable, so be prepared and if you’re bringing guests, make sure they’re prepared for whatever the weather throws at them.
The summer months of July and August are the busiest for Ireland. It’s also the warmest time of year, with daytime temperatures hovering around 20 degrees Celsius.
Given the temperatures, you could argue that summer is the ideal time to have your elopement in Ireland – if you are a lover of the sunshine and heat (without it being extremely hot!).
Keeping this in mind, the best months to elope in Ireland can be April, May, June, and September – even October is a good month. This way, you can still enjoy decent weather while avoiding crowds – if you’re open to whatever the weather brings to your day, then you don’t need to worry too much.
You can always expect a little rain in Ireland because rain is almost a trademark of the country.
What to wear at your Elopement in Ireland
When it comes to clothing for your elopement in Ireland, there is no rule book! Wear whatever you want and what you feel the most comfortable and confident in.
This is the best way to ensure your photos are going to look relaxed– no one wants to be fidgeting and pulling at tight/uncomfortable parts of their clothing. As an Ireland elopement planner and stylist, I take pride in ensuring my couples plan their style – in a way they feel their most unique, confident and happy selves!
Elopement Dress
If you plan to wear a dress, the fabric is very important when it comes to adventure elopements. The way the fabric of a dress moves, feels and weighs is all really important not only on the day but also in packing and traveling with it!
The way the wind catches a flowy skirt (or cape) just adds to the magic of your elopement in Ireland – the lighter weight fabrics also help with the amount of moving about and make adventuring through our beautiful terrain easier.
Tulles, organzas, laces, chiffons, and so on work wonderfully, and the added ability to layer these fabrics means you get more dimension to your dress.
Elopement Shoes
Our land is green, muddy, and our terrain requires some trekking at least, so a good set of hiking boots with a grippy sole is a must – if you are choosing to do some hiking in Ireland, then make sure they are comfortable and make sure you break them in beforehand, as you don’t want to be in pain!
Elopement Accessories
Jackets, shawls, and a snuggly textured rug are all great additions to your elopement in Ireland. They add a unique twist to your look and they keep you warm!
Many people who come to elope in Ireland are used to warmer climates, so an extra layer will always come in handy when the wind is doing its thing on a cliff edge! I also recommend packing a pair of sunglasses just in case we do get sun!
Suit
I love a good suit, and I have found that contrasting colours to the landscape work really well in helping you stand out, with the added bonus of eloping being a way more relaxed vibe allowing you to get creative with a suit too.
A grandad collar shirt – whether you go all out and super snazzy or embrace the rustic vibes and channel some inner peaky blinders!
Or, a woollen suit will be your best friend if you’re eloping in the late autumn or early winter!
Activity Ideas
Depending on where you are eloping in Ireland and what kind of activities you would both love to do during your day, will depend on your choices – but you can make it happen if you want to! Here are just a few of the many activities you can partake in, in Ireland.
Cycle the Mayo Greenway
The Mayo Greenway is a 42-kilometre-long cycling path in western Ireland that connects Westport on the mainland to Achill Island. It will take you through many picturesque villages and mountains, as well as provide breathtaking views of the coast, including Clew Bay and its many islands.
So, if you love good views and a bike ride – this one is a good idea to consider!
Go night kayaking on Lough Hyne
This is by far one of the most unique things to do in Ireland, and it is well worth the trip down to West Cork. The night kayaking sessions take place on Lough Hyne, a lake and Marine Nature Reserve that is home to a vast array of plants and animals found nowhere else in Ireland.
Watch the sunrise over Lough Tay
Get out of bed at the crack of dawn and head down to the Wicklow Mountains. You can drive there from Dublin in about 35 minutes and be rewarded with one of the most beautiful sunrises over Lough Tay in Glendalough National Park. Plus, it’s free!
Walk along the Slieve League cliffs in Donegal
Slieve League is the Cliffs of Moher’s older, more rugged brother. They are wilder, with no fences, no visitor centre, and no tour guides.
They are also one of Europe’s highest sea cliffs, and once there, you will notice that Slieve League is more of a mountain by the sea than simply cliffs. Perfect for those looking for adventurous hikes during their elopement in Ireland.
Watch the sunset at the Baltimore Beacon
If you prefer a sunset over a sunrise, then this one is for you!
The sunset with Sherkin Island, Cape Clear, and Schull in the background is a breathtaking sight. As fishing boats and ferries return to the mainland, the entire sky turns orange, and the sunset is reflected in the harbour below.
The white Beacon, one of the area’s main landmarks, is easy to find and a fun uphill walk from the small village of Baltimore.
Drive the Wild Atlantic Way
This is great if you decide to spend a few days here, to truly make the most of it.
The Wild Atlantic Way is without a doubt Ireland’s most scenic and the world’s longest-defined coastal driving route, stretching from Donegal in the far north to Cork in the far south.
It travels through some of Ireland’s most beautiful beaches, surf breaks, lakes, waterfalls, mountains, and small coastal villages.
Watch the sunset at the Cliffs of Moher
Another one for you sunset lovers!
The Cliffs of Moher are one of Ireland’s most photographed landscapes, and it’s easy to see why once you arrive – perfect for your elopement photos.
On a clear day, you can see for miles, whereas on a foggy day, you may not see anything. That’s all part of the allure of nature’s wickedness and the ever-changing Irish weather.
Choose Suppliers for your Elopement in Ireland
Last but certainly not least, choose your elopement suppliers – to complete your dream day.
Ireland Elopement Planner
An experienced Ireland elopement planner, like me, can help you with everything to create a smooth, streamlined process to create the day you truly envision. Here are some of the many things we will help you with:
Knowledge of local vendors
A local wedding planner knows who the best suppliers are and how to contact them, so you don’t have to spend hours looking.
Available for the whole duration of your stay
As a planner, I am available for the duration of your trip and can assist you with any additional requests, such as an adventure shoot in a different location or activities you wish to participate in. We can advise you on how to get around and where to stay and eat.
Take care of your budget
Managing a budget can be more difficult for some than others, or it may simply be overwhelming. Whatever your reason, the benefit of hiring a planner is that they can allocate your budget in the right places, keep track of it, and ensure you are spending it wisely.
Ireland Elopement Stylist
As a wedding stylist, I’m here to assist you in styling your elopement in a way that flows, reflects your and your partner’s personalities, and looks exactly how you want it to.
I save you time and work within your budget to research and curate all of the small details.
I can find items and suppliers that will perfectly suit your style.
Having a professional stylist set up your entire venue and the day will save you so much time and energy in the run-up to your big day.
We cover a variety of job titles, including wedding stylist – therapist, friend, and sidekick!
Wedding planning can completely consume your life and many couples believe they can do it on their own until they realise they’re in over their heads!
Knowing that someone else is handling everything for you will make the lead-up much more relaxed for you. Plus, you may have an amazing vision, but styling does not come naturally to everyone and that is exactly why I am here to help you.
Other Elopement Suppliers
We can’t forget your other suppliers! If you’d like to research your own suppliers or if you aren’t choosing to invest in a planner (which you should!) then don’t miss out on these:
- Photographer – to capture all of the emotions and memories that you created.
- Venue – don’t forget a venue if you are eloping indoors.
- Celebrant – for your intimate ceremony with rituals like handfasting.
- Florist – to add some unique and beautiful touches.
- Hair and MUA – to create the look you envision.
- Musician – Imagine a harpist on the top of the cliffs.
- Chef – hire a private chef for a truly intimate and tasty elopement!
Are you ready to plan your elopement in Ireland?
There it is, your guide to your elopement in Ireland. Now you should feel a weight lift off your shoulders knowing you have a checklist of the important things to consider whilst planning.
My best tip for you is to have fun in the process and remember why you are doing it!
If you would like to inquire about my services, I am a modern wedding planner and stylist who would love to help you create the best Ireland elopement! Let’s chat.
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