How to Plan a Destination Wedding or Elopement in Ireland as an American (From Someone Who Did It)

How to Get Married in Ireland as an American (Everything I Wish I Knew Before Planning My Irish Wedding)

Dreaming of getting married in Ireland?

Rolling green hills. Castles around every bend. Guinness straight from the tap. Music echoing from a tiny pub. It’s no wonder so many Americans are saying yes to an Irish wedding or elopement...and I was one of them! Planning a destination wedding or elopement in Ireland as an American comes with incredible scenery — and a few logistics most guides don’t explain.

I planned my wedding in Ireland from abroad, and now, I work as a wedding photographer helping other American couples capture their big days on this beautiful island. And while it is as magical as it sounds, there’s a lot that people don’t tell you - like how the weather will definitely surprise you, and how Irish dance performances might break out when you least expect it.

This guide is everything I wish I had known before planning my Irish wedding. From legal requirements to locations, from things we nailed to things we wish we had skipped, consider this your full, honest guide to planning an unforgettable Irish wedding or elopement with a little personality thrown in.

1. First: Can Americans Legally Get Married in Ireland?

Yes, but paperwork and timing are crucial.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Give at least 3 months’ notice to the Irish Registrar (HSE) before your wedding.

• Provide original birth certificates, passports, and a declaration of freedom to marry.

• For civil/legal ceremonies, you must meet the registrar in person in Ireland before the wedding to get your Marriage Registration Form (MRF).

• Fees: around €200

💡 Tip: Many couples opt for a symbolic ceremony in Ireland and handle the legal paperwork back in the U.S. This allows for total freedom with where and how you say your vows, no extra bureaucracy required.

Who Can Legally Marry You in Ireland?

Unlike the U.S., where practically anyone (even your cousin with an online certificate) can officiate, in Ireland:

👉 Only registered solemnizers can legally marry you.

This includes:

• HSE civil registrars

• Religious solemnizers (priests, pastors, rabbis, etc.)

• Secular humanist celebrants (like Humanist Association of Ireland members)

You can search for a registered solemnizer on the official HSE list here.

If your dream is to have a friend or family member officiate, they can, but it would need to be a symbolic ceremony, you’d have to handle the legal paperwork separately with a registered solemnizer beforehand or afterward.

💡 Personal Tip: We chose a Humanist celebrant (Julie Antonette), and she was incredible, thoughtful, inclusive, and helped us build a ceremony that felt 100% ours. Humanists are a great option for non-religious couples who still want something meaningful and personal.

2. Why We Chose Ireland (and What You Should Know)

I got married in Cushendun, a sleepy little coastal town in Northern Ireland, where my husband grew up. We had our ceremony and reception at the Old Church Centre, and the day was entirely DIY — from organizing the celebrant to sourcing local musicians, flowers, and food.

We had originally planned for a marquee outside Glenmona House, but (classic Ireland) the National Trust never got back to us. We also realized how expensive marquee weddings are here, nearly as much as full venues that come with decorations and infrastructure included.

We got creative:

• Bartenders from the local pub, McBrides, served drinks out of a harp van.

• Our beer was all local.

• The volunteers from the church helped us flip the space from ceremony to reception, something I’ll never forget.

• We added personal touches: llamas from Peru, Cleveland Malley’s chocolate, and a completely open bar (rare in Ireland — usually you pay the full tab if you want one!).

🎻 Bonus: Kevin’s mum, auntie, sister, and my best man Joe surprised us with an impromptu Irish dance they rehearsed last minute. Unforgettable.

3. Logistics That Americans Often Miss

Transportation

• Rent a car: Ireland’s public transportation is sparse in rural areas, and taxis/Ubers are nearly nonexistent in small towns.

• Make sure guests know where to stay, especially if the venue is remote. Don't rely on Booking.com or Airbnb. Instead, open Google Maps and search for nearby B&Bs, then contact them directly.

Accommodation

• Don’t underestimate how quickly places book up.

• If your venue is small or in a rural village, secure room blocks early or suggest nearby towns.

Guest List Surprise

We thought many guests wouldn’t make the trip, but almost everyone said yes. That meant we had to rethink the venue size and transportation early on.

4. The Best Places to Get Married or Elope in Ireland

Forget the Pinterest clichés. Here are a few standout spots:

Torr Head in County Antrim, Northern Ireland – Wild, windy, and dramatic in the best way. This stretch of coastline looks straight across to Scotland on a clear day. If you want an adventurous cliffside ceremony with the Atlantic crashing below you, this is it.

Cushendun & Cushendall in County Antrim, Northern Ireland – Quiet coastal villages with serious character. Whitewashed cottages, hidden beaches, and old stone churches make these perfect for relaxed seaside ceremonies with a real local feel.

Glenariff Forest Park in County Antrim, Northern Ireland – Waterfalls, mossy woodland trails, and that magical Irish green everywhere you look. It’s easy to access but still feels tucked away — ideal for couples who want nature without a long mountain hike.

The Cliffs of Moher in County Clare, Ireland (if you want the drama) – Towering cliffs, Atlantic winds, and views that honestly don’t look real. It’s one of the most famous landscapes in Ireland for a reason.

Local ruins or pubs across Ireland – One of the best parts of Ireland is how relaxed and real weddings can feel. You can exchange vows in the ruins of an old stone church and then walk straight into a village pub for a Guinness while a local band starts playing.

Belle Isle Estate on Lough Erne in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland – Tucked away on a private island in the middle of Lough Erne, this place feels like stepping into a quiet Irish fairytale. Think stone courtyards, ancient woodland, and views across the water in every direction. It’s perfect for couples who want the charm of a historic estate with the freedom to make the day their own — whether that’s an intimate ceremony by the lake, a candlelit dinner in the castle, or a full weekend celebration with your closest people.

5. Elopement vs. Full Wedding: What’s Right for You?

Elopements:

• Intimate, flexible, and cheaper

• Perfect for wild locations and stress-free planning

• Great if you want to skip the legal hurdles and do it symbolically

Weddings:

• Ideal if you want to celebrate with friends/family

• More logistics — but venues and vendors often help handle them.

• Venues offer structure, shelter, and services, worth it if you're expecting a full house

💡Pro Tip: Can’t decide? Do both! Legally marry at home, elope to Ireland for the romance, and then throw a party wherever makes sense.

6. Irish Wedding Vendors You’ll Love

Here’s who we worked with (and loved):

• Julie Antonette Humanist Celebrant – Thoughtful, warm, and so helpful with making the ceremony personal.

• K&R Event Catering – Do not sleep on their smoked salmon. I still dream about it. kandreventcatering.com

• Local Irish Musicians – Kevin played with some of them growing up so as a gift they joined in the fun!

• McBrides Pub – We hired bartenders from McBride’s Pub, a cozy spot right in Cushendun. Huge shoutout to Cormac, the owner, not only did he supply all the booze, but he also hosted our rehearsal dinner and our day-after gathering. There's even a speakeasy-style room downstairs called The Little Black Door. If you're around on a Sunday, don’t miss their traditional session with live Irish music!

Cormac at Mcbrides Pub in Cushendun

7. What Was Worth the Splurge?

Easy: photography. Now that I work as a wedding photographer myself, I see firsthand how often couples say the same thing after the day is over.

We hired two photographers so we could both be captured getting ready and to make sure no moment was missed. It's the one thing you don’t get a do-over on, and I’m so glad we went all in.

8. What to Skip (or at Least Rethink)

• Tedious DIY projects. If it’s going to eat up your time and energy, it’s not worth it. Spend the money or cut the idea.

• Not having a planning network. If you’re not hiring a planner, make sure you have someone (family, in-laws, local friend) who knows how things work in Ireland. It’s essential.

9. Last-Minute Tips You Won’t Find in a Guidebook

• Don’t wait for permission. In Ireland, sometimes it’s better to just go for it and apologize later. It’s a much more relaxed culture.

• Always plan for rain, but know that misty moments often make the most romantic photos.

• An open bar isn’t common in Ireland. If you want one, you’ll usually have to cover the full tab yourself, or find a BYOB-friendly venue like we did.

• Most Irish people will help you if you ask, the sense of community here is real.

10. Thinking of Eloping in Ireland? Just Go For It.

If you’re dreaming of eloping in Ireland — do it. The people, the landscapes, the atmosphere — it all adds up to something truly unforgettable.

I’ve been where you are. I know the doubts, the time zone stress, the “is this even possible?” voice in your head. But Ireland is one of the most special places on earth, and if you bring the right mindset (and the right photographer 😉), it’ll be even more beautiful than you imagined.

Let’s Make It Happen

If you’re planning a wedding or elopement in Ireland and want someone who’s lived it, photographed it, and knows the ropes — I’d love to help. As an American wedding photographer based in the UK, I regularly help couples plan and photograph destination weddings and elopements across Ireland.