If you're planning to elope in Ireland from the USA or Canada, one of the first questions you're likely to have is: how much does an Ireland elopement cost and what is actually included in an elopement package?
There isn't one standard Ireland elopement package. Some are designed for just the couple and include a beautiful ceremony location and professional photography. Others can include a celebrant, flowers, hair and makeup, videography, chauffeur transportation, traditional Irish music and arrangements for family and friends.
Here's a practical overview of what to consider when comparing Ireland elopement packages.
How much does it cost to elope in Ireland?The cost depends primarily on the location, services included and whether you're eloping alone or bringing guests.
As a current guide, our Ireland elopement packages start from:
- Lite Elopement Packages – from €2,400
- Cliffs of Moher – from €3,500
- Dunluce Castle – from €4,500
- Ancient Ruins – from €4,950
- Irish Castle – from €5,200
- Irish Pub – from €6,800
These are starting prices rather than the price of every package within each category. More comprehensive options can include additional photography, videography, flowers, hair and makeup, transportation and ceremony music.
The important thing when comparing packages is therefore not to look at the headline price alone.
What is included in an Ireland elopement package?There isn't a universal definition of an "all-inclusive Ireland elopement package."
Depending on the package, services can include:
- Ceremony location
- Location or access fees
- Elopement planning
- Professional photography
- Celebrant or officiant
- Celtic handfasting
- Hair and makeup
- Flowers
- Videography
- Chauffeur transportation
- Harpist or Uilleann piper
- Indoor weather backup
- Additional photography locations
- Legal marriage assistance
- Witnesses if required
- Guest transportation
- Pub or restaurant arrangements
- Accommodation and travel assistance
This means two packages with similar advertised prices can actually offer very different value.
A good question to ask any Ireland elopement planner is:
Exactly what is included in the quoted price, and what will we still need to pay for separately?
What are the different types of Ireland elopement packages?Ireland gives couples a huge choice of wedding settings, so it's worth deciding what type of experience you want before comparing individual suppliers.
Couple-only elopementsFor couples traveling alone, a simpler package can provide the ceremony location, applicable location fee, photography and planning without requiring you to pay for services you don't want.
Our Lite Ireland Elopement Packages currently start from €2,400 and are specifically designed for couples eloping without guests.
Cliffs of Moher elopementsThe Cliffs of Moher remain one of the most recognizable choices for couples dreaming of a dramatic Atlantic wedding.
Our
Cliffs of Moher packages currently start from €3,500, with more comprehensive options available depending on the services required.
Dunluce Castle elopementsFor couples who want an ancient castle ruin combined with spectacular coastal scenery, Dunluce Castle on Northern Ireland's Causeway Coast provides a very different experience.
Packages currently start from €4,500. One important consideration for international couples is that Northern Ireland has a different
legal marriage process from the Republic of Ireland.
Ancient ruins weddingsCouples looking for somewhere historic, atmospheric and often more secluded can consider ancient churches, medieval towers, castles and other Irish ruins.
These can be particularly suited to intimate ceremonies, Celtic handfasting and couples who want Irish history to be a major part of their wedding experience.
Our
Ancient Ruins packages currently start from €4,950.
Irish castle weddingsAn Irish castle wedding can mean an adventurous ceremony at an ancient castle ruin or a more traditional celebration at a castle hotel.
Castle hotels can work particularly well for couples bringing guests because accommodation, indoor facilities and celebrations can potentially take place around the same venue.
Our
Irish Castle packages currently start from €5,200.
Irish pub weddingsFor couples who want a relaxed Irish celebration rather than a traditional formal reception, a pub wedding can combine an intimate ceremony with food, drinks and plenty of Irish atmosphere.
This option can work particularly well for a small destination wedding in Ireland with family and friends.
Our Irish Pub packages currently start from €6,800.
Can you bring guests to an Ireland elopement?Yes.
An elopement doesn't necessarily mean getting married alone.
Some couples travel to Ireland with just each other. Others bring parents and siblings, while some have 10, 20 or 30 guests and effectively create a small destination wedding.
Guest numbers can influence which Ireland locations work best. A remote cliff, mountain or castle ruin might be perfect for two people but less practical for a group that includes young children or older relatives.
For larger groups, castles, country houses and locations close to restaurants or traditional pubs can sometimes be more suitable.
Can Americans and Canadians legally elope in Ireland?Yes.
Couples traveling from the USA, Canada and other countries can legally marry in Ireland provided they complete the applicable marriage requirements.
However, couples should understand that the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland have different legal marriage processes.
That means a legal wedding at the Cliffs of Moher doesn't follow exactly the same process as a legal wedding at Dunluce Castle.
Another option is to complete the legal marriage at home and have a symbolic wedding ceremony in Ireland, which can provide greater flexibility over the ceremony location and format.
How can an American or Canadian get legally married in Ireland?For the legal process, required documents, marriage notification, appointments and what overseas couples need to know, see our
Getting Legally Married in Ireland guide.
How can an American or Canadian get legally married in Northern Ireland?Northern Ireland has a different legal marriage process. See our
Getting Legally Married in Northern Ireland guide for the requirements and steps involved.
What happens if it rains on an Ireland elopement?This is something every couple considering an outdoor Ireland wedding should ask about.
Irish weather is unpredictable, and an indoor weather backup should never simply be assumed to be included.
Some location-specific packages, including our Cliffs of Moher and Dunluce Castle options, include an indoor weather backup. For other locations, couples should discuss the available alternatives with their planner before booking.
Are Ireland elopement packages really all-inclusive?Sometimes — but the phrase "all-inclusive" doesn't have one standardized meaning.
Rather than relying on the description, compare what's actually included.
Check the ceremony location and access fees, photography hours, planning, celebrant, flowers, hair and makeup, videography, transportation, ceremony music, weather backup, taxes and charges, legal assistance and any additional guest costs.
Flights and accommodation aren't automatically included simply because something is described as an elopement package. Government marriage fees and meals may also be separate.
How do you choose the right Ireland elopement package?Start with the experience rather than the package name.
Think about whether you're traveling alone or bringing guests, whether you picture yourselves on a cliff or in a castle, how much photography you want, whether you want videography, flowers or professional hair and makeup, and whether getting legally married in Ireland is important to you.
Also consider practical questions such as accessibility, privacy, transportation and what happens if the weather changes.
Once you've decided what actually matters to you, comparing packages becomes much easier.
A complete guide to Ireland elopement packagesWe've created a much more detailed guide covering Ireland elopement package prices, locations, what's included, customization, guests, legal marriage, weather backups and what to compare before booking.
It also covers options for the Cliffs of Moher, Dunluce Castle, ancient ruins, Irish castles, Irish pubs and simple couple-only elopements.
Ireland Elopement Packages: Prices, Locations & What's IncludedEloping in Ireland has been based in Ireland and planning intimate weddings, elopements and vow renewals since 2014, with more than 1,500 celebrations planned, many for couples traveling from the USA and Canada.
The biggest advice I'd give couples comparing packages is simple: don't compare the starting prices until you've compared what's actually included.
Love from Ireland,
Stephen & Roisin
Eloping in IrelandE-mail:
hello@elopinginireland.ieCall toll-free: 1-800-481-4055 (USA & Canada only)
Text toll-free: 1-833-210-7193 (USA & Canada only)