Are you considering getting married in Ireland?

Read below for some useful hints and tips on how to start planning your dream wedding on the island of Ireland.

 Home to beautiful countryside, rolling hills and a rugged, romantic wilderness found nowhere else on earth, it’s easy to see why getting married in Ireland is steadily becoming more and more popular. There is simply no other place in the world that can encompass so many different factors that come together to make your wedding truly magical. With over 900 miles of coastline around the island, breathtaking scenery, an abundance of historical locations and a nation known for their hospitality, warmth and fun-loving ways, Ireland has cemented itself as an unparalleled and epic, luxury destination for dream weddings and unforgettable events. 

Read below for some of the top attractions for couples who choose to get married in Ireland, important practical tips about Ireland and helpful notes on navigating the legalities involved in planning your wedding day.

WEDDING TRADITIONS AND BLESSINGS

From traditional hand fasting in spiritual ceremonies and secular humanist ceremonies, to registry office civil ceremonies and celebrant-led blessings, getting married in Ireland can be as unique as you and your partner desire. The mix of ancient and modern rituals is an attractive draw and we adore designing events that incorporate cutting edge ideas with heartfelt traditional elements such as the beautiful Chinese Tea Ceremony that was incorporated into our client’s East meets West wedding at Ashford Castle. Read more about this beautiful ritual here.

WEDDING VENUES AND LOCATIONS

If you choose to get married in Ireland, you will have a wealth of venues and locations to choose from, whatever your taste may be. Olivia Buckley International have created experiences at countless dream locations, from private islands, exclusive castles and five star venues to historical sites and forest settings. Ireland is unparalleled when it comes to unique, historical wedding venues that offer exclusivity and privacy to couples who wish to get married here. Read more here about some of the beautiful venues in Ireland that we have had the pleasure of working in.

THE LEGALITIES

Here is a simple guide on legal requirements and documentation that you will need when getting married in Ireland.

A. MARRIAGE REGISTRATION FORM (MRF)

The Marriage Registration Form (MRF) is a marriage license and is a necessity if you're going to be getting married in Ireland. If you or your spouse lives outside of Ireland, you will need to make a request from the registration office here for a mail-in registration for your Marriage Registration Form (MRF). All couples must give their intention to marry at least three months before they plan to do so. This notification must be given in person to any Registrar, whether you want to be married in a religious, secular, or civil ceremony. If either party is not an Irish citizen, you may be asked to provide a Letter or Certificate of Freedom to Marry or other documentary confirmation of your civil status from your country of origin. The team at Olivia Buckley International can easily advise and guide you through this process should you choose to get married in Ireland.

B. YOUR WEDDING VENUE AND DATE

As a general rule, Catholic weddings tend to take place outside of Sundays. Civil ceremonies can only be held during the week but not on weekends. Secular or spiritualist weddings can take place on Saturdays and Sundays. If you're opting not to get married in a church or a registry office, you'll need to make sure that your venue meets the requirements of the HSE. If you having had a legal ceremony elsewhere and just wish to have a blessing, then this will be an exception.

C. DOCUMENTATION AND VISAS

Currently, if you are from North America, Brazil, South Korea, the United Kingdom, South Africa, the European Union, and a range of other countries you do not need to get a wedding visa. If you are from a visa required country, however, it is essential to allow time to get your documentation in order before making travel plans. Some of the documentation that may be required at the airport before entering the country include; your passport, marriage visa, acknowledgement from the Registrar of Civil Marriages, and all of the supporting documents that you used to acquire these forms. It is essential that all of your documents are in English or have been translated from an independent verifiable translation company. As a side note, for couples who are considering traveling to Northern Ireland (highly recommended), please note that it is part of the United Kingdom and you will need a UK visa to visit the country.

HOW CAN WE HELP?

Making the decision to get married in Ireland is the first step in your exciting wedding planning journey. We at Olivia Buckley International specialise in designing and producing exquisite, unique and unforgettable destination weddings for our clients and can assist and guide you in every aspect of your planning. Our expertise, local knowledge, and years of experience in the wedding and events industry means that we can provide an extensive event management service which allows our clients to enjoy a seamless and enjoyable wedding planning experience. Read an interview here with Olivia Buckley International clients Juliana and Ryan, where they talk about their experience of getting married in Ireland and planning their dream destination wedding from abroad.

AT A GLANCE

• Languages Spoken: English and Gaelic (Irish)

• Religions: Predominantly Christian (especially Catholic and Protestant)

• Currency: Euro (€)

• Capital City: Dublin

• International Airports: Dublin, Shannon

• Climate: Mild

• Timezone: GMT+5

• History: Irish Castles and Churches dating back to the twelfth century.

• Visitor Experiences: The Guinness Storehouse, The Burren, The Cliffs of Moher, The Ring of Kerry, Blarney Castle and The Rock of Cashel.