Frequently Asked Questions

An elopement is a small, intimate wedding ceremony - typically around 16 guests or fewer. These are your nearest and dearest - the people you're closest to and already know what they're up to. You're not sending out formal invitations, RSVPs, or setting up a wedding website. You simply gather the people who matter most.

After the ceremony, the celebration is intentionally intimate - think a private room in a restaurant or a reserved dinner table rather than a DJ, first dance, and a party into the small hours. The focus is on the ceremony itself and a beautiful, relaxed celebration afterwards.

Modern elopements are nothing like the "running away to get married in secret" of the past. Today, they are intentional, beautifully planned celebrations of love - just without the guest list of 200 and the year of stressful planning.

Ireland is one of the most romantic and welcoming places in the world to elope. Here's why couples choose it:

• No residency requirement: Unlike many countries, Ireland allows foreigners to legally marry without living there first. American and Canadian couples can have a fully legal wedding.
• Breathtaking locations: From the Cliffs of Moher to ancient castle ruins to the wild Kerry coastline, Ireland offers some of the most dramatic wedding backdrops on earth.
• Stress-free: With fewer details to manage, you can focus on what matters. We handle the planning, so your role is simple - make a few decisions and enjoy the experience.
• Cost-effective: An Irish elopement typically costs a fraction of a large US wedding, freeing up your budget for a honeymoon, a home, or simply peace of mind.
• It's entirely about you: Every detail is tailored to your love story - from the location to the vows to the celebratory pint of Guinness afterwards.

Learn more about eloping in Ireland →

Most of our elopements are around 16 guests or fewer. These are your nearest and dearest - close family and friends you don't need to send formal invitations to. Many couples choose just the two of them, while others bring a small group of the people closest to them.

If your guest count starts growing beyond that, our Sláinte, Ard, and RíRá packages include dedicated wedding planning and reception coordination for larger intimate weddings.

The main differences are scale and formality. An elopement is typically around 16 guests or fewer - your nearest and dearest who you don't need to send formal invitations to. After the ceremony, you'd celebrate with a private dinner in a restaurant or a reserved table. The focus is on the ceremony experience and quality time together.

Once you move into destination wedding territory, you're inviting people who may or may not be able to come - so you need a wedding website, RSVPs, and more traditional planning. The day itself includes more conventional elements like a first dance, a DJ, and a reception party. It's a bigger production with more moving parts.

We plan both. Our Fáilte and Grá packages are built for elopements, while Sláinte, Ard, and RíRá are designed for intimate destination weddings with full reception coordination, wedding planning, and on-the-day management.

Yes! Many of our couples incorporate beautiful Irish traditions into their ceremony. Popular elements include handfasting (a Celtic tradition where the couple's hands are bound together with ribbon or cord), reading of Irish blessings, and incorporating the Claddagh ring tradition. Your celebrant can weave these into either a legal or symbolic ceremony.

Yes! Both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland welcome international couples. There is no residency requirement in either jurisdiction, meaning you do not need to be an Irish citizen or live in Ireland. US and Canadian citizens can have a fully legal, internationally recognised marriage.

The legal process differs depending on where you marry. In the Republic of Ireland, you must give at least three months' notice to the HSE (Health Service Executive). In Northern Ireland, you notify the local registrar between 14 and 28 days before your ceremony. We guide you through every step regardless of which jurisdiction you choose. Read our complete legal guide →

The core documents are the same whether you marry in the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland:

• Valid US passport (must be valid on the date of your ceremony)
• Original birth certificate (or a certified copy)
• Divorce decree (if previously married) or death certificate of a former spouse

In the Republic of Ireland, you must also complete the notification process with the HSE at least three months before your ceremony date. In Northern Ireland, you notify the local registrar between 14 and 28 days before. Our team walks you through every step for whichever jurisdiction you choose, reviews your paperwork, and ensures nothing is missed. Read our US-specific documentation guide →

Yes. Both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland allow couples of any nationality to marry there, regardless of citizenship or residency status. The notification and documentation process differs between the two jurisdictions, but neither requires residency. While most of our couples come from the United States and Canada, we have also planned weddings for couples from the UK, Australia, Germany, and beyond.

The legal process for getting married in the Republic of Ireland involves four main steps:

1. Notification (3+ months before): You submit a notification of your intention to marry to the HSE. This can be initiated remotely - you don't need to be in Ireland to start the process.

2. Documentation: You provide the required documents (passport, birth certificate, etc.). We review everything before you submit.

3. Acknowledgement: The HSE issues a Marriage Registration Form once your notification is approved. This typically takes a few weeks.

4. Ceremony: Your registered celebrant performs the ceremony. After signing the Marriage Registration Form, your marriage is legally binding under Irish law and recognised internationally, including in the United States.

Getting married in Northern Ireland? The process is different - you need to notify the local registrar between 14 and 28 days before your ceremony. However, we recommend doing this as early as possible to allow time to collect your paperwork in person.

We handle the coordination of this entire process for both jurisdictions. You'll never have to navigate Irish bureaucracy alone.

Yes. A legal marriage performed in either the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland is recognised in the United States. Once married, you can request a certified copy of your marriage certificate - from the General Register Office (Republic of Ireland) or the General Register Office for Northern Ireland - which can be used for name changes, tax filings, insurance, and all other legal purposes in the US.

The legal minimum age to get married is 18 years old in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. There are no exceptions and no parental consent provisions for younger marriages in either jurisdiction. Both parties must be at least 18 on the date of the ceremony.

Absolutely. If you prefer to handle the legal paperwork at home (a quick courthouse visit before or after your trip) and have a purely symbolic ceremony in Ireland, that's a wonderful option. Symbolic ceremonies offer complete creative freedom - your celebrant can craft a fully personalised ritual without any legal formalities to work around.

Many of our couples choose this route, especially those on a tighter timeline (since legal ceremonies in the Republic of Ireland require 3 months' notice).

Republic of Ireland: US and Canadian citizens do not need a visa to enter the Republic of Ireland for stays of up to 90 days. You just need a valid passport.

Northern Ireland: Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom, so different entry rules apply. US and Canadian citizens can visit visa-free under the UK's Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme - check the latest UK government requirements before you travel.

It's important to know which jurisdiction your venue is in, as the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland have separate legal systems, entry requirements, and marriage processes. We guide you through all of this during planning.

Our elopement packages start at $4,900 for an intimate ceremony for two, including a celebrant and two hours of professional photography. Enhanced packages with professional styling (hair, makeup, bouquet) and four hours of photography start from $7,000. Full destination wedding packages with reception planning and on-the-day coordination range from $9,000 to $14,000+.

All pricing is in US dollars with no hidden international fees. We also offer flexible payment plans with 0% interest financing, so you can spread the cost comfortably.

Beyond the package cost, couples should also budget for flights, accommodation, and the HSE marriage registration fee (~€200). Many of our couples find that the total cost of an Irish elopement is significantly less than a traditional wedding at home. View all packages and pricing →

Every Ladybird Ever After package is all-inclusive and designed so you don't have to manage any international logistics. At minimum, every package includes:

• Expert Irish celebrant for your legal or symbolic ceremony
• Professional photography (At least 2 hours)
• Full legal guidance for US and Canadian couples
• Location selection and booking from our 30+ curated venues
• US-based wedding planner available in your timezone
• Client portal access for managing every detail
• One US contract with pricing in USD and flexible payments

Higher-tier packages add bridal styling (bouquet, hair, makeup), dedicated wedding planning, reception coordination, on-the-day coordination, ceremony music, and additional styling for your wedding party. Compare all five packages →

Absolutely. Our packages are designed as a foundation - a robust starting point that handles all the complex logistics of getting married in Ireland from abroad. From there, your celebration is fully bespoke.

Want to add a vintage car? A harpist at your ceremony? A private dinner in a castle? A helicopter ride along the Wild Atlantic Way? We can make it happen. Every detail is tailored to your vision, your style, and your budget.

No. You don't need to commit to a specific package immediately. We can start with a deposit to secure your preferred date, which allows us to begin planning while your vision takes shape. Most couples refine their package choice during our planning calls as they learn more about what's possible.

If you're not sure where to start, book a free 15-minute call and we'll help you figure out the best fit.

We've designed a seamless payment experience specifically for North American couples:

• One US contract - no navigating Irish legal terms
• Pricing in USD - no currency conversion surprises
• Pay by credit card - secure payments via Stripe
• Flexible payment plans - spread the cost with 0% interest
• We handle vendor payments - all foreign currency transfers and Irish vendor disbursements are managed by us

You'll never need to wire money to an Irish bank account or deal with international payment headaches.

Yes. We offer flexible payment plans with 0% interest financing to make budgeting for your wedding more manageable. After an initial deposit to secure your date, we work with you to create a payment schedule that fits your timeline and budget. Contact us for details →

We've made getting married in Ireland as simple as possible:

Step 1 - Discovery call: We have a free 15-minute call to hear your vision, answer your questions, and see if we're a good fit.

Step 2 - Secure your date: A deposit locks in your preferred date and kicks off the planning process.

Step 3 - We plan everything: Your dedicated planner helps you choose a location, coordinates vendors, guides you through legal requirements, and manages every detail via your personal client portal.

Step 4 - You show up and get married: On the day, everything is in place. You simply arrive, say your vows, and soak in every magical moment.

With over 30 curated venues across Ireland, we handle coordination with every vendor. All you need to do is get your marriage notification submitted - and we guide you through that too.

For a legal ceremony, the absolute minimum is 3 months (due to Ireland's legal notification requirement). However, we recommend 6 to 12 months for the best availability - especially if you have a specific date, venue, or photographer in mind.

For a symbolic ceremony (where you handle the legal paperwork at home), we can work with shorter timelines. We have planned elopements in as little as 30 days, though this depends on vendor availability.

The earlier you reach out, the more flexibility we have. Book a free call to get started →

We are the only elopement planning company that combines a US-based team (so we're in your timezone and speak your language) with deep local expertise in Ireland (so we know every venue, vendor, and hidden gem personally).

What makes us different:

• US-based planner, Irish expertise: No 5-hour time difference to navigate
• One contract, one currency: Everything in USD through a single US contract
• 30+ curated venues: We've personally vetted every location we recommend
• Award-winning vendor network: Ireland's best photographers, celebrants, florists, and musicians
• End-to-end service: From your first call to your last dance, we manage everything

Read our story →

Yes. We work with a curated list of trusted Irish vendors - the best photographers, florists, celebrants, musicians, hair and makeup artists, and more. Every vendor in our network has been personally vetted through real weddings, and we match you with professionals who fit your style, budget, and location.

If you have specific vendors in mind - perhaps a photographer you've worked with before, or a musician you love - we are happy to collaborate with them. Just let us know early in the planning process so we can ensure seamless coordination.

It depends on your style, but our most popular elopement locations include:

• Cliffs of Moher, Co. Clare - dramatic 700-foot sea cliffs on the Wild Atlantic Way. Iconic and unforgettable.
• Dunluce Castle, Co. Antrim - medieval castle ruins perched on a basalt cliff overlooking the North Atlantic.
• Killarney National Park, Co. Kerry - arrive by horse-drawn carriage to Ross Castle or exchange vows at ancient Muckross Abbey.
• Rahinnane Castle, Co. Kerry - a secluded 15th-century castle ruin on the Dingle Peninsula with sweeping Atlantic views.
• Dunquin Pier, Co. Kerry - wild, remote, and utterly dramatic cliff-side ceremony setting.

We have over 30 curated venues across Ireland, from castles and cliffs to cosy country houses and atmospheric pubs.

We offer personalised venue recommendations based on your preferences. During your planning calls, we'll discuss what matters most to you - dramatic scenery, historical significance, privacy, proximity to a town for dinner afterwards, suitability for guests - and present options that match.

You don't need to choose a venue before booking. Many couples secure their date first and explore venue options with our guidance during the planning process.

Yes! Ireland has some of the most extraordinary castle wedding venues in the world. Our venue directory includes both castle ruins (stunning outdoor ceremony backdrops like Dunluce and Rahinnane) and fully restored luxury castles with accommodation and reception facilities (like Kinnitty Castle, Ballyseede Castle, and Cabra Castle).

Read our complete guide to castle weddings in Ireland →

Absolutely. Many of our couples secure their Ladybird Ever After services and preferred date first, then explore locations with our guidance. This allows us to begin the planning process immediately while we help you discover the perfect atmospheric pub, coastal cliff, or dramatic Irish castle that fits your aesthetic.

Ireland is beautiful year-round, and we plan elopements in every season. Each offers something different:

May – September (peak season): The longest daylight hours (sunset as late as 10pm in June!), milder temperatures (15–20°C / 60–68°F), and lush green landscapes. This is the most popular season, so book early.

October – November (autumn): Golden light, dramatic skies, stunning foliage, and far fewer tourists at popular locations. Slightly cooler but still beautiful.

December – February (winter): Moody, atmospheric, and deeply romantic. Shorter days but magical light. Castle venues with roaring fires create an incredible backdrop.

March – April (spring): Wildflowers, baby lambs in the fields, and increasing daylight. A lovely time for photos.

Read our complete seasonal weather guide →

Let's be honest - this is Ireland, and rain is always a possibility! But here's the truth: some of our most stunning photos were taken in moody, misty weather. Ireland's dramatic skies are part of its magic.

That said, we always prepare backup plans. Whether it's securing a covered area at your venue, having an indoor option available, or simply bringing a beautiful umbrella (which makes for incredible photos), we ensure that rain or shine, your day is perfect. Our experienced photographers know how to work with Irish weather beautifully.

We recommend at least 4–5 days for an elopement trip - a day to arrive and settle in, your ceremony day, and a couple of days to explore as newlyweds. Many couples extend to 7–10 days to turn it into a combined wedding trip and honeymoon, exploring Ireland's stunning regions.

We can help with travel and accommodation recommendations to make the most of your time.

Yes. While we don't book flights, we provide expert guidance on the best airports to fly into, accommodation near your venue, transportation between locations, and local recommendations for restaurants and activities. Couples who have booked with us also get access to our Ever After Roadmap - an insider guide to help you plan every part of your trip.

This is one of the most common concerns for our couples, and it's easier than you think. Most airlines allow wedding dresses as a carry-on garment bag or in overhead compartments if you ask at the gate. We've also worked with shipping services for couples who prefer to send their dress ahead.

Read our complete guide to transporting your dress →

We understand that life is unpredictable. Our cancellation and postponement policies depend on your specific package and the vendors booked. We work closely with you to reschedule or adjust plans with minimal disruption.

If circumstances beyond your control arise (illness, travel restrictions, etc.), we'll do everything we can to find a solution - whether that's moving your date, adjusting your package, or transferring to a future celebration. Please refer to your contract for specific terms, and don't hesitate to reach out to discuss your situation.

Guest lists evolve - we get it. Whether people are added or drop off, we adjust accordingly. If your guest count grows beyond the scope of your current package, we'll provide a tailored quote for the additional coordination and services needed. We've planned celebrations from 2 to 50+ guests and can scale seamlessly.