Planning a destination wedding in Ireland: Inside the Drumhierny experience

For international couples, including Canadians Claire and Mark, getting legally married in the Republic of Ireland is very possible – but it does require advance destination wedding planning, says Alison Moffatt, marketing & sales manager at Drumhierny Woodland Hideaway. 

“At Drumhierny, we support destination couples by guiding them through what they need to consider, sharing the correct official information and connecting them with trusted local wedding professionals, including registered solemnizers, celebrants, photographers, florists, caterers, musicians and transport providers,” says Moffatt. 

She adds that couples must give a minimum of three months’ notice to the Civil Registration Service in Ireland and complete the official marriage notification process. The ceremony must also be conducted by a registered solemnizer in order to be legally recognized. While the couple must complete the legal marriage paperwork directly themselves, the wedding team helps make the wider planning experience feel much easier and more personal. 

For Canadian couples specifically, the main logistics to consider are travel dates, guest accommodation, transport from airports, legal paperwork timelines, supplier coordination and whether they want a one-day wedding or a full destination wedding experience over two or three days. 

Drumhierny Woodland Hideaway makes for the ultimate getaway in Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands, approximately eight kilometres from Carrick-on-Shannon train station, 78 kilometres from Ireland West Airport Knock and about 158 kilometres from Dublin Airport. One of the biggest advantages of a destination wedding at Drumhierny is that couples are not just booking a venue – they are taking over a private woodland estate featuring six luxury, self-catering lodges that sleep approximately 100 guests in total, Situated on 100 acres of native Irish woodland, it offers an immersive setting for couples who want something different from a traditional hotel wedding. 

“The estate includes our signature woodland ceremony space, the remastered Barn for wedding receptions, the Cedaroo glass-fronted woodland space for drinks receptions or indoor ceremonies, our outdoor bar area and the Wellbeing Sanctuary for pre- or post-wedding experiences,” says Moffatt. “It works especially well for couples who want to create a full weekend around their wedding, with welcome drinks, a relaxed wedding day and optional next-day activities such as brunch, yoga, spa experiences or woodland walks.”

Moffatt adds that this allows close family and friends to stay on site, giving the wedding a private house-party feel. For the wedding itself, the Barn can accommodate larger celebrations, with capacity generally sitting around 180–200 guests, depending on the final layout and style of the day. 

“The main advantage for international couples is that everything feels contained, relaxed and memorable,” she says. “Guests can stay together, walk between the lodges, ceremony space, wedding reception areas and well-being facilities and experience a very authentic part of rural Ireland without losing the comfort and finish expected from a premium wedding venue.”

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Originally published in our latest digital Planning Guide, this feature – along with Claire and Mark’s wedding – is part of a curated collection of expert advice, inspiring celebrations and practical planning tips for couples. Click to view the full issue. 

Lesley Turner Editorial Content Writer

Lesley is a freelance writer and content strategist with a serious love for all things wedding. With a background in bridal fashion and over a decade of industry experience, she creates stylish, scroll-stopping content for Today's Bride and beyond.

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