If you’re sitting in the U.S. daydreaming about getting married in Ireland — maybe with a Guinness in hand and Google open on your phone — you’ve probably come across both destination weddings and elopements during your planning spiral. The terms are often used interchangeably online, which can make everything feel even more confusing when you’re just trying to figure out what kind of day actually suits you.
While both involve travelling abroad to get married, a destination wedding and an elopement are very different experiences. A destination wedding usually still follows a fairly traditional structure: a large guest list, a set venue, multiple events, and a timeline that often revolves around hosting others. An elopement, on the other hand, is intentionally smaller, more personal, and far less about expectations. It’s focused on the two of you first, with the freedom to choose meaningful locations, slow the day down, and strip away anything that doesn’t feel necessary.
That difference is exactly why elopements are often more flexible, more relaxed, and yes — usually far kinder on the budget too. It’s the difference between a quiet pint in a Kerry pub where you can actually hear each other talk, and a full night out in Temple Bar where everything is louder, faster, and considerably more expensive. Neither is wrong — but one is very often a better fit for couples dreaming of something calm, intentional, and deeply personal in Ireland.
What is a Destination Wedding?
Think of a destination wedding as a traditional wedding that’s simply relocated to somewhere epic — a castle in Kerry, a villa in Italy, a beach in Mexico. You still bring most of the usual wedding elements with you:
- A larger guest list (50–150+ people often).
- A formal reception (dinner, speeches, cake, and dancing).
- Multiple vendors (planners, florists, hair & makeup, musicians, caterers).
- A weekend-long itinerary (welcome parties, group dinners, excursions).
👉 The key thing: you’re basically throwing a wedding abroad and inviting the gang along.
Pros:
- Everyone you love gets to join in the adventure.
- Feels like a holiday + wedding rolled into one.
- Big party vibes with a killer backdrop.
Cons:
- It’s not cheap. Between travel, venue, food, and keeping Aunt Mary happy, the costs add up fast.
- More logistics = more stress. You’re basically hosting a mini-conference, but with champagne.
As both a photographer and elopement planner, I see how important it is that the practical side of the day is taken care of quietly in the background. Through my sister site Ireland Elopements & Co, I help couples navigate planning, legalities, and logistics in a way that allows the elopement to feel natural, unforced, and focused on the experience rather than the to-do list.
What is an Elopement?
Now, elopements used to mean running off secretly to marry in Vegas. But in 2025, an elopement is more about stripping away the fuss and focusing on the two of you (plus maybe a few close friends or family).
When you elope in Ireland, it usually means:
- Guest list of 0–15 people.
- Ceremony in an epic outdoor location (cliffs, lakes, castle ruins).
- Simplicity over spectacle.
- A day that’s about you two instead of managing a crowd.
👉 The key thing: an elopement is about intimacy, experience, and freedom — not centrepieces, seating charts, or pleasing 150 guests.
Pros:
- Way more affordable (no €100-a-plate dinners).
- Stress-free: you don’t need to micromanage a schedule.
- Flexibility: your “venue” can be a cliffside, a forest, or a quiet old pub.
- Adventure: Ireland’s landscapes make your photos look like they belong in a movie.
Cons:
- Not everyone will be there — which can sting if you’re super close to a large family.
- Your mother might try to guilt-trip you (“but your cousins flew in for Sheila’s wedding…”).
Why an Elopement Costs Less in Pints
Here’s where the fun maths kicks in.
- A destination wedding in Ireland can run $30,000–$60,000+ (venue, food, drinks, accommodation, entertainment, and everything else). That’s a lot of Guinness.
- An elopement in Ireland often ranges $6,000–$15,000 total — photography, celebrant, flowers, hair & makeup, maybe a small dinner afterward. That leaves you with thousands saved… or, if we’re measuring Irish style, hundreds of creamy pints.
Pro tip: At €6 a pint, you could technically save enough to buy a Guinness for every person in Dingle on a Tuesday night. Not that I recommend it — the pub would run dry before you got halfway.
How to Decide Which One is Right for You
Ask yourselves these questions:
- Do you want a party with everyone you know, or an intimate adventure with just your partner?
- Does the idea of planning logistics for 100 people abroad excite you, or give you heart palpitations?
- Are you dreaming of a wedding album filled with epic landscapes or a dance floor packed with friends?
If you answered “intimate,” “nope,” and “epic landscapes,” then eloping in Ireland is probably your perfect match.
The Bottom Line
Destination weddings are about the crowd.
Elopements are about the couple.
Both are beautiful, but if you’re after something adventurous, stress-free, and a little easier on the wallet (and by wallet, I mean pint fund), an Irish elopement is hard to beat.
Need Help With the Planning Side?
Legal paperwork, timelines, and ceremony logistics can feel confusing when you’re planning an elopement in Ireland from abroad. Knowing what’s required and when is often the hardest part.
Alongside photography, I also offer full elopement planning support through my sister site Ireland Elopements & Co, guiding couples step by step through the entire process so nothing is missed and the experience stays enjoyable.
If you’d like help navigating the planning side or simply want to ask a few questions, you can get in touch with me through Ireland Elopements & Co.
