Don’t pack stress — pack snacks, love, and a good umbrella
Everything an American Couple Needs to Survive (and Thrive) While Eloping in Ireland
So, you’re thinking about eloping in Ireland? First of all—fair play. Secondly, you’re in for the kind of wildly romantic, slightly muddy, possibly windswept experience that you’ll tell your grandkids about (probably while pointing to a windswept photo of you kissing under a rainbow with a sheep photobombing in the background).
But before you jump on a plane and into the arms of a cliffside vow ceremony, let’s talk essentials.
This is your Ireland Elopement Starter Pack—a not-so-serious, yet very helpful guide for couples from the U.S. who want their Irish elopement to be equal parts magical and logistically sound.
1. Hiking Boots (Yes, Even With the Dress)
I’m not saying stilettos don’t have their place, but that place is probably not the muddy trail leading up to a lookout point in Kerry. Ireland’s best ceremony spots—cliffs, forests, lakesides—are often just a short hike (or squelchy walk) away.
What you need:
- Waterproof, well-worn hiking boots
- Bonus points if they’re brown leather and a little battered—looks amazing in photos
- For the lads: Boots or brogues that can handle both vows and bogs
Hot Tip: Pack a pair of cute flats or slippers for pub time after. You’ll thank yourself.
2. A Proper Umbrella (Not the Flimsy Dollar Store One)
Irish weather has all four seasons. Sometimes in the same hour.
Translation for Americans: Yes, it might rain. But it also might stop 10 minutes later. Then start again. Then sun. Then rainbows. Then mist. Then more rain.
So bring:
- A windproof umbrella (ideally black, classic, or clear for pics)
- Bonus: Bring a second one for your photographer (I will absolutely love you forever)
Warning: The €3 umbrellas from tourist shops in Dublin? They’ll last three seconds in the Connemara wind.
3. Blanket or Shawl – Practical and Pinterest-Worthy
Whether you’re cozying up during your ceremony, warming up between photos, or wrapping yourselves together like a burrito of love—you’ll want a blanket.
Options:
- A plaid wool throw (a nod to Irish heritage, plus aesthetic)
- An Aran knit shawl
- Matching scarves = adorable photos
- I’ve even seen couples use a family heirloom blanket and sobbed behind my camera. No shame.
4. Your Vows (Waterproof Version Optional)
Ireland is a land of poets. Channel that. Don’t wing it. Write your vows and print them out—ideally not on tissue-thin paper that’ll fly off a cliff.
Your options:
- Handwritten in a vow book = classic
- Typed on card stock = sturdy
- Printed on parchment and rolled like a scroll = dramatic flair. We love it.
Real Tip: Bring two copies, just in case one gets… let’s say “carried off by a curious breeze.”
5. Snacks (You’ll Be Surprised)
Adrenaline will keep you going—until it doesn’t. If you’re hiking, climbing, or even just standing around smiling and being madly in love for hours… you’ll need fuel.
Ireland Elopement Snack Essentials:
- Chocolate (Dairy Milk or bust)
- Granola bars or protein snacks
- Mini bottle of whiskey or Prosecco (strictly for ceremonial purposes, of course…)
- A flask of tea or coffee. This is Ireland. It’s basically law.
6. A Photographer Who Knows Where the Sheep Are (Hi, That’s Me)
Not to toot my own horn (okay, maybe a gentle toot), but your Ireland elopement photographer should be more than just a shutter clicker.
I’m your:
- Local guide
- Hype crew
- Rain whisperer
- Sheep negotiator
- Map reader
- “Don’t step there, that’s not a rock, that’s a bog” specialist
And I’ll capture everything from windswept vows to post-ceremony chip stops. That’s what I do.
7. Props (That Don’t Feel Like Props)
Elopements are minimalist by nature—but a few small items can add personality and great photo moments.
Ideas to consider:
- A letter from a loved one to read on the day
- An heirloom (watch, ring, patch sewn into a dress)
- Irish coin for your shoe or bouquet
- A book of poetry or something meaningful to you both
- A cheeky Guinness can for the “cheers” shot
8. The Legal Stuff (But Let’s Make It Sexy)
Okay, not sexy, but important. If you’re an American couple eloping in Ireland, you need to file your paperwork with the Irish registrar at least 3 months in advance.
If you’re working with a planner (like Elope in Ireland), they can help streamline it all. Otherwise, I can point you in the right direction and share my “How Not To Panic While Legally Eloping in Ireland” cheat sheet.
Bonus: The Right Mindset
This might be the most important part of your Ireland elopement starter pack.
Pack:
- Flexibility
- A love of adventure
- A sense of humour (especially if a sheep wanders through your ceremony)
- Gratitude for the tiny, perfect, unscripted moments
Because the magic of eloping in Ireland isn’t in the flawless details—it’s in the fog rolling in at just the right moment, the goosebumps as you say your vows, and the “we really did this” look you’ll give each other at the pub afterwards.
Final Thought
Eloping in Ireland isn’t just a wedding. It’s a story—the kind you’ll want to tell over and over again.
So pack your boots, your vows, your blanket, and your biggest laugh. Ireland’s waiting. The cliffs are ready. The wind’s already practicing its dramatic entrance.
And me? I’ll be there—camera in hand, coat zipped to the chin, 97 snacks in my backpack—ready to help you bring your wild, windswept, absolutely perfect elopement to life.
