Clifftop micro wedding in Antrim bathed in autumn’s moody vibe
Wendy and Ruben’s elopement in Northern Ireland
Cliffs, castle ruins, and the unparalleled scenery of Ireland's lush green landscapes facing the Atlantic Ocean — there's every reason our couple flew all the way to Northern Ireland, bringing ten special people in their lives to their European destination wedding.
Yes, Wendy and Ruben could have settled for a traditional wedding in Texas and been hands-on with every detail. There are plenty of wonderful venue options there, but their hearts were set on Europe — specifically, the cliffs of Antrim in Northern Ireland, which offer scenery you simply can't find anywhere in Texas.
They set out on an adventure that created unforgettable memories not only for them, but for their closest loved ones who flew all the way to Northern Ireland to celebrate with them.
It surely took time and planning to travel from the US to Northern Ireland, but it was worth it. Their photos say it all, but here's the full story of Wendy and Ruben's big day so you'll know just how special the whole experience was.
Having a Northern Irish elopement in autumn
Wendy and Ruben's elopement in Northern Ireland was a heartfelt celebration beneath the moody autumn skies of Antrim. Rather than shy away from the season's subdued tones, the couple embraced them—Wendy even requested a bouquet that captured the dramatic, atmospheric vibe of the day.
Autumn in Northern Ireland is ideal for couples who love the privacy of the off-peak season. After summer ends, tourists and holidaymakers start heading home, which means you can expect lower rates at Irish wedding venues and smaller crowds on the beaches and other scenic spots from mid-September through November.
If privacy and a peaceful ambience mean everything to you, autumn is the perfect time to schedule your Irish wedding.
Planning their big day in Northern Ireland from the US
To make their elopement perfect, Wendy and Ruben had to plan from across the ocean, but not without help. One of their best decisions was working with Peach Perfect Weddings and our on-site wedding coordinator in Ireland, who helps couples realize their big day with little to no stress. She handles everything from venue communications to vendor coordination as part of our Irish all-inclusive wedding packages, so couples only need to fly to Northern Ireland days before their elopement.
Wendy and Ruben's local planner became their eyes and ears, handling every detail while they communicated their vision virtually. From Wendy's specific request for a moody bouquet of cascading black dahlias to booking their violinist to serenade them with their ceremony playlist, down to the restaurant reservation for their intimate dinner for twelve—everything was arranged flawlessly by their destination wedding planner.
Most importantly, she recommended and secured a breathtaking spot atop the cliffs of Antrim for the couple's exchange of vows.
The venue: The Antrim cliffs, castle ruins, and the Atlantic
Amidst Northern Ireland's lush green landscapes, rich history, and beautifully preserved natural environment, you'll find one of the most dramatic places to have an adventure elopement — the cliffs of Antrim.
From this location, you'll see only the castle ruins built thousands of years ago and the wild Atlantic below, showing off turquoise to deep blue waters — no crowds, no noise, just untouched Irish nature.
This postcard-perfect setting is what adventurous couples fly to Northern Ireland for: the breathtaking scenery of the blue ocean set against the lush green meadows of the Antrim cliffs.
This view alone is worth every mile of the journey, making it one of our top wedding venues in Ireland.
The clifftop elopement ceremony with the couple's playlist
The spot where Wendy and Ruben exchanged vows was one of the most dramatic vantage points on the cliffs of Antrim.
They arranged transport to bring them and their ten guests there, and the scenery made every detail worthwhile. Before them stood a castle in ruins, perched at the edge of the cliffs for more than a thousand years, with the Atlantic Ocean stretching out beneath it.
This was the exact backdrop they'd imagined since day one of planning, and seeing it come to life on their big day felt surreal. Their guests couldn't help but capture the magical setting while they waited for the bride.
Wendy walked down the aisle atop the grassy meadows toward everything she'd dreamed of—the love of her life, their ten dearest loved ones, and her dream wedding backdrop on the cliffs of Northern Ireland.
They'd requested a violinist to play their love songs, and all anyone could hear at that moment was Christina Perri's "A Thousand Years" in strings, followed by everyone's collective "Ah…" as Wendy approached.
Their ceremony was nothing but heartfelt, authentic, and adventure-filled. Imagine that natural scenery, violin music in the background, and ten people gathered for a private elopement to celebrate a couple they would fly continents for.
They incorporated a handfasting ceremony to Adele's "Make You Feel My Love," exchanged vows while tearing up, and shared warm moments with their loved ones. To top it all off, they shared an iconic kiss to the tune of their favorite love song, "I'll Follow You" by Shinedown, which their violinist learned specially for them.
Though the sun hid behind clouds, Wendy and Ruben's celebration was anything but dim. With genuine smiles, emotional moments, and the majestic backdrop of ancient castle ruins perched on the cliffs, their intimate elopement in Ireland felt like something out of a storybook.
Dramatic Antrim backdrop for a memorable photoshoot
After the ceremony, the couple took time for photos with their loved ones next to the rugged cliffs. Then, the newlyweds spent a few more precious minutes capturing photos they'll bring home to Texas as a reminder of their adventurous decision to have an elopement in Northern Ireland.