Ireland’s wedding seasons at a glance
Ireland is one of those countries that enjoys really distinct seasons – although it’s often joked that you can experience all four in one day!
Spring in Ireland has mild temperatures (ranging from 8°C to 14°), and it’s when the greenery really explodes into vivid life. Summer has the longest days with average temperatures between 15 and 21 degrees. You don’t usually have to worry about getting sunburned on your wedding day in Ireland!
Early fall also sees warm temperatures – in fact, September can often be Ireland’s secret summer, with the best weather highlighting the striking fall colors. In winter temperatures average between 4 and 8 degrees. Snow is rare – rain is more likely!
The good news is that whether you’re choosing a venue in the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland (which is part of the UK), the weather is pretty much the same for the entire country.
Spring weddings in Ireland (March-May)
Why our couples love spring weddings: Lush green landscapes, seasonal flowers.
Pros: Weather warming up, fewer tourists in popular spots.
Cons: chance of showers, chilly evenings.
“March to April is when the grass in Ireland is that beautiful green that looks like it was created by AI!” enthuses Claire, our wedding planner for Northern Ireland. “There are occasional short spring showers, especially in coastal areas, but it's generally the official end to the dreary and wet days of winter.”
Our Republic of Ireland wedding planner Hattie is also a fan of an Irish spring wedding. “The evenings are starting to get brighter, it’s starting to get warmer, and best of all you have beautiful daffodils and tulips in bloom. Saint Patrick’s Day is being celebrated, so there is a real sense of Irish pride in the atmosphere. I find that couples who get married in spring in Ireland are usually interested in Irish culture, and even tapping into their Irish roots.”
Warm spring sunshine bathed Marilyn and Adam’s spring wedding in Ballylickey, a village in County Cork renowned for its lush green environs, and which was looking amazing at this time of year. But even if you do catch one of those Irish showers, never fear – Katie and Michael embraced the rain and still enjoyed an springtime outdoor wedding in Clare (complete with umbrellas!) in a stunning 16th-century clifftop castle.
Summer weddings in Ireland (June-August)
Why our couples love a summer wedding: long days, beautiful sunsets, great photography opportunities.
Pros: Warmest months, lots of daylight.
Cons: More tourists, highest venue costs.
“May through to August are mild and will have the hottest temperatures, but in Ireland’s moderate climate it's rarely too hot,” advises Claire. “Summer is perfect for couples who want to be able to add lots of adventure photoshoots into their day and take advantage of the long hours of light – sunset can be as late as 10pm. Plus, the green grass and plant life are still on steroids!”
Hattie loves the vibe of summertime Ireland. “The gigs are starting to kick off in great venues. The pub life is buzzing, there are Irish sports taking place such as hurling and Gaelic football, and there’s always a great atmosphere just about anywhere! Lots of our couples getting married during the summer love this time of year because of the many things to take part in.”
Meadow and Cody took full advantage of Ireland’s summer weather with their summer clifftop ceremony in County Antrim, where their guests’ black outfits created a striking contrast with the bright sunshine.
Fall weddings in Ireland (September–November)
Why our couples love a fall wedding: Autumnal colours, Samhain vibes, great photo opportunities.
Pros: Balmy weather, glorious foliage.
Cons: Shorter days by October, chances of rain.
“My favorite time of year in Ireland!” declares Hattie. “The leaves are starting to change and you can smell the fires burning from everyone’s fireplaces and stoves. Everyone is getting ready for Samhain festivals and pumpkin patches. The weather is usually better, especially in September. As someone from Arizona, it’s one of the things I love most about living here, and couples from hot places with not much seasonal change really love the feel of an Irish fall.”
“September or October is my favorite time of year for an Irish wedding,” agrees Claire. “You get crisp sunshine, low light and a gorgeously moody vibe. Plus sunsets are earlier, so you can enjoy some gorgeous golden hour photography with plenty of time to party afterwards. I recommend having the wedding photography prior to the ceremony and then booking a sunset ceremony at an amazing cliffside location such as Dunluce Castle.”
As Halloween has its roots in Ireland, it’s a wonderful place to experience the festivities and even weave them into your wedding, if you like the idea of a themed ceremony.
Kenzie and James enjoyed perfect autumn weather for their fall wedding in Mayo, saying their vows in an al fresco ceremony with the magnificent Ashford Castle as their backdrop. The striking fall foliage was on great display for Alexander and Brooke’s autumn elopement in Cork, where they took advantage of the season’s beautiful golden hour with a stunning photoshoot at dusk.
Winter weddings in Ireland (December–February)
Why our couples love a winter wedding: Roaring log fires and candlelight, festive feel.
Pros: Lower costs, fewer tourists.
Cons: Short amount of daylight, colder temperatures, greater chance of rain.
“Winter in Ireland has its own special charm,” explains Hattie. “And although it doesn’t happen often, when Ireland has snow, it’s truly beautiful.”
Claire also appreciates Ireland’s winter beauty. “Winter means magical mornings with frosty dew on the grass and the same stunning sunsets, just earlier in the day. Those who love cozy nights in will love this season, especially December with its fairy lights, hot cocoa and foodie goodness.”
Hattie agrees that Christmas adds a magical vibe to a wedding. “Christmas in Ireland is amazing, with so many markets and festive activities. Many of our couples seek out a winter-themed wedding in a beautiful castle, where cosy fires, hot whiskeys and Guinness stew are sure to keep you warm!”
You can get some wonderfully atmospheric photos during this time of year. For An and Matthew, the winter skies above Dunluce Castle provided a gorgeous backdrop for their winter elopement in Antrim.
Other considerations for when to get married in Ireland
Irish holidays
Irish holidays that can affect prices, accommodation and venue availability include:
- Christmas and New Year
- Easter
- St Patrick’s Day (17th March)
- School summer holidays: schools get between 6 and 8 weeks off in July and August, which is peak vacation time for Irish people.
Your guest availability
Want to have guests at your Irish micro wedding? Think about what time works best for your loved ones, considering things such as annual leave and school breaks.
Flight availability and cost
During popular times of year such as summer and Christmas flights are often more expensive. The flipside is that there will be more routes running so booking a convenient flight will be easier.
Week day versus weekend
If budget is a consideration, opt for a weekday wedding (Monday to Thursday, sometimes Sunday) as these days can be a lot cheaper than Friday and Saturday celebrations.
Top tips from our Irish destination wedding planners
Claire and Hattie also suggest thinking about these things if you’re considering when to get married in Ireland.
Booking timeline
The optimum length of time to ensure you get your preferred venue and suppliers is 12-18 months. But even with shorter timescales, you can absolutely have an amazing Irish wedding – just be prepared to make quicker decisions and be flexible. Our extensive network of venues and vendors means we have lots of options to draw on, even for weddings with just a few months’ lead time.
Legal & religious paperwork
Getting legally married in Ireland requires a certain amount of paperwork, which also has a minimum lead-in time. The requirements vary between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, as the two are separate countries. You’ll find more details about what you need to do in our post about Irish legal wedding requirements.
Planning your Irish destination wedding
You’re guaranteed to have a wonderful celebration in Ireland, no matter what time of year you choose. And we’d love to help you plan it with the help of our all-inclusive wedding packages and our expert planners.
This article was created by:
Helen Dorritt
Helen is a writer and editor based in Bristol, UK. After five years sitting in the editor's chair of a bridal magazine, she now specialises in writing about all things wedding. You can find her on LinkedIn and The Wedding Wordsmith.
Claire Gibson
Claire has over two decades’ experience of working in the bridal industry, firstly as a hair and make-up artist, and now as an expert destination wedding planner. When she’s not planning weddings, you’ll find her painting, hanging out with her family by the sea and studying for a masters in clinical psychology.
Hattie Kearney
Hattie is a former events manager from the USA who fell in love with an Irishman and now calls the Emerald Isle home. Outside of wedding planning, Hattie loves getting cosy with a good book or a movie, and cooking spicy food that honors her Arizonan roots.