Kildare venue named in Top Winter Wedding Venues with winter wedding on the rise in Ireland

With the festive season upon us, SaveMyDay.ie are celebrating the magic and charm of winter wedding celebrations. With over 600 couples surveyed in the SaveMyDay.ie Irish Wedding Trends Survey, the results revealed a 25% increase in couples choosing to say I do during winter months. Many couples planning winter weddings referenced the opportunity to save money and increased guest availability in comparison with summer months.

Shell Holden, wedding expert and co-owner of SaveMyDay.ie, comments “Winter weddings are becoming increasingly popular amongst couples planning their big day for several reasons including better pricing, better guest availability and the added plus of festive decor. Many venues and wedding vendors offer reduced pricing compared to summer months, allowing brides and grooms the opportunity to secure catering, photography and other services that may be originally out of budget. Additionally, winter months often mean fewer diary clashes and less wedding fatigue for guests, making it easier for them to attend. While evenings may be darker, the twinkling lights are brighter, the atmosphere cozier, the decor richer, and wedding feasts more festive, making winter a truly magical time for a wedding. With the inviting glow of candlelight, fairy lights, crackling fires, and the chance of a light snow, winter weddings create a fairytale experience.”

Brides and grooms looking to make the most of these cosier days and nights can now choose from venues across the country including homely country manors and estates, historic landmarks, atmospheric restaurants, seaside locations, luxury castles, private and exclusive venues, well-established hotels, woodland retreats and many more.

SaveMyDay.ie’s recommended winter wedding venues and many more are profiled on SaveMyDay.ie.

SaveMyDay.ie showcases unique, amazing and alternative Irish venues available to hire for weddings. Couples can connect with any of the venues and enquire for free about their upcoming nuptials at SaveMyDay.ie

Ireland’s Top Winter Wedding Venues as featured on SaveMyDay.ie:

The Abbey Wedding & Events Venue, Athy, Kildare - Ireland’s Best Exclusive Wedding Venue at the SaveMyDay.ie Irish Wedding Venue Awards 2024 | 30 to 200 guests | Civil Ceremony licence

Choosing The Abbey gives couples and their wedding guests access all areas to this beautifully restored historic Kildare venue, including its own on-site light-filled 18th century chapel for ceremonies, garden parlour for pre-dinner drinks and late-night catch ups, spectacular ballroom, luxurious accommodation for up to 90 guests and not one but two secret bars.

Built in 1852, The Abbey has its own breath-taking on-site chapel that caters for all types of wedding ceremonies - civil, religious, secular, spiritual, whatever way you wish to say I Do. The atmospheric and historic 18th century chapel is sure to impress guests with natural light flooding through its spectacular original stained-glass windows, 170-year-old mosaic floor and handcrafted vaulted wood ceiling. The Abbey caters for both smaller wedding celebrations of 40 of your closest companions up to lavish weddings with 200 guests. Their open plan grand ballroom is adorned with incredible crystal chandeliers and antique flooring perfect for winter celebrations.

The Wicklow Escape, Donard, Wicklow - Ireland’s Best Vegan and Vegetarian Wedding Venue at the SaveMyDay.ie Irish Wedding Venue Awards 2024 | 18 to 60 guests | Civil Ceremony licence

Imagine scenic Wicklow landscape dusted in snow, a cosy inviting lodge with crackling open fireplaces and delicious hearty winter-themed curated menus, award-winning The Wicklow Escape is a charming and memorable wonderland ideal for an intimate winter wedding. At this exclusive woodland wedding venue which is known for its foodie experiences and breath-taking scenery, couples can choose to exchange vows amidst the snowy picturesque backdrop, or say I do and host their reception in the beautiful long hall in their 18th century woodland lodge. This option of both indoor and outdoor venue spaces, in addition to their on-site accommodation which allows guests to stay overnight, ensures that the festivities can be fully enjoyed regardless of winter weather conditions.

Located only an hour from Dublin, The Wicklow Escape offers rustic and charming spaces, such as the lodge, cabin and pavilion which can be decorated with twinkling lights, candles, and festive decorations. The crackling fireplaces and snug interiors create a cosy ambiance, making newlyweds and their guests feel comfortable and relaxed.

Marco Pierre White Courtyard Donnybrook, Dublin 4 - Ireland’s Best Restaurant Wedding Venue at the SaveMyDay.ie Irish Wedding Venue Awards 2024 | 8 to 160 guests | Civil Ceremony licence

Luxury and glamour await at Donnybrook’s Marco Pierre White Courtyard. Renowned for its gourmet food, this celebrated restaurant wedding venue is tucked behind vine-covered wrought-iron gates with guests entering firstly into a charming courtyard. This enchanting venue offers their bespoke Library Room for intimate weddings of 20 guests or less or their Garden Room for weddings up to 60 guests. Both of these wedding reception options have access to the venue’s outdoor heated courtyard for drinks on arrival. Moving into the main dining room, the entire award-winning restaurant is available for exclusive hire for larger groups of up to 160 guests. Exclusive hire includes the courtyard garden and garden room for drinks reception, moving into the main dining room for dinner, offering complete flexibility in layout styles. Marco Pierre White Courtyard is also licenced for civil ceremonies, perfect for those who want to say ‘I Do’ in a luxurious venue that oozes character and glamour and definitely offers something different.

Clontarf Castle, Dublin 3 - Ireland’s Best Castle Wedding Venue at the SaveMyDay.ie Irish Wedding Venue Awards 2024 | 40 to 300 guests | Civil Ceremony Licence

Timeless romance meets the magic of the season at North Dublin’s spectacular Clontarf Castle. With over 800 years of history, a breath-taking castle façade, original 12th century architecture and landscaped gardens, Clontarf Castle delivers a truly festive fairytale first impression for couples and their guests for winter wedding celebrations. With an elegant setting adorned with seasonal decor and twinkling lights, a carefully curated festive menu and the wedding team’s care and attention to detail, winter weddings at Clontarf Castle promise to be a wondrous and joy-filled occasion cherished by all. Whether it's an intimate gathering or a grand celebration, Clontarf Castle guarantees exclusivity for couples on their wedding day with their dedicated wedding team priding themselves on crafting celebrations that captures the essence of the couple’s love story and the enchantment of the holidays.

Stephens Green Club, Dublin 2 - Ireland’s Best Intimate Wedding Venue at the SaveMyDay.ie Irish Wedding Venue Awards 2024 | 30 to 95 guests | Civil Ceremony licence

A city centre wedding venue with a welcoming country feel, the exclusive and private Stephens Green Club is a historic members club that caters for both wedding ceremonies and receptions right at the heart of Dublin city. Specialising in bespoke intimate weddings, couples can host their wedding reception meal in the stunning Hibernian Room which overlooks the treetops of the iconic St Stephen’s Green park and natural light streams through the original sash windows. With its magnificent domed ceiling dating back to 1840, The Card Room is an exquisite setting for civil, humanist and spiritualist ceremonies or to host a drinks reception for guests.

Stephens Green Club boasts of a hidden gem of a private and secluded outdoor Courtyard, an ideal setting for a drinks receptions during warmer months away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre. The Club is also home to 12 beautiful boutique-style bedrooms, each room is uniquely designed and decorated in the traditional Georgian manner with antique furniture.

Dublin City Hall, Dublin 2 | 3 to 100 guests | Civil Ceremony licence

One of the country’s most iconic venues, Dublin City Hall will provide a stunning location for any wedding ceremony. Located next to Dublin Castle, this venue has been beautifully restored to its original architectural splendour and is a magnificent example of the Georgian architecture for which Dublin is world-renowned. Gorgeous natural light floods through the large windows into the magnificent Rotunda, with its exquisitely embellished gold leaf dome and marble floor, provides a beautiful and elegant space in which couples and their guests can enjoy their special day.

Whether you choose an intimate ceremony with your nearest and dearest or a big celebration with family and friends, the breath-taking architecture is a stunning backdrop to your winter city wedding.

Petronella (sister restaurant to Mountain View), Kilkenny City | Up to 50 guest, Petronella.ie | @petronella_restaurant_kilkenny

This enchanting city restaurant offers a warm, charming, inviting atmosphere, ideal for intimate city weddings up to 50 guests. Dating back to 1602, Petronella is rich in history and has recently been relaunched by the multi award-winning O’Neill family who are behind Mountain View wedding venue. Located in one of the city’s oldest buildings on the bustling Butterslip Lane at the mediaeval heart of Kilkenny city, Petronella is a tribute to the magical medieval charm of the city and celebrates the finest local Irish produce. Chef Gerard Dunne has curated the reinvented food offering at Petronella, with an emphasis on blending traditional Irish charm with modern European cuisine. His concept revolves around celebrating Ireland's rich culinary heritage while incorporating global influences.

Fernhill House, Clonakilty, West Cork - Ireland’s Best Family-Run Wedding Venue at the SaveMyDay.ie Irish Wedding Venue Awards 2024 | 100 to 300 guests | Civil Ceremony licence

Hosting wedding celebrations of up to 300 guests, West Cork’s Fernhill House is a gorgeous country house estate set amongst acres of picturesque gardens that are lit up at night to create a fairytale setting for winter wonderland wedding photos. . Fernhill has been cared for by the O’Neill family for four generations and offers both wedding ceremony and receptions spaces including their spectacular wisteria adorned Garden Marquee which is available all year round for civil ceremonies. They truly are a family run estate, with Teresa overseeing weddings for 40 years, Michael Snr being a celebrated chef for 50 years, and three sons running the bar and waiting staff. Fernhill House is located only 2km from the heart of Clonakilty town centre, a colourful and friendly town surrounded by beautiful beaches and home to a rich food and live music culture.

The Field Kitchen Restaurant at Camus Farm, Clonakilty, Cork - Ireland’s Best Sustainable Wedding Venue at the SaveMyDay.ie Irish Wedding Venue Awards 2024 | 3 to 120 | Civil Ceremony licence

Set in 30 acres of West Cork hills, the celebrated family-run foodie destination of The Field Kitchen Restaurant at Camus Farm is available for private exclusive hire for winter weddings. The award-winning Field Kitchen offers an authentic field-to-fork experience with much of the produce served grown or reared on the farm. As an organic Farm, sustainability, biodiversity and animal welfare are at the heart of everything at Camus Farm.

Offering exclusive weddings for up to 100 guests, the sustainably-minded husband and wife team behind Camus Farm have created an alternative wedding venue, heritage farm and award-winning restaurant ideal for couples who love nature, exceptional food and a relaxed vibe for their winter celebration. Their renovated covered barn includes a performance stage perfect for wedding entertainment.

10 Bridge Street, Killorglin, Kerry - Ireland’s Best Historic Wedding Venue at the SaveMyDay.ie Irish Wedding Venue Awards 2024 | 40 to 150 guests | Civil Ceremony licence

Hosting memorable winter weddings from 40 to 150 guests, 10 Bridge Street is a magical and atmospheric lovingly renovated church setting for festive celebrations with its original architectural features dating from over 200 years ago. This award-winning Kerry wedding venue can host both ceremonies and wedding receptions, with winter weddings complete with beautiful Christmas decor, luscious Christmas tree and mulled wine drinks reception. Seating up to 125 guests on the ground floor level for traditional banquet style weddings or up to 150 guests for an informal wedding party, the vaulted ceilings and intimate layout of this 1816 building combine to make guests feel warm, welcome and offer a sense of cosiness ideal for winter celebrations.

Jacks Coastguard Restaurant, Cromane, Kerry - Ireland’s Best Outdoor Wedding Venue at the SaveMyDay.ie Irish Wedding Venue Awards 2024 | 50 to 130 guests | Civil Ceremony licence

Located on the Ring of Kerry and Wild Atlantic Way and complemented by stunning views of Rossbeigh Beach and Inch Peninsula, Jacks' Coastguard Restaurant and its magnificent coastal backdrop is a much-sought after location for civil ceremonies and wedding receptions. Their restaurant's glass-walled dining room allows couples and their guests to gaze at the Atlantic views during winter celebrations. Very popular with ‘foodie’ couples, this coastal venue caters for exclusive weddings of up to 130 guests.

Four Seasons Hotel Carlingford, Louth - Ireland’s Best Large Hotel Wedding Venue at the SaveMyDay.ie Irish Wedding Venue Awards 2024 | 100 to 370 guests | Civil Ceremony licence

Nestled among the beautiful scenery of Carlingford Lough, the Cooley and Mourne Mountains, and only a stone’s throw from the rambling streets of the beautiful medieval village of Carlingford, King John’s Castle and the Old Abbey, the Four Seasons Hotel Carlingford boasts a stunning location of ‘where the mountains meet the sea’ to host both winter wedding ceremony and reception. Licensed to hold civil ceremonies, humanist ceremonies, spiritual ceremonies and civil partnerships, the Four Seasons and its award winning wedding team are honoured to host ceremonies of any scale so that couples can exchange vows in a celebration tailored to their own love story. Step in from the cold into the hotel’s grand ballroom warmingly lit by sparkling crystal chandeliers and boasting Georgian ceilings, floor to ceiling cut glass mirrors, lush carpets and catering for weddings up to 370 guests.

Fallon & Byrne Dublin 2 | 50 to 150 guests | Civil Ceremony licence

Renowned for its gourmet festive food and fine wines, Fallon and Byrne’s beautiful ballroom is the perfect setting for a winter wedding located amidst Dublin city’s Creative Quarter and its magically illuminated Christmas streets. The private and spacious Ballroom continues the festive sparkles indoors with their elegant chandeliers, twinkling Christmas lights, festive trees and charming trinkets. From the first pop of a bottle cork, right down to the last note played, their wedding team love helping to create bespoke and memorable experiences to the couple’s exact taste. Exuding warmth and joy, Fallon and Byrne offer couples an intimate winter wonderland experience complete with curated seasonal menus, premium wines, handcrafted cocktails and tantalising desserts.

The Castle Oaks House Hotel Castleconnell, Limerick | 3 to 280 | Civil Ceremony licence

For almost 30 years, Castle Oaks House Hotel has been hosting weddings in their charming Georgian country manor house and 26 acres of manicured gardens and romantic woodland along the banks of the majestic River Shannon. An idyllic backdrop for stunning wedding portraits for weddings all year round, this delightful and lovingly restored country house is renowned for its award-winning food and is available for exclusive hire.