How to plan a wedding at the Cliffs of Moher
Hands down, a wedding at The Cliffs of Moher is by far our most popular request from couples wishing to have a destination wedding in Ireland. So why is the location so popular and what does a wedding on The Cliffs of Moher actually involve?
The Cliffs of Moher are a crowning jewel of the Irish coastline, providing unrivalled views across the vast Atlantic Ocean whose cool breeze greets you on your wedding day. Listen to the soothing sounds of the Celtic harp as you stand 700 feet above water for your Irish blessing ceremony, hand in hand, before an 8km stretch of rugged rocky wall.
If you are thinking about eloping to Ireland and considering a wedding at The Cliffs of Moher, it is important to take the following points into consideration.
Privacy for your elopement, or lack thereof
The Cliffs of Moher is one of Ireland’s most popular tourist attractions, visited by millions of people each year. Regardless of the season and weather, The Cliffs of Moher is a busy place with high footfall on a daily basis throughout the year. Therefore, if you are seeking a totally private setting for your wedding ceremony, without the curious looks of passers-by, then The Cliffs of Moher might not be the right wedding location for you. Please see our page about weddings on Hag’s Head for a more private alternative location for a wedding at The Cliffs of Moher.
Your wedding party size
A ceremony at The Cliffs of Moher is only suitable for small groups of approximately to 20 people. No seating is available, nor is it allowed to bring chairs or other seating on the concourse so not to disturb the nature and normal operation of this busy tourist attraction.
The wedding legalities
If you are looking to have a legally binding wedding in Ireland, as opposed to a symbolic blessing, this is absolutely possible. Whilst Civil marriage ceremonies in Ireland are restricted to licenced indoor locations, you can still get legally married outdoors in Ireland by opting for either a Spiritual, Humanist or Secular ceremony. See our blog post about different types of wedding ceremonies in Ireland for more information.
If you do choose to the legally married on The Cliffs of Moher, the exact location of your ceremony must be beside O’Brien’s Tower in order to satisfy the legal requirement that the ceremony location must have a clearly identifiable address or a landmark. In other words, a legal marriage ceremony on The Cliffs of Moher cannot take place at any random location along the coastline, it must be clearly marked on the map or have an address.
Elopement Plan B
It’s advisable to have an alternative ceremony plan in case of bad weather. As there is no indoor option to celebrate a wedding at The Cliffs of Moher, the backup ceremony location must be found off-site.
Our recommended alternative indoor location is Newtown Castle. It is available for wedding hire but comes with a price tag of €544 – €738 which must be paid regardless of whether or not you end up using the location. If you’d rather not pay the price, then opt to stay in a hotel where you wouldn’t mind hosting your ceremony. Depending on the party size, most hotels won’t charge you to use one of their lounge rooms to hold the ceremony, in case the unpredictable Irish weather refuses to cooperate.
Alternatively, if you’re OK with a certain level of risk, it’s usually possible to simply delay the ceremony by 20-30 minutes in order to allow the rain to pass. And always bring umbrellas!
Pay attention
When choosing where to stay on the day prior and day of the wedding, pay attention to where you book your accommodation. If opting for Hotel accommodation, make sure you advise the Hotel staff at time of booking that you are planning a wedding on The Cliffs of Moher – especially if your wedding date is on a Friday or Saturday. As many hotels in the area also get booked for weddings, the Hotel would be placed in a compromising position if two brides were to cross each other on the premises. If the hotel is hosting another wedding on the same date, they may refuse your booking but it’s better to know this in advance and book elsewhere. Otherwise you may be facing an awkward conversation with the Hotel manager on the day of your wedding!
Our recommended hotels around The Cliffs of Moher where you won’t risk running into another woman in a white dress are: The Cliffs of Moher Hotel, Lahinch Golf & Leisure Hotel, Grovemount House and Bunratty Manor Hotel. All tested and approved by our previous couples!
Update: We’ve written a whole separate article with our top recommendations for accommodation near Cliffs of Moher for your wedding! Check it our here.
There have been rumours…
If you have been advised elsewhere that wedding ceremonies are no longer permitted on The Cliffs of Moher, please note this information is incorrect. Whilst the rules have indeed changed in late 2016, it is still possible to hold a wedding at The Cliffs of Moher. Please refer to our blog post ‘Busting the Myth – Can I Get Married on The Cliffs of Moher’ for more information.
In conclusion, The Cliffs of Moher is a scenic spot full of romance which provides a breath-taking background for your wedding album. Remember to get your celebratory Guinness at the local pub (we recommend Gus O’Connors Pub in Doolin) as a must-do for your iconic Irish wedding!
Not sure you can pull off organising a wedding at The Cliffs of Moher on your own? No worries! We offer affordable, flexible packages for weddings in Ireland for a wedding at The Cliffs of Moher for just €3,250*. Get in touch with us today to get started!
*Prices correct for 2018 but may change in future years, please enquire with your wedding planner for more information.
