The best Dublin wedding venues

Urban weddings are back in vogue! And Dublin, our supercool capital has romance and revelry in equal measures. Steeped in ancient history, yet home to one of the youngest populations in Europe, the city is alive with vibrant chic bars and lively night life and this bustling atmosphere brings additional colour to every wedding celebration.

We are spoilt for choice with wedding venues. Behind the elegant historic facades of the capital’s spectacular streets, lie some of the most stylish wedding destinations. From the quiet elegant sophistication of 5-star hotels and private members clubs to restaurants up edgy winding lanes and back alleys, I’ve selected some of my favourite venues for memorable celebrations and lively wedding portraits.

Not only are each of them fab locations for photography but your wedding guests may thank you too! But before we look at the destinations themselves, a quick word on wedding photography in the city.

Landmark locations for photography in Dublin city

It’s easy sometimes to overlook our jewel of a city when thinking about wedding photography. But that would be short sighted. Dublin city offers such a wide variety of locations that you can capture any style or genre that you like.

Take for instance St Stephen’s Green, an oasis in the city centre. You can choose any number of backdrops from stylised gardens to riverside romance, to history in the making with an array of historic monuments.

Merrion Square is another such gem, tranquillity in the heart of the city, not to mention the hidden jewel that is the Iveagh Gardens.

If you’re looking for a more urban feel, we are spoilt for choice between Grafton Street, Harry Street, South Anne Street each of which can offer either the bustle of the city or the backdrop of some of our most iconic pubs.

Dame Lane is always popular, for its narrow lane way, bustling with life and vibrant colours. The Stag’s Head is always a winner here for a few photos while you enjoy a quick pint of the black stuff (Dublin’s best Guinness some say!).

Temple Bar itself is also popular – scenic, buzzing and the perfect spot for a quick pit stop. And if you are opting for this area, it’s a stone’s throw away to the Ha’penny Bridge for a photo on one of Dublin’s most iconic images.

For a truly regal feel Dublin Castle or the front square in Trinity College are both great options and will provide the perfect backdrop for some timeless photography.

Whether it’s timeless elegance or something on trend and in the moment, Dublin can offer it all!

My pick of the best venues for a wedding in Dublin

There are so many venues to choose from but I have put together as short a list as I can. All of these wonderful venues will take exceptional care of you.

There is something exhilarating about a wedding party wandering through such a vibrant city. Each of these stunning venues combine urban chic with timeless elegance making the most magnificent canvas for your wedding photography. I love a Dublin wedding. You can’t go wrong.

• Shelbourne Hotel
• The Merrion Hotel
• The Westbury Hotel Dublin
• No 25 Fitzwilliam Place
• Stephen’s Green Club
• The Dean Hotel
• Iveagh Garden Hotel
• Fallon and Byrne

Weddings at The Shelbourne Hotel Dublin

Dublin city’s jewel in the crown is the iconic and timelessly elegant Shelbourne Hotel. Meticulously refurbished, the hotel speaks class, elegance, and romance. It’s flawless five-star service, impeccable attention to detail, genuine warmth and absolute commitment to your happiness make for an unforgettable day.

Nothing speaks class more than the impeccably groomed doormen at the Shelbourne. From the moment you and your guests arrive, every member of staff will be devoted to your every need.

Whether it is a small intimate affair or the grandeur of the ballroom with it’s exclusive foyer, The Shelbourne can cater for weddings from 10 to 300.

There are plenty of intimate churches and ceremony spaces in the area, with the Dublin Unitarian Church and Newman University Church both located in walking distance ‘on the green’. A quiet moment across the road in St Stephen’s Green itself is of course a must, the city garden always catches the romance of the occasion.

If you’re looking for the original of the Dublin city weddings, the Shelbourne is in a class of its’ own.

theshelbourne.com | up to 350 guests

The Merrion Hotel Dublin weddings

The Merrion Hotel offers a discrete and effortlessly stylish option for those looking for a 5-star experience with paired back elegance and sophistication. I’m a sucker for the impeccably attired doorman and in the case of the Merrion hotel, were it not for their discrete street-side presence, you might be forgiven for rushing past the understated Georgian exterior.

Just up the road from Merrion Square and opposite Leinster House, there are plenty of options for your wedding photography. Inside the hotel is effortlessly stylish. the top service is second to none, and if it’s elegant style and sophistication you’re looking for then this is the place.

merrionhotel.com | up to 80 guests

The Westbury Hotel Dublin weddings

It’s hard to beat the buzz of the Westbury Hotel for that iconic city centre feel. Again, we have more wonderful doormen adding a touch of class to the occasion. With its slightly art deco style, the Westbury is the definition of metropolitan grandeur that’s reminiscent of a bygone era.

Weddings at the Westbury are all about once in a lifetime luxury. Think marble columns, stunning Waterford crystal chandeliers, private cocktail bars, and elegant furnishings.

Add to that the vibrancy of the local Grafton Street area with the vibrant and colourful neighbourhood, both the surrounding area and the art deco interiors make the perfect backdrops for wedding photography.

The hotel can accommodate anything from small intimate affairs in private dining rooms to larger receptions of up to 150 guests.

doylecollection.com | up to 150 guests

No. 25 Fitzwilliam Place weddings

For a more intimate affair with an exquisitely personal feel, No. 25 Fitzwilliam Place is a one-of-a-kind wedding venue. Combining a welcoming, homey vibe with drop-dead gorgeous interiors, provides a magnificent, relaxed and very private backdrop to your wedding photography.

This entire family-owned and managed Georgian house is on loan to you for the day so if you fancy suspending reality, it will be like you are welcoming your guests to your very own sophisticated Georgian pile.

Spanning three floors, including elegant ceremony and dining rooms, it’s perfect for groups of up to 60. The food is second to none, using the very best of irish produce. And your guests will gain a glimpse of a world that is rare to find!

Located on a peaceful stretch of the Georgian Mile on the south side of the city, the private gardens of Fitzwilliam Square are on hand for outdoor wedding photography. Many couples also opt for photos down by the Grand Canal – a quintessential Dublin scene, and a joy for any Photographer to shoot whatever the season.

Ceremonies can be held in the house, or popular nearby locations include The Dublin Registry Office (located close to Grand Canal Dock) with churches at Donnybrook, Sandymount and nearby Haddington Road very convenient also.

25fitzwilliamplace.ie | up to 60 guests

Stephen’s Green Club weddings

This place is quintessentially Dublin. For a wedding celebration in the heart of Dublin’s city, that is classic, exclusive, and chic all wrapped up in one it doesn’t get more central than the Stephen’s Green Club.

A private club, located directly on St Stephen’s Green, the house also boasts one of the few hidden courtyards in the city, so you are spoilt for choice in terms of locations for that perfect wedding shot.

There is a charming, slightly faded glory to the interiors of the house which make this one of the most effortlessly elegant of wedding venues. Dating back to the 18th century, the magnificent sash windows flood the rooms with light and the ceilings are simply spectacular.

Whether you’re looking for a laid-back summer bash or cosy elegant Christmas celebration, this place will make you and your guests shine.
stephensgreenclub.ie | up to 80 guests

Iveagh Garden Hotel weddings

For a Breakfast at Tiffany vibe, look no further than the Iveagh Garden Hotel. With its’ urban streetscape, magnificent fanlight resplendent with doorman, you will be star of your own movie.

The Iveagh Garden Hotel combines olde world elegance with an amazing location directly looking onto the most beautiful of secret gardens. Romance is everywhere as you step back in time to the roaring 1920s with the Gatsby inspired Iveagh Suite. The gold leaf bar and black & white marble floor, bring an air of glamour to your wedding photos.

And if eco credentials are important this boutique wedding venue has one of the lowest carbon footprints for weddings in Ireland.

iveaghgardenhotel.ie | up to 220 guests.

The Dean Hotel weddings

A very cool wedding venue, The Dean Hotel offers a slightly more edgy, urban vibe. Set on the stylish Harcourt Street, The Dean is one of Dublin’s coolest addresses and as a wedding venue it has an intimacy that you sometimes won’t find in larger hotels. Oozing style and charm, the place has a New York vibe.

Think Boho Chic with industrial fittings, rustic loft-style interiors and you’ve got something really stylish. Sophie’s Rooftop Bar & Restaurant probably has some of the best panoramic views of Dublin city – a real wow moment for guests visiting for the first time.

Indoors and out your wedding photos will look amazing, not to mention the iconic swings in the rooftop foyer.

There are plenty of options to choose here with the Blue Room holding both ceremonies and celebratory meal and is a gorgeous intimate space.

Typically smaller weddings make use of the Lobby Bar for finger food & canapes with ‘The Blue Room’ hosting the celebratory meal, while larger weddings can make full use of Sophie’s and the rooftop terrace.

Holding your wedding at the Dean also means you have the added bonus of luxury accommodation right on site, with 50 bedrooms at your disposal.

thedean.ie | up to 120 guests

Fallon and Byrne weddings

What strikes you most about Fallon and Byrne as a wedding venue is its relaxed vibe and its vibrancy. A heritage building brimming with style, Fallon and Byrne is part of the fabric of Dublin city, located in the heart of the Creative Quarter on Exchequer Street and the opportunities for street photography are simply amazing.

Fallon and Byrne is always busy with locals nipping in for fresh produce in the Food Hall on the ground level, or downstairs for food in the inviting Wine Cellar. Surrounded by an abundance of iconic city pubs brimming with Dubliners and tourists alike, a wedding here is always destined to be great craic and a genuine taste of the Dublin experience.

But that’s not all. This is a foodie heaven. Passing a unique city centre food hall, upstairs a newly refurbished, light filled room can accommodate up to 150 guests.

fallonandbyrne.com | up to 150 guests

So that’s it. My recommendations for great Dublin city venues with potential for amazing wedding photography. Do check out my guide to wedding ceremonies at Dublin City Hall – it’s a wonderful venue to combine with any of the above and justifiably one of the most impressive ceremony venues in the city.

One last thing, if the urban vibe isn’t important but yet you want to stay in Dublin, Luttrellstown Castle, the Intercontinental in Ballsbridge, The Anglers Rest on the River Liffey in Lucan and Marco Pierre White in Donnybrook, are all superb wedding venues in Dublin worth checking out.