How to Elope In
Northern Ireland
Why elope in Northern Ireland?
I wouldn’t say Northern Ireland is on most couple’s radars for places you could elope- but it should be!! It is a gorgeous place to explore. Northern Ireland packs a punch with the large variety of landscapes in a pretty small country. Because of this, on your elopement day you can explore quite a few unique places without spending the whole time traveling.
If you’re intrigued by rocky landscapes, dramatic coastlines, stunning green hills, or ancient castles- eloping in Northern Ireland might just be THE spot for you.
Northern Ireland is a tiny country in the U.K., that shares an island with Ireland. It might be a tad confusing, but Northern Ireland and Ireland are not the same country. Ireland (or the Republic of Ireland) is a separate country from the U.K.
If one of the words you’d use to describe your ideal wedding day is magical, nowhere nails those vibes quite like Northern Ireland.
When Should We elope in Northern Ireland?
Great question! The biggest thing to consider when choosing the timing of your elopement is daylight and weather.
Depending on the time of year, Northern Ireland gets anywhere from 7.5 to 17 hours of daylight. If you want to have a whole bunch of time to explore all Northern Ireland has to offer, I’d recommend planning for spring, summer, or fall.
Northern Ireland has overall a cooler climate, with pretty consistent rainfall throughout the year. This provides some beautiful mist and fog! Year round, I’d recommend packing rain gear just in case, and embracing whatever the weather gives us.
In my opinion, the best seasons for weather are spring, summer, and fall. In spring (March to May) and fall (October and November) highs are typically in the 50s. Summer has beautiful weather—it never gets too hot—but it’s also the busiest season for tourism, which means it can be more difficult to achieve a private, intimate elopement. Doesn’t mean it’s impossible though!
Where to Elope In Northern Ireland
My favorite part of the country is the Causeway Coast, on the north coast of Northern Ireland in County Antrim. This coastline has so many historic castles and beautiful landscapes, and it’s a bit more remote than other parts of Northern Ireland. It’s also only about 60 miles from Belfast, which is perfect if you don’t want to adventure too far from an airport.
Here are just a few of the spots on the Causeway Coast that would make magical elopement locations:
Giant’s Causeway
Giant’s Causeway is a nature preserve with a fascinating geological feature: about 40,000 interlocking basalt columns from an ancient volcanic eruption. The way the columns protrude from the ground at varied heights all the way to the coastline is otherworldly.
This is a very popular place for tourists. As such, I recommend visiting after the hours the bus runs. This means we’ll have to hike down/up or have someone drop us off and pick us up- but it is so worth it to avoid crowds.
The dark Hedges
The Dark Hedges is an avenue lined by gnarled beech trees whose branches kiss over the top of the road, creating a natural tunnel. This location is a beautiful (and popular) spot for photos.
I wouldn’t recommend this spot for vows, because it is popular. But it’s stunning for portraits! I did have to edit groups of people out of the background, but my couple didn’t feel like the crowds hindered their experience and the photos were so worth it!
Dunseverick castle
Dunseverick Castle is an ancient Gaelic landmark from the fifth century AD. The castle is mostly gone now, but the crumbling basalt relic is perched on a steep cliffside. Eloping at Dunseverick Castle is an incredible way to honor and incorporate the history of Northern Ireland.
This spot is easy to access, and you can hike all the way to the ruins!
Murlough bay
Murlough Bay is a remote area with quintessential Irish beauty, from rocky beaches to cliffs to rolling green hills. The bay has views of Rathlin Island, as well as several Scottish islands. If you want a variety of landscapes and a remote, private elopement day, Murlough Bay is an ideal place to elope.
Kinbane castle
Kinbane Castle, built in 1547, is another now-crumbling piece of history along the Causeway Coast. Its location slightly off the beaten path makes for a private, intimate elopement spot surrounded by history and the beautiful rocky coast.
It is a bit of a hike in and out of this stunning spot. There’s 140 stairs in between the car park and the castle’s ruins. I think they are worth it for the views!
BalLintoy Harbor
Ballintoy Harbor is a picturesque fishing harbor accessed by a steep, winding road from the historic village of Ballintoy. The harbor is dotted with rocky islands, sea pools, and a beach that make a stunning backdrop. You could share vows on a rocky beach before heading to quaint Ballintoy for a meal.
Dunluce castle
If you’re hoping for a castle that looks a little more . . . like a castle, nearby Dunluce Castle is a medieval fortress on a rocky outcropping. Everything about Dunluce Castle is a bit magical: the time-worn stone walls, the bridge you cross to access the castle from the mainland, and the waves crashing against Mermaid Cave in the cliff underneath.
White Park baY
Northern Ireland is known for its rocky coastline, but if you’re dreaming of sharing vows on a sandy beach, White Park Bay is a stretch of golden sand and ancient dunes. The beach is dotted with interesting natural rock formations—and sometimes, relaxing right alongside you, cows! White Park Bay is super secluded and private for an intimate Northern Ireland elopement.
Traveling to Northern Ireland
Transportation
If you’re coming from the U.S., you’ll want to fly into Belfast International Airport for your Northern Ireland elopement. Belfast City Airport also has flights to other parts of the U.K., as well as some cities across Europe.
After you arrive in Belfast, you’ll almost definitely want to rent a car to get around. Belfast International Airport has five major rental companies onsite.
Fortunately, you can drive in the U.K. with a U.S. driver’s license as a tourist, so you won’t need to apply for a special license. Just make sure you’re on the right (well, left) side of the road!
Where to Stay
There’s lots of places to stay in Northern Ireland, including along the Causeway Coast! The biggest consideration should always be where you’re eloping. I always recommend that couples stay close to their elopement site to minimize travel time (and stress).
If you’re looking for a unique stay, a great place to start is the Irish Landmark Trust, which has categories for the Causeway Coast, castles and towers, and romantic getaways.
Airbnbs
AirBnb has tons of options in the Causeway Coast area. Here are a few particularly neat ones:
Castles
Yes, for real! No place could be more romantic for the night of your Northern Ireland elopement than an actual castle. Here are a few castle stays along the Causeway Coast and elsewhere in Northern Ireland:
Hotels
There are plenty of comfy hotels along the coast as well, including these options:
Bed & Breakfasts
What better time to indulge in Irish hospitality than during your Northern Ireland elopement? The Causeway Coast has a couple quaint and historic cottages:
Camping & Glamping
If being close to nature is your priority, you can also choose to camp or “glamp” in a cozy cabin on the coast:
How to Plan your Northern Ireland Elopement
If all the gorgeous locations (and the opportunity to stay in a castle) have convinced you to elope in Northern Ireland, your next question might be: where do I start? Not to worry—I’ll break it down step by step!
Step 1:
Contact me
First things first, fill out my contact form! No worries if you don’t have all the details figured out yet—reach out to me with your ideas, and I can help walk you through the rest of the steps from inquiry to elopement day. I pride myself on being not just an elopement photographer, but also a local expert, planner, and my couples’ best friend as they navigate the elopement planning process.
Step 2:
Pick a Time & Place
This is where I first come in, with a personalized location guide based on your preferences and my expertise. If one of the sites above has already caught your eye, that’s a great place to start! But I’ll also give you some hidden gems and out-of-the-box ideas, and help you choose the perfect location for your Northern Ireland elopement.
I’ll also help you choose the perfect date and time for ideal weather, lighting, and privacy for your Northern Ireland elopement.
Step 3:
Book Lodging & Flights
Once we’ve picked an elopement location, I can help you sort through accommodation options and discuss a timeline for travel to make sure you’re in the right place at the right time and wake up for your elopement day comfortable, refreshed, and stress-free.
Step 4:
Find Other Vendors
Does your dream elopement involve florals, a romantic picnic or meal, or professional hair and makeup? Whatever vendors are necessary to make your day perfect, I can provide local recommendations—or vendors like me that’ll travel for your Northern Ireland elopement!
In fact, I already have some great local vendors in Northern Ireland that I’ve worked with before:
- Bloom Barn (florist)
- Abbie & Ava (jeweler)
- Debbie McKibbin (hair and makeup)
Step 6:
Learn How to Get
Married Legally
You’ve probably never considered the legal implications of getting married in another country—and that’s okay! The easiest way to legally elope in Northern Ireland is to sign your marriage license at home, either before or after your elopement. You can still exchange vows and rings on your elopement day, so it won’t feel any different than if you did the paperwork day-of.
However, if you’re dead set on signing papers in Northern Ireland, it’s not impossible! You’ll need a Marriage Visitor visa, as well as an officiant that meets the requirements for a civil or religious ceremony.
You can find all the rules for visiting Northern Ireland to get married on the NI Direct website.
Step 7:
Prepare for International Travel
Make sure all your ducks are in a row for your Northern Ireland elopement! I’ll send you some reminders along the way—and bring some extra supplies—but here are a few lessons I learned during my Northern Ireland adventures.
- Buy some wall adapters—you can find U.S. to U.K. (type G) adapters on Amazon
- Plan to buy any hair hot tools (like curling irons and straighteners) when you arrive in Belfast—you won’t be able to use ones from the U.S. even with an adapter
- Check with your cell carrier about international service charges and decide whether to purchase an eSIM
- Add extra time for flight delays—Belfast often has flight delays due to wind
- When renting a car, verify whether it’s a manual or automatic transmission—stick shifts are much more common in Northern Ireland than in the U.S.
- Prepare to drive on the left side of the road—it’s not that scary, truly the worst part is trying to leave the airport!
Step 8:
Elope in Northern Ireland!
Now that we’ve done all the planning, all you have to do is have the coolest adventure of your life in one of the most magical places on earth.
Hey there, the name’s Sam! I cannot wait to chat with you.
This is gonna be epic.
