County Wicklow is, without question, one of Ireland’s finest wedding counties. Looking for somewhere close to Dublin but with a more rural feel then venues in Wicklow should be on your shortlist. It’s well connected and offers all types of venues from formal estate gardens to rustic woodlands or even a seaside escape
Here’s a short guide to the some of my favourites from behind the camera.
The Best Wedding Venues in County Wicklow
Powerscourt Estate, Enniskerry
Powerscourt is in a category of its own, think €€€ but to be fair you do get literally the 3rd best garden in the world (according to National Geographic) as the backdrop. It’s also got views of the Sugar Loaf mountain and very handy to get to from Dublin. It has walled gardens, a Japanese garden, and a pet cemetery (Halloween wedding maybe?!) so you will be completely spoiled for choice when it comes to the vibe you are trying to set.
As a photographer: Powerscourt is a dream location, the stunning grounds make my life easier and your photos to die for. Whatever time of the year or angle of the sun there will be a location to capture you at your best.
Killruddery House & Gardens, Bray
Have you seen Irish Wish with Lindsay Lohan? Granted it’s not exactly Oscar material but I have seen but one of the main locations they filmed was Killruddery House. The formal gardens at Killruddery are among Ireland’s oldest and finest, the long twin canals, the ancient beech hedges trimmed into towering walls, the Sylvan Theatre carved from living trees, the orangery (the wedding ceremony scene was shot here), and the Victorian pleasure gardens. The house itself has a Gothick-revival character that sits slightly apart from the manicured grandeur elsewhere on the estate.
As a photographer: My all time favourite location, promise it has nothing to do with being 5 minutes from my house….. Like Powerscourt it has so may beautiful backdrops that whatever light we are working with we will get fantastic shots.
Tinakilly Country House, Rathnew
A Victorian country house set on seven acres of coastal gardens between Wicklow town and Rathdrum, with views across the Irish Sea. The interior is beautifully proportioned, high ceilings, large windows, rooms that feel genuinely elegant rather than over-dressed. The gardens slope gently towards the coast.
As a photographer: The light in the main reception rooms is excellent, large Georgian windows give a clean, directional indoor light that makes getting-ready photography a pleasure. The coastal garden walk at late afternoon is quietly beautiful.
Druids Glen Hotel & Golf Resort, Newtownmountkennedy
Set in a natural wooded valley in the Wicklow hills, Druids Glen has a more natural, less formal character than the estate venues. The surrounding woodland, the river running through the grounds, and the open hillside give a variety that suits couples who want something wilder and less manicured.
As a photographer: The tree-lined avenue approaching the hotel photographs beautifully, particularly in autumn. The woodland portraits here have a different quality from formal garden venues, more intimate, more textured.
Ballyknocken House, Glenealy
A Victorian farmhouse in a rural Wicklow valley with beautiful gardens, exposed stone walls, and the kind of settled, lived-in atmosphere that smaller venues do best. Ballyknocken is genuinely intimate, the kind of place where the wedding feels like a house party for the people who matter most.
As a photographer: The scale here suits documentary photography particularly well. With smaller numbers, I can be everywhere, and the close-knit energy between guests produces extraordinary candid photographs.
Rathsallagh House, Dunlavin
A converted country house on a 530-acre estate in west Wicklow, with a walled garden, croquet lawn, and the expansive parkland typical of an Irish country estate. The house has real character, not grand in the formal sense, but warm and beautiful in a way that feels genuinely lived in.
As a photographer: The walled garden is one of the best outdoor ceremony settings in Wicklow, enclosed, sheltered, and beautiful in any season.
Macreddin Village, Aughrim
A converted Victorian village in the Aughrim Valley, one of Wicklow’s most peaceful corners. The stone buildings, the river, and the surrounding mountain landscape give Macreddin a character that’s genuinely unusual. The organic farm on site gives the whole place a sense of rootedness and authenticity.
As a photographer: The river valley setting photographs beautifully in all seasons. Autumn at Macreddin, with the surrounding oak woodland turning, is something special.
When to Get Married in Wicklow
Spring (April–May): Cherry blossom at Powerscourt, the bluebell woods in full bloom, soft Irish light and longer days. One of the best times of year.
Summer (June–August): Long golden hours, sunset after 9pm in June. The gardens are at their fullest. The trade-off is warmer weather and busier venues.
Autumn (September–October): My personal favourite. The Wicklow woodland turns extraordinary colours, the light has a warmth and depth that summer can’t match, and the venues are less busy. October light at Powerscourt is genuinely exceptional.
Winter (November–February): Fewer couples choose winter, which means more availability and often better pricing. The bare trees and muted tones create a mood that’s genuinely beautiful for the right couple. Read more about winter wedding photography in Ireland.
Wicklow is one of Ireland’s great wedding counties and I photograph here regularly throughout the year. If you’re considering a Wicklow venue, get in touch to check availability, or take a look at our wedding packages to see what’s included.