From medieval castles to luxurious manor houses, Ireland has no shortage of striking wedding venues to suit all tastes. Cliff at Lyons just 30 minutes’ drive from Dublin is certainly one of my favourite wedding venues in Kildare. Romantic, rustic and elegant at the same time, Cliff at Lyons weddings are always a delight to photograph.
With so many different spaces available, it’s also the perfect choice for both large and intimate weddings. I’ve had the chance to capture both, and it’s beautiful to see the space transform and create different atmosphere. With 32 bedrooms on site, the venue can also accommodate up to 80 of your guests. It’s perfect for those who don’t feel like making their way back to Dublin in the evening.
Best Season for Cliff at Lyons Wedding
Cliff at Lyons hosts weddings all year round, and it’s honestly hard to pick the best season. There are some venues that shine in spring with rhododendrons and cherry blossoms, there are others that amaze the guests with fairy lights and Christmas decorations in winter. Cliff at Lyons stole my heart in autumn. There is so much ivy and colour adorning the rustic cottages! Also, the ceremony options are mostly indoors so you needn’t worry about the chance of rain.
Cliff at Lyons Civil Ceremony
There are a few unique locations for a civil wedding at the Village at Lyons. The most unusual and intimate is the chapel on the lake, connected to the bank via a little bridge. It’s impossibly romantic and accommodates up to 20 guests (€700 hire fee). Even if you’re not getting married there, couples love the location for intimate portraits. It’s an ideal place to escape for a couple of minutes away from your guests and savour the day.
There are two other indoor locations you can use for your civil ceremony – the luxurious Shackleton Mill (up to 130 guests) or the light-filled Orangery (up to 100 guests). If you feel like going al fresco and are confident in the weather, you can also set up an outdoor ceremony in the gardens. The fee for larger ceremonies is €1200.
Fiona and Keith chose the gorgeous setting of the Shackleton Mill for their personal spiritual ceremony. The space was filled to the brim with flowers, and the soothing sound of the waterfall in the background made for amazing atmosphere. I always find it so amazing when the person marrying you knows your whole family and has seen you grow throughout the years! There’s something so special and heartwarming about tradition.
Cliff at Lyons Wedding Photos
Cliff at Lyons is famous for its photo spots. It’s one of the main reasons so many couples fall in love with the place! The walled gardens are perfectly intimate and allow for a relaxing portrait session away from everyone else’s eyes.
The variety of photo locations is quite overwhelming. There are rustic stone cottages, a lake with a fountain in the middle, romantic bridges over secret canals, a vegetable garden and even a chapel on an island. The best part is that all the locations are really close to each other, and it’s really easy to sneak away from your reception for just 20-30 minutes.
The spots are beautiful all year round but to me nothing beats the colourful autumnal ivy and the low October sun… One of the most elegant and beautiful weddings I’ve got to capture, Fiona and Keith really created magic on their big day.
Wedding Reception at Cliff at Lyons
After your ceremony you can mingle and chat with your guests over drinks and canapes. These are normally served either in the Orangery or outdoors, in the 17th century courtyard. The courtyard has this amazing village festival feel to it, with people moving around freely and having fun.
The space for main banquet depends on your numbers. The Orangery is perfect for intimate celebration while the Shackleton Mill, a 2-level space with tall ceilings, is the option for weddings up to 200 guests. Cliff at Lyons are famous for their exquisite food. A lot of produce is grown on site, in the vegetable gardens and on the surrounding farms. With packages from €135 per person, the venue will closely work with you to create the perfect wedding and the perfect feast for you.
Fiona and Keith’s October wedding at Cliff at Lyons was one of the most elegant and relaxing celebrations I’ve seen. See the gallery below!
