Would you like to get married in one of the Top 3 gardens in the world? What if I were to tell you that this garden is right on your doorstep, in Co. Wicklow? Powerscourt House and Gardens takes your breath away the minute you enter its beech-lined avenue with a breathtaking view onto the famous Sugarloaf mountain. It’s no wonder that Powerscourt wedding venue is one of the most popular places to get married in Ireland.
But for Anna and Denis it wasn’t so much the grandeur but the familiarity that made Powerscourt “the one”. As a child Anna and her family took frequent walks around Powerscourt gardens, so it was a very special place for her and Denis to bring all their loved ones and celebrate their marriage.
Powerscourt House Wedding Venue
For those of you who haven’t had a chance to visit the stunning gardens (they are open all year round so you definitely should!) Powerscourt Estate is located just outside of Dublin, within 30-min drive from the city centre. As you drive through the picturesque village of Enniskerry – so picturesque that Disney filmed Enchanted there! – and turn into the mile-long winding driveway, you’ll be able to see one of the most gorgeous views in all of Ireland. The backdrop of the Sugarloaf alone is enough to pick this as your wedding venue!
Powerscourt Estate is huge and comprises a lot of features – a tranquil river walk, the impressive Powerscourt waterfall (the tallest in Ireland), 5-star Powerscourt Hotel and Golf Resort, and of course historic Powerscourt House and Gardens itself.
Your wedding at Powerscourt House will be hosted in the unforgettable 18th century Palladian Mansion built around the 800-year-old mediaeval castle. Powerscourt wedding packages start from €95pp and include exclusive use of the marble Entrance Hall, the Garden Rooms for your drinks reception and the double height Georgian ballroom for dinner.
Accommodation and Getting Ready at Powerscourt
This is probably one of the most unique venues where you can have the luxury of a private country house and gardens and accommodate all your guests in a 5-star hotel just a 5-minute walk away.
Powerscourt Hotel has 194 bedrooms, two championship golf courses and award-winning SPA. It’s the perfect place to get ready in the morning and retire for some rest after a full day of celebrations.
Wedding Ceremony at Powerscourt House
The stunning Entrance Hall featuring exposed brick walls and historic statues is a jaw-dropping setting for your wedding ceremony. It is the definition of grandeur and needs very little addition in terms of decor. If you’d rather host your ceremony outdoors there’s the option of the Rose Garden with the beautifully restored Bamburg Gates as the backdrop.
Powerscourt is a short distance from several churches – St Patrick’s Church and St Mary’s Parish Church in Enniskerry, where Anna and Denis held their wedding ceremony.
Reception with a View
The double height Georgian ballroom is a truly impressive setting for your wedding dinner. It seats up to 168 guests but thanks to its layout is perfect for both large and more intimate weddings.
The Garden Rooms offer a more relaxed and cosy experience and are perfect for your drinks reception and post-dinner entertainment. And your guests will certainly enjoy the panoramic views of the gardens and the Wicklow mountains throughout the day!
What about the photos?
Getting married in one of the Top 3 gardens of the world comes with a perk – you get to take your wedding photographs in a truly stunning setting. Moreover, the gardens are beautiful any time of year – even for Anna and Denis’s Christmas wedding!
If you get the chance I highly recommend taking the time and planning a walk around the gardens on your wedding day. You could do a first look before the ceremony to maximize the time during your drinks reception. There are so many incredible locations to explore! The tranquil Japanese Garden is a beauty in spring and autumn. The rhododendron walk bursts with incredible colours in April and May. The annual garden changes with each season, boasting colourful tulips in spring and lush dahlias in autumn. Then there’s the iconic fountain with a view back to the house and some of Wicklow’s most stunning trees.
If you are short for time or you are having a winter wedding with an early sunset, soak in the view of the Sugarloaf along the driveway and take the photos on the main terrace. And if you’re lucky to get a sunny day the evening light is simply incredible!
