bride and groom rathsallagh house wedding

      I might be biased but I believe Wicklow is one of the most romantic places in Ireland. And Rathsallagh House is one of the most romantic wedding venues in Wicklow! You can make your own conclusions 🙂 Nestled in the beautiful countryside just outside Dunlavin, this gorgeous period house and the surrounding golf courses make for a spectacular backdrop for your relaxing wedding day.

      What is the Best Season to Get Married at Rathsallagh House?

      rathsallagh house in may

      I’ve photographed a few weddings at Rathsallagh House, and the grounds are one of my favourite parts. The House has so many beautiful outdoor spots that would be a shame to miss! April through October is probably the best time to fully enjoy your wedding at Rathsallagh House. Besides the beautiful interiors your guests can enjoy garden games on the lawn, drinks outdoors and walks around the beautiful grounds. You can have an ice-cream van set up during the drinks reception that will definitely wow your guests!

      The orchard in the walled garden is an amazing place for wedding portraits and private enough for a first look. The blossoms are gorgeous in April/May, and in August/September you’ll see real apples!

      autumn wedding at rathsallagh house orchard

      Accommodation and Getting Ready at Rathsallagh House

      bride getting ready at rathsallagh house morning room

      Rathsallagh House can sleep over 90 guests in their 39 rooms on site. This is a great option for a large number of your wedding guests, although you are not required to fill all the rooms. Depending on the wedding package you choose there are minimum numbers. For those guests who need to stay in the area there are over 10 B&Bs available in the area, accommodating another 90+ guests.

      Freshly cooked breakfast is included in your overnight stay. The good news is that you can even have your non-resident guests come over for breakfast the day after the wedding and share the morning meal with you! I love the idea of continuing the party the morning after, up until 11am. There are also packages available if you’d like to book exclusive use of Rathsallagh House the day before or the day after your wedding. You can also opt for non-exclusive stay if you and your bridal party would prefer to spend the night before your wedding at the venue. Obviously, that option would only work mid-week when the house isn’t busy with a wedding the day before.

      While the official check-in time is 3pm, Rathsallagh House have a dedicated bridal morning room so you can get ready there before the ceremony. Another great thing about it is that there are stairs leading straight from the room into the private walled garden so you can do a first look pre-ceremony and not worry about running into your guests!

      Civil Ceremonies at Rathsallagh House

      Civil ceremonies are really popular at Rathsallagh House, with lots of locations available. It’s also great that all of these locations are different from the ones you’ll use for your reception and dinner. For large weddings there is the Granary, an indoor option that can seat over 200 people.

      If you’re looking for a brighter, more airy feel I absolutely love the Orangery, which can seat up to 100 guests. And on a fine day the walled gardens are a beautiful option, with an apple orchard as your romantic backdrop. The walled garden also accommodates over 200 guests.

      granary ceremony room at rathsallagh house
      the walled garden at rathsallagh house wedding ceremony

      Wedding Reception at Rathsallagh House

      the wedding pavillion at rathsallagh house

      Your main wedding dinner can take place in the Dining Room (up to 120 guests) but most weddings use the wedding Pavilion. It seats up to 250 people, making Rathsallagh House one of the largest wedding venues in Wicklow. The room is set with chivari chairs and round tables. I love the chandeliers illuminating the room, and you can also pick coloured uplighting for your first dance. The speeches & dancing both happen in this room long into the night, as the bar stays open until 3am. Rathsallagh House asks you to free the Pavilion by 4am but if you still want to keep partying you can bring your drinks back into the house.

      Wedding packages at Rathsallagh start from only as €85 per person for an incredible four-course meal which you can customize to your preferences. Complimentary room hire and bridal suite are included into every package.

      dinner room for intimate wedding at rathsallagh house

      Where to Take Wedding Photos in Rathsallagh House

      rathsallagh house wedding couple

      With their extensive grounds, Rathsallagh House offers plenty of choice for your wedding portraits. There are dozens of little nooks and crannies around the house and in the gardens. I personally love the private walled garden where you can escape for a bit of intimacy after the ceremony. The group photos are easy to do in front of the house as most guests enter the bar from the courtyard. You can get your family photos done in peace, and the ivy backdrop is gorgeous. There’s also amazing lawns and beautiful trees. One particularly famous tree is lit up at night so make sure to get that iconic Rathsallagh House Night Tree shot!

      If the weather made a turn and you have to run for cover, I love the option of the Orangery. It’s a beautiful room that’s not immediately obvious, so you’ll have some privacy from your guests. The light coming in through the windows and skylights is beautiful, so it’s a great option for a rainy day. And then of course there’s the house itself with tastefully decorated living rooms. You can always use window light to create some amazing portraits!

      One of my favourite things about Rathsallagh House is the gorgeous west-facing vista from the main house. Which means that if you get lucky you can enjoy a pretty spectacular sunset! We don’t get too many sunny days in Ireland (and even fewer cloudless skies) but if one happens to be on your wedding day make sure not to miss the magic. Even if it means sneaking away in the middle of desert and having a sunset moment!

      sunset photo at rathsallagh house wedding in may

       

      REAL WEDDINGS AT RATHSALLAGH HOUSE

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