Top 5 Wedding Venues in Wicklow: A Photographer’s Honest Guide (2026)
Sugar Loaf, Co, Wicklow
I’ve photographed weddings in almost every county in Ireland, but Wicklow holds a very special place in my heart. Called the Garden of Ireland for good reason, it sits just on Dublin’s doorstep and yet the moment you drive into it, you feel like you’ve left the city behind completely. Rolling hills, ancient woodland, glassy lakes and coastline that genuinely takes your breath away. As a documentary wedding photographer who has spent over a decade capturing real moments in real places, I can tell you with complete conviction that Wicklow is one of the finest counties in the world for a wedding day.
This guide is built from real experience. I have photographed weddings at most of the venues listed here, in all seasons and all weather. My perspective is that of someone who has watched light move through a ballroom at 4pm in November, who has sprinted across a meadow at golden hour to catch a fleeting moment, and who knows which venues give couples the most freedom and the most joy. So here is my honest photographer’s guide to the top 5 (with 1 bonus) wedding venues in Wicklow for 2026.
Powerscourt Estate, Enniskerry
If you want pure grandeur without losing the warmth of Ireland, Powerscourt is extraordinary. The formal Italianate gardens, the Sugar Loaf Mountain as a backdrop, the ballroom with its soaring ceilings — it is one of the most photographed wedding venues in the country, and for very good reason. I shot Rebecca and Dave’s wedding here and the light through those tall windows was something I will genuinely never forget.
What makes it work photographically is the variety. You can shoot intimate moments in the walled garden, dramatic portraits on the main terrace with the mountain behind, and candid, joyful dance floor moments inside. It is a venue that gives you everything. It does get booked up fast — sometimes two years in advance — so if Powerscourt is on your list, move quickly.
Capacity: Up to 200 guests for a dinner reception. Exclusive hire available.
Photography verdict: One of the finest venues I have ever worked in. The gardens alone are worth it.
2. Rathsallagh House, Dunlavin
I have photographed well over 20 weddings at Rathsallagh House and I still find myself genuinely excited every time I arrive. There is something about the way the evening light filters through the ancient trees at the edge of the grounds that never gets old.
Rathsallagh is a converted farmhouse with a deeply personal, country-house feel. It is not trying to be a grand hotel. It is warm, slightly chaotic in the best possible way, and the people who run it genuinely love what they do. Couples who book Rathsallagh tend to be the kind of people who want their wedding to feel real rather than polished, and that suits my documentary style perfectly.
The walled garden is an absolute gem for portraits in spring and summer. The indoor spaces photograph beautifully by candlelight. And the grounds give you so much space to breathe, which means your guests actually relax instead of hovering awkwardly around cocktail reception tables.
Capacity: Up to 120 guests.
Photography verdict: My favourite intimate country house venue in Ireland. Honest, warm and endlessly photogenic.
3. Tinakilly Country House, Rathnew
Tinakilly is a Victorian country house hotel sitting on 7 acres of mature gardens, about 10 minutes from Wicklow town. It has a certain quiet elegance that I really love to work with. The interiors are rich with period detail — original fireplaces, ornate ceilings, wide hallways — and the gardens roll gently down toward the coastline.
What I notice most at Tinakilly is how relaxed couples feel. There is something about the pace of the place that encourages everyone to slow down and actually be present on the day, which is exactly what makes for powerful documentary photography. The getting-ready suites are excellent and the light in the bedrooms in the morning is genuinely lovely.
Capacity: Up to 130 guests.
Photography verdict: Understated elegance. The coastal light here is superb on bright days.
4.Brooklodge & Macreddin Village, Aughrim
I’m completely biased here because Annie and I got married in Brooklodge ourselves, but it is easily one of our favourite wedding venues in Ireland, not just Wicklow. There is something about the place that feels grounded and real. Nestled in a quiet valley near Aughrim, surrounded by woodland and rolling countryside, it never feels showy or overdone. The village setting gives it character straight away, and the on-site chapel means the whole day flows naturally without anyone needing to get in a car.
From a photographer’s perspective, it is a dream to work in. The light around the chapel after a ceremony is soft and flattering, especially on bright days when it filters through the trees. The courtyard is perfect for relaxed drinks receptions, and the surrounding woodland paths are ideal for a quiet ten-minute wander away from the crowd. It manages to feel intimate even with a full guest list, and for smaller weddings it feels deeply personal. I know every corner of the place at this stage, and every time I arrive it still feels special.
Capacity: Up to 300 guests.
Photography verdict: Reliable five-star luxury with surprisingly beautiful natural surroundings.
5. Ballybeg House, Kilcoole
This is one of Wicklow’s hidden gems and one of my personal favourites on this list. Ballybeg House is a beautifully relaxed, bohemian-friendly venue near the coast — the kind of place where barefoot dancing is not only acceptable but actively encouraged.
It is a converted farmstead with exposed beams, wild flower gardens and a laid-back atmosphere that immediately puts everyone at ease. It works especially well for couples who want something personal and genuinely alternative. The creativity here is off the charts — I have photographed wildly beautiful installations, candlelit long tables, barefoot ceremonies in the garden and late-night fires. Every Ballybeg wedding feels like its own world.
Capacity: Up to 120 guests.
Photography verdict: My top recommendation for couples who want something that doesn’t look like a wedding venue. Utterly individual.
6. Killruddery House and Gardens, Bray (I know I said top 5 - but i couldn’t leave Kilruddery off the list1)
Killruddery is remarkable. A 17th-century estate on the slopes of the Little Sugar Loaf mountain, it has been home to the Brabazon family for four centuries and there is something about the lived-in authenticity of the place that money simply cannot replicate.
The formal gardens — the oldest surviving formal gardens in Ireland — are breathtaking to photograph. Twin canals, a beech hedge, a Victorian conservatory, a barn that has been beautifully converted for receptions. Killruddery gives you layer after layer of visual interest and the history embedded in every stone means your photographs have a depth and texture that you simply do not get from a purpose-built hotel.
Capacity: Up to 200 guests.
Photography verdict: Exceptional. The gardens alone could fill a portfolio. A must for couples who love history and heritage.
How to Choose Your Wicklow Wedding Venue
After more than a decade photographing weddings across Wicklow, I have seen couples make both brilliant and regrettable venue decisions. My honest advice is this: visit in the season you plan to marry, not just in summer sunshine. Think about how your guests will feel at the end of a long evening — is there enough accommodation nearby? And think hard about what kind of day you actually want. Do you want the freedom of a country house where you set the rules, or the reliability of a five-star hotel where everything is handled? Both are valid. Both photograph beautifully. The right answer is whichever one feels most like you.
If you are planning a Wicklow wedding and want to know more about what each of these venues feels like from a photographer’s perspective, I am genuinely happy to chat. Drop me a message through the contact page and let’s talk about your day.
Planning a Wicklow wedding? You might also enjoy my guide to the Top 10 Castle Wedding Venues in Ireland and my Complete Wedding Day Timeline Guide to help your day flow perfectly.
Kevin Kheffache is an award-winning documentary wedding photographer based in Dublin, recognised by Fearless Photographers, IPPVA and This Is Reportage. He photographs weddings across Ireland and internationally.
FAQ’s For Wicklow Wedding Photography
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Some of the most sought-after wedding venues in Wicklow include Powerscourt Estate, Rathsallagh House, Tinakilly Country House, Druids Glen, Ballybeg House and Killruddery House. The best one for you depends on whether you want grandeur, intimacy, luxury or something more relaxed and alternative.
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Popular Wicklow venues often book out 18–24 months in advance, especially for summer weekends. Powerscourt in particular can book up two years ahead.
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Yes. Many Wicklow venues photograph beautifully in winter. Country houses like Rathsallagh and Tinakilly are especially atmospheric with candlelight and indoor receptions, while estates like Powerscourt still offer dramatic backdrops even in softer winter light.
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Most Wicklow wedding venues cater for between 100 and 200 guests. Some country houses are ideal for smaller weddings of 80–120 guests, while larger hotels like Druids Glen can accommodate up to 300.
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Absolutely. Wicklow is only about an hour from Dublin Airport, making it very accessible for international guests, while still offering mountains, coastline and historic estates
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Documentary-style photography works exceptionally well in Wicklow because of the natural landscapes, historic architecture and relaxed country house settings. The variety of scenery allows for both candid storytelling and striking portraits.
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Visit in the season you plan to marry, consider guest accommodation, think about how the venue flows throughout the day, and decide whether you want a hands-on country house feel or a fully serviced luxury hotel experience.