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Discover intimate wedding locations in Dublin City
Planning your wedding? Want to keep the wedding invite list small?
Or maybe it’s just the intimate wedding vibe that hits you right in the feels.
Either way, smaller weddings have become increasingly popular since the reduced wedding numbers implemented during Covid times. However, these smaller wedding parties have become ‘normal’ life, making intimate and boutique-size weddings increasingly popular.
Dublin City has many lovely venues to book for a smaller, intimate wedding.
Luxury Hotel Venues
We are lucky to have a number of luxury hotels in Dublin City, and each could provide the perfect location and backdrop for your big day. Whether you fancy something modern or a hint of history with tall ceilings and Georgian accents – there really is plenty of choice in Dublin City Centre!
Located on the edge of Merrion Square, opposite government buildings, The Merrion Hotel is a renowned five-star luxury hotel in Dublin’s city centre. The wedding team at The Merrion Hotel prides itself on being experts at creating the ultimate intimate weddings for up to fifty guests. Several gorgeous, enclosed gardens within the hotel’s courtyard make for the perfect picture location.
The Shelbourne Hotel has been an iconic luxury landmark in Dublin City Centre for almost 200 years. Perfectly positioned overlooking St Stephen’s Green Park, The Shelbourne Hotel is synonymous with luxury. The Shelbourne Hotel should be on your radar with event rooms of various sizes if you’re looking for an intimate city centre location for your wedding.
Nestled in a corner just off the main busy fare of Grafton Street, The Westbury has long been a luxurious sanctuary for shoppers and staycationers alike. And more recently, the Doyle Collection gem has relaunched its wedding party offering.
Offering various event suites, The Westbury has recently overhauled their boutique wedding offering. The Trinity and Grafton Suites both include stunning details such as large chandeliers, marble fireplaces, and large windows.
Located on Harcourt Street, The Iveagh Garden Hotel is relatively new to the hospitality scene after opening in 2018. With luxe interiors and a cool sustainable ethos (aiming for the lowest carbon footprint possible), The Iveagh Garden Hotel is another great city centre location for intimate weddings or wedding parties.
This is a great space with several different event spaces catering for groups of 60 and 80 and a perfectly Instagrammable flower terrace for a reception or even a ceremony.
Private Event Spaces
Dublin is full of unique, beautiful, and quirky spaces ideal for intimate events and weddings. From old theatres to historical townhouses, and vibrant basement rooms – there are some hidden gems that you should consider if you’re planning a wedding with your nearest and dearest.
A restored 17th-century theatre building in Temple Bar, Smock Alley has unique and striking features such as the (almost) full-length stained-glass windows and exposed brick interiors – making for glorious, almost rustic photos. Although the venue can fit up to 250 people, this is also a great option for smaller wedding groups.
The Banquet Hall is HSE licensed as a wedding venue and can be made up of church-style pew benches for up to 100 people. It’s important to note that once booked, the venue is available until 11 pm only. Whether you want to host your entire day at Smock Alley or just the ceremony or the reception, prices range from €1500 to €2500. Discover more wedding packages here.
No.25 Fitzwilliam Place is a luxurious Georgian period townhouse that makes for such a stunning wedding location. The whole building is available to rent on the day of your wedding, ensuring that you have the entire space for your special day, with space to seat up to 60 guests for dinner and additional space for approximately 20 guests for a drinks reception.
This location gives an elevated ‘hosting-at-home’ feel with intimate and luxurious surroundings. The cost of venue hire for No.25 Fitzwilliam Place starts at €1500 – €3000, and a minimum spend of between €5000 and €9000 on food and beverage – depending on the dates, timings, and numbers. Package prices per person range from €125 – €140 to €155 (excluding a 12.5% service charge). Check out the wedding packages right here.
Just a stroll from Grafton Street, Fallon and Byrne is a much-loved food hall and dining venue and has also become well known for suitably stunning intimate weddings. This is an exceptional location, possibly one of the city’s most hidden and unexpected ballrooms. Venue rental starts at €500 on weekdays and is available until 12:30 am, and a cost of €1000 for weekends until 1:30 am.
Catering to a minimum of 50 guests and a maximum of 120 – this could be the ideal location for your ceremony and wedding party. The venue is HSE-approved, meaning you can host a legal wedding ceremony onsite. Also, let’s be honest – you’re guaranteed good wedding food here!
The Jonathan Swift Room at The Ivy
Ah, The Ivy. The British import where celebs are spotted and beauty press days are held. If you’re looking for incredible and vibrant interiors, this is the spot.
The vibrant Jonathan Swift Room has the ability to seat 32 guests for a meal and up to 50 for standing drinks and canape events – the venue is hirable for a minimum spend rather than a rental fee. Although the exact details are unavailable online, menu prices start at €52 per person up to €110, and canapes start at €3.50 per bite. (Drinks are priced separately.)
With a jungle, tropical-styled interior – you can expect palm-printed chairs and wallpaper, parquet flooring, and even a painted ceiling.
No.6 Kildare Street
Owned and part of The Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, No. 6 Kildare Street is definitely one of the most overlooked venues in the city. With a long history, No.6 is still in line with how it looked in 1864, although a restoration project was carried out between 2003 and 2006.
The building has high ceilings, a magnificent double staircase, incredible wall art, and a gorgeous staircase feature. This ideal location is for couples hoping to encompass that chic, old-world vibe. The Dun Library can host parties of up to 50 people, while Graves Hall can host a group of up to 120. Click for the wedding brochure.
Restaurants
Restaurants are ideal alternative venues for smaller weddings and celebrations, ensuring an intimate and memorable atmosphere.
Located on Merrion Row, Bang is well-known in Dublin’s foodie scene for good eats and great wine. Ideal for wedding parties of up to 50 guests, Bang has become known as an exceptional venue for small and more intimate weddings in the city.
Overlooking the Ha’penny Bridge and the Liffey, The Woollen Mills hosts romantic and intimate dinners for private and wedding celebrations. The Joyce Room can host up to 18 guests, and the River-Run Room can seat up to 28 guests, while the Roof Terrace is a great option for parties of up to 80 as there is a room and access to the open-air terrace. Pricing is based on minimum spend, and a venue is a brilliant option for couples who love the city centre or are familiar with the history behind The Ha’penny Bridge.
The aptly named Ely Wine Bar is located on Ely Place and offers a gorgeous Georgian dining room that caters to up to 28 guests. And the Basement can cater for up to 55 guests. Each room is stunning and most definitely worthy of being your choice for your wedding meal. Ely could be a good shout if you have the wedding ceremony location sorted and are on the hunt for private dinner or intimate afters location. Expect great food and an even better wine selection.
This Fleet Street restaurant, located beside the iconic Irish Times building, can comfortably host between 60 and 150 dinner guests. Medley Restaurant is within the old Irish Times printing building, giving this restaurant a unique backdrop and a sprinkle of culture. Several packages are available to cater to various types of wedding parties.
A townhouse on the edge of St. Stephen’s Green, The Grayson is a great city centre location. The restaurant-cum-bar has several impressive high-ceiling rooms available for private events and a beautiful modern atrium that perfectly juxtaposes the original charm of the Georgian building. The ideal central location, with good vibes and top-class cocktails!
