Choosing where to spend the best day of your life is probably the biggest decision you will make in relation to your wedding – after choosing your partner, of course. The perfect wedding venue has both style and substance, and brings your vision of the perfect wedding – whatever that vision is – into being.
The good news is that wedding experts say there has never been a better choice of venues for couples planning their dream day. Not only that, venues are happy to go the extra mile to tailor packages and personalise their offering so that the day truly reflects couples’ desires for their own unique occasion.
“Couples are expecting immaculate service with high quality food and attention to the smallest of details,” says Caitriona Ashe, weddings and events manager at the Brehon Hotel and Spa in Killarney. “We are seeing this across everything from wedding photography/videography through to the venue decor. Couples are also looking at venues that offer luxurious accommodations and experiences such as spa facilities and activities for their guests to enjoy.”
In the past, couples would pick a beautiful hotel but not necessarily one that reflected their style, says Beth Greenan, wedding expert at the Galgorm Collection.
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“They would spend a lot of their budget dressing the room to add their own personal stamp to the ‘blank canvas’ and transform it from what it was to how they wanted it to be,” she explains. “Now, with such a choice of venues available, it really is possible to find one that already looks incredible, and suits your own style and tastes, without the need to splash out money on decor.”
“From what we see at The Johnstown Estate, it’s about having a venue that gives them the flexibility to bring their vision to life – whether that’s an elegant garden ceremony, a more traditional indoor reception or a mix of both,” says Raina May Davies, wedding sales manager at the well-known Co Meath hotel and spa.
Couples should research a venue, keeping in mind that it is far more than just a location – it is the backdrop that will influence the overall aesthetic of the wedding, foster the ambience and create the overall vibe, says Ashe.
“The choice of venue is very important for couples as it’s not just the place to host their ceremony and reception but it’s reflective of their personal style and ensuring that they, and their family and friends, have a memorable experience,” she says.
The goal, for example, is that everything on the day runs smoothly. “This won’t happen if you have a poor layout of flow,” Ashe warns. “A venue with a layout that causes confusion and interferes with the flow of the day creates frustration.”
Davies agrees. “It’s not just about how the space looks – it’s about how the day flows, how guests feel, and how memories are created. The right venue brings a sense of rhythm to the celebration, where everything unfolds naturally and with ease.”
When a venue doesn’t align with a couple’s needs or isn’t prepared for logistical challenges, it can create unnecessary stress, she adds. “A church ceremony, for example, can be delayed by traffic, cutting into valuable time meant for celebration. That’s why venues with thoughtful layouts and experienced coordinators who are ready to adapt to everything from weather changes to timing hiccups make all the difference.”
In fact, church/religious ceremonies now only account for 60 per cent of marriages. This means many couples are often seeking a “one stop shop” for their special day.
“We’ve seen how couples appreciate having everything in one place,” says Davies. “Imagine starting the morning in a calm, dedicated space like the Mulberry Suite, where the bridal party can prepare together in comfort. From there, it’s a short walk to a beautiful garden ceremony under the oak trees, followed by a seamless transition to cocktails and dinner – all without ever leaving the grounds. That kind of flow allows everyone to stay fully present in the moment.”
That said, couples can get bogged down in planning, and are often bamboozled by the amount of choice on offer when it comes to personalising their wedding.
“Sometimes the choices available to couples – everything from decor and food to music and table plans – can be quite overwhelming,” says Greenan. “We have curated a range of optional enhancements that couples can select from to really personalise their day, including a Taittinger coupe tower, cigar and whiskey cart and chip shop supper. We always love to try new things and sometimes the best ideas come from our couples, so don’t be afraid to ask, and if we can make it happen, we will.”
The local hotel is no longer an automatic choice, as couples seek spaces that feel special, unique, and reflective of their vision
— Raina May Davies, The Johnstown Estate
Of course, food is a key element of any wedding and Ashe says couples are invariably focusing on high-quality food for their guests.
“The expectation is that the food is plentiful and the service surrounding it is impeccable. There is also a focus on the venue’s ability to cater to a multitude of dietary requirements,” she says.
She advises steering away from venues that don’t offer flexibility on menu choices, particularly surrounding dietary requirements such as vegan/vegetarian or gluten free, as this can immediately – and understandably – alienate guests.
With the rise of “destination weddings” over the past decade or so people are a lot more comfortable asking their guests to travel to the perfect venue. Pre- and post-wedding-day activities are fast becoming a standard element of weddings, so inviting guests to enjoy two to three days of celebrations makes the travel worthwhile, says Greenan.
And you don’t need to get on a plane to have a destination wedding, she adds: “Selecting a resort property on the island of Ireland that offers a choice of accommodation types, leisure and spa facilities, and food offerings for the day after the main event means your guests can make your wedding trip a staycation minibreak and ultimately means you can spend lots of quality time with your loved ones without the pressure of having to do this all on one day.
“Selecting a venue at home but just that little bit further afield also means it’s likely that the majority of guests won’t have experienced a wedding there before, making it unique to the couple and an exciting getaway for the guests.”
Davies agrees. “In 2025, couples are embracing the idea that the perfect wedding venue isn’t necessarily the closest one,” she says. “The local hotel is no longer an automatic choice, as couples seek spaces that feel special, unique, and reflective of their vision. The journey to the venue becomes part of the celebration itself, especially when it offers the chance to create a full weekend experience for family and friends.”
The Johnstown Estate has witnessed this trend first hand, with couples from all over Ireland, as well from as from the UK and the United States choosing to celebrate their wedding there, Davies adds.
The right venue is not only vital to ensuring the day itself looks and feels how the bride- and groom-to-be want it to, it is also a key component of the planning journey, says Greenan.
“The wedding team at your chosen venue, as well as the suppliers that you select, will play such a large role in your big day, as you will be working closely with them for months and sometimes years in advance of your wedding date,” she says. “For this reason, having a good relationship with them will not only make the day itself the best it can be, but will also make the run-up what it should be – fun and stress free.”
