The 5 Best Dublin City Venues For A Winter Wedding

Brides and grooms-to be, could there possibly be a city more perfect, more glorious than Dublin for a Christmas wedding?

Yep, we’re coming over all soppy, but how can we help it? It’s pure Christmassy magic. The feel in the air, the lights on streets Grafton, Henry, South William and George – it just can’t be matched (so don’t even bother your arse Prague et al).

And while Christmas itself may be over, there’s no better time to plan a winter wonderland wedding. Here are five of our top picks.

1. Thomas Prior Hall

Once a masonic school in the 19th century, Thomas Prior Hall in Ballsbridge is a whopper choice for a festive wedding. With its cosy wood-panelled interior, dark floors and amazing stained glass windows, the only décor you’ll need is a Crimbo tree and a few poinsettias on each table.

And handily, it’s right next door to Clayton Hotel Ballsbridge sharing access to the hotel from the ballroom, so your accommodation is sorted too.

2. The Merrion Hotel

If you haven’t been to The Merrion on Upper Merrion Street around this time of year, may we suggest you rectify that immediately? We promise the second you step in the door you’ll have a Christmas-gasm. Nope, it’s not an orgasm at Christmas – we’re too busy buying gifts and eating yuletide roulade for that sort of craic – it’s a freak-out brought on by a festive sensory overload.

This will happen to you when you see how amazingly they’ve decked out The Merrion.

3. Central Hotel

The Central Hotel on Exchequer Street is super-festive, and not just because it’s incredibly cosy and houses the brilliant Library Bar – but by virtue of the fact its staircase looks just like the one in Kevin’s house in Home Alone.

Can you possibly think of a better reason to choose your Christmas wedding venue than that? ‘Cos we’re stumped.

4. The Westin

Just a mere gambol from Grafton Street, the gorgeous Westin on College Green is slap bang in the middle of all the festive action.

Home to the actually unreal Banking Hall – which has been going since 1863 – the venue’s huge mahogany doors, chandeliers made from 8,000 pieces of Waterford Crystal and marble pillars makes it a class space for a glamorous winter wedding.

5. The Shelbourne

Of course The Shelbourne on St Stephen’s Green has to make the list. Stepping through the front door is like getting a full blown whack across the face from Christmas. It’s just gorgeous – the rich carpets and soft furnishings, the trees like off ‘the fillums’, the roaring fireplaces with mantlepieces decked with lights and garlands.

The hotel has a selection of banqueting suites catering from 20 to 350 guests, so whether it’s a massive wedding or an cosy Christmas celebration, you’re covered.