If you're looking at wedding venues in Wicklow, Druids Glen Hotel & Golf Resort is definitely one to have on your list. Set in the beautiful Wicklow countryside in Newtownmountkennedy, it's surrounded by woodland, landscaped grounds and championship golf courses, with the bonus of being only around 30 minutes from Dublin.

It's a lovely option if you want somewhere that feels like a proper getaway for your wedding day, with your ceremony, reception, food and accommodation all available in one place.

So, if you're planning your wedding at Druids Glen, here's a bit more about the venue and what you can expect.

Where is Druids Glen Resort?

Druids Glen is located in County Wicklow, often called the Garden of Ireland, and is easily accessible from Dublin and the M50. It's a handy location for couples getting married in Wicklow who have guests travelling from Dublin or further afield.

The resort sits within approximately 360 acres of private grounds, giving it that lovely countryside feel without being miles away from everything. There are two championship golf courses on the grounds too, so if golf is your thing, that's another little bonus!

For couples planning a wedding weekend rather than just a few hours of celebrations, having accommodation and leisure facilities on site is a real advantage.

Wedding Ceremony Options at Druids Glen

One of the things I love about venues offering different ceremony settings is that couples can choose something that suits them, rather than feeling they have to fit into one particular style of wedding.

At Druids Glen, you have two main ceremony options at the hotel resort.

The Woodland

If you've always pictured an outdoor wedding ceremony surrounded by trees, The Woodland is well worth looking into. It offers a natural setting for saying your vows, with the surrounding greenery giving the ceremony a lovely atmosphere.

It's a beautiful option for couples who want something a little different from a traditional indoor ceremony. Outdoor ceremonies are weather-dependent, so make sure you discuss the arrangements and alternatives with the wedding team before booking.

The James Joyce Ballroom

If you'd prefer an indoor ceremony, the James Joyce Ballroom offers an elegant setting with space for up to 250 guests for a ceremony. It's a lovely option for couples planning a larger celebration or who prefer having everything indoors.

Druids Glen is licensed to host civil ceremonies and civil partnerships, and the team can advise you on the ceremony arrangements available for your date.

The James Joyce Ballroom and Wedding Reception

The James Joyce Ballroom is the main wedding reception space at Druids Glen Hotel & Golf Resort. It's an elegant room designed for wedding celebrations, with a grand feel that's well suited to couples planning a bigger day with family and friends.

One of the things worth asking about when viewing the venue is how the room will be arranged for your guest numbers, including the layout for your meal, dancing and evening entertainment.

Druids Glen also advertises a one-wedding-per-day guarantee for its hotel wedding celebrations, which means your wedding gets its own focus rather than sharing the main wedding experience with another couple.

For anyone planning a wedding with a large guest list, it's worth chatting to the wedding coordinator about your numbers, table layout and the different parts of the day to make sure everything flows the way you want it to.

What About Woodstock House?

Another option associated with Druids Glen is Woodstock House, a beautifully restored Georgian country house dating back to the 18th century.

This is a different setting from the main hotel and has a much more intimate country-house feel. With views across the golf course towards the Irish Sea, it offers a lovely alternative for couples looking for something historic and a little different.

Woodstock House is worth exploring if you're drawn to elegant period interiors, a more private setting and a smaller-scale celebration. Make sure to enquire specifically about weddings at Woodstock House, as the arrangements and options differ from those at the main hotel.

Wedding Photography at Druids Glen Resort

Now, from a wedding photography point of view, having the grounds and different settings available at Druids Glen is a big plus.

There's the woodland, the landscaped grounds and the hotel itself, which gives you options for a nice mix of photographs without having to head off on a road trip in the middle of your wedding day.

My approach to wedding photography is very relaxed and documentary-led. I'm there to capture what's actually happening, rather than turning the whole day into a photoshoot.

We'll get some lovely photographs of the two of you around the grounds, of course, but I'm not going to disappear with you for hours while your guests are inside enjoying themselves. The hugs, the laughs, the family moments, the speeches and all the madness on the dancefloor are just as important to me.

I want you to look back at your photographs and remember how the day felt, not just what everyone looked like standing in a line.

And with a venue like Druids Glen, where you have the setting and the celebrations together, there's plenty of opportunity to capture both the beautiful surroundings and the real moments happening throughout the day.

Food, Accommodation and the Little Details

When you're choosing a wedding venue, it's not just about how it looks in photographs. You also want to know that your guests will be looked after and that the practical side of the day is taken care of.

Druids Glen offers hotel accommodation, dining facilities and leisure amenities, making it a good option for couples who want their guests to stay over and enjoy more of the experience.

The resort's wedding packages also advertise a complimentary main-course tasting for couples, along with a dedicated wedding coordinator. Certain accommodation benefits are included subject to package terms and guest-number requirements, so check the current package for the full details.

I'd recommend asking about room rates for wedding guests, breakfast arrangements, check-in times and any special rates available for family and friends. These are the little things that can make organising a wedding weekend much easier.

You can find the resort's current wedding information and packages on the official Druids Glen weddings website.

Is Druids Glen Resort the Right Wedding Venue for You?

If you're looking for a wedding venue in Wicklow that combines beautiful countryside surroundings with elegant reception spaces, outdoor ceremony options and accommodation on site, Druids Glen is definitely worth viewing.

It's particularly worth considering if you want to keep your day in one location, have guests travelling from different parts of Ireland, or fancy making a weekend of the celebrations.

When you go for your viewing, ask about the ceremony options, guest capacity, what's included in the wedding package and how the day will flow from the ceremony right through to the evening reception.

And if you're looking for a Druids Glen Resort wedding photographer, I'd love to hear about your plans!

My style is natural, relaxed and all about capturing your day as it happens. No awkward posing, no disappearing for half the day, just genuine moments, lovely photographs and all the craic along the way.

Because at the end of it all, your wedding is about you two and the people you love. The venue sets the scene, but it's the people and the memories that make it yours.

If you're planning your wedding at Druids Glen Resort and want natural documentary wedding photography in Wicklow, get in touch and tell me all about it. I'd love to hear what you're planning!