Louth hotel named among Ireland’s top wedding venues for 2027

The Four Seasons Hotel Carlingford has been named among Ireland's top wedding venues to book for 2027 by wedding venue platform SaveMyDay.ie. The news comes as new analysis of CSO figures shows more than one in four people marrying in Ireland are now aged 40 or over, and it's changing the kind of weddings they want, according to wedding venue platform SaveMyDay.ie.

Named Ireland's Best Winter Wedding Venue in 2025 and Best Waterside Wedding Venue in 2026, SaveMyDay.ie describes the Four Seasons Hotel Carlingford as “nestled in the heart of medieval Carlingford between the Cooley Mountains and Carlingford Lough. Its grand ballroom glows with warmth on a winter's evening, with exceptional seasonal dining and seamless hospitality year-round.

“Close to the border, it's a natural meeting point for families travelling from both sides. Cobbled streets, ancient landmarks and breathtaking lough views make it a setting that feels both timeless and spectacular.

“Named Ireland's Best Winter Wedding Venue in 2025 and Best Waterside Wedding Venue at the 2026 SaveMyDay.ie Irish Wedding Venue Awards, the hotel is further benefitting from two major trends.

“Winter weddings keep growing, and more couples are travelling from abroad to tie the knot so ease of access from international airports is key. 2,056 couples who married in Ireland in 2025 (10.3%) gave a country of residence outside the Republic of Ireland.”

SaveMyDay analysis of CSO figures shows that more than one in four people who married in Ireland in 2025 (25.8%) were aged 40 or over. The average age of the older partner is now 38.1 and the younger partner 36.1, compared with 27.0 and 24.7 for couples marrying 50 years previous in 1975.

SaveMyDay says these couples arrive with clear priorities: exceptional food, personal service, and a venue that reflects who they are. It's a shift reflected in the winners of this year’s SaveMyDay.ie Irish Wedding Venue Awards, voted for by over 700 couples.

Shell Holden, wedding expert and co-owner of SaveMyDay.ie, comments: "Couples marrying today are older, more established and more confident about what they want. Many have been together for years, have bought a home together and may share a pet, so they know exactly what matters to them on the day. The big shift we're seeing is away from impressing a crowd and towards creating an experience, one that includes exceptional food, an atmosphere that reflects the couple and a venue with real personality."

Shell Holden adds: "I got married myself last year, and our priorities were exactly what we're hearing from couples across the country: great food, our dog by our side and a venue that felt like us. Ireland's wedding venues have really risen to that. What excites me most is how much freedom couples have now. Winter weddings, restaurant weddings, and vows said wherever feels right. Whether it's a castle a short hop from Dublin Airport or a family-run venue in West Cork or Kilkenny, couples now have more choice than ever to create a day that's truly their own."