Causeway Coast, Northern Ireland
Dunluce Castle elopements, your complete guide
We have photographed quite a few elopements on the clifftop field facing Dunluce Castle. This guide covers how to book it, what it costs, the legal side and how the day actually runs, from the husband and wife team who would be there with you.
Tommy and Laurene, Pure Photo N.I. Two photographers at every elopement, based in Lisburn and photographing on the Causeway Coast since 2014.
Where the ceremony happens
The elopement field facing Dunluce Castle
Most couples expect to marry inside the castle. The ceremony actually happens on a private clifftop field right across from it, and that is where the view is.
Dunluce Castle itself is a busy tourist spot, so elopement ceremonies are not held inside the ruins. Instead you marry on the edge of the cliff in a field owned by local farmer Sean McKinley, looking straight across at the castle with the sea below.
Sean is one of the friendliest people you could meet and he loves helping couples make this happen. The field is yours alone for your time slot, which matters on a coast that welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. The last thing you want is a tourist wandering into the background while you say your vows.
No other spot along this coast gives you the same mix of views, history and privacy, which is why this field is the most popular elopement ceremony location on the Causeway Coast.
Exclusive use
The field is yours alone for a two hour slot, with no tourists and no other couples.
Transport included
Sean takes you and any guests to and from the field, so there is no long walk across in your wedding clothes.
A whiskey with Sean
Sean joins you for a shot of whiskey back at his cottage after the ceremony. It has become a proper tradition.
From £350
Booking the field starts from £350 for the two of you. The full costs are set out below.
What it costs
How much does a Dunluce elopement cost?
The good news is that eloping at Dunluce costs a fraction of a traditional wedding. There are three main parts to budget for, the field, your photography and the extras like your celebrant, travel and somewhere to stay.
You book the field directly with Sean and Christine. It is such a popular spot that we always suggest booking as far ahead as you can so you do not miss out on your date.
Elopement field hire
- Just the two of you£350
- 3 to 10 guests£450
- 11 to 20 guests£500
- 21 to 30 guests£600
- Each extra hour£100
Every booking includes exclusive use of the field for a two hour slot and transport to and from the field for you and your guests.
To book the field
Sean, +44 7761 743063
Christine, +44 7702 707420
Email, smckinley@live.co.uk
Your photography
Our elopement packages start from £1,050 for four hours, with longer options if you want to add getting ready or portraits along the coast. Every package includes both of us, so you always have two photographers.
See our elopement packagesOther costs to plan for
- A celebrant or registrar to lead your ceremony
- Marriage notice fees of £22 each if you are marrying legally here
- Flights, a UK ETA if you need one, and a hire car
- Somewhere to stay on the Causeway Coast
- Hair, makeup and flowers
- A celebration meal afterwards
Planning step by step
How to elope at Dunluce Castle
Planning an elopement here is much simpler than planning a wedding, but there are a few things to get right and a few to do early. This is the order we suggest to the couples we work with.
Legal rules and fees can change, so always confirm the details with the council registrar before you book flights or give notice.
- 01
Choose your date and book the field
Pick a date and time, then contact Sean or Christine to book the field. It is the most popular elopement spot on the coast, so book as far ahead as you can.
- 02
Check your date with us
Send us your date and we will let you know straight away if we are free. We can also help you choose the best time of day for the light at that time of year.
- 03
Decide on a legal or symbolic ceremony
Most couples travelling from abroad do the legal part at home and have a symbolic ceremony here, which keeps things simple. Couples from the UK follow the normal process with a registrar or a religious ceremony.
If you choose a celebrant, it depends on the type of celebrant, so read our guide to choosing a wedding celebrant in Northern Ireland.
- 04
If you are marrying legally, give notice in time
Each of you gives a separate notice to the registrar for the council area where you are marrying, at least 28 days before the wedding. Around eight weeks is recommended, or ten if either of you has been married or in a civil partnership before. It costs £22 each.
If you are visiting and do not have the right visa or evidence, the notice period can be extended to 70 days. Our guide to marriage law and paperwork in Northern Ireland covers the documents and witnesses you need.
- 05
Book your celebrant and other suppliers
We do not bundle other suppliers into our packages, because we want you to choose the best people for you rather than the best deal for us. We are always happy to share contacts for celebrants, hair and makeup artists and florists we have worked with.
- 06
Sort your travel
Most visitors, including from the USA, Canada and Australia, now need a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation before they fly, so check gov.uk well ahead. Belfast has two airports and many couples fly into Dublin instead. Either way, a hire car is the easiest way to get around the Causeway Coast.
One elopement, start to finish
Erin and Jake's day, as it happened
Erin and Jake travelled from Atlanta, Georgia to marry on the clifftop at Dunluce in September 2025, with a small group of family and friends and Jake's dad as their celebrant. Here is how their day unfolded, from a calm morning in Ballycastle to golden light at Ballintoy Harbour.
Swipe to see all 12 photos
When to come
Seasons, light and Irish weather
There is no perfect time to elope at Dunluce, only the right time for you. Here is our honest advice after years of photographing on this coast in every kind of weather.
The most popular months
Most elopements here happen between March and November. Summer gives you around 17 hours of daylight, while winter has closer to 8, so the time of year shapes how much you can fit into your day.
The light
Golden hour, just after sunrise or before sunset, gives the softest light. The only time we try to avoid is the middle of the day when the sun is highest and the shadows are harsh.
The weather
You can get four seasons in one day here, even in summer. The good news is that our rain tends to come as showers rather than all day downpours, so there are nearly always dry spells to work with.
Mist and cloud
Some of our favourite Dunluce photos were taken in thick sea mist. A grey day makes the castle look moody and dramatic, so please do not panic if the forecast is not perfect.
Making a trip of it
Where to stay and where else to go
Many couples turn their elopement into a few days on the Causeway Coast. Here is where we would stay and the spots we love for more photos after the ceremony.
Where to stay
- On the Causeway CoastThere are lots of hotels and bed and breakfasts along the coast, so you can wake up just a short drive from Dunluce.
- In BelfastPlenty of couples stay in Belfast and travel up on the day. As our largest city it has the biggest choice of places to stay, and it makes a great base for the rest of your trip.
- For getting ready photosIf you want photos of getting ready, we suggest skipping a standard hotel room and choosing a house or Airbnb with lots of natural light. A big bright room makes for a calmer morning and much nicer photos.
More photo spots nearby
- Ballintoy HarbourOur favourite place in the world, with a little harbour, sea stacks and caves. It is only a few miles from Dunluce and the light at golden hour is something else.
- Dunseverick CastleThe quiet ruins of an old castle on the clifftop, also just a few miles along the coast. A lovely calm contrast after the drama of Dunluce.
- The Dark HedgesThe famous avenue of twisted beech trees, a short drive inland. It is busiest in the middle of the day, so early morning or evening works best.
Real Dunluce elopements
More couples who said their vows on this clifftop
Wind, fog, sunshine and everything in between. Every one of these couples had a completely different day at the same spot, and each one is a favourite of ours.
Anna and Luke
One of the windiest days we have photographed in a while, and they laughed their way through every minute of it.Read their story →
Sarah and Rob
They travelled from Canada, with Sarah's family joining them all the way from India.Read their story →
Madison and Patrick
From Louisiana to the clifftop, with a first look and their vows in the evening sun.Read their story →
Taylor and Chad
An intimate ceremony on the clifftop with their closest family and friends.Read their story →
Reidun and Stephen
They travelled from Kuwait and married in a thick sea fog that made every photo wonderfully moody.Read their story →
An after ceremony shot of whiskey with Sean has become a tradition at the elopement field at Dunluce Castle
Questions
Dunluce elopement questions
The things couples ask us most about eloping at Dunluce. If your question is not here, have a look at our wedding FAQ or just send us a message.
Can we get married inside Dunluce Castle?
Elopement ceremonies are not held inside the castle ruins, as it is a busy tourist spot. Instead you marry on Sean's private clifftop field directly across from the castle, which gives you the classic view of Dunluce behind you and the whole place to yourselves.
Can it be just the two of us?
Absolutely. You do not need anyone else there at all. If you are marrying legally and need two witnesses, we are always happy to be your witnesses.
How many guests can we bring?
The field can be booked for just the two of you or for up to 30 guests, with the price depending on numbers. Sean brings everyone out to the field and back again.
How far is Dunluce from Belfast and Dublin?
Dunluce is a little over an hour's drive from Belfast and around three hours from Dublin, so either airport works well. A hire car makes the day much easier.
How far ahead should we book?
Book the field as early as you can, as it is the most popular elopement spot on the coast. If you are marrying legally, notice has to be given at least 28 days before and around eight weeks is recommended. Check your date with us at the same time so you know everything is in place.
Can you help us find other suppliers?
We do not bundle other suppliers into our packages, but we are always happy to share contacts for celebrants, hair and makeup artists and florists we have worked with and trust.
What happens if it rains?
Rain here usually comes in showers rather than all day, so we work around it and make the most of the dry spells. Some of our favourite Dunluce photos were taken in strong wind and thick sea fog, so a grey forecast is nothing to worry about.
Do you photograph elopements anywhere else?
Yes, we photograph elopements all over Northern Ireland and Ireland. Have a look at our elopement photography page for more locations and our packages.
Your date might still be available
Tell us your date and a little about your plans and we will let you know straight away if we are free. If you would rather chat first, message us on WhatsApp and ask us anything about eloping at Dunluce.
View our elopement packages- Your elopement dateSo we can check if we are free for you
- Where you would like to elopeDunluce Castle, or anywhere else in Northern Ireland
- How many hours you needFour, six or eight hours. Not sure yet? We can chat it through
Message us on WhatsApp
Send Tommy and Laurene a quick message about your elopement plans and ask us anything you like.
Chat about your elopement
