Wexford doesn't shout. It doesn't need to. While couples head to Kerry or Galway in their droves, the Model County quietly goes about its business — and its business includes some of the finest small wedding venues in Ireland.

The county has it all. Georgian country houses tucked behind estate gates. Converted farm buildings overlooking the estuary. Intimate harbour-town hotels where the chef actually cooks. If your wedding guest list fits around a single long table, Wexford rewards you.

Here's where to start looking.


Country Houses & Historic Estates

Marlfield House, Gorey

Marlfield House is Wexford's jewel. A Regency-period manor set in 36 acres of walled gardens and woodland, it has been welcoming guests since 1978 under the Bowe family. For a micro wedding, you're getting one of Ireland's most celebrated restaurant-hotels — and a team that genuinely loves weddings done properly, not factory-farmed.

Ceremonies work beautifully in the conservatory or on the terrace. The house can accommodate intimate overnight stays, so your small wedding party can linger over breakfast the next morning rather than rushing off.

Horetown House, Foulksmills

A Georgian manor that's been in the Codd family since the 1940s, Horetown House has a rare quality: it feels lived-in. There's no corporate polish here. Think flagstone floors, open fires, mismatched antiques, and a kitchen garden that actually feeds the table.

Their micro wedding packages are honest — a set number of guests, a ceremony in the walled courtyard or the drawing room, dinner cooked with produce from the estate. The equestrian facilities on-site make for extraordinary photographs too.

Clonganny House, Kilmokea Area

A lesser-known country house near the tidal flats of the Barrow estuary, Clonganny suits couples who want beauty without footfall. It's not heavily marketed, which is exactly the point. If you find it, it's yours.


Boutique Hotels with Soul

Dunbrody Country House Hotel, Arthurstown

Dunbrody is the kind of place food lovers dream about. Kevin Dundon's restaurant has earned a serious reputation — the cookery school alone is a destination. For a micro wedding, the intimate dining rooms and the graceful Georgian interiors hit the right note without effort.

The Hook Peninsula setting is extraordinary. The estuary, the lighthouse, the ferry crossing to Waterford — it all gives the day a sense of occasion that doesn't depend on fairy lights.

Ferrycarrig Hotel, Wexford Town

If you want water, the Ferrycarrig Hotel sits right on the River Slaney with views that shift with the tide. It's a practical choice for couples with guests coming from Dublin (90 minutes on the M11) or flying through Waterford Airport.

The riverside ceremony space is lovely for spring and summer weddings. Smaller function rooms make it workable for parties of 20–40 without the venue feeling empty around you.

Salville House, Enniscorthy

A boutique B&B and self-catering option that has hosted small weddings with charm and discretion. Salville House appeals to couples who want somewhere genuinely homely — not a hotel, not a venue per se, but a gracious Georgian home where you feel like the guest of honour.

The walled garden is the ceremony spot. Simple, beautiful, no fuss.


Coastal & Waterside Options

"Wexford is one of Ireland's sunniest counties. That matters more than most couples realise when they're planning an outdoor ceremony."

Kelly's Resort Hotel, Rosslare

Kelly's has been run by the same family since 1895. It's a Rosslare institution — a beachfront hotel with real character, genuine art on the walls (a serious collection), and food that takes the sourcing seriously.

Small weddings work here because the team has the experience to make them feel important. You're not a small fish in a large pond; you're a couple who chose an exceptional place.

The Lobster Pot, Carne

For something stripped back and genuinely coastal, the Lobster Pot at Carne Beach is an alternative worth knowing. It's a pub with rooms and a reputation for excellent seafood. Not a conventional wedding venue — but for couples who want a long lunch on the Wexford coast with their closest people, it delivers.


Barn & Rural Venues

Wexford's farming hinterland has produced a small number of converted barn venues that rival anything in the Cotswolds for charm. They tend to be family-run, modestly priced, and heavy on atmosphere.

The county's mild climate — Wexford averages more sunshine hours than anywhere else in Ireland — makes outdoor ceremonies viable for longer windows of the year than most Irish couples plan for.

If you're searching for a barn or farm venue in Ireland, Wexford repays a specific search.


What to Know Before You Book

Exclusivity matters. Wexford's best micro venues will either hire exclusively or have clear policies about other events on the same day. Ask directly. For 20 guests, you don't want a conference suite running next door.

The Hook Peninsula is a destination. Don't just pick Wexford Town; consider basing your wedding on the peninsula. Dunbrody, Horetown, and a handful of smaller properties are within 20 minutes of each other, and the Hook Lighthouse is a world-class backdrop for a photograph.

Mid-week pricing. Almost every venue in Wexford will negotiate on mid-week dates. If your guest count is small, consider a Tuesday or Wednesday. The savings are real and the staff attention is better.

Accommodation proximity. With a small guest list, you can often secure accommodation for everyone under the same roof or within walking distance. That changes the energy of an evening. People stay longer. The atmosphere builds.

Explore the full range of micro wedding venues in Ireland or read our guide to micro wedding costs in Ireland before starting venue enquiries.

For inspiration on intimate ceremony styles, Fáilte Ireland's wedding section has useful context on approved venues and legal requirements across the country.


Frequently Asked Questions

How many guests can attend a micro wedding in Wexford?

Most couples planning a micro wedding cap the guest list at 20–30 people, though some venues accommodate as few as 2 and as many as 50. Wexford's country houses and boutique hotels are particularly well-suited to parties in the 10–30 range, where you can hire a venue exclusively without stretching the budget.

How much does a micro wedding venue in Wexford typically cost?

Venue hire in Wexford for a micro wedding can range from around €1,500 for a simple ceremony-only space to €8,000+ for an exclusive-use country house with accommodation. Many venues bundle accommodation, catering, and ceremony space into a single package, which often delivers better value than piecing it together separately.

Can we legally marry in a country house or hotel in Wexford?

Yes. Ireland allows civil ceremonies and religious ceremonies to take place at approved venues beyond a registry office. You'll need to notify the HSE Registrar at least three months in advance, and your venue must be approved as a solemnisation venue. Your celebrant or the venue coordinator can guide you through the paperwork.

What makes Wexford special for a micro wedding?

Wexford offers a remarkable mix of landscapes — the wide estuary of the Slaney, the rugged Hook Peninsula, rolling farmland, and long sandy beaches. The county has a strong tradition of hospitality, genuine warmth, and a slower pace that suits intimate celebrations perfectly. It's also one of Ireland's sunniest counties, which doesn't hurt.