When is the best time of year to elope?
Now you’ve decided to elope, you need to choose when to do it. Let me give you some things to think about.
Let there be light!
The most crucial factor for an excellent elopement video is light, but not just any light; it has to be the right kind of light. Many people would assume that a bright summer’s afternoon would be perfect, yet it’s a nightmare for video and photos. The reason is that the light is too harsh, and it throws up awful shadows. Too many summertime videos and pictures are taken with the sun high overhead; unfortunately, this means that the shadows are cast under the eyes, making everyone look like a panda. That’s why I try my hardest to make sure all my shoots occur during the ‘golden hour’. That means a little before and a little after sunset or sunrise. That’s when the light is soft and beautiful. It allows me to capture an elopement in the most fantastic way. The golden hour occurs throughout the year, even in the depths of winter. However, there’s something you should know about Irish sunsets…
Looooooooong days.
Ireland is a lot further up the globe than people realise, and that means in the winter, the days are super short, and in the summer, they are looooooooong! In December, the sun will set as early as 4pm, while in July, it won’t dip below the horizon until after 10:30pm. In June, the sun will wake you up at 4am, meaning sunrise shoots are crazy, early. If your dream elopement is a beach ceremony at sunset and then the pub for a pint of Guinness, you’ll be disappointed in July as the pubs will be closed by the time the ceremony is over.
Who is with you?
The long days are significant if you have a wedding party with you. On a long summers day, they could be standing around for hours waiting for the perfect light. To help with this, you could organise a picnic to keep people fed while the list fades over the sea and you get the perfect shot of your dream elopement.
Temperature
A clifftop elopement in Ireland is spectacular. The sound of the waves crashing on the rocks below and the centuries of history in the castle walls make for a stunning backdrop. However, it’s important to know that in the winter Ireland is cold, we like to say ‘baltic!’. In the early morning and late evening, temperatures hover around zero throughout January. So if you’re planning to elope during the winter (and you should definitely consider it), then make sure you’re prepared. Shawls, hand warmers and a hip flask of local whiskey all help keep the winter chills away. Ireland in the spring and autumns is beautiful, with changing colours adding a whole new perspective on the landscape. The temperature during this time can fluctuate from year to year, so be prepared for anything! The summer months can get warm but are rarely hot, so outdoor dining is the way to go.
I hope that gives you something to think about. Each month in Ireland is different, and each has its own wonder, so whenever you choose to come, you will have a fantastic time.
IF YOU’RE THINKING OF ELOPING IN IRELAND AND WOULD LIKE SOME HELP PLANNING SOMETHING EPIC, PLEASE GET IN TOUCH! I’D LOVE TO HELP YOU PLAN YOUR DREAM ELOPEMENT IN IRELAND!
IF YOU FOUND THIS blog post helpful for planning your elopement, YOU SHOULD CHECK out more of my elopement planning tips:
Top tips for winter elopements.