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Small Wedding Venues in Clare

bride walking toward ceremony entrance with emotional reaction

Planning A Small Wedding In Clare?

If you're looking for a small wedding venue, there's a good chance you're also trying to figure out how the day will actually feel. The couples I work with usually aren't interested in spending hours posing for photographs. They want to enjoy the day, spend time with their favourite people, and come away with photographs that feel real.

I'm James from JOD Photography. I photograph relaxed weddings across Clare, Cork, Kerry and throughout Munster, focusing on genuine moments, real laughter and natural storytelling rather than awkward posing.

Meet James & See Real Weddings →

1. Gregans Castle Hotel, Ballyvaughan

This boutique manor overlooking the Burren is one of Clare’s most romantic small wedding venues. Known for its award-winning food and quiet luxury, it’s ideal if you want a relaxed, intimate celebration.

  • Guest capacity: 20–60 guests.

  • Civil ceremonies available.

  • Exclusive use possible for smaller groups.

Gregans Castle Hotel — 

2. Carrygerry Country House, Newmarket-on-Fergus

A 200-year-old country house filled with charm and character. Perfect for couples who want a home-from-home atmosphere with personal service.

  • Guest capacity: 20–70 guests.

  • Licensed for civil ceremonies.

  • Cosy private dining rooms.

Carrygerry Country House — /

3. Bellbridge House Hotel, Spanish Point

Set on the Wild Atlantic Way, Bellbridge is a seaside venue that works beautifully for smaller weddings. The Atlantic backdrop is unforgettable.

  • Guest capacity: 30–100 guests.

  • Civil ceremonies on-site.

  • Popular with couples planning intimate coastal weddings.

Bellbridge House Hotel — 

4. Old Ground Hotel, Ennis

A historic boutique hotel in the heart of Ennis. It blends tradition with modern comforts and offers function rooms suited to smaller gatherings.

  • Guest capacity: 40–120 guests.

  • Civil ceremonies available.

  • Central location for easy guest access.

Old Ground Hotel 

5. The Lakeside Hotel, Killaloe

With stunning views over Lough Derg, this hotel is a dream for couples who want water as their backdrop.

  • Guest capacity: 40–120 guests.

  • Outdoor ceremony options.

  • Intimate banqueting spaces.

The Lakeside Hotel 

6. Hotel Woodstock, Ennis

Known for its warm hospitality, Hotel Woodstock offers tailored packages for smaller weddings without losing that celebratory atmosphere.

  • Guest capacity: 40–100 guests.

  • Civil ceremony licence.

  • Value-driven packages for intimate weddings.

Hotel Woodstock 

7. Temple Gate Hotel, Ennis

A former convent turned hotel with a mix of charm and elegance. Perfect if you want an intimate wedding in the centre of town.

  • Guest capacity: 40–90 guests.

  • Licensed for civil ceremonies.

  • Stylish smaller suites available.

Temple Gate Hotel 

8. Stella Maris Hotel, Kilkee

A West Clare venue with Atlantic views, ideal for couples who love the sea. It’s cosy, romantic, and perfectly suited to smaller guest lists.

  • Guest capacity: 30–80 guests.

  • Coastal setting on the Wild Atlantic Way.

  • Great option for elopements or micro-weddings.

Stella Maris Hotel 

9. The Inn at Dromoland

Part of the Dromoland estate but more intimate than the castle itself. A flexible space for couples who want the Dromoland setting without the scale.

  • Guest capacity: 40–100 guests.

  • Packages for smaller weddings.

  • Grounds for stunning photo opportunities.

The Inn at Dromoland 

10. Dromoland Castle (Small Weddings Option)

Although famous for grand weddings, Dromoland also caters for intimate celebrations in its smaller rooms. Perfect if you want castle luxury with a tight guest list.

  • Guest capacity: 20–60 guests (private dining rooms).

  • Civil ceremonies available.

  • A fairytale experience even on a smaller scale.

Dromoland Castle 

See Fair Pricing

Planning Your Wedding?

If one of these venues feels like the perfect fit, I'd love to hear about your plans. Tell me your date, venue and a little about yourselves and I'll personally get back to you.

    153 Five-Star Reviews • Relaxed Documentary Wedding Photography • Cork, Kerry & Munster

    Wedding Photography Collections

    Choose the coverage that feels right for your day.

    Weddings don’t all run to the same timetable, and I don’t think photography should feel like it does either. These collections simply give you a starting point, from a smaller celebration to the full story of the day. Whichever you choose, I’ll photograph it in the same relaxed, natural way.

    Travel Included Throughout Munster, with no hidden travel costs
    Sneak Peeks A first look as soon as I can after the wedding
    4–6 Week Delivery Your complete gallery, often considerably sooner
    Private Online Gallery Unlimited high-resolution downloads while your gallery is live
    A relaxed moment during an intimate Cork wedding

    Small celebrations

    Intimate

    600

    Small, simple and meaningful.

    For elopements, civil ceremonies and smaller weddings where you don’t need a full day of photography, but still want the important people, moments and atmosphere remembered properly.

    Perfect for Elopements, intimate weddings and smaller celebrations
    • 150+ professionally edited photographs
    • Relaxed, natural storytelling
    • Private online gallery
    • Unlimited high-resolution downloads while your gallery is live
    • Gallery available online for 3 months
    Check My Date
    A natural wedding moment at the Japanese Gardens in Waterford

    Part-day coverage

    Moments

    850

    The heart of the day.

    For couples who want the excitement beforehand, the ceremony and everything that happens afterwards, without needing photography into the evening.

    Coverage Until dinner is called or 5pm, whichever comes first.
    Perfect for Couples who want the main story of the day without full-day coverage
    • 300–400 professionally edited photographs
    • Relaxed documentary coverage
    • Private online gallery
    • Unlimited high-resolution downloads while your gallery is live
    • Gallery available online for 3 months
    • Folio presentation box with USB
    • 50 professionally printed 6×4 photographs
    Check My Date

    Most Popular

    A candid full-day wedding photograph in Waterford

    Full-day coverage

    Memories

    1,450

    The complete wedding story.

    From the nerves and excitement in the morning to the dance floor that night. This is for couples who want the whole day remembered naturally, without turning the wedding into a photoshoot.

    Coverage Until the first dance or 10pm, whichever comes first.
    Perfect for Couples who want the full story, from preparations through to the evening
    • 500+ professionally edited photographs
    • Natural documentary storytelling
    • Private online gallery
    • Unlimited high-resolution downloads while your gallery is live
    • Gallery available online for 6 months
    • Folio presentation box with USB
    • 50 professionally printed 6×4 photographs
    Check My Date
    An East Cork wedding photograph

    Full day + heirloom album

    Forever

    1,950

    Your wedding story, made to be held.

    Everything you need from the wedding day, finished with a proper handcrafted album. Not something that lives on a screen, but something you can sit down with, pick up and keep.

    Coverage Until the first dance or 10pm, whichever comes first.
    Perfect for Couples who want the full wedding story and a finished album to keep it in
    • 500+ professionally edited photographs
    • Private online gallery with unlimited high-resolution downloads while live
    • Gallery available online for 6 months
    • Handcrafted 30 × 30cm / 12 × 12" wedding album
    • Up to 80 photographs designed into the album
    • Your choice of beautiful album finishes
    • USB included with your wedding album
    Check My Date
    A relaxed wedding celebration at Kenmare Bay Hotel in Kerry

    The complete album collection

    Eternity

    2,550

    One story. More than one home.

    The complete wedding-day collection with your own handcrafted album and additional parent albums, so the story of the day isn’t kept in just one home.

    Coverage Until the first dance or 10pm, whichever comes first.
    Perfect for Couples who want the full album experience for themselves and their families
    • 500+ professionally edited photographs
    • Private online gallery with unlimited high-resolution downloads while live
    • Gallery available online for 6 months
    • Handcrafted 30 × 30cm / 12 × 12" wedding album
    • Up to 80 photographs designed into the album
    • Your choice of beautiful album finishes
    • USB included with your wedding album
    • Handcrafted parent albums included
    Check My Date

    The album I keep coming back to

    A wedding album should feel as good as the photographs inside it.

    Forever and Eternity include a handcrafted 30 × 30cm / 12 × 12" wedding album, designed around up to 80 photographs from your day. You’ll have a choice of finishes, but if you ask me which one I’d choose, I’ll nearly always point you towards the Acrylic Prestige.

    The crystal-clear acrylic cover gives the photograph real depth and the lay-flat design lets the story flow beautifully across the page. It feels substantial without being fussy, and it’s exactly the kind of album I want my couples to still be taking down from the shelf years from now.

    30 × 30cm / 12 × 12" Up to 80 photographs Lay-flat design Handcrafted finish USB included

    No long wait afterwards

    See a little of it while it still feels fresh.

    I aim to share a small selection of sneak peeks as soon as I can after your wedding. If I’m not photographing another wedding the following day, that can often mean the very next day. Your complete gallery is delivered within 4–6 weeks, although, as many of my reviews mention, it’s often considerably sooner.

    Your photographs are yours to keep

    Your private online gallery makes it easy to view, share and download your photographs in high resolution. Intimate and Moments galleries remain online for 3 months, while Memories, Forever and Eternity galleries remain online for 6 months. You can download as often as you like while your gallery is live. Once it arrives, I always recommend downloading the complete collection and keeping at least one extra backup somewhere safe, as the online gallery isn’t intended as permanent cloud storage.

    Wedding photography additions from JOD Photography

    Make it yours

    Enhance Your Collection

    Start with the collection that suits your day, then add only the things that genuinely matter to you. There’s no need to squeeze your wedding into a package just because that’s how the price list was written.

    Talk to Me About Your Plans
    01

    Second Photographer

    Another pair of eyes on the day. Particularly useful for separate morning preparations, larger weddings and those moments happening in two places at once.

    02

    Engagement Session

    A relaxed session before the wedding, with no wedding-day timetable. A chance to get comfortable in front of the camera and come away with photographs you actually like.

    03

    Parent Albums

    Beautiful handcrafted versions of your wedding album for the people who will want to sit down, turn the pages and relive the day with you.

    What Couples Say

    Real Words About How The Day Actually Felt

    153 Five-Star Reviews • Trusted across Cork, Kerry & Munster

    ★★★★★

    "James captured real smiles, real laughs and real feelings. We felt like we didn't have to pose once — it all felt so easy and fun."

    — Eimear & Phil Cotter
    ★★★★★

    "He has such a great sense of humour and instantly put everyone at ease — even the camera-shy ones! He made the whole day feel seamless."

    — Adam Deane
    ★★★★★

    "James was brilliant with the children and made everyone feel relaxed. He travelled to Kerry for our small wedding and we couldn’t recommend him enough."

    — Merissa & Anthony Curtin
    ★★★★★

    "He captured our most vulnerable, emotional moments and turned them into pure art. Real, raw, and beautiful."

    — Ann Marie & Stuart Harrington
    ★★★★★

    "From the moment he walked in he had us all laughing. He even got me rock climbing on the pier in my wedding dress!"

    — Sarah Fagan
    ★★★★★

    "He captures the moments and emotions that give the photos real depth. His work is profoundly moving and beautiful."

    — Jennifer

    More Wedding Venues in County Clare

    If you’re still exploring options or your guest list has grown, you may want to view a wider range of venues across the county.

    View All Wedding Venues in Clare Clare Wedding Photographer – Relaxed & Natural Coverage

    Clare offers everything from intimate venues to larger hotels and coastal locations, depending on the kind of wedding you’re planning.

    couple holding hands during outdoor wedding ceremony
    small wedding reception table setup with candlelight
    Ready to Chat

    Why Book JOD Photography for Your Small Clare Wedding?

    When you plan a small wedding, every moment matters. The smiles, the quiet chats, the way your family and friends come together in one room — these are the details that tell the story. That’s my style: relaxed, real, and natural.

    “We absolutely loved having James as our photographer for our small family wedding. He was friendly, easy-going, and great fun. He had a great eye for special moments, making it so enjoyable for us all. We cannot thank him enough — he is beyond talented.” – Clare O’Mahoney

    “James is a true pro. Not only does he take great photos, he creates the environment for them to happen. His humour and energy put everyone at ease so naturally. I’ve been in the wedding business for over 15 years and he’s top notch.” – Nate Wood

    “James arrived full of energy and instantly changed the mood in the house. Within minutes we were chatting like we knew him years. He kept everyone calm, laughing and smiling, and everything ran smoothly. From photographer to a friend in a few hours!” – Aisling Healy

    Why couples book me:

    • Relaxed, documentary style that works perfectly for small weddings.

    • Energy and humour that put people at ease.

    • Fast delivery — couples often see photos within 24 hours.

    • Fair, transparent pricing with no hidden extras.

    Elegant Clare wedding celebration — JOD Photography
    bride and groom walking through historic estate gardens – JOD Photography

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Q: What counts as a small wedding in Clare?
    A: Most venues consider under 80 guests a small wedding. Some country houses and boutique hotels cater for as few as 20 people.

    Q: Which venues in Clare are best for intimate weddings?
    A: Gregans Castle Hotel and Carrygerry Country House are two of the best options for small, cosy weddings. Both specialise in intimate guest lists.

    Q: Can I have a civil ceremony at these venues?
    A: Yes. Many of the smaller venues such as Bellbridge House, Old Ground Hotel, and The Lakeside Hotel are licensed for civil ceremonies.

    Q: Are small weddings cheaper in Clare?
    A: Often yes, because you’re paying for fewer guests. Some venues do have minimum spend requirements, so always check directly with the hotel or house.

    Q: Are there coastal small wedding venues in Clare?
    A: Yes. Bellbridge House at Spanish Point and Stella Maris in Kilkee are two great choices for seaside weddings with smaller guest numbers.

    Contact James 😉
    couple walking through estate gardens at sunset