Couples will be able to get married at venues of their choice, such as hotels, public buildings or country houses, under new laws due to come into force later this year.
At present marriage ceremonies may only take place in churches or registry offices.
However, new regulations expected to come into operation from early November will allow a couple to have a civil wedding in a range of other venues, subject to certain conditions.
These include ensuring the venue has been inspected and approved by the Health Service Executive (HSE) in advance and the availability of a registrar to solemnise a marriage.
Civil weddings are growing rapidly in popularity and now account for around 5,000 of the 20,000 weddings held in Ireland each year.
While technically religious marriages may also take place in venues outside of churches under the new changes, it is ultimately a matter for religious authorities.
Catholic church authorities, for example, only permit weddings outside of churches in exceptional circumstances - such as hospitals and private homes.
The changes are contained in the Civil Registration Act, 2004, which will replace the current marriage legislation. While the legislation was enacted more than three years ago, it has been delayed due to a range of factors such as decentralisation of the General Register Office and consultations with religious bodies.
A list of more than 5,000 officially recognised solemnisers, nominated by civil and religious authorities, is being drawn up to officiate at marriage ceremonies. It will represent most religions, although some - such as humanists - will not be included.
There had been some unease among religious groups that the changes could undermine the authority of the church. In particular, senior figures in the Catholic Church were concerned over a new requirement that couples must have a new marriage registration form approved by the General Register Office - the State body responsible for records relating to births, deaths and marriages - prior to getting married.
Couples wishing to have a civil marriage outside of a traditional venue must contact the owners of the venue, who must then get approval from their local registrar who is attached to the HSE.
There will not be a central register of approved venues, as there is the UK and North. Instead, venues will be approved on a case-by-case basis. Officials say couples can begin to apply to have weddings in new venues already, even though the new law has not yet come into force.
General Register Office officials expect a surge of interest from venues such as hotels and country houses, which will be anxious to have their buildings approved for weddings.
Venues must meet a number of requirements. They should, for example, be a dignified location; facilitate public witnesses; and not serve food or drink during the ceremony.
The Civil Registration Act also provides for a number of other changes, including:
*The notification of intention to marry - three months' notice - will have to be given in person to a registrar;
*All couples giving notification must sign declarations of no impediment and obtain a marriage registration form from a registrar in advance of the ceremony. This will be issued after they have completed the necessary notification procedures and the registrar is satisfied they are free to marry.
