You’re engaged - CONGRATULATIONS!!!
If you got engaged pre March 2020 you may have got engaged somewhere on holidays or perhaps had an engagement party at home. I somehow think you’ve likely had neither if you got engaged during lockdown!
The dust has now settled and it’s time to make that BIG decision - your wedding venue! Google search Northern Ireland wedding venues and you’ll be hit with more pages of results than you’ll care to remember! I’ve been photographing Northern Ireland weddings for over 6 years now and there is not a year that goes back that I haven’t visited a new venue In fact, I’ll be surprised if a year ever comes along in which I don’t visit a new venue! A huge selection of wedding venues is great however along with choice can come confusion…
Hotel? Castle? Barn? Manor House?
Elegant? Rustique? Big? Small?
City wedding? Rural wedding? Coastal wedding?
Tried & tested name? New venue blazing a trail?
The choices available to you for your wedding venue are endless so I’ve come up with my top picks for your wedding venue in 2021 - 2022!
The Wool Tower
The Real Us - Maria & Michael’s Wool Tower Wedding
My favourite Northern Ireland wedding venue of course has to come up first on this blog post. The Wool Tower has to be one of the most unique wedding venues in Northern Ireland. Located in Broughshane it’s a beautifully restored open plan woollen mill that has it’s own private riverside gardens and accomodation onsite too. Think exposed brick, concrete floors and character by the bucket load, if you are in the hunt for something a little bit different you have to check it out!
Bellingham Castle
The Real Us - Terri & Mark’s Bellingham Castle Wedding
I know I know - I broke the rules. I’m a break the rules type of guy though. Located a hop, skip and jump from Newry Bellingham Castle knocks me out with it’s class and elegance every single time that I get the pleasure of cruising up it’s long drive way. It has the option for stunning outdoor ceremonies (insert coronavirus socially distanced weddings reference here) and photography wise the grounds onsite are second to none. You’d be crazy not to consider it!
Ten Square Belfast
The Real Us - Hannah & Stuart’s Ten Square Wedding
I’m a born and bred Belfast boy so a Belfast City Centre wedding venue was always going to have to feature on this post! The tried and tested combo of a Belfast City Hall ceremony, Cathedral Quarter Portraits and Ten Square Reception is hard to beat! Plus if you can get access to it - the Jaffe Penthouse has the best view in the city.
Lissanoure Castle
The Real Us - Ciara & Ruaidhri’s Lissanoure Castle Wedding
Situated in Loughguile, Co Antrim - Lissanoure Castle really is something quite special. The combination of the 18th century Coach House for wedding ceremonies (or outside in the courtyard in the summer) alongside the Castle Barn for evening festivities is a match made in heaven. The Mackie family also present it’s expansive grounds in pristine condition all year round meaning it is for sure a wedding photographer’s dream venue to shoot in! For Game of Thrones fans a short journey to the Dark Hedges for a few pictures is surely a no brainer too. There is a bedroom onsite for bridal use during the day with the amazing Lime Park Cottages nearby providing a great accomodation option for you/your guests . Book a viewing here and you’ll not be disappointed!
Galgorm Spa & Golf Resort
Galgorm Spa & Golf Resort Website
The Real Us - Roisin & Alan’s Galgorm Wedding
One of the heavyweights of Northern Ireland wedding venues. Many of you reading this will have likely been at the Galgorm for a wedding and it’s not difficult to see why. An absolutely immaculate venue with spotless grounds, a variety of rooms to have your ceremony in and a world class spa to spend your first day as soulmates together. I’m always a happy photographer when a Galgorm wedding booking comes my way!
Leighinmohr House Hotel
The Real Us - Andrea & Matt’s Leighinmohr House Wedding
If you are looking for a more intimate wedding venue in Ballymena the Leighinmohr House Hotel could be the venue for you. It’s one wedding a day policy makes the venue gives you that exclusive feel plus its newly developed riverside gardens make it the complete package as well!
Lough Erne Resort & Spa
The Real Us - Marie-Therese & Philip’s Lough Erne Resort Wedding
If you have your wedding at the 5 Star Lough Erne Resort your wedding photography will for sure feature some absolutely spectacular views of the Fermanagh Lakelands. Any time I’ve been here the hotel staff are only too happy to take you on a tour of the grounds in a golf cart for your wedding photographs, which is great news for all as you’d need hiking boots and would be out all afternoon if you had to walk! It is a colossal wedding venue, with the ability to host weddings of up to 280 people. With the award winning Faldo golf course on site there will be plenty for your guests to do the day before/day after your wedding.
Riverdale Barn
One of my favourite alternative wedding venues! Relaxed, rustic, shabby chic! The Mill Pond and it’s trademark stepping stones is the perfect backdrop for wedding photographs and its courtyard is the perfect place for a summer drinks reception. If you are looking for a wedding venue that stands out from the crowd this could be the one for you!
Newforge Country House
Newforge Country House Website
The Real Us - Ashley & Gareths Newforge Country House Wedding
If you are planning an intimate wedding (30 people or less) and you are looking for a wedding venue that just oozes class and elegance then Newforge Country House is the wedding venue for you! Situated just outside Magheralin it is a family run country house that prides itself on exceptional food and luxurious rooms all provided in the most tranquil of surroundings. I absolutely can’t wait to get back to photography my next wedding there!
Clandeboye Lodge Hotel
The Real Us - Rachel & Patrick’s Clandeboye Hotel Wedding
One of my go-to wedding venues - I’ve shot countless weddings at the Clandebodge Lodge over the past few years and I never tire of making the short trip to Bangor to shoot there. Its wedding coordinators are absolute professionals at what they do whilst it has a wide range of photo opportunities both on site and very close by (check out my couple session with Hayley & Gareth for inspiration - it was just a few minutes away!) make it one of Northern Ireland’s most popular wedding venues!
Limepark
Becca & Tim’s Limepark Wedding
A hidden gem of a wedding venue! Think renovated barn, stone wall, lavish gardens. A wedding venue full of quirk, character and charm. It is situated just a stone’s throw from the iconic Dark Hedges and with award winning cottages onsite, you’ll be guaranteed to party all night long with your nearest and dearest!
Corick House Hotel & Spa
Situated near Clogher in Country Tyrone, Corick’s Victorian walled gardens, manicured lawns and terrace all offer spectacular views of the surrounding countryside & are the ideal location for photographs and summer drinks receptions! I’ve shot a number of weddings here and it’s team have a meticulous eye for detail, with the function rooms always presented perfectly and the food being top class as well. A great choice for your wedding!
I hope that this post will have proved to be of some use to you as you begin your quest to find your perfect wedding venue! If you’d like to learn a little bit more about me and have a further look through my portfolio then please use the links below. Alternatively drop me a message via my contact page and I’ll be in touch ASAP!
PS : once you’ve confirm your wedding date and venue selecting your wedding photographer could well be the next thing to do on your list. To help you know what to look for and what questions to ask I’ve written up a special blog post - check it out and you’ll be guaranteed to book the wedding photographer who is best suited to you and your needs! Wedding Blog Post - Top Tips for Picking the Best Photographer