Top 8 Intimate Wedding Venues | Northern Ireland

The best wedding venues for an intimate or micro wedding in Northern Ireland.

Contents

1. Picking your wedding venue

2. Temple of the Winds, Mount Stewart

3. Newforge House

4. The Ivory Pavillon

5. The Old Rectory, Killyman

6. Drenagh House

7. Finnebrogue House, Downpatrick

8. Beechill

Picking your wedding venue

Selecting your wedding venue is one of the most important wedding planning decisions you make. You want to get it right! Northern Ireland has lots of beautiful wedding venues ranging from rustic barns, to contemporary hotels to old fashioned cinemas. There really is a wedding venue to suit every taste!

There are so many things to consider when looking for your ideal wedding venue;

• Would you prefer an urban, country, coastal or alternative location?

• What sort of atmosphere would you like to create at your wedding?

• Would you like a town hall, rustic barn, luxury hotel, country estate or something totally unique?

• Would you like a blank canvas or a wedding venue packed with character?

• Would you like to have your wedding ceremony & wedding reception at the same venue?

• If you would like to use two venues, are they a good geographical match?

• Do you need a wedding venue with a large capacity to accommodate your generous guest list?

• Would you prefer a wedding venue with a limited capacity to keep your guest list intentionally small?

• Would you like a wedding venue with outdoor options?

• Would you like to be able to stay overnight at the wedding venue?

• Would you prefer a wedding venue that supplies food & wine or prefer to hire in your own catering?

• What's your wedding budget?

The questions above are purely to help get you thinking and open conversations with you fiancé - then comes the fun bit, picking your stunning wedding venue in Northern Ireland!

If you love the idea of an intentionally small wedding I've created a list of my favourite intimate wedding venues in Northern Ireland.

1. Temple of the Winds Mount Stewart

My absolute personal favourite is The Temple of the Winds at Mount Stewart. I might be slightly biased as I got married here!! The building and location are simply stunning. The Temple is hidden away perched high on the edge of the hill with views across Strangford Lough giving a perfect combination of woodland intimacy with a striking coastal backdrop with the Mournes hiding in the distance. The interior doesn't disappoint, from the striking wooden floors, to the spiral staircase to the beautiful chandelier, it is a must see. The Temple can host ceremonies & formal receptions with up to 44 guests. You also get the bonus of being able to have your drinks reception in the formal gardens by the house within the Mount Stewart Estate & the photographic options are endless. It really is a stunning location.

2. Newforge House

Newforge House is a beautiful Georgian Country House set in mature gardens in Armagh. They can host small civil ceremonies for weddings with up to 40 guests & have overnight accommodation for 12 guests. They pride themselves on 'offering bespoke weddings which are designed to meet your individual requirements'. They provide fresh, local & seasonal food all within the comfort & privacy of a beautiful country house.

3. The Ivory Pavillion

Set within the beautiful Walled Gardens of Galgorm Castle The Pavilion provides a stunning & unique venue for weddings. While they have the capacity to host large weddings they also specialise in intimate weddings. Their intimate weddings have a maximum capacity of 40 guests & allow you to chose between a ceremony in their 17th Century Chapel or inside their Drawing Room. They offer a number of all-inclusive wedding packages allowing you to relax & focus on the little details.

4. The Old Rectory Killyman

The Old Rectory is a large county house nestled in the quaint village of Killyman. As you arrive to the property you are treated to a beautiful drive along a treelined path as you pass over an old stone bridge before coming to the lovingly renovated house. The is house is flooded with beautiful light with views across their gardens & the rooms are packed with character & original features. The venue also hosts a beautifully restored stone barn which creates a perfect backdrop for romantic ceremonies & intimate receptions. The Old Rectory gives you the freedom to pick your own catering to suit your individual tastes & budgets. They also have a few rooms allowing a small number of guests to stay after the wedding in the house. The owners are a really lovely couple, really warm & helpful & if you are a dog lover they have a stunning Irish Wolfhound!

5. Drenagh House

Set in rich wooded grounds, Drenagh House is an enchanting location for weddings big or small. They are fully licensed to host civil & religious ceremonies & offer a selection of locations for ceremonies & receptions. Their must see location has to be the stunning Moon Garden which provides a romantic & intimate outdoor location to exchange your vows. Their Georgian House is a popular location for smaller weddings as it has the ability to host your ceremony, dining, entertain & also luxury accommodation for up to 22 guests.

6. Finnebrogue Woods

Finnebrogue Woods offers the perfect alternative woodland wedding venue. If you love the idea of exchanging your wedding vows hidden amongst the trees then you must check out Finnebrogue. What could be more romantic than marrying your best friend in a peaceful, intimate space above their lake and then having a quirky alternative reception in one of their magnificent tipis overlooking the lake.

7. Beech Hill

Beech Hill Country House is set 32 acres of stunning mature grounds with a variety of options for your ceremony & reception. Their standout ceremony location is The Forest. Described as 'Enchanting & Magical' The Forest creates a stunning backdrop for an intimate, rustic outdoor ceremony. After a beautiful outdoor ceremony amongst the trees escape to the comfort of their elegant Skipton Hall for an intimate reception of up to 50 guests. If you have a limitless budget why not book out the Estate for the full weekend & have a weekend to remember with family & friends in their 28 luxury rooms.

If you love the idea of an intentionally small wedding but aren't sure whether it's the right fit for your wedding day, check out my blog Wedding guest list stress! 5 tips to help you plan an intimate wedding.