Venue guide · Stoneyford, Lisburn
The Ballymac Hotel weddings
What to know before you book, from wedding photographers who know the area.
Written by Tommy and Laurene · Updated October 2026
- LocationStoneyford, Lisburn
- CeremonyOn site, civil
- Wedding mealUp to 180 guests
- EveningUp to 280 guests
- From BelfastAbout 10 minutes
About the venue
A family run hotel in the Lisburn countryside
The Ballymac Hotel is a family run hotel and wedding venue at Stoneyford, in the hills outside Lisburn in Co. Antrim. It is about 10 minutes from Belfast city centre and Belfast International Airport, with quick access to the M1.
The ceremony, wedding meal and evening party can all happen under one roof. The hotel is licensed for civil ceremonies, the Budore Suite seats up to 180 for dinner with room for another 100 in the evening, and the Westbury Suite suits a smaller day of 22 to 45 guests. There are landscaped gardens, ensuite bedrooms and on site parking.
We have photographed weddings here, so this guide is written from a photographer's point of view, with the venue's space and light in mind. We are local Northern Ireland wedding photographers from Lisburn. If you are planning a wedding near Lisburn, our wedding photographer in Lisburn page has more on how we work.
Everything in one place, and the countryside right outside the door.
Honest view
The advantages and disadvantages of The Ballymac Hotel
Every venue has good points and things to plan around. This is what we know from photographing here and from the venue details we have found.
Advantages
- The ceremony, wedding meal and evening party can all happen in one place, which keeps the day relaxed.
- One wedding a day, so the hotel is yours and there are no other parties around.
- The Budore Suite seats up to 180 for dinner, with room for another 100 in the evening.
- The Westbury Suite suits a smaller wedding of 22 to 45 guests.
- Ensuite bedrooms on site, a bridal suite and a complimentary overnight stay for the couple.
- About 10 minutes from Belfast city centre and Belfast International Airport, with on site parking.
Disadvantages
- It is a small hotel, so the bedrooms will not cover a large guest list and some guests will need to stay elsewhere.
- The wedding meal is limited to 180 guests.
- The setting is rural, so plan transport for guests staying off site.
- The hotel has one small area for photographs outside, so we plan portraits with you in advance.
At a glance
The Ballymac Hotel at a glance
The quick facts couples ask us about most, taken from the venue details published online. Please confirm the figures with the venue when you enquire.
- 180guests for the wedding meal
- 280guests for the evening reception
- 1wedding a day, with the hotel to yourselves
- 10minutes from Belfast city centre
7A Rock Road, Stoneyford, Lisburn, Co. Antrim, BT28 3SU.
The two wedding spaces
- Larger weddingsBudore SuiteUp to 180guests for the wedding mealSeats up to 180 for dinner, with room for another 100 guests in the evening.
- Smaller daysWestbury Suite22 to 45guestsSuits a smaller wedding, for the ceremony and the reception.
The hotel is licensed for civil ceremonies. The Lennon Room and the Budore Suite can be combined for the ceremony and the evening party.
Ensuite bedrooms on site, including a bridal suite with a complimentary overnight stay for the couple.
Details published on Bridebook. Capacities and room numbers can change, so always check with the venue.
Photography
The Ballymac Hotel wedding photography
The Ballymac has landscaped gardens, countryside views across the hills and a lot of character inside, so you are well looked after for portraits close to the hotel.
The hotel has one small area outside for photographs, so we like to plan ahead. For a wider choice of backdrops, we often take couples to Lisburn Castle Gardens, a beautiful setting a short drive away with old stone arches, steps, a fountain and mature trees.
Photos taken at Lisburn Castle Gardens, a favourite portrait location for couples marrying at the Ballymac.
- Lisburn Castle Gardens
Stone arches, steps, a fountain and shady trees, all in one place and only a short drive from the hotel.
- Gardens and hills at the hotel
Landscaped gardens and open countryside views for quick, relaxed portraits without leaving your guests for long.
- Everything under one roof
With the ceremony, meal and evening party in one building, the day flows easily, and there is always an indoor option if the weather turns.
We are a husband and wife team based in Lisburn, and we have photographed weddings at the Ballymac. See how we work on our Lisburn wedding photographer page.
Planning your day
A Ballymac Hotel wedding day timeline
Every wedding is different, but this is how a Ballymac Hotel day with a 1pm ceremony might run. It gives you plenty of time for photos without anyone feeling rushed, and still gets you back with your guests for the afternoon.
Golden hour moves a lot through the year in Northern Ireland, so we plan your evening light photos around your date.
- 9.30amGetting readyIf you are staying over, the bridal suite is a lovely place to get ready.
- 11.30amThe boys get ready
- 12.15pmFinal touches, and family see the bride
- 12.45pmGuests take their seats
- 1.00pmThe ceremonyHeld on site at the hotel, so there is no travel, and we will adjust the rest of the day to fit your plans.
- 1.40pmConfetti and congratulations
- 2.00pmCouple portraitsIn the hotel gardens with the hills behind you. If you would like photos at Lisburn Castle Gardens, allow extra time for the short drive.
- 2.45pmFamily and bridal party photos
- 3.15pmBack with your guestsDrinks with your guests, with the gardens to spread out in when the weather is kind.
- 4.30pmThe speeches
- 5.00pmThe meal
- 7.30pmEvening light photosA short walk in the hotel gardens while the light is soft.
- 7.45pmBack to the partyStraight back inside to enjoy the evening with your guests.
- 8.30pmFirst dance
Planning tips for the Ballymac
- Share your timeline with the hotel
The Ballymac has an in house wedding coordinator and a Master of Ceremonies, so send them your timings early. We will fit our photographs around the plan they are running.
- Plan the Castle Gardens trip for drinks time
If you would like portraits at Lisburn Castle Gardens, the best slot is while your guests are enjoying drinks. Allow around an hour including the drive, and let the hotel know you are heading out so no one waits on you.
- Having a smaller wedding in the Westbury Suite
With 22 to 45 guests the day can run shorter. You may not need the full afternoon for photographs, and our micro wedding packages could be a good fit.
Questions
The Ballymac Hotel wedding FAQ
The questions couples ask us most about getting married here. If yours is not covered, send us a message.
Where is The Ballymac Hotel?
The Ballymac Hotel is at 7A Rock Road, Stoneyford, in the hills outside Lisburn in Co. Antrim. It is about 10 minutes from Belfast city centre and Belfast International Airport, with quick access to the M1.
Can we have the ceremony at the hotel?
Yes. The hotel is licensed for civil ceremonies, so the ceremony, wedding meal and evening party can all happen in one place. The Lennon Room and the Budore Suite can be combined for the ceremony and the evening party. Please confirm the options for your date with the venue.
How many guests can the Ballymac hold?
The Budore Suite seats up to 180 guests for the wedding meal, with room for another 100 in the evening. The Westbury Suite suits a smaller wedding of 22 to 45 guests. Please confirm current numbers with the venue.
Will there be other weddings on the same day?
No. The hotel hosts one wedding a day, so you have the venue to yourselves, and that helps us a lot with space and timings for photographs.
Can guests stay overnight?
Yes. There are ensuite bedrooms on site, including a bridal suite with a complimentary overnight stay for the couple. As it is a small hotel, a larger guest list will need some guests to stay nearby.
Where can we take couple portraits?
The hotel has landscaped gardens and countryside views, with one small area outside for photographs. For more variety, many couples add a trip to Lisburn Castle Gardens, which has stone arches, steps, a fountain and mature trees, a short drive away. We plan the timings with you in advance.
What if it rains on our wedding day?
With the ceremony, meal and party under one roof, you are never far from shelter. We plan a wet weather option with every couple and talk it through before the day, and rain can give some of the most atmospheric photographs.
How much does a Ballymac Hotel wedding photographer cost?
You can see our packages and prices on our pricing page. We keep the details there so they stay up to date.
Have you photographed weddings at the Ballymac?
Yes. You can see how we work, and some of our other Lisburn area weddings, on our wedding photographer Lisburn page.
Getting married at The Ballymac Hotel?
We would love to be there with you
We have photographed weddings at The Ballymac Hotel, and we would love to photograph yours. With the ceremony, meal and evening party all under one roof, we can follow the whole day without anyone rushing between venues. Choose half day or full day coverage, with or without an album, and if you would like portraits at Lisburn Castle Gardens, we will plan the time for it.
For more on what it is like having us photograph your day, have a look at our wedding photographer Lisburn page.
- Based in LisburnStoneyford is a short drive from home, so we know the roads and the light
- Two photographersTommy and Laurene, a husband and wife team, photographing weddings since 2014
- Made for your dayDocumentary first, with relaxed portraits, so the day feels like you
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