Venue guide · Cave Hill, Belfast
Belfast Castle weddings
The advantages and disadvantages, from the photographers who have shot there.
Written by Tommy and Laurene · Updated October 2026
- LocationAntrim Road, Belfast
- StyleHistoric castle on Cave Hill
- CeremonyCivil, religious or civil partnership
- ReceptionChichester Room, up to 160
- Weddings per dayOne
About the venue
A Victorian castle above the city
Belfast Castle is a historic castle on the slopes of Cave Hill on the Antrim Road, built by the Donegall family in 1870 and run today by Belfast City Council. It has views over Belfast Lough and the city, landscaped gardens and several wedding rooms. The Donegall, Ashley and Fisherwick rooms are licensed for ceremonies, and the Chichester Room is the main ballroom for the reception.
We have photographed weddings at Belfast Castle, so this guide is about what we have seen on real days. It covers the good, the not so good and where to go for photos. If you are still choosing a photographer, our wedding photographer in Belfast page shows how we work and what is included.
One wedding a day, so the whole ground floor is yours.
Honest view
The advantages and disadvantages of Belfast Castle
Every venue has good points and things to plan around. This is what we have noticed from photographing weddings at the castle.
Advantages
- Only one wedding takes place each day on the ground floor, which is booked just for you. That means more privacy and a team that can focus on your day.
- It is a real castle, built in 1870, with a grand staircase for the bridal party, a red carpet on arrival and views over Belfast Lough and the city. It looks special in photographs before we have even started.
- There is a ceremony room for every size of group. The Fisherwick Room takes 30, the Ashley Room 50 and the Donegall Room 80, so it works for an intimate day or a bigger one.
- The Chichester Room is a proper ballroom for the reception, with seating for up to 160 at dinner and direct access to the gardens by the original Italian serpentine staircase.
- The package includes the whole ground floor, a bridal refreshment room and the landscaped gardens, and the Deerpark room is there for your evening guests. Catering is handled by the castle's in house provider.
- You are on Cave Hill, close to the city. The gardens, the staircase and the views give us plenty of variety for photographs without leaving the grounds.
Disadvantages
- Only the Donegall, Ashley and Fisherwick rooms are licensed for ceremonies, and the biggest takes 80. If you are inviting a larger group, plan how guests will be seated, and note that the Chichester Room is for the reception only.
- On a Friday or Saturday there is a minimum guest number of 80, so it is not the right fit for the smallest weddings on those days.
- Cave Hill weather can change quickly, so it helps to have a wet weather plan for the gardens. We always plan for this with you.
At a glance
Belfast Castle at a glance
The quick facts couples ask us about most, taken from Belfast City Council's castle pages so they match what you will be told.
- 160guests at dinner in the Chichester Room, the main ballroom
- 3licensed ceremony rooms, from 30 to 80 guests
- 1pmceremony time, with the reception following
- 1wedding a day, so the ground floor is yours
Belfast Castle, Antrim Road, Belfast, BT15 5GR
The spaces
- Intimate ceremoniesThe Fisherwick RoomUp to 30guestsLicensed for ceremonies, with views over the city and the gardens. It also works for reception arrival drinks.
- CeremoniesThe Ashley RoomUp to 50guests, or 40 at dinnerA first floor room with warm traditional décor and views over the cat garden, licensed for ceremonies and receptions.
- Larger ceremoniesThe Donegall RoomUp to 80guests, or 50 at dinnerOn the ground floor beside the grand staircase, with a view over the garden and fountain. Licensed for ceremonies.
- ReceptionThe Chichester RoomUp to 160guests at dinnerThe main ballroom, with views over Belfast Lough and direct access to the gardens by the Italian serpentine staircase. Not licensed for ceremonies.
Thinking about photography? See our wedding photographer in Belfast page, or our wedding photography prices.
The castle is licensed for religious ceremonies, civil marriages and civil partnerships. Ceremonies take place at 1pm, in the Donegall, Ashley or Fisherwick room. The Chichester Room is the reception and the Deerpark room is for the evening.
The entire ground floor, a red carpet on arrival, a bridal refreshment room, a public address system for speeches and toasts, and the landscaped gardens for photography. Catering is by the castle's in house provider. The Ben Madigan Room, on the first floor, takes 60 for a reception.
Source: the Belfast Castle website, checked October 2026. Numbers can change, so always check with the venue before you book.
Photography
Belfast Castle wedding photography
We have photographed weddings at Belfast Castle and we know how the day flows through the rooms, the staircases and the gardens. We plan around the light, the weather and your timings, and choose the spots that suit your day best. You can find out more on our wedding photographer in Belfast page.
That way your gallery tells the whole story, from getting ready to the last dance.
Photo locations
Places to explore
With the ground floor booked for just your wedding, we can take our time and move between the rooms, the staircases and the gardens as the light changes.
These are the places we use most, and we are always happy to talk them through with you before the day.
The grand staircase
The grand staircase is the elegant entrance for the bridal party, and it makes a classic frame for a first look, an arrival or a few quiet portraits of the two of you.
The gardens and fountain
The landscaped gardens, the fountain and the famous cat garden give us greenery and space to work with, just outside the ground floor rooms.
The Italian serpentine staircase
The original Italian serpentine staircase leads from the Chichester Room down to the gardens, so it is a natural way to bring the party outside and gives us a lovely backdrop.
Views over Belfast Lough
From the castle's slopes on Cave Hill we can use the view over Belfast Lough and the city, and the soft light of the evening, for relaxed portraits.
Real weddings
Weddings at Belfast Castle
A few couples we have photographed here. Tap a photo to read the full story.
Planning your day
A Belfast Castle wedding day timeline
Every wedding is different, but this is how a Belfast Castle day with a 1pm ceremony might run. The staircases and gardens are all on site, so we can build in time for portraits without anyone feeling rushed.
Daylight moves a lot through the year in Northern Ireland, and it is shorter in autumn and winter, so for those dates we plan the portraits earlier. It is worth talking the timings through with us before the day.
- 9.30amGetting readyWherever you are getting ready, at home or at a hotel nearby.
- 11.30amThe boys get ready
- 12.15pmFinal touches, and family see the bride
- 12.45pmGuests take their seatsIn the ceremony room you have chosen.
- 1.00pmThe ceremonyIn the Donegall, Ashley or Fisherwick room, depending on your guest numbers.
- 1.40pmConfetti and congratulations
- 2.00pmFamily and bridal party photosIn the gardens or by the staircases, close to your guests.
- 2.30pmCouple portraitsOn the staircases, in the gardens and with the view over Belfast Lough.
- 3.15pmBack with your guestsDrinks and relaxed time before the meal.
- 4.00pmThe meal and speechesIn the Chichester Room.
- 7.30pmEvening photosA few relaxed photographs with your guests as the evening party gets going.
- 8.30pmFirst dance
Questions
Belfast Castle wedding FAQ
The questions couples ask us most about getting married at the castle. If yours is not covered, send us a message.
Where is Belfast Castle?
Belfast Castle is on the Antrim Road in north Belfast, BT15 5GR, on the slopes of Cave Hill. It overlooks the city and Belfast Lough and is run by Belfast City Council.
How many guests can Belfast Castle host?
The Chichester Room, the main ballroom, seats up to 160 at dinner. The ceremony rooms are smaller. The Donegall Room takes 80 theatre style or 50 at dinner, the Ashley Room 50 theatre style or 40 at dinner, and the Fisherwick Room 30. The Ben Madigan Room takes 60 for a reception. Numbers can change, so always check the current figures with the castle when you enquire.
Is there more than one wedding a day?
No. The ground floor package is booked for a single wedding, so the whole ground floor is yours for the day. That makes things easier for us as photographers too, because we do not have to work around another wedding party.
Can we have our ceremony at Belfast Castle?
Yes. The castle is licensed for religious ceremonies, civil marriages and civil partnerships. The Donegall, Ashley and Fisherwick rooms are the licensed ceremony rooms. The Chichester Room and the Ben Madigan Room are not licensed for ceremonies, so they are used for the reception.
What times can we have the ceremony and the reception?
Ceremony times and hire hours depend on the type of booking and the day of the week, so ask the castle for what is available on your date. We plan the photography around whatever times you choose.
Can we marry somewhere else and have just the reception here?
Yes, and it is a popular choice. We photographed Maria and Sean, who married in a church in Newtownabbey and then celebrated with their reception at Belfast Castle.
Where are the best spots for photos at Belfast Castle?
Our favourites are the grand staircase, the gardens and fountain, the original Italian serpentine staircase and the views over Belfast Lough. They are all on site, so we can move between them without losing time with your guests.
What is included in the castle's wedding package?
The council lists the use of the entire ground floor, a red carpet on arrival, a bridal refreshment room, matching menu and place cards, a personalised table plan, a public address system for speeches and toasts, and the landscaped gardens. Catering is by the castle's in house provider. Packages change, so ask the castle for the current details.
Can we visit before we book?
The best way to arrange a visit is to contact the Belfast Castle wedding team through the Belfast City Council website. They can talk you through the rooms and the dates available.
How much does a Belfast Castle 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. For more on how we work, see our wedding photographer in Belfast page.
Getting married at Belfast Castle?
We would love to be there with you
We have photographed weddings at Belfast Castle and loved the setting on Cave Hill. You can have us for half day or full day coverage, with or without an album. If you need something a bit different, like extra coverage for a second day celebration, get in touch and we will put together a quote.
For more on what it is like having us photograph your day, have a look at our wedding photographer in Belfast page, or read about Ciara and Robert’s day.
- Weddings photographed hereWe know how the day flows through the rooms, the staircases and the gardens
- 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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