Venue guide · Ballymena, Co. Antrim
Galgorm weddings
The advantages and disadvantages, from the photographers who have shot there many times.
Written by Tommy and Laurene · Updated October 2026
- LocationBallymena, Co. Antrim
- StyleRiverside resort and spa
- GuestsUp to 300
- CeremonyPhantom House or Ghost House
- Reception roomsThree suites
About the venue
A riverside resort beside the River Maine
Galgorm Resort is a wedding venue in Ballymena, set in 163 acres of parkland on the banks of the River Maine. Couples can choose between two ceremony rooms in the grounds, the Phantom House and the Ghost House, and three reception suites: the Four Seasons Suite, the Renaissance Suite and the Great Hall. There is also a spa with a thermal village, and plenty of places to stay.
We have photographed many weddings here as a Galgorm wedding photographer, and the mix of woodland, river and waterfalls gives us a lot to work with in every season. This guide covers the good, the not so good and the best places for photos, from what we have seen on real days.
Woodland, river and waterfalls, right on the doorstep.
Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life, and choosing the right venue is key to making it a truly unforgettable experience. Located in the heart of County Antrim, in Ballymena Northern Ireland, Galgorm Resort and Spa is a dream destination for couples looking to tie the knot in style. So what makes Galgorm Weddings so special? Why should it be at the top of your list when searching for the perfect wedding venue?
From the moment you arrive at Galgorm Resort and Spa, you’ll be transported to a world of enchantment and beauty. Set amidst 163 acres of lush parkland, the resort boasts stunning views of the River Maine, as well as a wealth of natural beauty and wildlife. The gardens at Galgorm are meticulously maintained and offer a perfect backdrop for wedding photography.
The resort offers a variety of settings for your wedding ceremony and reception, including the iconic Great Hall, the Renaissance Suite, and the four seasons suite, which is ideal for smaller, more intimate weddings. There is also a great choice on were to have your ceremony with the phantom house now being a very popular option for those want a more rustic ceremony.
In addition to its stunning natural beauty, Galgorm Resort and Spa offers luxurious accommodations for you and your guests. From deluxe guest rooms to opulent suites, the resort has a range of options to suit every taste and budget. Each room is elegantly decorated and comes equipped with all the modern amenities you would expect from a five-star hotel.
No wedding would be complete without a sumptuous feast to celebrate the occasion, and Galgorm Resort and Spa does not disappoint in this regard. The resort’s award-winning culinary team is renowned for its imaginative and innovative menus, which use the freshest, locally-sourced ingredients to create dishes that are as delicious as they are beautiful.
From canapes to desserts, every aspect of your wedding banquet will be expertly crafted to reflect your personal taste and style. The resort’s extensive wine list offers the perfect complement to your meal, with a range of international and local wines to choose from.
In addition to its stunning setting, luxurious accommodations, and exceptional dining, Galgorm Resort and Spa offers a range of amenities to help you and your guests relax and unwind before and after the wedding.
The resort’s award-winning spa is a true haven of tranquility, offering a range of treatments and therapies to help you look and feel your best on your big day. The thermal village, with its range of hot tubs, saunas, and plunge pools, is the perfect place to soothe your nerves and let your cares slip away.
For those who prefer a more active approach to relaxation, the resort offers a range of outdoor activities, including fishing, golf, and archery.
Whether you’re looking for a traditional ceremony or something more modern and unconventional, the resort’s team of experts will help you to create a wedding that is truly unforgettable.
Galgorm wedding photographer
Your wedding day is one of the most special and memorable days of your life. It is a day filled with love, joy, and happiness, and it is only natural that you would want to capture every moment of it. That is where we come in, as a Galgorm wedding photographer we specialise in documenting your special day and turning it into a beautiful story that you will cherish forever.
Honest view
The advantages and disadvantages of Galgorm
Every venue has good points and things to plan around. This is what we have noticed across the many weddings we have photographed here.
Advantages
- Two ceremony rooms in the grounds, the Phantom House beside the river and the Ghost House in the garden, both with stonework, candlelight and a fire.
- Three reception suites to choose from, so you can match the room to your guest list, from 40 guests in the Four Seasons Suite to up to 300 in the Great Hall.
- You can stay on site. Guests can choose from hotel rooms and lodges, and the spa with its thermal village is there to enjoy before or after the day.
- The setting gives us a lot to work with: woodland, the River Maine, waterfalls and a walled garden, all in one place.
- Dedicated wedding planners look after the day with you.
- There are packages for most plans, including winter weddings, short notice weddings and elopements.
Disadvantages
- Several weddings can take place at Galgorm on the same day, so the grounds and the best photo spots can be busy. We plan our timings around this.
- The two ceremony rooms hold up to 100 guests, so a larger guest list needs a different plan for the ceremony. Ask the venue early.
- Each ceremony room has a hire fee listed on the venue's website, so check what is included in your package.
- Most packages have a minimum number of guests, from 40, so very small weddings are better suited to the elopement or micro options.
- Winter days are short, so portraits have to be planned earlier in the day to make the most of the light.
At a glance
Galgorm at a glance
The quick facts couples ask us about most, taken from the venue's own wedding information so they match what you will be told.
- 100guests in the Phantom House or the Ghost House for your ceremony
- 300guests at most in the Great Hall, the biggest of the three suites
- 3reception suites, from 40 guests upwards
- 163acres of parkland, 30 minutes from Belfast
Galgorm Resort, Ballymena, Co. Antrim, BT42 1EA
The spaces
- CeremonyThe Phantom HouseUp to 100guestsA riverside ceremony room with traditional stonework, an Aga fire and a private balcony overlooking the River Maine, with woodland and waterfalls behind it.
- CeremonyThe Ghost HouseUp to 100guestsA candlelit ceremony room in the resort grounds, with stonework, elegant drapes and a wood burning stove.
- ReceptionThe Four Seasons Suite40 to 100guestsIn the main hotel, with a drinks lounge, a crystal glass ceiling with changing lighting, floor to ceiling windows and a private walled garden.
- ReceptionThe Renaissance Suite80 to 152guests, 184 using the boothsOn the first floor, with a glazed wall over the River Maine, a champagne bar, a private terrace with an open fire and an Art Deco feel.
- ReceptionThe Great Hall80 to 300guestsOn the ground floor, with parquet flooring, oak doors, a feature bar, a waterfall backdrop behind the top table and a fireplace.
Thinking about photography costs? See our Galgorm wedding photography prices.
Galgorm offers packages for different plans: With Love from 40 guests, Forever Yours, Ever After from 70 guests, winter weddings from 60 guests between November and February, Whirlwind weddings from 40 guests, and elopements at the Ghost House. Ask the venue for current prices and dates.
You can stay on site. There are hotel rooms and suites, and lodges including shepherd's huts, log cabins, cottage suites and forest dens, and the spa has a thermal village. Wedding packages include a stay for the couple and a selection of guest bedrooms at a wedding rate, subject to availability.
Source: the Galgorm Resort wedding information, checked October 2026. Prices and numbers can change, so always check with the venue before you book.
Photography
Galgorm wedding photography
The grounds at Galgorm give us a lot to work with. The River Maine, the woodland and the gardens are all close together, so we can make portraits in very different settings without going far. We often use the riverside for the couple, and the gardens and paths for family and bridal party photos.
Because other weddings can be taking place at the same time, we plan where we go and when. For the ceremony, the Phantom House and the Ghost House are small, candlelit rooms, so we work quietly and let the moment happen.
Real weddings
Weddings at Galgorm
We have photographed lots of weddings here. Tap a photo to read the full story.
Rachel + Stephen
Charlotte + Timothy
Sharon + Dan
Lauren + George
Planning your day
A Galgorm wedding day timeline
Every wedding is different, but this is how a Galgorm day with a 1pm ceremony might run. It gives you time for photos without anyone feeling rushed. Your own timings will depend on your ceremony time, your suite and your guest numbers, and we will plan them with you.
The evening light is very different depending on the time of year. It can fade as early as late afternoon in midwinter and last until well after 9pm in midsummer, so we plan your evening photos around your date.
- 9.30amGetting ready
- 11.30amThe boys get ready
- 12.15pmFinal touches, and family see the bride
- 12.45pmGuests take their seats
- 1.00pmThe ceremonyIn the Phantom House or the Ghost House.
- 1.40pmConfetti and congratulations
- 2.00pmCouple portraitsAlong the river and through the grounds, while your guests enjoy their drinks reception.
- 2.45pmFamily and bridal party photosIn the gardens and around the resort.
- 3.15pmBack with your guestsTime to relax with a drink before the meal.
- 4.30pmThe meal and speechesIn your chosen suite.
- 7.30pmEvening photosJust the two of you, when the light is at its best. How early or late this is changes a lot through the year, so we plan it around your date.
- 7.45pmBack to the partyStraight back inside to enjoy the evening with your guests.
- 8.30pmFirst dance
Questions
Galgorm wedding FAQ
The questions couples ask us most about getting married here. If yours is not covered, send us a message.
Where are ceremonies held at Galgorm?
Galgorm has two ceremony rooms in the grounds. The Phantom House sits beside the River Maine, with woodland and waterfalls behind it, and the Ghost House is a candlelit room in the resort gardens. Both have traditional stonework and a fire.
How many guests can the ceremony rooms hold?
The Phantom House and the Ghost House each hold up to 100 guests. If your guest list is larger, ask the venue early about your options for the ceremony.
How many guests can the reception suites hold?
There are three suites. The Four Seasons Suite holds 40 to 100 guests, the Renaissance Suite holds 80 to 152 guests, or 184 using the booths, and the Great Hall holds 80 to 300 guests.
Can more than one wedding take place on the same day?
Yes, Galgorm can host several weddings on the same day. We plan where we take your photos and when, so your portraits feel relaxed and private.
Is there accommodation at Galgorm?
Yes. There are hotel rooms and suites, and lodges including shepherd's huts, log cabins, cottage suites and forest dens. The resort also has a spa with a thermal village. The wedding packages include a stay for the couple and a selection of guest bedrooms at a wedding rate, subject to availability.
Where can we take couple portraits?
The grounds give us the River Maine, woodland and gardens close together, so we can make portraits in different settings without going far. We plan the locations with you on the day, depending on the weather and what else is happening at the resort.
What wedding packages does Galgorm offer?
Galgorm offers With Love from 40 guests, Forever Yours, Ever After from 70 guests, winter weddings, Whirlwind weddings and elopements. Prices and dates change, so ask the venue for the current details.
Can we have a winter wedding at Galgorm?
Yes. The venue offers winter weddings between November and February on selected dates, with a minimum of 60 guests. Winter days are short, so we plan your portraits earlier in the day.
Can we elope at Galgorm?
Yes. Galgorm offers elopements with the ceremony in the Ghost House and a romantic overnight stay with champagne and dinner for two. We also photograph elopements across Northern Ireland.
How long should we book a Galgorm wedding photographer for?
We offer half day and full day coverage. Full day coverage lets us photograph everything from the preparations to the first dance, and half day coverage suits a shorter day. You can see the details on our pricing page, or read more on our Galgorm wedding photographer page.
Getting married at Galgorm?
We would love to be there with you
We have photographed lots of weddings at Galgorm, in every season, from winter days to long summer days. 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 here, have a look at our Galgorm wedding photographer page.
- Photographed here many timesFrom the ceremony rooms to the river and the gardens, we know where the best photos are
- 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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