Venue guide · Castlereagh, near Belfast
La Mon Hotel Weddings
The good bits, the not so good bits and our favourite photo spots, from two photographers who got married there.
Written by Tommy and Laurene Updated
- LocationCastlereagh, near Belfast
- CeremoniesIndoor and outdoor
- StayBedrooms on site
- WeddingsOnly one a day
- Pure Photo N.ILa Mon recommended photographers
Why we know it so well
The venue where we said I do
La Mon is a hotel wedding venue in Castlereagh, just outside Belfast, and it has a special place in our hearts. We got married here ourselves on a roasting hot day in May, with our ceremony outdoors back when that was still quite unusual.
When we started out as wedding photographers, La Mon was top of the list of places we wanted to work. Since then we have probably photographed more weddings here than anywhere else, so we know the building, the team and every good corner for photos. We are also proud to be one of La Mon’s recommended wedding photographers.
Whether you are planning something small or a big party, there is a room to suit, from the bright ceremony room to the ballrooms and the cosier reception areas. Here is everything we would tell a couple thinking about booking it.
A boy from Lisburn and a girl from East Belfast, married at La Mon. We still love coming back.
Pros and cons
The good and the not so good
Every venue has its quirks. Here is our view after more weddings at La Mon than we could count.
What we love about La Mon
- There are plenty of bedrooms on site, so lots of brides stay the night before and get ready at the hotel.
- There is a dedicated ceremony room, so your ceremony and reception can be in one place. You can also get married outdoors.
- The ceremony room is lovely and bright with huge windows, which makes for great ceremony photos.
- The hotel has its own grounds for photos, so there is usually no need to travel anywhere else.
- The food is always great.
- Only one wedding a day, so the day is all yours.
- Bespoke packages, which is rare for a hotel venue.
- It is close to Belfast and easy to get to from the surrounding areas.
Worth knowing before you book
- The ceremony room has brilliant light, but a lot of couples tell us they are not fans of the artwork on the walls.
- The grounds are fairly small, and some photographers find the venue tricky and will suggest going somewhere else for portraits. It has never been a problem for us, because we know where all the best spots are.
- Like most hotels, there are usually other guests about, and now and again they wander into the middle of the wedding party.
Practical details
La Mon at a glance
The practical bits couples always ask us about, taken from La Mon’s own website. Numbers and rooms can change, so check the latest with the La Mon wedding team before you book.
- 15 minsfrom Belfast city centre
- 300free parking spaces on site
- 120bedrooms, with 10 Premier rooms at a reduced rate for your guests
- 60 to 200+guests, from small weddings to big evening parties
41 Gransha Road, Castlereagh, Belfast BT23 5RF
The wedding suites
- CeremoniesThe Riverview SuiteUp to 120guests for your ceremonyA good fit if you are planning a bigger ceremony.
- Ceremonies and wedding mealsThe Craigantlet SuiteUp to 60guests for your ceremony or mealA private space with artwork by Jason Millar and gardens right beside it.
- ReceptionsThe Ballygowan Suite160 / 200guests during the day / in the eveningIts own bar, dancefloor and foyer, with the gardens, gazebo and patio on the doorstep.
The Milford and Gransha suites host weddings too. Ask La Mon for their current guest numbers.
Religious, civil and humanist ceremonies, plus vow renewals. In spring and summer you can also marry outdoors in the gardens or on the private wedding lawn.
For a civil ceremony you book the registrar yourselves through Lisburn Registration Office, as the hotel can’t do this for you.
Details from the La Mon Hotel and Country Club website, checked September 2026.
A recent La Mon wedding
Nina and Jonny
Just like us, Nina and Jonny got married at La Mon on a gloriously sunny day in May. And just like us, it was a boy from Lisburn marrying a girl from East Belfast, so this one felt like a full circle moment. Scroll through the reel, or tap any photo to see their full wedding.
Photo spots
Wedding photography at La Mon Hotel
La Mon doesn't have the big sweeping grounds some venues have, but there are a few small spots that work beautifully once you know where they are. Plenty of them don't look like much at first glance, and with a bit of care they turn into some of our favourite photos of the day.
Straight after the ceremony we usually use the area beside the ceremony room, called the Ballygowan Suite, for your couple portraits and your family and bridal party photos. These are just some of the weddings we have photographed here. Click any photo to see the full day.
Our favourite spot
Saved for the evening light
There is an open area on the right hand side of the main building that we save for later in the day. It gets too much strong sun in the afternoon, but in the evening the light there is gorgeous.
It is also the exact spot where we got married, so it means a lot to us. Every now and again we show our couples a few of our own slightly cringey wedding photos from here and get them to recreate them. It always gets a laugh.
Another option
Fancy a different backdrop? Lady Dixon Park
If you would rather not use the hotel grounds, Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park is the most popular choice for La Mon couples, whether they are getting married at the hotel or just having their reception there. Lady Dixons, as everyone calls it, sits between Lisburn and Belfast. It isn't next door, but it is close enough that the drive is no hassle.
It is best known for its rose gardens, neat lawns and big old trees, and there are loads of different areas to explore. Our own favourite is the meadow that most people don't even realise is there. There is plenty of parking, and the park is big enough that you can always find a quiet corner to yourselves.
You will need permission from Belfast City Council to use the park for wedding photos, so sort that out before the day.
Planning your day
A La Mon wedding day timeline
Every wedding is different, but this is how a La Mon 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 ready at the hotel
- 11.30amThe boys get ready
- 12.15pmFinal touches, and family see the bride
- 12.45pmGuests take their seats
- 1.00pmThe ceremony
- 1.40pmConfetti and congratulations
- 2.00pmCouple portraitsAround the grounds at La Mon. If you would love photos at Lady Dixon Park too, we add extra time for the trip there and back.
- 2.45pmFamily and bridal party photosBeside the ceremony room, in the Ballygowan Suite.
- 3.15pmBack with your guests
- 4.30pmThe speeches
- 5.00pmThe meal
- 7.30pmEvening light photosAt our favourite spot to the right of the main building, the same place we said I do.
- 7.45pmBack to the partyStraight back inside to enjoy the evening with your guests.
- 8.30pmFirst dance
La Mon wedding FAQs
Your La Mon questions, answered
The things couples ask us most about getting married and having photos at La Mon. Anything else, just ask us.
Can we have our ceremony and reception at La Mon?
Yes. La Mon has a dedicated ceremony room, so you can have your ceremony and reception in one place without anyone needing to travel between the two.
Can we get married outdoors at La Mon?
Yes, outdoor ceremonies are an option. We know this one well, because we got married outdoors at La Mon ourselves on a roasting hot day in May.
Can we get ready at the hotel on the morning of the wedding?
You can. There are plenty of bedrooms on site, so lots of brides stay the night before and get ready at the hotel. It makes the morning much more relaxed, and we can start your photos right there.
Is the ceremony room good for photos?
It is lovely and bright with huge windows, which makes for great ceremony photos. The only thing couples sometimes mention is the artwork on the walls, and we are well used to working around it.
Are the grounds at La Mon good enough for wedding photos?
The grounds are fairly small, and some photographers will suggest going elsewhere for portraits. It has never been a problem for us. We have photographed more weddings at La Mon than anywhere else, so we know exactly where the best spots are at each time of day.
Where can we go for photos away from the hotel?
Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park, between Lisburn and Belfast, is the most popular choice for La Mon couples. You will need permission from Belfast City Council to use it for wedding photos, so sort that out before the day.
When is the best light for photos at La Mon?
Straight after the ceremony we use the area beside the ceremony room for couple, family and bridal party photos. We save the open area on the right hand side of the main building for the evening, when the light there is gorgeous.
What wedding photography packages do you offer for La Mon weddings?
You can have us for half day or full day coverage, with or without an album. You can see all the options on our wedding photography prices page. If you need something different, like extra coverage for a second day celebration, get in touch and we will put together a quote.
Getting married at La Mon?
We would love to be there with you
As one of La Mon’s recommended wedding photographers, we have lots of options for weddings here. 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 La Mon Hotel wedding photographer page.
- We got married hereA roasting hot day in May, outdoors, right in our favourite evening spot
- Our most photographed venueWe have shot more weddings here than anywhere else, so we know every good corner in any weather and any light
- A La Mon recommended photographerWe know the team and how the day runs here
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