Venue guide · Ballymena, Co. Antrim
Leighinmohr Hotel 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
- StyleBoutique hotel
- Guests60 to 250
- CeremonyBallroom or the new Garden Room
- Weddings per dayOne
About the venue
A boutique hotel with over sixty years of weddings
The Leighinmohr House Hotel is a boutique style hotel and wedding venue in Ballymena. It has been hosting wedding receptions for over sixty years, and it is licensed for marriage and civil partnership ceremonies. The newly refurbished ballroom welcomes weddings of between 60 and 250 guests.
The newest addition is the Garden Room, a dedicated ceremony space, so couples can now marry at the hotel in a room created for it. We have photographed many weddings here as a Leighinmohr Hotel wedding photographer. This guide covers the good, the not so good and the best places for photos, from what we have seen on real days.
A strict one wedding a day policy, so the hotel is yours.
Honest view
The advantages and disadvantages of the Leighinmohr Hotel
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
- Being a hotel wedding venue, there is accommodation on site. The wedding packages include the bridal suite for the wedding night and two complimentary bedrooms, with reduced rates for your guests.
- The ballroom used for the reception has been recently renovated and looks great now.
- The new Garden Room is a dedicated ceremony space, so you can marry at the hotel in a room created for it.
- The hotel has a small garden area which is suitable for group photos with family and friends.
- The prices are clear and per person, with peak and off peak options, so it is easy to plan your budget.
- There is a strict one wedding a day policy, so you do not have to worry about multiple weddings taking place on your big day.
- Any time we have been here photographing a wedding the staff have been experienced at hosting weddings, and friendly.
- The dancefloor is huge, and the hotel has a reputation for providing good quality wedding food.
Disadvantages
- Being based in Ballymena, the location may not suit every couple.
- Some couples might prefer a more personalised wedding day, and the hotel's set wedding packages may not suit what they are looking for.
- Photo opportunities at the hotel are a bit limited if you are planning on not going elsewhere. The garden is small, so we often suggest another location for your portraits.
- Fridays and Saturdays from April to October are peak dates and cost more per person than off peak dates.
The Leighinmohr Hotel is a very popular wedding venue and we have photographed many weddings here. Leighinmohr House is a boutique style hotel and wedding venue in Ballymena. They operate a strict one wedding per day policy, so you will have the place mostly to yourself on your wedding day excluding any hotel residents.
The newly refurbished ballroom can cater for weddings of up to 250 guests. They also have a smaller function suite for smaller weddings. The Leighinmohr Hotel is also a licensed venue for marriage and civil partnership ceremonies. The Leighinmohr Hotel has been hosting wedding receptions for over sixty years. They also have some exciting plans ahead for 2025 with the addition of a new dedicated wedding area called The Garden Room.
At a glance
The Leighinmohr Hotel 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.
- 250guests at most in the ballroom, which welcomes weddings from 60 guests
- 1wedding a day, a strict policy, so the hotel is yours
- 60+years of hosting wedding receptions
- £59.95 to £84.95per person with A Day To Remember between 2026 and 2028, peak and off peak
Leighinmohr Avenue, Ballymena, Co. Antrim, BT42 2AN
The spaces
- Ceremony and receptionThe Ballroom60 to 250guestsNewly refurbished, with a huge dancefloor. It is used for the reception, and the hotel is licensed for marriage and civil partnership ceremonies.
- CeremonyThe Garden RoomNewdedicated ceremony spaceThe newest part of the hotel, created as a dedicated place to hold your ceremony. It is a bright room with a chandelier and a parquet floor. Ask the venue for the latest details.
- Smaller weddingsThe function suiteIntimateweddingsA smaller function suite for intimate weddings, for couples who want something more personal.
Thinking about photography costs? See our Leighinmohr Hotel wedding photography prices.
There are two packages. A Day To Remember is £59.95 to £74.95 per person in 2026, rising to £69.95 to £84.95 in 2028, with peak prices on Fridays and Saturdays from April to October. The Whirlwind is £44.95 per person for at least 80 adult guests, on dates within six months of booking and selected dates in winter. Both include a four course meal, welcome drinks, wine, a master of ceremonies and use of the lounge, gardens and conservatory.
As a hotel, you can stay on site. Both packages include the bridal suite for the wedding night, two complimentary bedrooms and reduced rates for your guests, with free parking.
Source: the Leighinmohr House Hotel wedding packages, checked October 2026. Prices and numbers can change, so always check with the venue before you book.
Photography
Leighinmohr Hotel wedding photography
The hotel has a small garden that can be used for wedding photography. We find this space best used for group photos with family and friends, but we have also used it for portraits of the couple when they preferred not to go to another location.
The garden is quite small, so there are not many interesting elements to work with, and a large rusty pipe runs along one side, which means we cannot shoot in that direction. We will always work around what you prefer, but if you choose the Leighinmohr Hotel, our advice is to pick another location for your portraits so you make the most of your time with us. If you choose the new Garden Room for your ceremony, tell us and we will plan your day around it.
Photo location
Antrim Castle Gardens
There are lots of wedding venues in the Antrim and Ballymena area, and Antrim Castle Gardens is a popular choice for couples getting married here. With its landscapes, historic charm and carefully kept gardens, it gives couples a wide range of backdrops. The parterre garden has a symmetrical design, and there are reflection ponds surrounded by greenery, ancient trees and charming architecture, so every corner offers something to photograph.
You need permission from the staff at Antrim Castle to have your photographs taken here, and it needs to be arranged in advance.
Another photo location
The garden across the road
This is not literally a garden across the road from the hotel. It is a private garden in the Shankbridge Road area of Ballymena that can be hired as a photo location. It is owned by local wedding celebrant Dorothy Lines, and it is very natural, with a small lake, some woodland and lots of wild flowers. It is a very popular choice, so book well in advance by contacting Dorothy direct.
Real weddings
Weddings at the Leighinmohr Hotel
We have photographed lots of weddings here. Tap a photo to read the full story.
Planning your day
A Leighinmohr Hotel wedding day timeline
Every wedding is different, but this is how a Leighinmohr Hotel day with a 1pm ceremony might run. It gives you time for photos without anyone feeling rushed. Because the hotel garden is small, we suggest couple portraits at another location, so we build the travel into the timings.
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 portraits 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 ballroom or the new Garden Room.
- 1.40pmConfetti and congratulations
- 2.00pmCouple portraitsAt another location, such as Antrim Castle Gardens or the private garden, which both need to be booked in advance. Your guests enjoy their drinks reception at the hotel.
- 3.00pmFamily and bridal party photosIn the hotel garden.
- 3.30pmBack with your guestsTime to relax with a drink before the meal.
- 4.30pmThe meal and speeches
- 7.30pmEvening portraitsJust the two of you, at the hotel, 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 danceThen the dancefloor is all yours.
Questions
Leighinmohr Hotel 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 the Leighinmohr Hotel?
The hotel is licensed for marriage and civil partnership ceremonies. You can marry in the ballroom, or in the new Garden Room, a dedicated ceremony space.
What is the Garden Room?
The Garden Room is the newest part of the hotel and has been created as a dedicated place to hold your ceremony. It is a bright room with a chandelier and a parquet floor. Ask the venue for the latest details, including the number of guests it holds.
How many guests can the ballroom hold?
The newly refurbished ballroom welcomes weddings of between 60 and 250 guests. There is also a smaller function suite for intimate weddings.
Can more than one wedding take place on the same day?
No. The hotel has a strict one wedding a day policy, so you will have the place mostly to yourselves, apart from any hotel residents.
Is there accommodation at the Leighinmohr Hotel?
Yes, it is a hotel. The wedding packages include the bridal suite for the wedding night and two complimentary bedrooms, with reduced rates for your guests and free parking.
What wedding packages does the hotel offer?
There are two packages, A Day To Remember and The Whirlwind. Prices are per person, with peak and off peak rates for A Day To Remember, and the Whirlwind is for selected dates. Ask the venue for the current prices and dates.
Where can we take couple portraits?
The hotel has a small garden that works well for group photos with family and friends. For your couple portraits, we suggest another location, such as Antrim Castle Gardens or a private garden in Ballymena, so you make the most of your time with us.
Do we need to book Antrim Castle Gardens or the private garden?
Yes. You need permission from the staff at Antrim Castle to have photographs taken there, and it needs to be arranged in advance. The private garden is hired through its owner, and it is very popular, so book well in advance.
Can we have a civil partnership ceremony at the hotel?
Yes. The Leighinmohr Hotel is licensed for both marriage and civil partnership ceremonies.
How long should we book a Leighinmohr Hotel 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 Leighinmohr Hotel wedding photographer page.
Getting married at the Leighinmohr Hotel?
We would love to be there with you
We have photographed lots of weddings at the Leighinmohr Hotel, 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 Leighinmohr Hotel wedding photographer page.
- Photographed here many timesFrom the hotel garden and the new Garden Room to Antrim Castle 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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