Venue guide · Loughguile, Co. Antrim
Lissanoure Castle weddings
The advantages and disadvantages, from the photographers who have shot there.
Written by Tommy and Laurene · Updated October 2026
- LocationLoughguile, Co. Antrim
- StylePrivate castle estate
- ReceptionsCoach House and Castle Barn
- CeremonyCastle walls, Coach House or church
- Weddings per dayOne
About the venue
A private castle estate with real history
Lissanoure Castle sits at the foot of the Glens of Antrim, on a privately owned family estate near Loughguile, surrounded by lakes, parkland and woods. A castle has stood here since the 1300s, and the 18th century Coach House and the Castle Barn have been converted into the wedding venues.
You can marry outdoors in a covered space between the castle walls, indoors in the Coach House, or at All Saints Church at the estate entrance and walk up the drive. We have photographed weddings here, and this guide covers the good, the not so good and the best places for photos.
One wedding a day, so the whole estate is yours.
Honest view
The advantages and disadvantages of Lissanoure Castle
Every venue has good points and things to plan around. This is what we have noticed from photographing weddings at Lissanoure.
Advantages
- You have three ceremony settings: a covered space between the castle walls, the Coach House indoors, or All Saints Church at the entrance to the estate. The covered space has a glass roof, so it keeps the castle walls and the daylight while the weather stays outside.
- Only one wedding takes place each day, so you and your guests have the whole estate to yourselves.
- A castle has stood here since the 1300s, and the estate has lakes, parkland, woodland and stone walls covered in ivy. There is a lot of variety for portraits without leaving the venue.
- The Coach House and the Castle Barn give you two different reception settings, so you can choose the one that suits your guest numbers and style.
- If you choose the church, you can marry at All Saints and then walk up the drive to the castle together with your guests, which makes a lovely arrival.
- It is a private family estate, so it feels personal and quiet, and the backdrop works for both formal family photos and relaxed documentary moments.
Disadvantages
- Loughguile is about 45 minutes from Belfast, so think about travel time for you, your suppliers and your guests when you plan the day.
- The dining room holds up to 100 guests, and the Castle Barn is the option for larger numbers, so settle your guest list early and check which space suits it.
- Gravel paths, grass and parkland are lovely for photos, but they can be wet and muddy after rain, so bring shoes you can walk in and a plan for a wet day.
- If you marry at All Saints Church and then move to the castle, you need to allow extra time in the timeline for the move, the drive and group photos.
- The estate is rural and exposed in places, so it can be breezy and cooler than you expect, especially outside the summer months.
At a glance
Lissanoure Castle at a glance
The quick facts couples ask us about most, taken from the venue's own details so they match what you will be told.
- 160guests for a ceremony
- 100guests seated for dinner in the Coach House
- 300guests for an evening reception in the Castle Barn
- 1wedding a day, so the estate is exclusively yours
Ballyveely Road, Loughguile, Ballymena, BT44 9JW · About 45 minutes from Belfast
The spaces
- Outdoor ceremonyBetween the castle wallsUp to 160guestsA sheltered ceremony space inside the historic castle walls, with stone, ivy and a covered roof overhead, so it works whatever the weather does.
- Indoor ceremony and diningThe Coach HouseUp to 100guests seated for dinnerLicensed for indoor civil ceremonies, with three reception rooms, open log fires and a courtyard. The bridal bedroom overlooks the courtyard.
- ReceptionThe Castle BarnUp to 300guests for the eveningA rustic and elegant space with a dance floor, a stage and a log fire. It seats over 100 for dinner and is the option for larger weddings.
Thinking about photography costs? See our wedding photography prices.
All Saints Church, Loughguile stands at the main gates of the estate, so you can marry there and walk up to the castle for your reception.
The venue works with approved caterers or package options, and has a fully licensed bar. There is one en suite bridal bedroom, and a list of recommended local hotels and B&Bs for guests.
Source: the venue's details and wedding listings, checked October 2026. Numbers can change, so always check with the venue before you book.
Photography
Lissanoure Castle wedding photography
Lissanoure gives you a lot to work with. The castle walls, the ivy covered gatehouse and the glass roofed ceremony space are a beautiful setting for the vows, and the lake, parkland and old stone archways are close by for portraits.
We photograph all of it, from the walk to the ceremony and the confetti afterwards to the quiet moments in between, so your gallery tells the whole story of the day.
Photo locations
Grounds to explore
The estate has the castle walls and archways, the clock tower gatehouse, a garden with a gazebo, a lake with a bench at the water's edge, and open parkland with big old trees, so there is a lot of variety for portraits.
No wedding day has time for all of it, so we plan around the light, the weather and your timings, and choose the spots that suit you best.
Real weddings
Weddings at Lissanoure Castle
We have photographed several weddings here. Tap a photo to read the full story.
Planning your day
A Lissanoure Castle wedding day timeline
Every wedding is different, but this is how a Lissanoure day with a 1pm ceremony might run. It gives you plenty of time for photos around the estate without anyone feeling rushed, and still gets you back to your guests.
Golden hour moves a lot through the year in Northern Ireland, so we plan your evening light photos around your date. The castle walls ceremony space is covered, but the paths and parkland are not, so it is worth agreeing a wet weather plan for portraits with the venue in advance.
- 9.30amGetting readyAt the estate in the Coach House bridal bedroom, or at home or your hotel, depending on what suits you.
- 11.30amThe boys get ready
- 12.15pmFinal touches, and family see the bride
- 12.45pmGuests take their seats
- 1.00pmThe ceremonyBetween the castle walls, in the Coach House or at All Saints Church. If you choose the church, we allow extra time for everyone to head up to the castle.
- 1.40pmConfetti and congratulations
- 2.00pmCouple portraitsAround the estate, with time for the castle walls, the lake and the parkland.
- 2.45pmFamily and bridal party photos
- 3.15pmBack with your guestsDrinks and canapes with your guests before everyone heads in for the meal.
- 4.30pmThe speeches
- 5.00pmThe mealIn the Coach House or the Castle Barn.
- 7.30pmEvening light photosA short stroll around the estate while the light is soft.
- 7.45pmBack to the partyStraight back to the reception to enjoy the evening with your guests.
- 8.30pmFirst dance
Questions
Lissanoure Castle wedding FAQ
The questions couples ask us most about getting married here. If yours is not covered, send us a message.
How many guests can Lissanoure Castle hold?
According to the venue, a ceremony can hold up to 160 guests. The Coach House seats up to 100 for dinner, and the Castle Barn seats over 100 for dinner and takes up to 300 for an evening reception. Numbers can change, so ask the venue to confirm them for your date.
Where is the ceremony at Lissanoure Castle?
You can choose between a sheltered space inside the castle walls, the Coach House, which is licensed for indoor civil ceremonies, or All Saints Church at the main gates of the estate. The space in the castle walls has a glass roof, so you keep the stone walls and the daylight whatever the weather does.
Is there more than one wedding a day?
According to the venue, Lissanoure hosts one wedding a day, so the whole estate is yours. That makes photography easier, because we can use any part of the grounds without working around another group.
Can we stay at Lissanoure Castle?
The venue has one en suite bridal bedroom in the Coach House, overlooking the courtyard. For your guests, it has a list of recommended local hotels and B&Bs, so ask the venue for it when you book.
What happens if it rains?
The ceremony space in the castle walls is covered, and the Coach House and Castle Barn keep the day going indoors. We agree a wet weather plan with you beforehand, and rain often gives us moody, atmospheric portraits under umbrellas and in the old stone archways.
Where are the best spots for couple portraits?
The estate has the castle walls and archways, the clock tower gatehouse, a garden with a gazebo, the lake and open parkland with big old trees. Which spots we use depends on your timings and the light, and we plan it with you on the day.
Can we get ready at Lissanoure Castle?
Yes, the bridal bedroom in the Coach House is the getting ready space on site. We usually arrive around 9.30am to capture the bridal preparations, then spend time with the groom and groomsmen later in the morning.
How long does the drive take from Belfast?
Lissanoure is in Loughguile, about 45 minutes from Belfast, depending on traffic. It is worth allowing a little extra time on the morning, and if you plan to have your ceremony at the church, we leave time in the timeline for everyone to move up to the castle.
Have you photographed weddings at Lissanoure Castle before?
Yes. You can read about Hannah and Mark, Hannah and Julian and Hannah and Tobi's micro wedding above to see how the days looked. You can also read more about our Lissanoure Castle wedding photographer service.
How much does a Lissanoure 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 venue hire and catering, contact Lissanoure Castle directly.
Getting married at Lissanoure Castle?
We would love to be there with you
We have photographed weddings and a micro wedding at Lissanoure Castle. 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 Lissanoure Castle wedding photographer page.
To see what a day here looks like, have a look at our real Lissanoure wedding.
- We have shot here beforeWe know how the day flows around the castle walls, the Coach House and the Castle Barn
- 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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