Venue guide · Lough Erne, Co. Fermanagh
Lusty Beg Island weddings
The advantages and disadvantages, from the photographers who have shot there.
Written by Tommy and Laurene · Updated October 2026
- LocationBoa Island, Co. Fermanagh
- StylePrivate lakeside island
- CeremonyOutdoors or in the Willow Suite
- ReceptionWillow Suite, up to 200
- Weddings per dayOne
About the venue
Your own island on Lough Erne
Lusty Beg Island is a private 75 acre island on Lower Lough Erne, near Kesh in Co. Fermanagh. Guests arrive by a free ferry that runs on demand, and once everyone is across, the island is yours. You can marry outdoors in nature or inside the Willow Suite, which holds up to 200 guests, and up to 194 of them can stay on the island in lodges, chalets and cabins.
We have photographed weddings at Lusty Beg Island, 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 pricing page shows how we work and what is included.
One wedding a day, so the whole island is yours.
Honest view
The advantages and disadvantages of Lusty Beg Island
Every venue has good points and things to plan around. This is what we have noticed from photographing weddings on the island.
Advantages
- Only one wedding takes place each day, and the whole island is yours. You get privacy, space and a team that can focus on every detail of your day.
- Getting there is part of the occasion. A free ferry runs on demand across Lower Lough Erne, and there is free mainland parking, so guests arrive in style and nobody has to worry about a lift.
- You can marry outdoors in nature or in the Willow Suite, which holds up to 200 guests and has a private entrance, a bar and a patio. If the weather turns, the indoor option is there.
- Up to 194 guests can stay on the island, in courtyard bedrooms, cabins, lodges and chalets. The Gate Lodge Suite is a private cottage for the couple, and bridal accommodation is included.
- The package includes a dedicated in house wedding coordinator, a master of ceremonies and a late bar, with a complimentary taster overnight stay with breakfast when you book. There is also a spa on the island.
- The lakeshore, the woodland and the pier give us plenty of variety for photographs without leaving the island, and The Thatch is there if you want a relaxed second day celebration.
Disadvantages
- Most guests will want to stay overnight, so you need to plan accommodation early. Rooms are subject to availability, and the island is easiest when your guests are staying there.
- Guests who are not staying need to plan their journey home by ferry at the end of the night, so it is worth sharing the details with them well ahead of the day.
- It is a remote island on a lough, so suppliers may add extra fees for the distance. Ask your florist, band and other suppliers for a full quote before you book.
- An outdoor ceremony depends on the Fermanagh weather, so it helps to be relaxed about having the ceremony in the Willow Suite on the day.
At a glance
Lusty Beg Island at a glance
The quick facts couples ask us about most, taken from the venue's own website so they match what you will be told.
- 75acre private island on Lower Lough Erne
- 200guests in the Willow Suite, for ceremony and reception
- 194guests can stay on the island, subject to availability
- 1wedding a day, so the whole island is yours
Lusty Beg Island, Boa Island, Kesh, BT93 8AD · +44 28 686 33300
The spaces
- Reception and indoor ceremonyThe Willow SuiteUp to 200guestsThe indoor venue has a private entrance, a bar and a patio. It works for the ceremony as well as the reception.
- CeremonyThe outdoor ceremony spaceOutdoorsin natureA ceremony space surrounded by nature, with the indoor Willow Suite as your option if the weather turns.
- Day 2 celebrationThe ThatchUp to 50indoors, plus 40 to 50 on the Carlsberg TerraceA relaxed venue for a second day get together with your closest family and friends.
- The coupleThe Gate Lodge SuitePrivatecottage for the newlywedsA private cottage with a king size bed, an ensuite with a rainfall shower and an open plan living area with a kitchenette.
Thinking about photography costs? See our wedding photography prices.
A free ferry runs on demand across Lower Lough Erne, 24 hours a day, and there is free mainland parking with 24 hour CCTV. Accommodation includes courtyard bedrooms, studio cabins, one bedroom lodges, chalets and Inish Lodges.
A dedicated in house wedding coordinator, a master of ceremonies, a late bar (licensing rules apply), bridal accommodation, private use of the Lake View terrace and a complimentary taster overnight stay with breakfast when you book. The Island Spa is also on site.
Source: the Lusty Beg Island website, checked October 2026. Numbers can change, so always check with the venue before you book.
Photography
Lusty Beg Island wedding photography
We have photographed weddings at Lusty Beg Island and we know how the day flows, from the ferry to the evening. We plan around the light, the weather and your timings, and choose the spots that suit your day best.
That way your gallery tells the whole story, from getting ready to the last dance.
Photo locations
Places to explore
With one wedding a day, we can use the whole island without working around another wedding party.
These are the places we use most, and we are always happy to talk them through with you before the day.
The pier
The pier gives us a simple, open frame right on the water, with the lough behind you. It is a lovely place for portraits in the soft light of the day.
The Lough Erne shoreline
The shoreline gives us water, sky and space. We can walk the edge of the lough with you for relaxed, natural portraits while your guests enjoy the drinks.
The woodland
The woodland on the island adds a very different feel, with shade, texture and greenery. It works well for quieter portraits and for the wedding party.
The Lake View terrace
The terrace and the patio outside the Willow Suite are handy for candid photographs of your guests, and for a few quiet minutes with your partner close to the party.
Real weddings
Weddings at Lusty Beg Island
A few couples we have photographed here. Tap a photo to read the full story.
Planning your day
A Lusty Beg Island wedding day timeline
Every wedding is different, but this is how a Lusty Beg Island day with a 2pm ceremony might run. Everything happens on the island, 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. If you have guests who are not staying over, it is worth planning the ferry home too. Talk the timings through with us before the day.
- 10.00amGetting readyOn the island, in your lodge, chalet or the Gate Lodge Suite if you are staying over.
- 12.00pmThe boys get ready
- 12.45pmFinal touches, and family see the bride
- 1.15pmGuests arrive by ferryThe free ferry brings your guests across the lough, ready to take their seats.
- 2.00pmThe ceremonyOutdoors in nature or inside the Willow Suite, with the indoor option there if the weather turns.
- 2.40pmConfetti and congratulations
- 3.00pmFamily and bridal party photosClose to the ceremony, on the terrace or the lawn, so your guests are never far away.
- 3.30pmCouple portraitsAt the pier, along the shoreline or in the woodland, wherever the light is best.
- 4.15pmBack with your guestsDrinks and relaxed time on the Lake View terrace.
- 5.00pmThe meal and speeches
- 7.30pmEvening photosA few relaxed photographs with your guests as the evening party gets going.
- 8.30pmFirst dance
Questions
Lusty Beg Island wedding FAQ
The questions couples ask us most about getting married on the island. If yours is not covered, send us a message.
Where is Lusty Beg Island?
Lusty Beg Island is a private 75 acre island on Lower Lough Erne, near Kesh in Co. Fermanagh. The address is Lusty Beg Island, Boa Island, Kesh, BT93 8AD.
How do guests get to the island?
By ferry. The venue runs a free ferry service across the lough that operates on demand, 24 hours a day, and there is free mainland parking with 24 hour CCTV. Share the ferry details with your guests early so everyone knows how the day will work.
How many guests can Lusty Beg Island host?
The Willow Suite holds up to 200 guests, for the ceremony and the reception. The Thatch, the venue for a day two celebration, holds 50 indoors and 40 to 50 on the Carlsberg Terrace. Numbers can change, so always check the current figures with the venue when you enquire.
Is there more than one wedding a day?
No. Lusty Beg Island has welcomed one wedding per day for over 25 years, so the whole island is yours. That makes things easier for us as photographers too, because we never have to work around another wedding party.
Can we have our ceremony on the island?
Yes. You can marry in the outdoor ceremony space surrounded by nature, or inside the Willow Suite, which has a private entrance, a bar and a patio. The indoor option is there if the weather turns.
Can we stay on the island?
Yes. Up to 194 guests can stay, subject to availability, in courtyard bedrooms, studio cabins, one bedroom lodges, chalets and Inish Lodges. The Gate Lodge Suite is a private cottage for the newlyweds, and bridal accommodation is included.
Where are the best spots for photos at Lusty Beg Island?
Our favourites are the pier, the Lough Erne shoreline and the woodland, plus the Lake View terrace for candid photographs of your guests. With one wedding a day we can use the whole island, and everything is within easy reach of the party.
What is included in the venue's wedding packages?
The venue lists a dedicated in house wedding coordinator, a master of ceremonies, bridal accommodation, private use of the Lake View terrace and a late bar, with a complimentary taster overnight stay with breakfast when you book. Packages change, so ask the venue for the current details.
What about guests who are not staying over?
They can use the ferry to get home at the end of the night. It is worth sharing the plan with them well ahead of the day so they know what to expect.
Will our suppliers charge extra for the island?
Some may add fees because of the distance, so ask each supplier for a full quote before you book. We are always happy to talk through how the day will work with you.
Can we visit before we book?
The best way to arrange a visit is to contact the venue directly. You can call the wedding team on +44 28 686 33300 or email weddings@lustybegisland.com.
How much does a Lusty Beg Island 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.
Getting married at Lusty Beg Island?
We would love to be there with you
We have photographed weddings at Lusty Beg Island and loved the setting on the lough. 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.
To see what a day on the island looks like, have a look at Rebecca and Seth’s wedding, or the superhero themed wedding with Kate and Michael.
- Weddings photographed hereWe know how the day flows on the island, from the ferry to the shoreline
- 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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