Venue guide · Barnett Demesne, Belfast
Malone House weddings
What to know before you book, from wedding photographers who know the area.
Written by Tommy and Laurene · Updated October 2026
- LocationBarnett Demesne, Belfast
- SettingGeorgian mansion
- CeremonyUp to 90 guests
- Wedding mealUp to 120 guests
- Licensed forCivil and religious
About the venue
A Georgian mansion in Barnett Demesne
Malone House is a historic Georgian mansion in Barnett Demesne in south Belfast, a short way from the city centre. It is run by Belfast City Council and is licensed for civil marriages, civil partnerships and religious ceremonies, so you can marry and celebrate in the same house.
There are four wedding rooms to choose from. The Harberton Room seats up to 120 for the wedding meal, the Hilsborowe Room holds up to 90 for a ceremony, and the William Legge Room and the Montgomery Room each suit smaller days, with room for 50 at the table and 60 for the ceremony. The William Legge Room opens straight onto the gardens.
We have photographed weddings here, so this guide is written from a photographer's point of view, with the venue's space and light in mind. We are Northern Ireland wedding photographers who know Barnett Demesne. If you are planning a wedding in the city, our Belfast wedding photographer page has more on how we work.
Historic rooms, with gardens right outside.
Honest view
The advantages and disadvantages of Malone House
Every venue has good points and things to plan around. This is what we know from photographing here and from the venue details we have found.
Advantages
- A historic Georgian mansion with elaborate plasterwork and a marble fireplace in the Harberton Room, so the rooms are beautiful before you add a thing.
- Licensed for civil marriages, civil partnerships and religious ceremonies, so you can marry and celebrate in the same house.
- Four wedding rooms to choose from, for days of different sizes.
- Manicured gardens, with the William Legge Room opening straight onto them, and meadow views across Barnett Demesne.
- Bridal rooms on the first floor, so you can step away for a moment during the day.
- In south Belfast, a short way from the city centre.
Disadvantages
- The largest room seats 120 for the wedding meal, so a bigger guest list will need another venue.
- Ceremonies start at either 12 noon or 3pm, so your timings are built around those slots.
- There is no accommodation listed on site, so plan where your guests and you will stay.
- The venue does not publish evening guest numbers, so ask how many can join you after the wedding meal.
At a glance
Malone House at a glance
The quick facts couples ask us about most, taken from the venue details published online. Please confirm the figures with the venue when you enquire.
- 120guests for the wedding meal in the largest room
- 90guests for a ceremony in the largest ceremony room
- 4wedding rooms to choose from
- 10hours of room hire in the wedding package
Malone House, Barnett Demesne, Belfast, BT9 5PB.
Two of the wedding rooms
- Larger receptionsHarberton RoomUp to 120guests for the wedding mealOn the ground floor, with elaborate plasterwork, a marble fireplace and a blue and white colour scheme.
- Ceremonies and drinksHilsborowe RoomUp to 90guests for a ceremony or arrival drinksOn the first floor, with windows looking across the meadows of Barnett Demesne.
The William Legge Room opens onto the gardens, and the Montgomery Room looks over the front gardens. Each seats 50 for the meal and holds 60 for a ceremony.
Licensed for civil marriages, civil partnerships and religious ceremonies. Ceremonies can start at 12 noon or 3pm.
Details published by Belfast City Council. Capacities and room details can change, so always check with the venue.
Photography
Malone House wedding photography
Malone House gives you a historic mansion, manicured gardens and the open meadows of Barnett Demesne all in one place, so you can have several different looks without going far.
Ceremonies start at 12 noon or 3pm, so the light and the timings change a lot between the two. We talk through the plan with you in advance and pick the spots that suit your day.
Photos from a wedding we photographed at Malone House.
- The gardens
Manicured lawns and garden paths with shrubs and mature trees, close to the house so you are never far from your guests.
- The front of the house
Trees, railings and a sweeping drive give a classic backdrop for car photographs and arrivals.
- Barnett Demesne
Open meadows and parkland views around the house, ideal for a relaxed walk together.
We are a husband and wife team, and we have photographed weddings at Malone House. See how we work on our Belfast wedding photographer page.
Planning your day
A Malone House wedding day timeline
Every wedding is different, but this is how a Malone House day with a 12 noon 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.
- 8.30amGetting readyMany couples get ready at home or at a hotel nearby. Malone House also has rooms where you can step away and refresh during the day.
- 10.30amThe boys get ready
- 11.15amFinal touches, and family see the bride
- 11.30amGuests take their seats
- 12.00pmThe ceremonyCeremonies at Malone House can start at 12 noon or 3pm. We recommend the 12 noon slot, and this timeline uses it.
- 12.40pmConfetti and congratulations
- 1.00pmCouple portraitsIn the gardens and the grounds, with the house behind you.
- 1.45pmFamily and bridal party photos
- 2.15pmBack with your guestsDrinks and canapés while we capture the little moments.
- 3.00pmThe meal
- 5.00pmThe speeches
- 7.15pmEvening light photosA short walk in the gardens while the light is soft.
- 7.30pmBack to the partyStraight back inside to enjoy the evening with your guests.
- 8.00pmFirst dance
Planning tips for Malone House
- We recommend the 12 noon ceremony
A 3pm ceremony is very difficult to plan around and can cause real timeline problems, so we would not recommend it. A 12 noon start gives you a long afternoon, plenty of daylight for portraits and a day that flows without anyone rushing.
- Keep an eye on the ten hours
The wedding room package is valid for ten hours. Ask the venue when the clock starts, because a 12 noon start could take you to around 10pm and we can build the evening around that.
- Plan for the first floor
The Hilsborowe Room and the Montgomery Room are on the first floor, reached by the main staircase or the public lift. Think about how your older guests will get upstairs, and we will plan our photographs around it.
Questions
Malone House wedding FAQ
The questions couples ask us most about getting married here. If yours is not covered, send us a message.
Where is Malone House?
Malone House is in Barnett Demesne in south Belfast, with the postcode BT9 5PB. It is a Georgian mansion run by Belfast City Council, a short way from the city centre.
Can we have the ceremony at Malone House?
Yes. The house is licensed for civil marriages, civil partnerships and religious ceremonies. Ceremonies can start at 12 noon or 3pm, and a ceremony only booking takes place at 12 noon. Please confirm the options for your date with the venue.
How many guests can Malone House hold?
The Harberton Room seats up to 120 for the wedding meal and the Hilsborowe Room holds up to 90 for a ceremony. The William Legge Room and the Montgomery Room each seat 50 for the meal and hold 60 for a ceremony. Evening numbers are not published, so please ask the venue.
Which wedding room is best for us?
It depends on your guest numbers and the feel you want. The Harberton Room suits a larger reception, the William Legge Room opens onto the gardens, and the Montgomery Room is an intimate space for a smaller day. We are happy to tell you how each one works for photographs.
Is there accommodation at Malone House?
No accommodation is listed on the venue's wedding pages, so we suggest asking the venue and planning where you and your guests will stay. There are rooms on the first floor where you can step away and refresh during the day.
Where can we take couple portraits?
The house has manicured gardens, garden paths with mature trees, a drive at the front and the open meadows of Barnett Demesne around it. We plan the timings with you in advance and choose the spots that suit your ceremony time and the light.
Will older guests be able to get upstairs?
The Hilsborowe Room and the Montgomery Room are on the first floor. Guests can use the main staircase or the public lift, so it is worth planning how everyone will move between floors.
What if it rains on our wedding day?
There is plenty of space indoors at Malone House, and we plan a wet weather option with every couple. We talk it through before the day, and rain can give some of the most atmospheric photographs.
How much does a Malone House 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.
Have you photographed weddings at Malone House?
Yes. You can see how we work, and some of our other Belfast weddings, on our wedding photographer Belfast page.
Getting married at Malone House?
We would love to be there with you
We have photographed weddings at Malone House, and we would love to photograph yours. Whether you choose the 12 noon or the 3pm ceremony, we will plan the timings with you, including time for portraits in the gardens and around Barnett Demesne. Choose half day or full day coverage, with or without an album.
For more on what it is like having us photograph your day, have a look at our wedding photographer Belfast page.
- Based in LisburnWe know the gardens and the light at Malone House well, so we know where to take you
- 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
Still choosing a venue?
More Northern Ireland venue guides
We have written guides like this for lots of Northern Ireland’s most popular wedding venues, with the good and the not so good for each one.