Wedding photographers at The Merchant Hotel, Cathedral Quarter, Belfast
The Merchant Hotel Wedding Photographer
Tommy and Laurene are award winning husband and wife photographers. Relaxed, natural photography for your Merchant Hotel wedding, from the candlelit rooms and the front steps to the cobbled lanes of the Cathedral Quarter.
- PhotographingWeddings since 2014
- TeamHusband and wife
- CoverageTwo photographers
- VenueThe Merchant, Belfast
- Packages from£1,375
Weddings at The Merchant Hotel
Photographers who know the hotel and the city
The Merchant Hotel stands on Skipper Street in Belfast's Cathedral Quarter. It was once the headquarters of the Ulster Bank and is now a five star hotel, with Victorian and Art Deco wings and a lot of the original building still in place.
We have photographed weddings here, so we know the rooms, the front steps and the streets around the hotel. We plan your timings around the light and the weather, and we always agree a wet weather plan with you beforehand.
If you are choosing a photographer for the city, have a look at our wedding photographer in Belfast page too. Not sure The Merchant is the one yet? Our Merchant Hotel venue guide covers the advantages and disadvantages, or see our luxury wedding photographer page to see how we work.
One wedding a day, so the hotel is yours.
Recognition
Award winning wedding photographers
Photography at The Merchant
Every corner of the hotel, captured
The hotel and the Cathedral Quarter give us a lot of variety within a few minutes' walk. Here is how we usually plan it. For the full picture, read our Merchant Hotel venue guide.
The front steps
The steps at the front of the hotel are a lovely place for the wedding party and your first photos together. For Niamh and David they were dressed for Christmas, and they suit every season.
Inside the hotel
The hotel gives us warm, candlelit rooms for the speeches and the first dance, with Victorian and Art Deco character all around. It is also our wet weather plan, because there are plenty of lovely indoor spaces for photographs.
The Cathedral Quarter and Commercial Court
A short walk takes you into the Cathedral Quarter, where the cobbled lanes and Commercial Court make wonderful backdrops for relaxed couple portraits, with colour and character at every turn.
Across the city
Many couples marry elsewhere in Belfast and arrive at The Merchant for the reception. Walking through the city gives you relaxed portraits and lots of well wishers on the way, and we help you plan the timings so you arrive in time for the drinks.
Real weddings at The Merchant Hotel
See our work at The Merchant
We have photographed weddings at The Merchant, in the hotel and on the streets around it, and every one is edited in the same natural, true to life style.
Each includes the getting ready, the ceremony, portraits around the hotel and the party in the evening. Click a photo to see the whole day.
Only one wedding runs here each day, so we are not working around other weddings and can use the hotel wherever the light is best.
If you walk through the city, we help you plan the timings so you still arrive in time for the drinks, and we keep your portraits relaxed along the way.
Belfast weather is changeable, and the hotel has plenty of lovely indoor spaces for photographs if it turns. We agree a plan B with you beforehand.
What our couples say
Kind words from our couples
What couples say about having Tommy and Laurene photograph their wedding day.
We honestly could not have chosen better photographers for our wedding day. Thank you for capturing not only beautiful photos, but the emotions, the love, and the little moments that we will treasure forever. Looking through our gallery honestly made us cry because it felt like reliving the entire day all over again. Thank you for being so kind, patient, and amazing throughout everything. We truly could not recommend you enough.
Tommy & Laurene captured our wedding day beautifully. Everything was seamless from start to finish! We were keen to have a relaxed approach to our photos, capturing not just the main shots but also the finer details of the day. The results are amazing and exactly what we had in mind. Tommy & Laurene are easy going and great craic, they were a joy to work with. We’re so glad we chose Pure Photo N.I and would recommend them to anyone.
Cannot recommend Tommy and Laurene enough! From the very first point of contact they were amazing. They made us feel so comfortable the whole day and had plenty of laughs. The photos turned out unbelievably and they had them sent through to us so quickly. The album is beautiful, we have been married nearly a year now and we still can’t stop looking at it. They captured every special moment so perfectly.
Frequently asked questions
Your Merchant Hotel wedding photography questions answered
The things couples ask us most about photography at The Merchant Hotel. If yours is not here, send us a message or have a look at our wedding FAQ.
Do you photograph weddings at The Merchant Hotel?
Yes. We have photographed weddings here, including Sheena and Rajesh and Niamh and David, so we know the hotel, the front steps and the streets around it. Both of us come to every wedding, so you get two photographers for your whole day.
Where is The Merchant Hotel?
The Merchant Hotel is at 16 Skipper Street in Belfast's Cathedral Quarter, BT1 2DZ. If you are choosing a photographer for the city, see our wedding photographer in Belfast page.
Can we have our ceremony at the hotel?
The hotel describes itself as a licensed venue and takes ceremony only bookings, generally Sunday to Thursday. Ask the hotel about your date and the type of ceremony you want.
Can we marry somewhere else and have the reception here?
Yes, many couples do. Niamh and David were married at St Malachy's Church and Sheena and Rajesh at Belfast City Hall, before both had their receptions at The Merchant. If you are marrying at City Hall, see our Belfast City Hall wedding photographer page.
Is there more than one wedding a day?
No, only one wedding runs here each day. That means we are not working around other weddings, and the staff kept Sheena and Rajesh's party private from the rest of a busy hotel.
Can we get ready at the hotel?
Yes. The hotel has a lounge style room for getting ready on the morning of the wedding, and it has 63 bedrooms, so you can book a room the night before.
What if it rains?
We always agree a wet weather plan with you beforehand. Belfast weather is changeable, and the hotel has plenty of lovely indoor spaces for photographs if it turns.
Where are the best places for photos?
The steps at the front of the hotel, the candlelit rooms inside, the Cathedral Quarter with its cobbled lanes and Commercial Court, and the city streets a short walk away. We plan the order around your timings and the light. Our Merchant Hotel venue guide has more on each spot.
How much does a Merchant Hotel wedding photographer cost?
Our collections start at £1,375 for half day coverage and go up to £2,675 for a full day with albums and an engagement session. Both of us photograph every wedding, and there is no extra travel charge for weddings within Northern Ireland. You can see exactly what is included on our pricing page.
When will we get our photographs?
Your private online gallery is delivered within six weeks of your wedding, with high resolution downloads and a print shop. If you cannot wait, our fast edit add on guarantees your photos within 10 days for an extra £400.
Pricing
Merchant Hotel wedding photography packages
Our four collections flex around your day, whether you are planning an intimate ceremony or a full celebration at the hotel and around the Cathedral Quarter at The Merchant. Both Tommy and Laurene photograph every wedding, and everything included is shown here. See our full package details.
- Getting ready to the call for dinner, speeches included if they are before dinner
- Album available to add later
- Getting ready to first dance and 2 songs
- Album available to add later
- Getting ready to first dance and 2 songs
- 30 x 20 Storybook album
- Getting ready to first dance and 2 songs
- 40 x 30 Storybook album
- 2 parent book albums
- Engagement session included
- Two photographers
- Private online gallery
- In gallery print shop
- Delivered within six weeks
Add +£400 for photos guaranteed within 10 days.
A travel supplement applies, so just ask for a quote.
Planning a small ceremony? See our micro wedding packages, from 2 hours of coverage.
Second day coverage and more, just ask.
How booking works
Three simple steps to secure your date
Tell us your date
Send us your wedding date, your venue and your ceremony time if you have it, using the form below or a quick message on WhatsApp.
We get back to you
We reply as quickly as we can, usually within a few hours, to let you know if we are free and to answer anything you would like to ask.
Secure your date
Once you are happy, booking is simple and hassle free, and then you can relax knowing your photographers are sorted.
Dates fill up fast. We only take on a limited number of weddings each year so every couple gets the time and care they deserve. Dates are confirmed on a first come, first served basis and cannot be held in advance.
Your date might still be available
We only take on a limited number of weddings each year. Send us your details and we will check your date straight away, or message us on WhatsApp if you would rather chat.
- Relaxed and naturalReal moments, quiet photographers and no stiff posing, so you can enjoy your day
- We know The MerchantThe steps, the candlelit rooms and the Cathedral Quarter
- Two photographersTommy and Laurene, a husband and wife team, photographing weddings since 2014
Message us on WhatsApp
Send Tommy and Laurene a quick message and ask us anything you like.
Chat with Tommy & Laurene