Venue guide · Belfast
The Merchant Hotel weddings
The advantages and disadvantages, from the photographers who have shot there.
Written by Tommy and Laurene · Updated October 2026
- LocationCathedral Quarter
- StyleLuxury city hotel
- Bedrooms63
- CeremonyOn site
- WeddingsOne a day
About the venue
A Belfast landmark with the Cathedral Quarter outside
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, and you can see two full days on our blog from Sheena and Rajesh and Niamh and David, so this guide comes from real days, not a brochure. If you are looking for a photographer in the city, see our wedding photographer in Belfast page, or have a look at our blog on the best wedding venues in Northern Ireland.
A grand old bank, with the whole of Belfast on the doorstep.
The honest view
The good and the not so good
Here is our view of The Merchant Hotel, from the weddings we have photographed there.
Advantages
- Only one wedding runs each day, and the staff kept Sheena and Rajesh's party private from the rest of a busy hotel
- Victorian and Art Deco rooms that still carry the character of the original building
- The Cathedral Quarter, Commercial Court and the city streets are on the doorstep for portraits
- 63 bedrooms, and you can book a room the night before
- A dedicated wedding coordinator and bespoke menus, and Niamh and David had a cheese selection in place of a cake
Disadvantages
- There is no car park attached, and valet or self parking is for overnight residents only
- Wedding bars close at 1am Monday to Saturday and midnight on Sunday, and there is no late bar for wedding guests
- Minimum guest numbers apply on Fridays, Saturdays and certain December dates
- There are no all inclusive packages, so you put your day together with the hotel and your own suppliers
At a glance
The Merchant Hotel in numbers
The key facts for planning your day. Please check them with the hotel before you book.
- 63Bedrooms
- 1Wedding a day
- 1amWedding bar closes, Monday to Saturday
- 3Restaurants
The Merchant Hotel, 16 Skipper Street, Belfast, BT1 2DZ · Weddings team 028 9026 2717
What the hotel offers
- MorningGetting ready loungeThe hotel has a lounge style room for getting ready on the morning of the wedding.
- CeremonyLicensed venueThe hotel is licensed for ceremonies, and ceremony only bookings are generally Sunday to Thursday. Ask the hotel about your date.
- ReceptionPrivate dining and event spacesRoom sizes and capacities are on the hotel's Wedding Room Options page, so we have not quoted them here.
There are no all inclusive packages. The hotel offers bespoke packages and menus, and a list of recommended suppliers.
The hotel also offers second day celebration packages, if you want to keep the party going.
Venue details come from the hotel's own wedding information and our own weddings. Please confirm everything with The Merchant Hotel before booking.
Wedding photography
Photographing weddings at The Merchant Hotel
The hotel gives us a lot to work with, from warm, candlelit rooms for the speeches and the first dance to the entrance steps. Only one wedding runs here each day, which means we are not working around other weddings.
If you are looking for a photographer in the city, see our wedding photographer in Belfast page, or read our blog on the best wedding venues in Northern Ireland.
Around the hotel
Around the hotel and Cathedral Quarter
The steps at the front of the hotel are a lovely place for the wedding party, and for Niamh and David they were dressed for Christmas. A short walk takes you into the Cathedral Quarter, where the cobbled lanes and Commercial Court make wonderful backdrops.
Belfast weather is changeable, and the hotel has plenty of lovely indoor spaces for photographs if it turns. We plan a wet weather option with every couple.
Ceremonies and portraits
Across Belfast
Many couples marry elsewhere in Belfast and arrive at The Merchant for the reception. Niamh and David were married at St Malachy's Church, and after the ceremony we walked with them through the city to the hotel, past the Albert Clock. Sheena and Rajesh married at Belfast City Hall before their reception here.
Walking through the city gives you relaxed portraits and a lot of well wishers on the way, and we help you plan the timings so you still arrive in time for the drinks. For more ideas, read our blog on the best wedding venues in Northern Ireland.
Real weddings
Weddings we have photographed at The Merchant Hotel
Planning your day
A Merchant Hotel wedding day timeline
Every wedding is different, but this is how a Merchant Hotel day with a 1pm ceremony might run. It leaves time for portraits in the Cathedral Quarter and still gets you back with your guests for the speeches.
These times are an example only. If your ceremony is at a church or Belfast City Hall, tell us early and we will plan the timings around the journey.
- 9.30amGetting readyHair, makeup and the dress, at home or at the hotel
- 11.30amThe boys get ready
- 12.15pmFinal touches, and family see the bride
- 12.45pmGuests take their seats
- 1.00pmThe ceremonyAt a church, Belfast City Hall or the hotel.
- 1.45pmConfetti and congratulations
- 2.15pmCouple portraitsA walk through the Cathedral Quarter and the city centre.
- 3.30pmArrive at the hotelDrinks and time with your family and friends.
- 4.15pmFamily and bridal party photosOn the hotel steps.
- 4.45pmBack with your guests
- 5.00pmThe speeches
- 5.30pmThe meal
- 8.00pmFirst dance
Questions
The Merchant Hotel weddings FAQ
Can't see your question? Send us a message on our contact page and we will help.
Where is The Merchant Hotel?
The Merchant Hotel is at 16 Skipper Street in Belfast's Cathedral Quarter, BT1 2DZ. Our wedding photographer in Belfast page has more on how we work in the city.
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.
Is there accommodation and parking?
The hotel has 63 bedrooms, and you can book a room the night before. There is no car park attached, and valet or self parking is only for overnight residents, so ask the hotel what suits your guests.
How late can the party run?
The hotel's wedding bars close at 1am Monday to Saturday and midnight on Sunday, and there is no late bar for wedding guests. Overnight residents can use the hotel bar for longer. Ask the hotel to confirm the current times.
Where can we take couple portraits?
You can use the hotel's steps and rooms, then the Cathedral Quarter, including Commercial Court, and the city centre streets a short walk away. You can see a whole day in our blog post.
Have you photographed weddings at The Merchant Hotel?
Yes. You can see real days on our blog, including Sheena and Rajesh and Niamh and David.
Getting married at The Merchant Hotel?
We would love to be there with you
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 how we work in the city, have a look at our wedding photographer in Belfast page, or our blog on the best wedding venues in Northern Ireland.
- Photographed hereWe have photographed weddings at The Merchant Hotel and know how the day flows
- 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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