Venue guide · Strangford, Co. Down
Old Court Strangford Lough weddings
The advantages and disadvantages, from the photographers who have shot there.
Written by Tommy and Laurene · Updated October 2026
- LocationStrangford, Co. Down
- StylePrivate lough side estate
- CeremonyChapel or by the lough
- ReceptionYurt
- Weddings per dayOne
About the venue
A private estate on Strangford Lough
Old Court is a private estate on the shore of Strangford Lough, a short distance from the village of Strangford. It has several acres of gardens running down to the water, ancient woodland, a private harbour and a restored 17th century chapel.
You can marry in the chapel and celebrate the rest of the day in the yurt, all on one site. We have photographed many 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 Old Court
Every venue has good points and things to plan around. This is what we have noticed from photographing weddings at Old Court.
Advantages
- There is a private 17th century chapel on the estate. It is a restored listed building that welcomes all mainstream religious ceremonies, which is rare, so you can celebrate your whole day in one place. The venue can also host non religious and outdoor ceremonies.
- Only one wedding takes place each day, so you and your guests have the whole estate to yourselves.
- The yurt was designed and handcrafted by the owner, so it feels different from a typical wedding room.
- There is a sheltered outdoor area with a stretch tent beside the yurt, a lovely spot for guests to chat in the evening between dances.
- You can choose your own caterer from the venue's recommended vendors, so you have full control over the food and no standard hotel menu.
- The estate has several acres of natural gardens, wildflower borders, long lawns that run down to the shore of Strangford Lough, ancient woodland and a private harbour. There is plenty of variety for portraits without leaving the venue.
Disadvantages
- Accommodation on site is only for the bride and groom, in the Boathouse beside the private harbour. Your guests need to stay nearby, and there are lots of options in the village of Strangford.
- Unlike a hotel, you need to hire your own caterers and a company to run the bar. This is common at high end wedding venues in Northern Ireland, but it does mean more planning and organising on your side.
- The venue holds up to 120 guests, so it suits small and medium weddings better than very large guest lists. Check your numbers with the venue early.
- The estate sits on the shore of Strangford Lough, so it can be breezy and the weather changes quickly. The yurt gives you shelter, but agree a plan B for photos and drinks outdoors.
At a glance
Old Court 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.
- 120guests for dinner and the reception
- 1wedding a day, so the estate is exclusively yours
- 17thcentury chapel on site, for religious and other ceremonies
- 1bedroom, the Boathouse, for the bride and groom
60 Old Court, Strangford, Co. Down, BT30 7NB
The spaces
- CeremonyThe Old Court Chapel17th centuryrestored listed chapelA cosy and intimate chapel on the estate with stained glass windows and original features. It welcomes all mainstream religious ceremonies, and the venue also hosts non religious and outdoor ceremonies.
- ReceptionThe yurtUp to 120guestsA yurt designed and handcrafted by the owner, with a dance floor and a relaxed, rustic feel. It is used for the meal, the speeches and the dancing.
- Outdoor ceremonyBy the loughOutdoorsby the waterCeremonies can also be held outdoors by the water, with Strangford Lough as the backdrop, and a sheltered area with a stretch tent beside the yurt for guests in the evening.
Thinking about photography costs? See our wedding photography prices.
You choose your own caterer from the venue's recommended vendors, and you hire a company to run the bar. Ask the venue for its list when you book.
There are several acres of gardens running down to Strangford Lough, with a private harbour. The Boathouse is the bridal bedroom for your wedding night, and there are lots of places for your guests to stay in Strangford.
Source: the Old Court website and wedding listings, checked October 2026. Numbers can change, so always check with the venue before you book.
Photography
Old Court Strangford Lough wedding photography
As wedding photographers at Old Court, we have worked here many times. It is one of our favourite wedding venues in Northern Ireland, and the grounds still surprise us with new places to photograph.
The chapel, the yurt, the gardens and the shore of the lough all sit within a short walk of each other, so your gallery can tell the whole story of the day without anyone rushing around.
Photo locations
Places to explore
The chapel has stained glass windows and original features that give it a unique atmosphere on a wedding day. The Boathouse beside the private harbour is a popular spot for portraits in any weather, and the shore of Strangford Lough always has something interesting going on.
The gardens have wildflower borders, long lawns and old woodland, so we plan around the light, the weather and your timings, and choose the spots that suit you best.
Real weddings
Weddings at Old Court
We have photographed many weddings here. Tap a photo to read the full story.
Planning your day
An Old Court wedding day timeline
Every wedding is different, but this is how an Old Court 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 chapel and the yurt keep the day going whatever the weather, but the gardens and the shore are open to the elements, so it is worth agreeing a wet weather plan for portraits in advance.
- 9.30amGetting readyAt the Boathouse, at home or at a nearby 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 ceremonyIn the chapel on the estate, or outdoors by the water, so the whole day stays in one place.
- 1.40pmConfetti and congratulations
- 2.00pmCouple portraitsAround the estate, with time for the gardens, the Boathouse and the shore of the lough.
- 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 yurt.
- 7.30pmEvening light photosA short stroll to the shore 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
Old Court 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 Old Court hold?
Old Court does not publish guest numbers on its website, so ask the venue to confirm them for your date. Wedding listings for the venue give a figure of up to 120 guests for dinner and the reception, which makes it a good fit for small and medium weddings.
Where is the ceremony at Old Court?
Ceremonies take place in the restored 17th century chapel on the estate, or outdoors by the water. The chapel has stained glass windows and original features, and as a privately owned chapel it welcomes all mainstream religious ceremonies. That means you can celebrate your whole day in one place.
Is there more than one wedding a day?
According to the venue, Old Court is an exclusive use venue, and only one wedding takes place each day. That makes photography easier, because we can use any part of the estate without working around another group.
Can we stay at Old Court?
The Boathouse is the on site accommodation for the bride and groom, and it sits beside the private harbour. Your guests need to stay nearby, and there are lots of options in the village of Strangford.
Do we have to hire our own caterer and bar?
Yes. Unlike a hotel, you hire your own caterers and a company to run the bar, and the venue has a list of recommended vendors. It is common at high end wedding venues in Northern Ireland, and it gives you full control over the food.
What happens if it rains?
The chapel and the yurt keep the day going whatever the weather, and there is a sheltered area with a stretch tent beside the yurt. We agree a wet weather plan with you beforehand, and rain often gives us moody, atmospheric portraits in the gardens and by the Boathouse.
Where are the best spots for couple portraits?
The gardens have wildflower borders, long lawns and old woodland, and they run down to the shore of Strangford Lough. The Boathouse beside the private harbour is a popular spot in any weather, and the chapel doorway makes a lovely backdrop. Which spots we use depends on your timings and the light.
Can we get ready at Old Court?
The Boathouse is the place to get ready on site if you are staying there. We usually arrive around 9.30am to capture the bridal preparations, then spend time with the groom and groomsmen later in the morning.
Have you photographed weddings at Old Court before?
Yes, many times, and you can see more on our Old Court Strangford Lough wedding photographer page. You can also read about Jenny and Gareth, Katie and Andrew, Nneka and Jonathan and Katie and Neal above to see how the days looked.
How much does an Old Court 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 Old Court directly.
Getting married at Old Court?
We would love to be there with you
We have photographed many weddings at Old Court on Strangford 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.
For more on what it is like having us photograph your day here, have a look at our Old Court photographer page, or see a real Old Court wedding.
- Photographed here many timesWe know how the day flows between the chapel, the yurt, the gardens and the shore
- 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.
