Venue guide · Crawfordsburn, Co. Down
The Old Inn Crawfordsburn weddings
The advantages and disadvantages, from the photographers who have shot there.
Written by Tommy and Laurene · Updated October 2026
- LocationCrawfordsburn, Co. Down
- StyleHistoric village inn
- Dating from1614
- Smaller weddingsUp to 50 guests
- Weddings per dayOne
About the venue
A historic inn in the village
The Old Inn is a historic inn in the village of Crawfordsburn, Co. Down, dating back to 1614, with bedrooms for your guests and Crawfordsburn Country Park close by. For smaller celebrations it offers the Gallery for up to 50 guests, the C.S. Lewis Suite for up to 40 and the Treetop Lounge for up to 20.
We have photographed weddings at The Old Inn, 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 wedding photographer in Bangor page shows how we work and what is included.
One wedding a day, so the inn is yours.
Honest view
The advantages and disadvantages of The Old Inn
Every venue has good points and things to plan around. This is what we have noticed from photographing weddings at the inn.
Advantages
- The Old Inn has been in Crawfordsburn since 1614, with old beams, antiques and plenty of character. It is the kind of place that already looks like a wedding venue before any decoration goes up.
- Only one wedding takes place each day, so the inn's full attention is on your day. That means more privacy and a team that can focus on every detail.
- There are dedicated rooms for ceremonies and receptions, so the day can stay in one place. For smaller weddings there is the Gallery for up to 50 guests, the C.S. Lewis Suite for up to 40 and the Treetop Lounge for up to 20.
- You can stay on site. The inn has individually decorated bedrooms, from Petite rooms to a Cottage, so your guests do not have to travel home at the end of the night.
- Crawfordsburn Country Park is minutes away by car, with forest and a beach, and Bangor Castle Walled Garden is another lovely option, so there is plenty of variety for portraits.
Disadvantages
- The inn is in the village of Crawfordsburn near Bangor, so it may not suit couples or guests who want to be in the middle of a city.
- Wedding packages are standardised rather than fully customisable, so it is worth asking the inn exactly what is included before you book.
- There are few photo opportunities at the inn itself, so we usually travel for portraits. Allow time for the short journey in your timeline.
- Crawfordsburn Country Park needs written permission from the forest service and photographer liability insurance, and the best viewpoints involve a long walk, so we plan this with you in advance.
At a glance
The Old Inn at a glance
The quick facts couples ask us about most, taken from the inn's own website so they match what you will be told.
- 1614the year the inn dates from, in the village of Crawfordsburn
- 50guests in the Gallery, the largest of the intimate spaces
- 3spaces for smaller celebrations, from 20 to 50 guests
- 1wedding a day, so the inn is yours
The Old Inn, 15-25 Main Street, Crawfordsburn, Bangor, BT19 1JH
The spaces
- Smaller weddingsThe GalleryUp to 50guestsThe largest of the three spaces the inn offers for intimate weddings.
- Smaller weddingsThe C.S. Lewis SuiteUp to 40guestsA mid sized space for an intimate celebration with your closest family and friends.
- Smaller weddingsThe Treetop LoungeUp to 20guestsThe smallest space, for the most intimate days.
- Staying overBedroomsSixroom typesPetite, Carriage, Highway, Junior Suite, Suite and Cottage, so your guests can stay on site.
Thinking about photography? See our wedding photographer in Bangor page, or our wedding photography prices.
Crawfordsburn Country Park is minutes away by car, with forest and a beach. It needs written permission from the forest service and photographer liability insurance. Bangor Castle Walled Garden is another lovely option for portraits.
You can call the inn on +44 28 91853255 or email reservations@theoldinn.com. The inn also has an intimate wedding enquiry form on its website.
Source: The Old Inn website, checked October 2026. Numbers can change, so always check with the venue before you book.
Photography
The Old Inn wedding photography
We have photographed weddings at The Old Inn and we know how the day flows through the inn and the village. We plan around the light, the weather and your timings, and choose the spots that suit your day best. You can find out more on our wedding photographer in Bangor page.
That way your gallery tells the whole story, from getting ready to the last dance.
Photo locations
Places to explore
There are few photo spots at the inn itself, so we usually travel for portraits. Both of our favourite places are close by.
These are the places we use most, and we are always happy to talk them through with you before the day.
Inside the inn
The old beams, the antiques and the character of a building dating from 1614 give us texture and warmth for details, getting ready photographs and relaxed candid moments.
Crawfordsburn Country Park
The park is minutes from the inn by car, with forest landscapes and a beach nearby. It needs written permission from the forest service and photographer liability insurance, and the best viewpoints involve a long walk, so we plan it with you in advance.
Bangor Castle Walled Garden
A favourite of ours for portraits after a wedding at the inn. It works all year, with spring and summer colour, autumn warmth and frost in winter, and it has a wildflower meadow.
The village of Crawfordsburn
The inn sits in the village, so we can take a few relaxed portraits close by without losing time with your guests.
Real weddings
Weddings at The Old Inn
A few couples we have photographed here. Tap a photo to read the full story.
Planning your day
An Old Inn wedding day timeline
Every wedding is different, but this is how a day at The Old Inn with a 1pm ceremony might run. It gives us time for portraits away from the inn without anyone feeling rushed, and still gets you back to your guests.
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. Crawfordsburn Country Park needs written permission, so we plan that early. Talk the timings through with us before the day.
- 9.30amGetting readyAt home, or at the inn if you are staying over with your bridal party.
- 11.30amThe boys get ready
- 12.15pmFinal touches, and family see the bride
- 12.45pmGuests take their seats
- 1.00pmThe ceremonyYour ceremony, with your guests around you.
- 1.40pmConfetti and congratulations
- 2.00pmTravel for portraitsA short trip to Bangor Castle Walled Garden or Crawfordsburn Country Park, so we allow time for the journey.
- 2.20pmCouple portraitsIn the walled garden or the park, with space to relax away from your guests.
- 3.00pmFamily and bridal party photosAt the inn, with plenty of time before the meal.
- 3.45pmBack with your guestsDrinks and relaxed time before everyone heads in for the meal.
- 4.30pmThe meal and speeches
- 7.30pmEvening photosA few relaxed photographs with your guests as the evening party gets going.
- 8.30pmFirst dance
Questions
The Old Inn wedding FAQ
The questions couples ask us most about getting married at the inn. If yours is not covered, send us a message.
Where is The Old Inn?
The Old Inn is at 15-25 Main Street in the village of Crawfordsburn, near Bangor in Co. Down, BT19 1JH. It dates back to 1614.
How many guests can The Old Inn host?
For smaller celebrations the inn offers the Gallery for up to 50 guests, the C.S. Lewis Suite for up to 40 and the Treetop Lounge for up to 20. Ask the inn about its options for larger weddings, because numbers can change and depend on the day.
Is there more than one wedding a day?
No. The Old Inn has a one wedding a day policy, so the inn's full attention is on your day. That makes things easier for us as photographers too, because we do not have to work around another wedding party.
Can we have our ceremony at The Old Inn?
Ask the inn which ceremony options are available for your date. We plan the photography around wherever you choose to marry, so the day flows from the ceremony to the reception without losing time.
Can we stay at The Old Inn?
Yes. The inn has individually decorated bedrooms, from Petite rooms to a Cottage, so your guests can stay on site. Ask the inn about availability and rates for your date.
Where are the best spots for photos at The Old Inn?
There are few photo spots at the inn itself, so we usually travel for portraits. Our favourites are Bangor Castle Walled Garden and Crawfordsburn Country Park, both close by. Inside the inn, the old beams and antiques give us lovely detail photographs.
Can you photograph in Crawfordsburn Country Park?
Yes, but the park needs written permission from the forest service and photographer liability insurance, and the best viewpoints involve a long walk. We plan this with you early so nothing is left to the day.
Can we visit before we book?
The best way to arrange a visit is to contact the inn directly. You can call +44 28 91853255 or email reservations@theoldinn.com, and the inn has an intimate wedding enquiry form on its website.
How much does an Old Inn 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 more on how we work, see our wedding photographer in Bangor page.
Getting married at The Old Inn?
We would love to be there with you
We have photographed weddings at The Old Inn and loved the history of the building. 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, have a look at our wedding photographer in Bangor page, or read about Rachel and David’s wedding and Shanique and Jack’s day.
- Weddings photographed hereWe know how the day flows at the inn, and where to go for portraits nearby
- 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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