Venue guide · Donegall Square, Belfast
Ten Square Hotel weddings
The advantages and disadvantages, from the photographers who have shot there.
Written by Tommy and Laurene · Updated October 2026
- LocationDonegall Square, Belfast
- StyleCity centre hotel
- Building dates from1863
- Bedrooms131
- Civil ceremoniesLicensed on site
About the venue
A linen warehouse opposite City Hall
Ten Square is a hotel at 10 Donegall Square South in the Linen Quarter, directly opposite Belfast City Hall. The building was put up in 1863 as a linen warehouse for the Jaffe brothers and has been a hotel since 2000. It joined Hilton as DoubleTree by Hilton Belfast City Ten Square in 2025, but it is still widely known as Ten Square, and that is the name we use in this guide.
We have photographed weddings at Ten Square, 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 Belfast wedding photographer page shows how we work and what is included.
Ceremony, meal and dancing under one roof.
Honest view
The advantages and disadvantages of Ten Square
Every venue has good points and things to plan around. This is what we have noticed from photographing weddings at the hotel.
Advantages
- You can have your whole day in one building. The hotel is licensed for civil ceremonies and civil partnerships, so the ceremony, the meal and the dancing can all happen under one roof, and your guests never have to travel between venues.
- The hotel has 131 bedrooms, offered to wedding guests at preferential rates. That means you can get ready in your room or suite on the morning, and your guests can stay the night.
- The Loft rooftop bar gives us somewhere with space and city views for getting ready photographs. At one wedding the bride moved her morning there at the last minute, and it gave us far more room to work than a bedroom would have.
- The room we have photographed ceremonies in has large windows and plenty of natural light, which suits our documentary style.
- The hotel is opposite City Hall in the middle of Belfast, so it is easy for guests travelling in from across Northern Ireland and further away. The hotel's own team of wedding specialists looks after you from the first consultation to the wedding day.
Disadvantages
- Ten Square is a city hotel with no grounds of its own, so there is nowhere on site for a long, relaxed portrait session. We head out for couple photographs, usually to Botanic Gardens or the gardens at City Hall.
- Portraits away from the hotel take time. At one wedding with a 3pm ceremony we did not reach Botanic Gardens until after 4pm and had to watch the clock all the way through, so it helps to plan an earlier ceremony or a tighter timeline.
- The city centre is busy. Botanic Gardens was busier than we expected on a Sunday, and at a winter wedding the Christmas market was so crowded that some of the photographs the couple wanted were simply not possible.
- Daylight is short in winter, and the weather can turn. At a December wedding it was bitterly cold and we had to take cover from the rain, so we always plan a few indoor options too.
- The hotel was refurbished before it joined the DoubleTree brand. Our photographs here were taken before that work, so ask the hotel what has changed, and ask for current capacities and package details.
At a glance
Ten Square at a glance
The quick facts couples ask us about most, taken from the hotel's own website so they match what you will be told.
- 1863the year the building was put up as a linen warehouse, opposite City Hall
- 131bedrooms, with preferential rates for wedding guests
- 4wedding packages, named Silk, Satin, Lace and Linen
- Civilceremonies and civil partnerships, licensed on site
Ten Square, 10 Donegall Square South, Belfast, BT1 5JD
The spaces
- Your receptionThe wedding suitesSeveralsuitesThe hotel has a selection of suites for weddings, from intimate gatherings to larger celebrations, including the Linen Hall Suite. Ask the hotel for current capacities.
- Your ceremonyCivil ceremoniesLicensedon siteThe hotel is licensed for civil ceremonies and civil partnerships, so you can marry and celebrate in one place.
- Getting readyThe LoftRooftopbarThe hotel's rooftop bar, with city views. We have used it for getting ready photographs. Ask the hotel whether it is available for your date.
- Staying overBedrooms131roomsNine room types, from Classic and Executive rooms to suites such as the Jaffe Penthouse, so you and your guests can stay on site.
Thinking about photography? See our Belfast wedding photographer page, or our wedding photography prices.
The hotel has no grounds of its own. The gardens at City Hall are close by, and we often take couples to Botanic Gardens for portraits after the ceremony.
For wedding prices and availability, email weddings@tensquare.co.uk or call +44 28 9024 1001. The hotel's weddings page also has an enquiry form.
Information from the Ten Square website, checked October 2026. Numbers and packages can change, so always check with the hotel before you book.
Photography
Ten Square wedding photography
We have photographed weddings at Ten Square and we know how the day flows through the hotel and out into the city. 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 Belfast wedding photographer page.
That way your gallery tells the whole story, from getting ready to the last dance.
Photo locations
Places to explore
There are no grounds at the hotel, so couple portraits mean a short trip. These are the places we use most, and we are always happy to talk them through with you before the day.
Whichever you choose, we build the time into your timeline so you are never rushed back to your guests.
Inside the hotel
The lobby bar, the hotel's bedrooms and suites, and the ceremony room with its large windows give us plenty for getting ready photographs, details and relaxed candid moments.
The Loft rooftop bar
We have photographed getting ready here, with space for the whole bridal party and views across the city. Ask the hotel about access for your date when you book.
City Hall and its gardens
City Hall is directly opposite the hotel, so it is the quickest place for photographs. It is busy, especially in winter when the Christmas market is on, so we choose our moments. Read our Belfast City Hall weddings guide for more, or see our City Hall wedding photographer page.
Botanic Gardens
Our favourite place for couple portraits after a Ten Square wedding, with the Palm House, tree lined paths and quieter corners. It is a short trip from the hotel, so we plan the travel into your timeline.
Real weddings
Weddings at Ten Square
A few couples we have photographed here. Tap a photo to read the full story.
Planning your day
A Ten Square wedding day timeline
Every wedding is different, but this is how a day at Ten Square with a 1pm ceremony might run. It gives us time for portraits at Botanic Gardens without anyone feeling rushed, and still gets you back to your guests.
Daylight is short in autumn and winter, so for those dates we plan the portraits earlier. The earlier the ceremony, the more time you have in the gardens. Talk the timings through with us before the day.
- 9.30amGetting readyIn your room or suite at the hotel, or at The Loft if the hotel can offer it.
- 11.30amThe groom and groomsmenA few relaxed photographs in the hotel bar.
- 12.15pmFinal touches, and family see the bride
- 12.45pmGuests take their seats
- 1.00pmThe ceremonyYour ceremony, with your guests around you.
- 1.40pmCongratulations and guest photographsJust outside the ceremony room, while the hotel starts to set up for the meal.
- 2.00pmTravel for portraitsA short trip to Botanic Gardens, so we allow time for the journey.
- 2.15pmCouple portraitsTime away from your guests, with the Palm House and the garden paths.
- 3.00pmBack to the hotelA few photographs of the bridal party outside the hotel before everyone goes in.
- 3.30pmDrinks and family photographsRelaxed time with your guests.
- 4.30pmThe meal and speeches
- 7.30pmCake cutting and evening photosA few relaxed photographs with your guests as the evening party gets going.
- 8.00pmFirst dance
Questions
Ten Square wedding FAQ
The questions couples ask us most about getting married at the hotel. If yours is not covered, send us a message.
Where is Ten Square, and is it still called that?
Ten Square is at 10 Donegall Square South in Belfast city centre, BT1 5JD, directly opposite Belfast City Hall. It is now called DoubleTree by Hilton Belfast City Ten Square, but most people still call it Ten Square.
Can we have our ceremony and reception at Ten Square?
Yes. The hotel is licensed for civil ceremonies and civil partnerships, so you can marry and celebrate in the same building. We have photographed weddings here with the ceremony, the meal and the dancing all in the hotel.
How many guests can Ten Square host?
The hotel has a selection of suites for weddings, from intimate gatherings to larger celebrations. We have seen different capacity figures from different places, so we do not quote a number here. Ask the hotel for the current capacity of the suite you are interested in.
Where do we go for portraits when the hotel has no grounds?
Ten Square is a city hotel without grounds of its own, so we take couples out. Botanic Gardens is our favourite, with the Palm House and plenty of quiet corners, and the gardens at City Hall are just across the road. At one wedding with a 3pm ceremony we did not reach Botanic Gardens until after 4pm, so allow around 45 minutes for portraits plus the journey, and think about an earlier ceremony.
Can we get ready at The Loft rooftop bar?
We have photographed getting ready at The Loft. At one wedding the bride arranged it with the hotel on the morning itself, and it gave us far more room than a bedroom would have. Access depends on the hotel and your date, so ask when you book.
What happens between the meal and the first dance?
The hotel needs time to turn the room around for dancing. At one wedding we used that gap to photograph the families outside the hotel, so nobody missed any of the party. Ask the hotel how long the changeover usually takes, and we will plan around it.
What if our ceremony is delayed?
It happens. At one wedding the marriage paperwork was left at home, the hotel quickly sent someone to fetch it and the ceremony started late, which everyone laughed about afterwards. Ask a trusted person to carry it, and read our guide to marriage law and paperwork in Northern Ireland.
What about a winter wedding at Ten Square?
We have photographed Ten Square weddings in late November and the week after Christmas. It was bitterly cold at one and we had to shelter from the rain, and the Christmas market was so crowded at the other that some planned photographs were not possible. We plan portraits earlier in winter, keep indoor options ready and stay flexible.
Can we stay at Ten Square?
Yes. The hotel has 131 bedrooms, and wedding guests are offered preferential rates. Ask the hotel about availability and rates for your date.
Has the hotel changed recently?
Ten Square was refurbished and joined Hilton's DoubleTree brand in 2025. Our photographs at the hotel were taken before that, so ask the hotel what has changed and ask to see the spaces for yourselves.
Can we visit before we book?
Yes. The best way to arrange a visit is to contact the hotel's wedding team. You can email weddings@tensquare.co.uk or call +44 28 9024 1001, and the hotel's weddings page has an enquiry form.
How much does a Ten Square 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 Belfast wedding photographer page.
Getting married at Ten Square?
We would love to be there with you
We have photographed weddings at Ten Square and loved working in the middle of the city. 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 Belfast wedding photographer page, or read about Shauna and John’s wedding, Rachael and Lee’s day and Ashlee and Matthew’s celebration.
- Weddings photographed hereWe know how the day flows at the hotel, 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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