The front of Tullyglass House Hotel with its clock tower and fountain

Venue guide · Ballymena, Co. Antrim

Tullyglass House Hotel weddings

The advantages and disadvantages, from the photographers who have shot there.

Written by Tommy and Laurene · Updated October 2026

  • LocationBallymena, Co. Antrim
  • StyleHistoric hotel with gardens
  • CeremonyVenetian Suite or the garden
  • ReceptionClocktower or Corinthian Suite
  • Bedrooms46 on site

About the venue

A historic hotel with its own gardens

Tullyglass House Hotel is a hotel wedding venue on the Galgorm Road in Ballymena, in a building with a history going back to the second half of the 19th century. It has a dedicated ceremony room, a choice of wedding suites for your reception and a private garden at the side of the hotel for photos.

We have photographed lots of weddings here and know the hotel well. This guide covers the good, the not so good and the best places for photos, from what we have seen on real days. If you would like to know more about us at this venue, see our Tullyglass Hotel wedding photographer page.

Ceremony, reception and accommodation, all in one place.

The Tullyglass Hotel sign set in a stone wall at the entrance in Ballymena

Honest view

The advantages and disadvantages of Tullyglass House Hotel

Every venue has good points and things to plan around. This is what we have noticed from photographing weddings here.

Advantages

  • The Venetian Suite is a dedicated ceremony room that has been recently renovated, so you can marry indoors at the hotel without moving anyone to another building. If the weather is kind, you can also marry in the garden.
  • Ceremony, drinks, dinner and evening can all stay under one roof. The Clocktower Suite and the Corinthian Suite give you a choice for the reception, and the Corinthian Suite can welcome up to 230 guests for the bigger celebrations.
  • There are 46 bedrooms on site, so your closest family and friends can stay the night and you can get ready at the hotel on the morning.
  • The hotel has its own private garden and grounds, so for many couples we can take a good set of portraits without leaving the property. We have written more about this on our Tullyglass Hotel wedding photographer page.
  • Ballymena is a handy central spot for guests travelling from across Co. Antrim and beyond.
  • The hotel team is friendly and used to weddings. The hotel can host two weddings in one day, which means the staff are well practised at running a smooth day.

Disadvantages

  • Because the hotel can host two weddings in one day, you may be sharing the building and grounds with another wedding party. It is worth asking the hotel which rooms and garden areas will be yours on your date.
  • The garden is lovely, but the best corners can get busy. When another wedding is on, we plan the timing of your portraits around it and keep the schedule flexible.
  • The hotel works with set wedding packages, so there is less room to build something completely bespoke than at a venue where you bring your own suppliers. Ask to see the current packages and what is included.
  • It is a town hotel rather than a country estate, so the setting feels more traditional and less secluded. For couples dreaming of a long private driveway and open parkland, it may feel different.
  • Ballymena is a drive from Belfast, usually around 40 minutes. Guests coming from Belfast and further south will want to plan transport, and a hotel room on site helps.
  • Popular dates book well ahead, so if you have your heart set on a Saturday in summer, speak to the hotel early.

At a glance

Tullyglass House Hotel 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.

  • 230guests in the Corinthian Suite, the largest space with listed numbers
  • 250guests for a garden ceremony
  • 46rooms on site, including 5 suites
  • 2weddings can take place in one day

178 Galgorm Road, Ballymena, BT42 1HJ · 028 2565 2639

The spaces

  • CeremonyThe Venetian SuiteCivilceremoniesAn indoor ceremony room with soaring columns and a grand chandelier, giving a warm and romantic glow.
  • CeremonyThe gardenUp to 250guestsLandscaped lawns with mature trees and seasonal flowers, for a ceremony under open sky.
  • ReceptionThe Clocktower SuiteLargerweddingsPanoramic views, a wine cellar and a French bar. The hotel recommends it for larger weddings.
  • ReceptionThe Corinthian Suite20 to 230guestsA versatile room for small and grand celebrations, with a conservatory area full of natural light and a water fountain at the entrance.

Thinking about photography costs? See our wedding photography prices, or read about photographing weddings at Tullyglass.

Staying over

The hotel has 46 rooms, including 5 suites, deluxe king rooms and family rooms, so the wedding party can stay on site and get ready there on the morning.

Planning your day

The hotel has a dedicated wedding team to guide you. You can book a showaround, look at the floor plans on their website, and ask for current packages and dates.

Source: the Tullyglass House Hotel website, checked October 2026. Numbers can change, so always check with the venue before you book.

Photography

Tullyglass House Hotel wedding photography

We have photographed many weddings at Tullyglass House Hotel and we know the garden, the lane and how the day flows. You can see more on our Tullyglass Hotel wedding photographer page.

Because the hotel can host two weddings in one day, we plan around the light, the weather and your timings, and we choose the spots that suit your day best, so your gallery tells the whole story from getting ready to the evening.

Bride and groom on the lawn with the garden rotunda behind them at Tullyglass House Hotel
Bride and groom beside a stone pergola in the garden at Tullyglass House Hotel
Bride and groom in the grounds at Tullyglass House Hotel

Photo locations

Places to explore

Most of the best spots at Tullyglass are within a few minutes of the hotel, so we can use your time well and keep your guests close.

These are the places we use most, and we are always happy to talk them through with you before the day.

The private garden

The hotel has a private garden to the left of the building, and it is where most of our portraits happen. It has lawns, mature trees, a garden rotunda and plenty of corners, so we can vary the backdrop without going far.

The lane

A quiet lane next to the hotel gives us a different look, with a long line of trees and a lovely path to walk along. It is a favourite for relaxed, natural walking shots.

The water feature

The fountain and water feature at the front of the hotel make a classic backdrop, and they are right outside, so it is a quick stop on the way to the garden.

The right side of the hotel

The area to the right of the hotel catches the late light well, which makes it a good choice for golden portraits later in the day.

Antrim Castle Gardens

Antrim Castle Gardens is a short drive away and a beautiful setting for portraits. You do need permission to photograph there, so we plan it with you in advance.

The garden across the road

A private garden across the road on Shankbridge Road can be hired for portraits. It is popular and only suits some days, so book early if you would like it.

Bride and groom beside the water feature at Tullyglass House Hotel
The water feature
Bride and groom on the lane at Tullyglass House Hotel
The lane
Bride and groom on a garden path at Tullyglass House Hotel
Garden paths

Real weddings

Weddings at Tullyglass House Hotel

Here are some of the couples we have photographed here. Tap a photo to read the full story.

Planning your day

A Tullyglass House Hotel wedding day timeline

Every wedding is different, but this is how a Tullyglass day with a 1pm ceremony might run. It gives you time for photos in the garden without anyone feeling rushed, and still gets you back to your guests. Our Tullyglass Hotel wedding photographer page has more about how we work here.

Golden hour moves a lot through the year in Northern Ireland, so we plan your evening light photos around your date. The hotel can host two weddings in one day, so it is worth asking which areas are yours at what time, and talking the timings through with us before the day.

  1. 9.30amGetting ready at the hotelLots of our couples stay the night before and get ready in one of the bedrooms, so the whole morning is in one place.
  2. 11.30amThe boys get ready
  3. 12.15pmFinal touches, and family see the bride
  4. 12.45pmGuests take their seats
  5. 1.00pmThe ceremonyIn the Venetian Suite, or in the garden if you would like to marry outdoors and the weather allows.
  6. 1.40pmConfetti and congratulations
  7. 2.00pmCouple portraitsIn the private garden, on the lane or by the water feature. If another wedding is on, we plan the order of locations around it.
  8. 2.45pmFamily and bridal party photosClose to the hotel, which keeps things easy for your guests.
  9. 3.15pmBack with your guestsDrinks with your guests before everyone heads in for the meal.
  10. 4.30pmThe speeches
  11. 5.00pmThe meal
  12. 7.30pmEvening light photosA short walk out to the garden or the side of the hotel while the light is soft.
  13. 7.45pmBack to the partyStraight back to the reception to enjoy the evening with your guests.
  14. 8.30pmFirst dance

Questions

Tullyglass House Hotel 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 Tullyglass House Hotel hold?

According to the hotel, the Corinthian Suite holds between 20 and 230 guests, and the Clocktower Suite is recommended for larger weddings. The garden can host a ceremony for up to 250 guests. Numbers can change, so always check the current figures with the hotel when you enquire.

Where is the ceremony at Tullyglass House Hotel?

You can marry in the Venetian Suite, an indoor room with soaring columns and a grand chandelier, or in the hotel garden, which has lawns, mature trees and seasonal flowers. Ask the hotel about the types of ceremony available and what you need to arrange, so you know exactly what applies to you.

Is there more than one wedding a day?

Yes, Tullyglass House Hotel can host two weddings in one day. It is worth asking the hotel which rooms and garden areas will be yours on your date. We plan the timing of your portraits around the day, so you never feel rushed.

Can we stay at Tullyglass House Hotel?

Yes. The hotel has 46 rooms, including 5 suites, deluxe king rooms and family rooms. Lots of our couples stay the night before and get ready at the hotel on the morning, so everything is in one place.

What happens if it rains?

The Venetian Suite means your ceremony can happen indoors whatever the weather, and the hotel has indoor spaces for your celebrations. For portraits, we agree a wet weather plan with you before the day, and we use the lovely light indoors too.

Where are the best spots for photos at Tullyglass House Hotel?

Most of our portraits happen in the private garden to the left of the hotel, with lawns, trees and a garden rotunda. We also like the lane, the water feature at the front and the right side of the hotel for later light. See our Tullyglass Hotel wedding photographer page for more.

Can we take photos outside the hotel grounds?

Yes, with a little planning. Antrim Castle Gardens is a short drive away, but you need permission to photograph there. A private garden across the road on Shankbridge Road can also be hired for portraits, and it is popular, so book early if you would like it.

How far ahead should we book Tullyglass House Hotel?

Popular dates go early, so contact the hotel as soon as you have a date in mind and ask about availability. Book your photographer at the same time, because our dates fill up too.

Have you photographed weddings at Tullyglass House Hotel before?

Yes, many times. You can read about Aisling and Charles, Emma and John, Tiffany and Andrew and Catherine and Matthew, among others, in our real weddings.

How much does a Tullyglass House Hotel 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 about shooting here, see our Tullyglass Hotel wedding photographer page.

Getting married at Tullyglass House Hotel?

We would love to be there with you

We have photographed many weddings at Tullyglass House Hotel, in every season. 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.

To see what it is like having us photograph your day here, have a look at our Tullyglass wedding photographer page.

  • Photographed here many timesWe know the garden, the lane and how the day flows through the hotel, even with two weddings in one day
  • 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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