Venue guide · Broughshane, Co. Antrim
The Wool Tower weddings
The advantages and disadvantages, from the photographers who have shot there.
Written by Tommy and Laurene · Updated October 2026
- LocationBroughshane, Co. Antrim
- StyleRestored woollen mill
- CeremonyIndoors
- ReceptionThe Wool Hall
- Weddings per dayOne
About the venue
A restored mill with character to spare
The Wool Tower is a restored woollen mill of about 200 years old at Raceview Mill in Broughshane, Co. Antrim, on the bank of the River Braid. It has exposed brick and stone, vaulted ceilings and pitch pine beams, with separate rooms for the ceremony and the reception, so each part of the day feels different.
We have photographed weddings at The Wool Tower, so this guide is about what we have seen on real days. It covers the good, the not so good and the best places for photos.
One wedding a day, so the whole venue is yours.
Honest view
The advantages and disadvantages of The Wool Tower
Every venue has good points and things to plan around. This is what we have noticed from photographing weddings here.
Advantages
- Only one wedding takes place each day, and the venue is fully private with no public access, so you have it to yourselves. That means privacy for the full day and fewer interruptions.
- The ceremony and the reception are in separate rooms, so each part of the day feels different. You can have a ceremony of up to 200 guests, and the Wool Hall can seat up to 200 for dining.
- The building has real character, with exposed brick and stone, vaulted ceilings, pitch pine beams and Georgian windows, so it looks great without much extra decoration. It suits a relaxed, rustic or boho style of wedding.
- The private grounds sit on the bank of the River Braid, with the courtyard, firepits and blanket boxes for the evening, so you have plenty of choice for portraits without leaving the venue.
- You can stay on site in the Riverside Wedding Suite and the Riverside Suites, plus the Black Sheep Cottage and The Hen House, which sleep about 30 adults between them.
- The team is friendly and helpful, there are two large car parks suitable for coach drop offs, and your dog is welcome too.
Disadvantages
- Accommodation on site is limited to about 30 adults, so larger wedding parties will need to book hotels nearby.
- The style is rustic and relaxed rather than polished, so it is not the best fit for couples who want a high end, glamorous wedding.
- The venue is in Broughshane near Ballymena, so guests travelling from further away will need to plan their journey and where to stay.
- The ceremony lighting can give a distinct orange glow, which the bare brick walls magnify. It is something we plan for with the photography, and worth asking the venue about if colour matters to you.
At a glance
The Wool Tower 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.
- 200guests in the ceremony room and in the Wool Hall
- 30adults can stay on site
- 1wedding a day, so the venue is yours
- 1amwhen the bar and music stop, with hire until 1.30am
Raceview Mill, 9 Mill Road, Broughshane, BT42 4JJ · 028 2586 1436
The spaces
- CeremonyThe ceremony roomUp to 200guestsLicensed for religious and civil ceremonies, with vaulted ceilings, exposed brick and stone, and south facing light through Georgian windows.
- ReceptionThe Wool Hall25 to 200guestsAn open plan space with pitch pine beams, exposed brick walls and quarry stone floors. Banquet or round tables, and a dancefloor for the evening.
- EveningThe courtyardFirepitsand blanket boxesA place for your guests to relax in the evening, with a Juliet balcony from the Wool Hall looking out over it.
- SettingThe riverside groundsPrivatecountrysideThe venue sits on the bank of the River Braid, with private countryside around it and no public access.
Thinking about photography costs? See our wedding photography prices.
The Riverside Wedding Suite and six Riverside Suites are on site, along with Black Sheep Cottage and The Hen House, which sleep about 30 adults in total. Larger parties will need to book nearby.
Viewings are by appointment. There are two large car parks just outside, suitable for coach drop offs, and the venue can be hired from 10am until 1.30am.
Source: the Wool Tower website and the Mid and East Antrim council page for the venue, checked October 2026. Numbers can change, so always check with the venue before you book.
Photography
The Wool Tower wedding photography
We have photographed weddings at The Wool Tower and we know the rooms, the grounds and how the day flows. We plan around the light, the weather and your timings, and choose the spots that suit your day best.
That way your gallery tells the whole story, from getting ready to the evening.
Photo locations
Places to explore
With only one wedding a day, we can use the whole venue without working around another wedding party.
These are the places we use most, and we are always happy to talk them through with you before the day.
The ceremony room
The vaulted ceiling, exposed brick and south facing windows make this a striking room for a ceremony. The ceremony lighting can give an orange glow against the brick, so we plan our settings around it and photograph the ceremony quietly from the sides.
The Wool Hall
The Wool Hall has pitch pine beams, exposed brick and a stone floor, with a backlit stone wall behind the dancefloor. It gives us texture and character for the reception and for the evening party.
The courtyard
The courtyard has firepits and blanket boxes for the evening, and the Juliet balcony from the Wool Hall looks out over it. It is a good place for relaxed candid photographs of your guests.
The riverside grounds
The venue sits on the bank of the River Braid, with private countryside around it and no public access. There is plenty of room to find a quiet corner for relaxed, natural portraits away from your guests.
Real weddings
Weddings at The Wool Tower
A few couples we have photographed here. Tap a photo to read the full story.
Planning your day
A Wool Tower wedding day timeline
Every wedding is different, but this is how a Wool Tower day with a 1pm ceremony might run. It gives you time for photos in the grounds 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. Daylight is shorter in autumn and winter, so for those dates we plan the portraits earlier. It is worth talking the timings through with us before the day.
- 9.30amGetting readyAt home, or at the venue if you are staying over in one of the Riverside Suites or the cottages.
- 11.30amThe boys get ready
- 12.15pmFinal touches, and family see the bride
- 12.45pmGuests take their seatsGuests find their seats in the ceremony room, with the light coming through the Georgian windows.
- 1.00pmThe ceremonyIn the ceremony room, with its vaulted ceiling and exposed brick.
- 1.40pmConfetti and congratulations
- 2.00pmCouple portraitsBy the River Braid, in the grounds and around the courtyard. With one wedding a day, we do not have to work around another wedding party.
- 2.45pmFamily and bridal party photosClose to the ceremony room, which keeps things easy for your guests.
- 3.15pmBack with your guestsDrinks with your guests before everyone heads in for the meal.
- 4.30pmThe speeches
- 5.00pmThe meal
- 7.30pmEvening light photosA short walk out into the grounds by the river while the light is soft, if the weather is kind.
- 7.45pmBack to the partyStraight back to the reception to enjoy the evening with your guests.
- 8.30pmFirst dance
Questions
The Wool Tower wedding FAQ
The questions couples ask us most about getting married here. If yours is not covered, send us a message.
Where is The Wool Tower?
The Wool Tower is at Raceview Mill, 9 Mill Road in Broughshane, Co. Antrim, on the bank of the River Braid. It is in a restored mill building of about 200 years old, in private countryside near Ballymena.
How many guests can The Wool Tower host?
The ceremony space is licensed for up to 200 guests, and the Wool Hall can seat 25 to 200 for dining, banquet style or at round tables. Numbers can change, so always check the current figures with the venue when you enquire.
Is there more than one wedding a day?
No. The Wool Tower has a one wedding a day policy, so you have the venue to yourselves. It is also fully private, with no public or membership access. That makes privacy and photography easier, because we do not have to work around another wedding party.
What kind of ceremonies can we have?
The venue is licensed for religious and civil ceremonies and partnerships. The ceremony room has a vaulted ceiling, exposed brick and stone, and south facing light through Georgian windows.
Can we stay at The Wool Tower?
Yes. There are the Riverside Wedding Suite and six Riverside Suites, plus Black Sheep Cottage and The Hen House, sleeping about 30 adults in total. Larger wedding parties will need to book other places nearby.
Is the lighting a problem for photographs?
The ceremony lighting can give a distinct orange glow, which the bare brick walls magnify. We know the room and plan around it, so it is nothing to worry about, but it is worth mentioning if you are choosing between venues.
Where are the best spots for photos at The Wool Tower?
The ceremony room, the Wool Hall, the courtyard and the riverside grounds all work well. We plan the order of locations around the light and your timings, so you do not have to think about it on the day.
What time does the evening finish?
The venue can be hired from 10am until 1.30am, and the bar and music stop at 1am. Check the details for your package with the venue.
Can we visit before we book?
Yes. Viewings are by appointment, on Tuesday and Wednesday from 10am to 7pm and Thursday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm. You can call the venue on 028 2586 1436 to arrange one.
Have you photographed weddings at The Wool Tower before?
Yes. You can read about Sophie and Bella, Claire and Chris, Becky and Chris and Lynnette and Michael in our real weddings.
How much does a Wool Tower 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.
Getting married at The Wool Tower?
We would love to be there with you
We have photographed weddings at The Wool Tower and enjoyed every one. 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 a day here looks like, have a look at our real weddings with Sophie and Bella and Claire and Chris.
- Weddings photographed hereWe know the ceremony room, the Wool Hall and the riverside grounds, and how the day flows with one wedding at a time
- 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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