Belfast is a city where history and modern energy come together, offering a unique backdrop for a wedding. The city is famous for being the birthplace of the Titanic, as well as the natural beauty of the Giant’s Causeway and its bustling nightlife. And with its grand Victorian buildings, striking waterfront and showstopping surrounding countryside, Northern Ireland’s capital has a setting to suit every kind of celebration. Whether you’re drawn there by your family’s ties to the city, you’re excited to include some Irish spirit and charm in your big day, or you have your eye on a particular venue, Belfast is packed with unforgettable places.
Our 2025 Wedding Report found that 3% of all UK weddings take place in Belfast and the rest of Northern Ireland, with 77% of local couples choosing to stay in the region for their big day. The average cost of a wedding in Belfast and Northern Ireland is £18,300, which is over £2,000 lower than the UK average of £20,822. This makes Belfast an excellent choice for couples looking to get the most out of their budget and still make sure they have their dream wedding.
With everything from incredible luxury venues to intimate and quirky locations, you can be confident that Northern Ireland is a brilliant place to host your dream wedding.
Belfast’s wedding scene reflects a mix of traditional elegance and modern creativity. Many couples embrace classic Irish and Celtic influences, incorporating traditional music and handfasting ceremonies. And not forgetting a toast with a traditional glass of warming Irish whiskey!
Rustic and countryside weddings are also hugely popular, with many couples opting for barn venues and outdoor celebrations just outside the city. This also means local couples lean heavily into sustainability, choosing venues that support green initiatives, minimise waste and opt for environmentally friendly decor and catering options. The emphasis is on creating beautiful celebrations that also respect the environment and help protect the wonderful local countryside.
Irish couples also like to make sure they’re inclusive, with traditional gender roles in wedding parties being flipped on their heads. It's becoming more common to see a 'Best Woman' or 'Flower Boys,' reflecting a more inclusive and personalised approach to what you might expect to see at a wedding.
Belfast has a wide selection of wedding venues, whether you’re after classic elegance, modern luxury or something with Northern Irish charm and character.
With tons of history in and around Belfast, so many venues are a wonderful mix of luxury and amenities, as well as hundreds of years of that rich and interesting history. Just outside of the city is Hillsborough Castle and Gardens, Northern Ireland's official royal residence with incredible interiors and exteriors, with so many ceremony options available. Magheramorne Estate has views overlooking the Irish Sea and has truly luxurious rooms, including the beautiful Ballroom. Another fantastic choice is the beautifully gothic Brownlow Castle, set within fabulous grounds that make for unbeatable wedding photos.
With a fantastic coastline and an even more fantastic countryside just a stone’s throw from the city, Belfast and the surrounding area make for a great location if you fancy having an outdoor wedding. Venues including Larchfield Estate, Orange Tree House and Breckenhill all have lovely outdoor ceremony and reception spaces so you can say, ‘I do!’ surrounded by the legendary Northern Irish Countryside.
Belfast is known for being full of character, and many of the city’s wedding venues reflect that, whether it’s somewhere filled with local history or with a unique and eclectic atmosphere. Sitting on the banks of the river Braid, The Wool Tower is a reclaimed woollen mill with plenty of rustic charm. Ulster Museum is equal parts modern and classic, allowing you to tie the knot in a venue filled with exhibits focused on art, history and the natural world. Or you could go for the Grade A-listed Crumlin Road Gaol, a Victorian building that once housed local criminals, but now ensures you have a far happier life sentence than its residents of the past!
Belfast is a great city for low-cost weddings, too, with a huge selection of budget-friendly venues to choose from. And that affordability doesn’t mean compromising on quality, either. Venues such as Cultra Manor, La Mon Hotel & Country Club and Corrs Corner Hotel are all brilliant if you’re hoping to keep spending down while still making sure you have a wedding to remember.
The average cost of a wedding venue in Belfast (as well as the rest of Northern Ireland) is £5,055, which is almost £1,000 cheaper than the overall UK average of £5,945. This just shows that the city doesn’t only have its fair share of fantastic venues, but also more than its fair share of venues that fit all kinds of budgets.
Thanks to their affordability, Belfast’s wedding venues are in high demand. That means early booking is recommended to avoid disappointment, with lead times averaging around 12 to 18 months. If you’d like a summer or weekend wedding, or you’re excited to get married at one of the city’s more popular venues, then you’ll likely need to book even further ahead than this – perhaps two or more years in advance.
For off-peak weddings, including weekday or winter dates, some venues may have availability within six to nine months. You may even find last-minute deals during the quietest times, with some great bargains to be enjoyed if you’re super flexible.
Belfast is one of the wettest cities in the UK, with an average of 79mm of rain each month. But, don’t hold that against it – while it can be wet at times, the city also gets plenty of sun. Whatever time of year you’d like to get married, Belfast has plenty to offer.
Spring (March – May) is a lovely time to get married in Belfast, with blooming flowers and lush greens in the city’s parks, like Ormeau Park and Victoria Park. Temperatures range from 9°C (48°F) in March to 15°C (59°F) in May, with a mix of sunshine and the odd shower.
Summer (June – August) is the most popular wedding season in Belfast, with average temperatures between 17°C (63°F) and 21°C (70°F). The longer evenings make it perfect for outdoor ceremonies, waterfront celebrations or rustic weddings in the heart of the countryside at venues like Runaway Irish Weddings and The Carriage Rooms at Montalto Estate.
Autumn (September – November) brings all the favourite autumnal shades to the Belfast landscape, making it a stunning time for producing the best wedding photos. Temperatures range from 16°C (61°F) in September to 7°C (45°F) in November, and while there’s a higher chance of rain, cosy indoor venues in the city are a fabulous choice.
Winter (December – February) might be cold in Belfast, with temperatures between 2°C (36°F) and 7°C (45°F), but they’re also beautiful. Things can get a little breezy too, thanks to the Irish Sea. But, it makes indoor venues, like The Merchant Hotel and House Belfast, a great option for an intimate and elegant celebration.
Belfast is a well-connected wedding destination, making it easy for guests to travel from across the UK, Ireland and the rest of the world.
If you choose to fly, Belfast International Airport (BFS) and George Best Belfast City Airport (BHD) offer direct flights to and from major UK and international destinations. Dublin Airport (DUB) is also an option, with a direct train service between the two cities taking a little over two hours.
For guests travelling by ferry, services run between Belfast and Liverpool, Cairnryan and the Isle of Man, making it a great option for those bringing their cars or who aren’t a fan of flying.
Belfast is well connected by road and rail, with regular train and bus services linking it to cities and towns throughout the rest of Northern Ireland.
The city also has plenty of places to stay, so neither you nor your guests should have any trouble finding somewhere to rest your heads. There are also loads of venues in and around Belfast that have fantastic event spaces, so you can spend your entire wedding day – from the ceremony to the moment you collapse into bed – under one roof. Make sure to check out venues like Titanic Hotel Belfast, Dunadry Hotel And Gardens and Culloden Estate and Spa to see exactly how special and convenient a hotel wedding can be.
