Northern Ireland has absolutely bags of charm, heritage and natural beauty, not to mention a fabulous range of affordable wedding venues. With a long and legendary past that spans everything from traditional music and Gaelic sports to its pivotal role in the shipbuilding and linen industries, it's a place full of personality and Irish pride. Whether you’re walking the historic streets of Belfast or soaking up the dramatic views along the Causeway Coast, Northern Ireland offers an amazing mix of culture and scenery that few places can match.
It’s this combination of heritage and hospitality that makes Northern Ireland such a fantastic wedding destination, and one that is perfect if you're not looking to spend too much money on your big day. According to our 2025 Wedding Report, the average cost of a wedding in Northern Ireland is £18,300, which is well below the UK average of £20,822. Only 3% of UK weddings take place in Northern Ireland, making it the least common region for weddings in the UK, which means less competition to secure those lower-cost venues and vendors. More than three-quarters (77%) of local couples choose to get married in Northern Ireland, showing just how much the country has to offer.
The region’s welcoming spirit, brilliant range of affordable venues and spectacular surroundings create an unforgettable setting for a wedding. Whether you dream of a hotel wedding in the city or a fairytale ceremony in a countryside manor, there’s a venue here to suit every taste and style, even if you don't want to spend too much.
You’ll find plenty of affordable wedding venues across Northern Ireland, offering everything from rustic to refined. That means, even if you don’t have a huge budget to play with, if you plan ahead and do plenty of research, you can still find your ideal venue and vendors across the region.
You might assume you need the budget of a lord or lady to afford a large venue like a manor or country house, but that’s definitely not the case. Of course, there are plenty of super luxury options to choose from, but there are also incredible grand venues that don’t cost the earth.
The wonderful Cultra Manor is a restored 18th-century Edwardian manor house, with elegant interiors and pristine grounds. In County Antrim, The Leighinmohr House Hotel is a huge Georgian house with a ballroom big enough to cater for 250 guests. And then there’s Galgorm Resort and Spa, also in County Antrim, a luxury hotel and spa with so many different options for an affordable ceremony and reception.
Hotels are a hugely popular choice of budget-friendly wedding venue, giving you the option to have your ceremony, wedding breakfast and reception all under one roof – then letting you head upstairs at the end of the night without even having to step outside if you don’t want to. And loads of hotels across Northern Ireland not only have amazing event spaces, but they’re also affordable. Take a look at venues such as Dunadry Hotel and Gardens, The Silverbirch Hotel, White Horse Hotel, La Mon Hotel & Country Club and Corrs Corner Hotel to see what kind of hotel venue you can get for a smaller budget.
Similarly, you might expect big city venues to be expensive, especially in the likes of Belfast. While there are pricier venues, they’re not all the city has to offer. The Merchant Hotel and The Malone are both stunning, lower-cost venues in Belfast, which means you can have your dream city wedding without breaking the bank. Or, if you’d prefer a venue outside of the hustle and bustle of the city to make the most of the beautiful Northern Irish landscape, there are affordable outdoor venues too, like Orange Tree House and Runaway Irish Weddings.
If you’d like to get married somewhere a little different and make sure your big day is unlike any other, there are also loads of affordable options around the country. The Wool Tower in County Antrim is a stunning reclaimed woollen mill on the banks of the River Braid. The Playhouse in County Londonderry is ideal for fans of the arts, allowing you to tie the knot in this historic theatre. There’s also The Old Church Centre, an utterly charming restored former chapel in County Antrim set in a glorious National Trust area.
The average cost of a wedding venue in Northern Ireland is £5,055, which is £900 less than the overall UK average of £5,945. And while this isn’t a huge difference, it’s important to remember that it is just an average, so there are loads of venues around the country that cost way less than this. That makes affordable venue-hunting in Northern Ireland not just possible, but simple.
Affordable wedding venues in Northern Ireland do get snapped up quickly, especially the more unique and in-demand ones. That means if you have a smaller budget, it’s best to plan ahead. The average booking lead time is around 12 to 18 months, particularly for summer and weekend dates, and it can be two or more years for the more highly sought-after venues.
However, if you’re flexible with your dates or happy to consider midweek or off-season weddings, you might be able to book with just six months' notice or less and pay less at the same time. Many venues also offer discounts for winter weddings or late availability packages, which is perfect if you're working with a set budget.
Weddings in Northern Ireland often strike a perfect balance between laid-back and elegant, with plenty of personal touches and creativity. For those on a budget, DIY decor is hugely popular, from hand-lettered signage to homemade centrepieces and favours, helping couples cut costs while adding personality.
Nature-inspired themes are a big trend too, especially with the abundance of forests, coastlines and countryside across the country. Many couples lean into rustic or boho styling, using natural textures, wildflowers and fairy lights to transform even the simplest venue into something special without the need to spend a fortune.
Micro-weddings are also on the rise, with couples choosing to keep things like their venue and guest list small and meaningful, often using the money saved to splash out on food, entertainment or a post-wedding mini-moon or honeymoon. This means you can have a luxurious wedding even if you don’t have a luxurious budget.
