A guide to getting married in Dow

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! Down County, Ireland, offers a beautiful backdrop for such a special occasion. Down County has plenty to offer if you're looking for scenic coastal views, historic venues, or charming countryside settings.

The best wedding venues in Down

Down has many beautiful wedding venues, each with unique character and charm.

Here are some of the best wedding venues in Down:

Cultra Manor - Set within the picturesque grounds of the Ulster Folk Museum, Cultra Manor is your exclusive and secluded wedding venue. Nestled in 175 acres of rolling countryside, just 10 minutes from Belfast city centre, the jaw-dropping location is perfect for your wedding ceremony and reception to unfold.

Field of Dreams - Field of Dreams offers couples a picturesque setting for a rustic yet elegant wedding set in 36 acres of lush County Down countryside. We have “all things wedding” covered with our Retreat & bar area, stretch tent and lakeside pergola and can provide details of a selection of catering firms to tantalise your taste buds.

Orange Tree House - Orange Tree House is a private wedding venue nestled on the shores of Strangford Lough in the pretty village of Greyabbey. The oldest parts are over 200 years old, and the venue is steeped in history and has a beautiful atmosphere. The property has been lovingly restored, and should you choose to have your wedding here, you will be helping us preserve this important building for future generations to enjoy. The venue is private for you and your guests to enjoy - the only people who will be here on your wedding day will be those special people you have chosen to celebrate with you.

Tullyveery House - Tullyveery House is an exclusive and intimate wedding and private events venue nestled in the rolling drumlins of County Down, convenient to Belfast. The family-owned Georgian House and Victorian courtyard area surrounded by mature private grounds and gardens provide a stunning rural backdrop overlooking the Mourne Mountains.

Finnebrogue Woods - For a truly unique and captivating wedding venue, look no further than Finnebrogue Woods.

Our secluded setting, hidden among the trees on the estate, is utterly breathtaking. With views across the glistening lake, our magnificent tipis offer a one-of-a-kind venue for your special day.

The best wedding photographers in Down

Choosing the right wedding photographer can be a daunting task. Whether you're looking for a traditional approach or a more contemporary style, many skilled wedding photographers in Down can deliver stunning images you'll treasure for years.

Here are some of the best wedding photographers in Down:

Stuart Macrory Photography - We have been capturing weddings since 2013 and have covered all corners of Northern Ireland. We have shot hundreds of weddings, which we are fortunate to have witnessed! Our approach to wedding photography is to be discreet and ninja-like! This allows us to capture all the little moments that happen so quickly and can easily go unnoticed.

Heart Lake Photography - I prefer to blend into the background- I want to avoid getting in your way or taking up too much of your time instructing you on how to pose! I like to capture natural, relaxed interactions between the bride and groom and guests as they make the most beautiful photos! However, I understand the significance of formal 'posed' pictures and am very happy to help with these.

Ryan McDonald Photography - Capturing the timeless essence of love amidst the enchanting landscapes of Northern Ireland, we are your premier choice for wedding photography in this picturesque region. As seasoned professionals, our expertise spans from intimate ceremonies to grand celebrations, ensuring every moment is beautifully preserved. Our Northern Ireland wedding photographer services offer competitive prices without compromising on quality; we are proud to be counted among the best wedding photographers in Northern Ireland. Trust us to turn your wedding into a captivating visual narrative you’ll cherish forever.

Mark Barton Photography - I want to tell the story of your day as naturally as possible. There are no unnatural poses, just beautiful, timeless pictures that capture your wedding day's real emotion, individuality and mood. I'd love to hear about your wedding plans.

Hammond Photography - I aim to keep the day about you and your love at its centre. I’ll never cart you away from your guests for hours. You've invited them for a reason, so it's important that you spend as much time with them sharing a drink over a bit of craic than with me in the middle of a field somewhere.

Getting a wedding dress in Down

Whether you're looking for a classic ballgown, a bohemian lace dress, or a sleek modern silhouette, Down offers a variety of options to help you find the perfect wedding dress for your special day.

Here are some of the best places to get a wedding dress in Down:

Naomi’s Of Ballynahinch - When you visit your boutique in Co Down, you will be offered a warm and friendly welcome by a professional & experienced consultant. The atmosphere is relaxed, and the pressure is off to allow brides and guests to enjoy the wedding shopping experience. Gowns are sourced by the proprietor of each boutique from international designers and are priced to suit all budgets.

Ivory & Pearl - At Ivory & Pearl, we are passionate about weddings and helping you create your dream day. We work one-on-one with each bride to provide you with an individual, personalised, and intimate experience. As we sell mainly non-traditional dresses, we find it beneficial if our brides have visited other boutiques before visiting us. This ensures you have already tried various styles to compare our dresses to.

Joanne Ferguson Bridal - Joanne’s bespoke detail has attracted the attention of many brides, and she is renowned for quality and excellent, friendly and personal service. With around 4000sq ft of shop filled with stock for you to see and choose from. Joanne is well known for bespoke bridal dresses; however, she has a new range of "off-the-peg dresses" and a collection of "vintage dresses".

Now and Forever Bridal - Every bride dreams of looking her best on her wedding day. At Now and Forever Bridal, we pride ourselves on offering our brides personal and professional service while maintaining a relaxed atmosphere in the boutique. We are proud stockists of wedding gowns from world-renowned bridal designers such as Randy Fenoli, MGNY, Eddy K, Venus, and Modeca, in addition to House of Nicholas Libelle, Bianco Evento and Richard Designs. We can help you make the difficult decision of choosing the perfect dress and keep it as pleasurable and stress-free as possible. Based in Newtownards, we welcome customers from Belfast and across County Down.

Jenny Lindop Bridal Wear - We believe your wedding day is the most important day of your life, and being a part of that would be our pleasure. We are truly passionate about choosing gowns that will give each bride the perfect look for their wedding, and with Jenny's expertise in dress-making, you can feel confident you are in the best hands.

The best wedding catering companies in Down

Down is home to many catering companies that specialise in weddings.

Here are some of the best wedding catering companies in the area:

Posh Nosh - Our second-to-none service and meticulous attention to detail from our team will guarantee that your special day will be much better than anything you may have wished for. Due to our vast experience in catering in many venues throughout Ireland, we know you want a ‘one-of-a-kind’ day to remember. Our professional team will be on hand to help you achieve this. Our menus offer an extensive selection of choices for your wedding, from canapés through to supper and everything in between.

Cousins Event Catering - We are a family-run business based in Comber, Newtownards. We pride ourselves in sourcing produce along the length and breadth of the stunning Ards peninsula and our shoreline.

Our chefs have travelled the world and worked in countries such as Canada, the Czech Republic, Germany, England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. We harness all these experiences to bring you the best culinary experience no matter what your event.

Foody Folk Events - A Foodie Folk BBQ creates the theatre of live cooking in front of your guests using the finest local ingredients in a relaxed and informal style. Our Buffets and Sharing Platters offer your guests a wide variety of sumptuous food to cater for everyone’s individual tastes. You choose what you want to make sure your big day is perfect.

Challas Catering - We are committed to giving you a fantastic wedding reception to enjoy with your family and friends. If you’re looking for something a little informal yet highly professional, we can certainly guarantee that. We offer a variety of options to suit your requirements.

K & R Event Catering - Everything we do is homemade, locally sourced and freshly prepared on the day of your event. We create and deliver delicious, high-quality food using only the freshest local ingredients and provide outstanding service in our own venue and the venues we cater for.

Getting a wedding cake in Down

Numerous well-known cake designers and bakeries in Down specialise in crafting exquisite wedding cakes.

Here are some of the best places to get a wedding cake made in Down:

A Cake For All Seasons - With over 18 years of experience, I am confident that you will be delighted with your individual and personal home-baked creation, whether traditional or contemporary. All cakes are baked to order using the highest quality local ingredients.

Copperhead Cakes - I offer a completely personalised service from your initial enquiry right through to the delivery of your unique wedding cake. Whether you want a classically elegant design or a totally geeky explosion of your passions, I can turn your dreams into reality. My creative flair, attention to detail and over 8 years of cake decorating experience will ensure your cake is as exceptional as your wedding.

Wedding Cakes by Design - Over the past 10 years, I have found my true passion in creating incredibly lifelike sugar flowers to dress my cakes. All handmade and bespoke to reflect those in the Bride's bouquet may take several days to make, but it gives me a great sense of accomplishment and satisfaction and makes each of my home-baked cakes unique and truly special.

The best hotels in Down

These are just a few of the top hotels in Down, each offering its own unique atmosphere and amenities. Depending on your preferences and budget, you'll likely find a hotel that suits your needs for a comfortable and enjoyable stay in the area.

Here are some of the best hotels in Down:

Clandeboye Lodge - Our story is about a passion for hospitality delivered with style, excellence, craftsmanship, and luxury. This is deeply embedded in our hotel – its facilities, ambience, and attitude. Clandeboye Lodge is the pride and joy of its owners. This makes a difference. It’s personal. No detail is unnoticed. No comment unheeded. No guest is unattended. Mood, music, menus, mattresses. Nothing left to chance. Beyond boutique.

The Mill Ballydugan - A fully restored and converted 18th-century flour mill, The Mill at Ballydugan is the perfect venue for your wedding day. Hosting only one wedding per day, ensuring complete privacy for your party, the Mill is licensed to hold wedding ceremonies and civil partnerships.

Millbrook Lodge - At the Millbrook Lodge, we’ve been helping happy couples create their special day for more than 40 years. That’s a lot of smiles, a few tears of joy and an incredible amount of love. We ensure your day is as unique and individual as you are. We wrap it all up with care, dedication and our undivided attention. Your wedding is our only focus on your big day.

The Carriage Rooms at Montalto - Take a look at the unique blend of rustic charm and sophisticated elegance that make The Carriage Rooms so special. Looking after you from start to finish, you'll find our attention to detail unrivalled and something that sets us apart. Magnificent, private and luxurious surroundings, the promise of exclusivity with the highest service standards – The Carriage Rooms offer all this and much more, offering your pure romance and timeless memories.

County Down is a place of outstanding natural beauty. With the dramatic Mourne Mountains to the south and the serene shores of Strangford Lough to the east, you'll be surrounded by stunning landscapes that provide endless opportunities for outdoor activities.