When couples start looking around County Antrim for somewhere to get married, they usually find themselves weighing up two very different paths. There is the familiar hotel wedding where everything runs along a tried and tested track, with set menus, crystal chandeliers, and function rooms designed to handle a bit of everything. Then there are independent places like ours, where the gates close behind you, the clock slows down, and you have the run of an old country estate with nobody else around.

Deciding between the two really comes down to how you want your time to feel. It shapes whether your morning is peaceful and private or spent seeing hotel guests passing through the lobby, and whether you are able to take your time over dinner without being nudged along for the room to be turned around.

Having the Estate Entirely to Yourselves

One of the hardest things about a busy hotel is that everyday life is carrying on around you the whole time. You might step out in your dress and bump into someone grabbing a morning paper or heading into the bar for lunch, and sometimes there is even another wedding party getting photographed on the other side of the lawn.

We simply do not work that way here. When you come to Hillmount House, the entire ten-acre estate belongs solely to you and your people for the day. Tucked away on the Old Glenarm Road near Drains Bay, the grounds look right out across the sea, and once you arrive, there are no strangers wandering past your ceremony or chatting outside the windows. It makes the whole day feel less like a public event and more like welcoming your family and friends into a private home that happens to have a rather wonderful history behind it.

The Freedom to Do Things Your Own Way

Hotels are brilliant at routine, but because they host events week in and week out, they tend to stick quite firmly to their rulebook. That can make life straightforward if you want a set package where everything is already decided, but it leaves very little room to do something personal, and you often find yourself working around strict minimum numbers, fixed menus, and corkage fees.

We much prefer to sit down over a cup of tea, listen to what you have in mind, and work out how to make it happen comfortably. If you fancy a traditional three-course meal with wine pairings, our team can look after that for you, but if you would rather bring in one of our favourite local catering vans for a relaxed evening in the courtyard, you have the room to do just that without anyone looking over your shoulder.

Moving Gently Between Different Spaces

In a typical ballroom, you often spend twelve hours in the exact same room, sitting through speeches while staff begin clearing cutlery and then waiting around in a corridor while the tables are pushed back to make space for a dance floor.

Because we have a collection of historic buildings across the estate, the day naturally moves from one lovely setting to the next as the hours go by. You might start with drinks and canapés in the rustic Coach House and open courtyard, take a walk down to the lawns or the wild meadow for your ceremony overlooking the water, and then stroll into The Barn when it is time to sit down for dinner. The Barn has plenty of natural light, its own bespoke Art Deco cocktail bar, and comfortably holds up to 150 guests for a meal and 200 for the evening party, so nobody ever feels squeezed or rushed into a corner.

A Place With Its Own Natural Character

Standard function suites are designed to be blank boxes that work just as well for a business conference on a Tuesday as they do for a party on a Saturday, which usually means couples have to spend a substantial amount on drapes, lighting, and heavy floristry just to give the room some warmth.

With a Georgian manor house that has stood here since the 1720s, the textures and gardens do almost all of the visual work for you. Between the old stone walls, the mature trees, and the coastal light drifting up from Drains Bay, the surroundings look graceful and relaxed in photographs without needing to be dressed up with layers of artificial décor.

Staying Over in the Manor House

Accommodation in a hotel usually means your guests are scattered across multiple floors among other travellers. Staying at Hillmount House feels much more like hosting a gentle weekend house party, because the main Georgian house is reserved exclusively for you and up to ten of your guests across five bedrooms.

You can wake up with your bridesmaids or family on the morning of the wedding, have our housekeeper serve you a proper breakfast without any rush, and take your time getting ready in the drawing room before the ceremony begins. For those who want to keep the celebration going a little longer, we can easily put together a relaxed barbecue or picnic out in the courtyard the following afternoon.

Welcoming Your Four-Legged Family Members

Leaving a beloved pet at home can be heartbreaking, particularly when they are such a big part of your daily routine together. Most commercial hotels simply cannot permit dogs inside their buildings, which means family pets often miss out on the day entirely.

We are huge dog lovers ourselves and are delighted to welcome well-behaved pets across the estate. Whether you would like your dog to walk down the aisle with you, sit quietly beside you during the ceremony on the lawn, or wander around the courtyard while everyone enjoys a glass of fizz, they are treated as an honoured guest right alongside everyone else.

Clear Pricing Without Unpleasant Surprises

At first glance, a per-head package at a hotel can look quite neat, but the extra costs have a habit of mounting up once you start asking about ceremony room charges, upgrading the wine, or extending the bar past midnight.

We believe in keeping things honest and transparent from the start, offering clear venue hire rates so you know where you stand from day one. You have the freedom to balance your budget around what matters most to the two of you, whether that is a bespoke menu, live music, or beautiful seasonal flowers from local florists like Victoriana. We operate fully licensed bars on site with our own dedicated team, ensuring your guests receive a warm, professional service throughout the day and evening.

If you are looking for somewhere calm, private, and full of natural character to bring your family together, we would love to show you around the house and gardens in person, put the kettle on, and chat through your ideas whenever you are ready.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many guests can Hillmount House hold?

We can comfortably accommodate up to 100 guests for an indoor ceremony in The Coach House, while The Barn seats up to 150 guests for your wedding meal and can welcome up to 200 guests for evening entertainment.

Are you genuinely dog friendly?

Yes, we really are. Your dogs are very welcome to join you for your outdoor ceremony, spend time on the lawns during your drinks reception, and feature in your wedding photographs across the grounds.

Can our bridal party stay overnight on the estate?

The Georgian Manor House is available for exclusive serviced hire for up to 10 guests across five double or twin bedrooms, with breakfast served by our housekeeper the following morning.

Where exactly is Hillmount House situated?

You will find us at 357 Old Glenarm Road in Larne, County Antrim, tucked away right near Drains Bay at the starting point of the Causeway Coastal Route.