Choosing a wedding venue is often the first big decision a couple makes after the proposal. It sets the tone for everything else that follows, from the dress to the flowers. Here at Hillmount House, we understand that you aren’t just looking for a space, you are looking for a place that feels right.
What sets Hillmount House apart?
One of the most important things to know about Hillmount House is that when you book with us, the entire estate is yours. We only ever host one event per day. Unlike many larger hotels or venues where you might find “Function Room A” hosting one wedding and “Function Room B” hosting another, we believe your wedding deserves our full and undivided attention.
From the moment you arrive, you and your guests are the sole priority. Whether you are wandering through the sea-view gardens, enjoying a drink in the Coach House, or dancing the night away in the Barn, you won’t be sharing the space with anyone else. It is this sense of total privacy and exclusivity that makes Hillmount feel like a true home away from home.
Where exactly is Hillmount House located?
We are situated just outside Larne, near the village of Drains Bay. The house sits on a very green 10-acre estate that looks out to the sea and that acts as a gateway to the breathtaking Causeway Coastal Route. We are about 24 miles from Belfast and the International Airport, which makes us a convenient spot for guests travelling from further afield. One of the things guests love most is our position overlooking the sea, providing a backdrop that you just don’t find at many inland venues.
What kind of wedding styles do you cater for?
Because Hillmount is a private estate rather than a hotel, the day is truly bespoke. We often get couples searching for barn wedding venues in Northern Ireland and wondering why they stumble upon us. It’s because, along with the Georgian house, we also have a wonderful converted Barn on-site that can accommodate up to 150 guests for dinner and evening entertainment.
However, we are also a perfect fit for those looking for something a bit more traditional or intimate. The main Georgian house, which is Grade 2 listed, provides a more formal but still incredibly comfortable setting. Whether you want to dine al fresco in the courtyard or have a grand celebration in the Barn, the space adapts to your vision.
We are planning a very small wedding, is Hillmount too big for us?
Not at all. We actually specialise in creating intimate experiences. The Manor House itself is available for exclusive, serviced hire for up to 10 people. This includes five double bedrooms and beautiful living spaces like our drawing room and formal dining room. It is ideal for couples looking for a sophisticated, small wedding venue in Northern Ireland that feels private and personal.
Can we bring our dog to the wedding?
We get asked this quite often, and the answer is a very happy yes. We are a pet friendly venue. We know that for many people, a wedding wouldn’t feel complete without their dog there to share the moment. As long as we know in advance, we are more than happy to welcome your four-legged family members to the estate.
How does the catering work at Hillmount House?
To ensure the food at your wedding is as unique as the venue itself, we allow the use of outside caterers. We do require that they are pre-approved by our team first. This is simply to ensure we prepare for them and that the quality of service and the standard of the food matches the experience we want all our guests to have. We also have a list of recommended suppliers who know our kitchens well, but we are always open to discussing new ideas, such as food trucks for a more relaxed evening feel.
What are the practical details regarding parking and access?
We have plenty of car parking on-site for all your guests. We try to be as flexible as possible with collections, usually allowing cars to be picked up the following morning by 11am if we have another event scheduled.
In terms of accessibility, we have worked hard to ensure the estate is inclusive. All areas of the venue have disabled access, with the only exception being the upstairs terrace in the Coach House.
Are there any specific rules regarding drinks and the bar?
Hillmount House is a fully licensed venue, so we don’t allow guests to bring their own alcohol. We have a minimum bar spend of £500, which covers our staffing and the general running of the service. We can also help with music, whether you want to bring in live musicians for the ceremony or simply play your own curated Spotify playlist through our system.
What is the history of the estate?
The house has a fascinating story. It was built in 1728 for the Countess of Antrim and has been a prominent gentleman’s residence for centuries. In the late 1970s, the Georgian part of the house, along with the gate lodge and the gates, was given Grade 2 listed status. It has been painstakingly refurbished and replanted over the years to preserve that history while making it a stylish, unique venue for modern weddings.
If you have a question we haven’t covered here, please do reach out. We are always happy to chat through your plans and show you around the house and gardens.
What are our options for the ceremony itself?
We know that the ceremony is the most personal part of the whole day, so we try to give you as much choice as possible. If the weather is kind, we have two beautiful outdoor spots. You can choose the Formal Lawn or the Meadow, both of which offer that sense of being surrounded by nature with the sea as your backdrop. We include all the outdoor furniture, a floral arch, and lanterns to make it feel special without you having to worry about the heavy lifting.
If you would prefer to be indoors, or if the Northern Irish weather decides not to cooperate, we have lovely spaces ready. The Coach House can host up to 100 guests, while the Barn can accommodate up to 150. We find that having these distinct options takes a lot of the “plan B” stress away from couples.
Can we stay over at the house?
Yes, and we think this is one of the loveliest parts of the Hillmount experience. The manor house has five luxury double or twin bedrooms, which means we can accommodate up to 10 guests. When you book our Weekend House Party package, the house becomes yours from 2pm on the Friday right through to the Sunday.
Our housekeeper is there to make sure you are settled in and to serve a proper breakfast or brunch for the bridal party. It turns a single day into a proper celebration where you can actually spend quality time with your closest family or friends. If you are just doing a day hire, you still have the option of retiring to the Manor House at the end of the night if you would like to add that on.
What does a “Bespoke Wedding” package actually include?
We often see people searching for “all inclusive wedding packages northern ireland” because they want to know exactly where they stand. Our Bespoke Wedding option is designed to take the guesswork out of planning. It includes everything from the ceremony space and a three course sit down meal to the evening supper.
We are also very proud to work with Kim from Victoriana Floral, who was previously awarded wedding florist of the year for County Antrim. For our bespoke couples, Victoriana provides the bridal party flowers, the ceremony arch, and the table decorations in their signature natural style. Having a top tier florist already involved makes the styling process so much smoother for everyone.
How late can the party go on?
Our standard guest times are from noon until midnight. We find that most guests are ready to head off by 12.30am, but we do understand that sometimes the party is just too good to stop. We offer a late bar option until 1.30am for a small extra charge if you want to keep the celebrations going a little longer.
What are the typical costs for hiring Hillmount House?
We want to be as transparent as possible about pricing because we know how important budgeting is when you are planning. For a Day Hire, our prices generally start from £3,500 during the off peak months and up to £7,000 for a high season weekend.
If you are looking for the full Weekend House Party experience, those packages typically range from £7,800 to £10,700. To secure a date, we ask for a deposit of £2,000, which is then deducted from your final package price. Every wedding is different, though, so we always encourage couples to come and have a chat with us so we can figure out what works best for their specific plans.
Can we host an “After Party” the next day?
Absolutely. Many of our couples who stay for the weekend don’t want the fun to end on Saturday night. We can arrange a casual BBQ or a picnic in the Coach House and courtyard area for the day after. It is a much more relaxed way to see everyone off and relive the highlights of the wedding day over some good food.
What is the capacity of the Barn and the Coach House?
We often have couples trying to figure out if their guest list will fit our spaces. The Barn is our largest area, and it can comfortably seat up to 150 guests for your wedding meal. For the evening reception, we can actually increase that to a total of 200 guests.
The Coach House is a bit more intimate, making it a lovely choice for ceremonies of up to 100 people. It also has that beautiful upstairs terrace and open courtyard which we find is the perfect spot for a relaxed drinks reception before everyone moves over to the Barn for dinner.
What is the “Art Deco” bar?
When Simon and Andrew were renovating the Barn, they wanted to create something truly unique. The space features a stunning 8-metre long Art Deco bar that adds a real touch of glamour and “Great Gatsby” style to the evening. It is fully licensed and fully staffed, so your guests aren’t stuck in long queues when they should be on the dance floor. We find it becomes a real focal point of the night, especially once the sun goes down and the lighting in the Barn really comes into its own.
Do we need to bring our own music system?
We have a sound system ready to go for your drinks reception, so you don’t need to worry about the logistics of moving speakers around. You are more than welcome to provide your own musicians for the ceremony or the reception. We have seen everything from harpists on the lawn to full bands in the Barn. If you prefer a simpler approach, you can just share a Spotify playlist with us and we can manage that for you through our sound system.
Are there “hidden” extras we should know about?
We try to be as helpful as we can with the little things that often get forgotten and would cost you money to source. When you book with us, we provide the easel for your table plan at the entrance porch, as well as the cake tables and knives. We also have a floral arch and lanterns available for the ceremony. These might seem like small details, but we know they are the kind of things that can add extra stress and cost if you have to source them yourself.
How do we book a viewing?
Because we are an exclusive use venue and we value the privacy of the couples who are with us, we only offer viewings by appointment. We want to make sure that when you visit, we can give you our full attention and show you all the different spaces without being rushed. If you can’t make it to Larne in person right away, we are also more than happy to do a viewing via video call to give you a first look at the house and grounds. Contact us here to book an appointment, call us here or email us at enquiries@hillmounthouse.com.