Lydia & Basile

1. The Décor  

Northern Ireland’s most iconic wedding venue, The Loft is an exclusive-use venue offering an environment of unabridged luxury. Come see for yourself! 

2. Social Dining Experience

Enjoy your first meal as newlyweds with up to 140 of your family and friends gathered in this one-of-a-kind setting. A unique feasting menu celebrates the joining of two families through a social dining experience.

3. Personal and Heartfelt Service

The Loft’s team of wedding planning experts are proud to do things differently, with all the character and charm of a luxurious wedding setting, couples can expect heartfelt personal service paired with a relaxed, easy-going atmosphere. 

4. The Food

Enjoy a unique twist on a traditional wedding feast. Think sharing boards, dinner served from the pantry and delicious desserts. 

5. On-site Ceremonies

Walking down the aisle is one of the most important moments of your big day. Our beautifully intimate Boathouse Ceremony room sits lakeside and reflects the rustic charm and natural warmth of the Loft. Hosting your nearest and dearest, this elegant setting is the perfect space to say your I Do’s. Licensed for civil ceremonies, partnerships, blessings, and renewals of vows. 

6. Unique Enhancements  

The Loft’s enhancement features are perfect for those wishing to step it up a notch. From a grazing table and canapes to a candy, gin, or cigar & whiskey cart and more, make the day yours. 

7. The Showstopping Spa at The Rabbit Hotel & Retreat

Exuding a mix of sophisticated luxury and Bohemian glam, The Spa promises luxurious facilities, laid-back Balearic vibes and a chilled party playlist to match, making it the perfect spot for post-wedding celebrations. If you want to celebrate day two in style, enjoy a dinner in the cosy surrounds of The Restaurant, or BBQ after a day of lounging around The Spa or pool party for an unforgettable night– keep the good times going with endless options available.

THE HAPPY COUPLE

Tell us a little about how you met & talk us through the proposal

We were high school sweethearts, we met in second year before hitting it off in third year. We got engaged on our second trip to Paris after we both fell in love with the city first time round. Brian proposed with a sunrise breakfast overlooking the Eiffel Tower, followed by a private river seine boat trip, and ending with a romantic dinner at a beautiful restaurant watching the twinkling lights of the Eiffel tower above us. A day we will always remember.

YOUR DAY, YOUR WAY

Ceremony

We had our ceremony in the beautiful Boathouse. We dreamt of a relaxing, personal ceremony and that is exactly what we got due to this wonderful space and the amazing Chloe Cairns (@chloecairns.thecelebrant).

What made you choose The Loft to host your day?

The venue search was very short for us, I found The Loft on social media while on night duty. Brian woke up to a number of text messages at 4am, “I’ve found our venue”. A viewing was made for that weekend and as soon as we walked into The Loft we both knew it was perfect for us. It was exactly what we wanted from a venue, it ticked all our boxes. The Wedding team at The Rabbit made the process so easy and enjoyable and were always on hand to offer their help and advice and guide you through the process.

Favourite memory of your Wedding

We have so many wonderful memories from our wedding day but one of our favourites has to be having our wee dog at our ceremony. When we found out that The Rabbit was a dog friendly hotel it was the cherry on top. They were more than happy for her to part of our special day and were so accommodating in making this happen. She ran up the aisle towards us when we were pronounced as husband and wife which made for some amazing photos that we will have forever. It meant so much to us and it topped of an amazing ceremony.

SHOUT OUT TO THE DREAM TEAM

Celebrant

Chloe Cairns @chloecairns.thecelebrant

Cake

Phoebe Carson @cakesbypheebs

Flowers

Anna & Jonny @bloomingeventsni

Entertainment

The Nooks @thenooksmusic

Photographer

Andrew Mckenna @amck_photo

Videographer

Matthew Irvine @irvineweddingfilm

Wedding Dress & Accessories

@ivyandwhitebride

Bridesmaid’s Dresses

@la_mariee_bridesmaids_

Groomswear

Freddie hatchet @freddiehatchet

THE GLAM SQUAD

Makeup

@lynziolovely

Hair

@sineadwilliams_bridalhair

The Happy Couple

Tell us a little about how you met & talk us through the proposal

We met at work in 2015 and officially started “going out” in February 2016. We bought our house together in Portrush in 2018, survived a pandemic and got a puppy (Jax, a Soft Coated Irish Wheaten Terrier) before getting engaged in June 2021. It was the evening before my 28th birthday and we went for a walk with Jax as we normally do, although Roo said we were going for a picnic for my birthday which was the reason for the large backpack he was carrying. We walked along Whiterocks beach and up to the bench that overlooks the coast alongside the fifth green at Royal Portrush Golf Club (Roo has been a member since he was child and I have followed many rounds of golf here)! Roo set out an M&S picnic and a bottle of champagne (which I thought was a bit much as it wasn’t a big birthday, but I wasn’t complaining)! When I was mid breadstick and hummus, I looked round to see Roo down on one knee as the sun started to set, Jax was sitting beside him totally oblivious as to what was going on! Restaurants and bars had only just opened again after lockdown the weekend prior so we were able to celebrate properly in the weeks after!

Your Day, Your Way

Ceremony

We had our ceremony onsite in The Boat House, very fitting as Roo is a volunteer RNLI crew member. A friend of ours conducted the ceremony which added a lovely personal touch and put us at ease. We knew we wanted a short ceremony as we were keen to make the most of the day with all our guests.

What made you choose The Loft to host your day?

The venue is just stunning, we were already sold on the venue before viewing it just from pictures alone, but the team were also so helpful and lovely which was a bonus. We knew we wanted a venue with accommodation onsite but didn’t want a typical hotel or function room style wedding. The Loft was just perfect, and the banquet tables and décor of the room sold it for us, everything was just so easy too. Shoutout to our lovely wedding planner, Claire Graham, for her help on the lead up!

Favourite memory of your Wedding

Spending time with our friends and family! We also loved to be able to stay at the venue for 3 nights, getting ready there that morning and having a day two BBQ with some time to relax in the Spa too. We can’t wait to go back again.

Shout Out to the Dream Team 

Wedding Stationery

We did online wedding invites through Greenvelope

Cake

Angel Cake Bakery

Flowers

Pixie and Piper Flowers NI

Entertainment

Aria String Quartet for ceremony and drinks reception, Anna’s Number were our band & Darran Wallace from Northern Lights Event Hire was our DJ. Take 3 performed at our day two.

Photographer

LIT Photography NI

Videographer

Forever Endeavour Films

Wedding Dress & Accessories

Pippa Bridal, Rainbow Club, Lily & Roo and Astrid and Miu

Bridesmaid’s Dresses

Six Stories

Groomswear

McCalls of Lisburn

THE GLAM SQUAD

Makeup

Sian Sutherland

Nails

Holly from The Beauty Bar, Coleraine

Hair

My friend Chloe and her colleague (also Chloe!) from Chloe’s Hair Studio, Coleraine

THE HAPPY COUPLE

Tell us a little about how you met & talk us through the proposal

Connor and I met in April 2012. I was living in Australia at the time, and I came home for a friend’s wedding. Connor had become friends with all our mutual friends while I had been living away. We met on Good Friday in Filthy McNasty’s. Connor hadn’t intended on being out as he had been out the night before and had a football match the next morning. However, upon getting to know me he decided to stay and later that night we had our first cheeky kiss. Unfortunately, I went back to Australia, but we kept in contact while I was away. Fast forward to August 2012 and I booked Connor a one way ticket to Melbourne to come join me. We then moved back home to Belfast in 2013. Connor took me to NYC in Jan 2017 as a 30th Birthday present. One night he decided to take me on a midnight walk in Central Park. When we got there, it was -4 degrees the ground was covered in snow and ice. We came to a bank by the lake in central park, the water was completely frozen over. Connor asked me to grab a stone to break the ice and as I turned round there was the big eejit on his knee with a ring and asked me to marry him. I initially laughed until he said “Hurry up my knees cold” and of course I said yes!!

YOUR DAY, YOUR WAY

Ceremony

We had a beautiful Humanist Ceremony with our amazing Celebrant Ciara Turley in the stunning Boat House ceremony room in the grounds of The Rabbit Hotel. We couldn’t recommend our celebrant enough Ciara is truly one beautiful lady and she made the whole ceremony so special and personalised. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room. The Boat House was just the most stunning location for our ceremony too, so cosy and beautifully decorated.

What made you choose The Loft to host your day?

When we finally decided to book our wedding and search for the perfect venue The Loft was top of our list. From initial contact the staff couldn’t be more accommodating from trying to schedule in a viewing time that would suit us and even on our first visit to The Loft. When we seen the space we just knew it was the perfect space for us. The room was so beautifully decorated that we didn’t need to do anything to it, this took that whole stress away from us. The wedding package they offered just had everything that we wanted to be included. The location of the venue was also perfect as it was close enough to Belfast and the airport for our guests to easily travel to and from. The whole place was just completely our vibe.

Favourite memory of your Wedding

The ceremony was highlight for us it was such an emotional and special moment that we got to share with all our closest friends and family. Also the food at the reception was absolutely outstanding, we’ve had so many comments from our guests about how good the food was. We also loved the attention to detail and help the staff gave us on our day from start to finish. Our hands were never empty without a drink! Special mention to Claire and Chloe who literally couldn’t have done anymore for us thank you so so much you girls are complete angels!

SHOUT OUT TO THE DREAM TEAM

Wedding Stationery

Wedding Sign by Courtney Rush, Crush Art

Cake

Claire @ Lily Pink Bakery

Flowers

All Seasons Belfast

Entertainment

Rachel Toman, Band was The Hallions, DJ was Conor Harding

Photographer

Laura Curran

Videographer

Bobkin Film

Favours

Glowsticks and mini disco balls

Wedding Dress & Accessories

Archive 12 designer Bonbride Veil and earrings Blue Meadow Bridal

Bridesmaid’s Dresses

Silk Fred

Groomswear

Red Groomswear Belfast

THE GLAM SQUAD

Makeup

Hunibex

Hair

Judith McKay (Andrew Mulvenna)