There’s no doubt about it – all-in-one venues are preferred by many of today’s wedding couples for one obvious reason: it makes everything much simpler and more relaxed.
From saving your guests the hassle of driving from one place to another, to providing a dedicated space for the wedding party to leave their belongings for the entirety of the day, having your ceremony and your reception in the same place alleviates stress, removes complex logistical considerations, and importantly lets you relax and enjoy the occasion.
Located in the heart of Co. Antrim, in the idyllic countryside village of Templepatrick, the iconic Rabbit Hotel & Retreat has recently opened a stunning new wedding ceremony space that allows wedding couples to exchange their vows on-site, before celebrating their nuptials in the hotel’s popular Loft reception venue.
The new wedding ceremony space, The Boathouse, is an impressive yet romantic room with rustic charm and beautiful views over the lake that acts as a unique backdrop to the wedding facilities at The Rabbit Hotel & Retreat.
Here’s what else you should know about the region’s newest wedding venue – and why wedding couples should consider it for their big day.
The Boathouse has spectacular lakeside views for unrivalled wedding photos
Set within beautiful surrounds and gardens, The Boathouse is the perfect wedding ceremony space for wedding couples looking for a venue that embodies the beauty of the great outdoors, for unique, stunning wedding pictures that you’ll cherish forever.
The Boathouse oozes character and charm, as well as offering impressive views over the terrace, and lake beyond, with lots of greenery, flora and fauna so you and your guests will feel in harmony with nature.
Wedding or civil partnership: at The Boathouse the choice is yours
The Boathouse can accommodate weddings and civil partnerships for up to 130 guests in a bright and airy space in which to say ‘I do.’ Whether you want to be married by a registrar, your own minister, a Humanist or other celebrant, the team of wedding planners at The Rabbit can advise and help you plan the perfect day.
You can continue the celebrations in The Rabbit’s impressive reception space, The Loft
In the iconic wedding reception venue, The Loft, impactful and stylish décor meets ethereal charm, with its large statement marble dining tables decorated with foliage, candles and candelabras.
High-vaulted ceilings are decorated with twinkling feature chandeliers that are entwined with celebratory planting to bring the outdoors in, while the top table is centre stage in front of a grand fireplace that hides a secret entrance to a spacious outdoor terrace.
Full of artistry, romanticism, and unconventional but striking style, in The Loft an eclectic mix of natural, rustic and vintage details come together to create a natural look that provides the perfect relaxed vibe for your big day.
The Loft offers unique family-style dining for effortless but elegant style
Many couples opt for the iconic family-style dining like that on offer in The Loft at The Rabbit Hotel & Retreat. This unique reception style allows free-spirited couples to break with tradition and have a laid-back wedding that channels effortless but elegant style, underneath the planted pergola and festoon lighting that adorn The Loft.
And for relaxed after-dinner vibes, wedding guests can retire to the lakeside terrace with a cosy outdoor fireplace and staircase to the lakeside garden where they can take a moment to enjoy the tranquil outdoor space.
The Loft serves up a seasonal, fresh and delicious wedding menu
In The Loft there is strong attention paid to local and seasonal produce, while cocktails, wines and spirits are carefully chosen to complement your wedding menu perfectly. A menu of classic welcome drinks is designed to suit all but can be adapted to personal tastes, with cocktails and mocktails available too. Non-alcoholic options can be provided wherever they are preferred, and the team at The Rabbit can also source any personal favourites.
Your guests will appreciate the accessible location and overnight offering
The handsome rural setting of The Rabbit Hotel & Retreat is only 10 minutes from Belfast International Airport, 20 minutes from Belfast city centre, and a 2-hour drive from Dublin.
With four room types at the hotel – from snug rooms to comfy boudoirs complete with outdoor bathtubs – guests can check in to their own accommodation, get ready for the big day ahead, and retire to a seriously comfortable bed when the wedding reception has drawn to a close, ahead of a hearty breakfast the next morning.
You can personalise your wedding your way with The Rabbit’s bespoke enhancements
The wedding team at The Rabbit Hotel & Retreat have curated a selection of enhancements that you can choose from to create that added WOW factor, and to make sure that your wedding day is truly yours.
Updated ahead of each wedding season, wedding couples will be invited to experience these enhancements at a fun weekend at The Loft with music, food, and drink, as part of the planning process. Anything is possible – from a grazing table, cheese wheel cake or churro cones, to the fun Gin or Whiskey and Cigar Cart, beer baths, or Prosecco station complete with flavoured syrups, fresh fruits and edible flowers.
You can host your Day 2 festivities in The Rabbit’s jaw-dropping Spa
With a choice of overnight packages ranging from Hop To It and The Getaway to The Full Works, your guests can treat themselves to a truly unique retreat for your wedding, availing of access to the premier spa facilities where they can unwind and enjoy the chilled-party playlist during the day 2 celebrations.
Featuring the only man-made pebble beach on the island of Ireland, The Spa at The Rabbit boasts unique attractions for your guests to enjoy, including a Swedish sauna, an aromatherapy steam room, hot tubs, halotherapy salt room and a jaw-dropping Roman-inspired outdoor bath complete with a huge mirror ball for pool party vibes.
The Rabbit Hotel & Retreat is award-winning
The Rabbit has been included in numerous prestigious listings including the AA Hospitality Awards’ Hotel of the Year for Northern Ireland for 2022, and The Irish Independent’s #Indo50 Top 50 Hotels to visit on the island of Ireland.
Part of Galgorm Collection, Northern Ireland’s premier group of luxury hotels, restaurants and bars, The Rabbit Hotel & Retreat was also named as Best Newcomer at the 2022 Licensed & Catering News Awards – so you can be guaranteed the highest quality wedding service for you and your guests on your big day.
Northern Ireland’s iconic wedding venue; The Loft, with the new Boathouse ceremony room, offers an alternative setting for your wedding day. With a One Wedding A Day policy, this exclusive-use venue offers an environment of unabridged luxury and is available for weddings from 100 – 170 guests.
2024 Weddings at The Rabbit Hotel & Retreat are available from £11,500. Ceremony hire at The Boathouse available from £1000. Ask the team about the ‘Let’s Get Hitched’ package, available for weddings booked within 6 months.
For further information visit rabbithotel.com or phone 028 9443 2984.
