How long can you provisionally hold a date?
We can hold a date for up to 10 days from the date of your viewing.

How much is the deposit to secure our date and when do we have to pay the full amount?
The deposit to secure your date is £1,250* and we ask that the full balance is paid 3 months before your day. We also accept installments which can be more manageable for couples.

Do we have to pay a venue damage deposit or damage waiver?
Yes, all wedding bookings have to pay a refundable damage waiver of £250*. This will be returned within a week of the wedding provided there has been no damage. Any deductions from your £250* will be discussed with you before being taken off your waiver. Venue damage is rare but on occasion, we have had minor damages such as broken furniture.

When can we come and look at the venue?
Viewings are available by appointment basis and generally conducted Monday – Saturday depending on weddings.

How many guests can you fit in your ceremony spaces?
Our indoor ceremony space, The Stables Room, can fit up to 100 comfortably.
The Strawberry Garden can seat up to 160 and the Palace Ruins can seat up to 220. The whole Walled Garden is licensed so you can exchange your vows anywhere that you think would suit your style best.

Is there an extra charge to have a ceremony at Ballyscullion Park?
We charge £400* for ceremonies in the Stables Room and anywhere in the Walled Garden. The Palace Ruins is £650* due to the location and extra staff required to organise and setup on the day.

Is the venue licensed for civil ceremonies?
Yes, we are licensed for religious, civil and humanist ceremonies.

Do we need to book the Registrar separately?
Yes, it is a legal requirement that you contact the Mid Ulster District Council registrar to ensure they are available to conduct a Civil Ceremony on the date that you have chosen. It is recommended that you apply with the Registrar at least three months before your ceremony. More information can be found on the Mid Ulster District Council website.

What is your recommended ceremony time?
We recommend 2pm as the perfect ceremony time.

Is there a maximum or minimum number of guests the Marquee can hold?
We have no minimum number of guests and can seat up to 220 in our Marquee.

Is it possible to get a late extension for our wedding?
Unfortunately not, our entertainment and alcohol license requires that the bar and band finish at 1am.  Last orders are at 12:45am.

Are there any sound restrictions at Ballyscullion Park?
Out of respect to our neighbours and due to sound complaints we have had to restrict the music volume slightly.  This is only marginally lower than the legal limit and is a drop in volume that no-one notices.

Can we play music outside?
You are very welcome to play music outside, during the ceremony and drinks reception there is often a musician playing background music to entertain your guests. We just ask that it is kept to an ambient level.

When do guests have to be off-site?
Our bar stops serving alcohol at 1am by law and all guests who are not staying on-site must be off the property by 1:30am. Guests staying in the cottages can continue the festivities either in their accommodation or around the fire-pit until the wood provided runs out.

Can I use my own Caterer?
We allow outside caterers at our venue but only ones that are pre-approved by us.  This is to ensure that the food quality and service matches that of our venue.

Do you have any sample menus or catering prices?
Yes we do and will happily send them along to you when you enquire.

Can we have a catering van instead?
You are welcome to bring in a catering van provided they are pre-approved by us and that they have all the relevant insurances.  Outside caterers must provide all linens and crockery.

Do you supply a cake knife and cake stand?
We do not supply either of these but the Caterer should provide a knife for you free of charge and the Baker should provide you with a cake stand. Many couples like to have a personalised stand made as a keepsake.

Can the cake be stored at the venue the night before the wedding?
We do not take responsibility for the cake the night before the wedding as we do not have appropriate storage facilities for it.  We ask that the cake is delivered on the morning of the wedding.

What are the bar facilities?
We have an excellent bar run by our Bar Manager Garry.  Guinness, Heineken and Heaney beer are served on tap and there is an excellent range of alcoholic and soft beverages.  Garry and his team make fabulous cocktails and are very happy to set up outdoor bars around the Walled Garden.  We have had a whiskey tree, a gin pagoda and a beer tractor at Ballyscullion Park.

Can I bring my own wine / champagne?
You are welcome to bring your own wine or champagne, however there is a corkage fee.  Only alcohol bought on site can be consumed at the venue.

Am I allowed to bring alcohol as favours?
You may have alcohol as favours but they must be purchased through the bar.

Is there a minimum spend on the bar?
There is a minimum spend of £500 on the bar.  This is to cover the cost of staffing, serving, storing and disposing of bottles etc.

Are animals permitted at Ballyscullion Park?
Absolutely, we are very dog friendly here having several of our own.  We allow dogs to stay in the cottages provided they do not sit on any of the soft furnishing and are house trained.  We have a number of recommended luxury kennels and dog sitters nearby who can look after your dogs during and after the ceremony.  We have also had horses, llamas and a petting zoo on site too!

Are we allowed to have fireworks?
Yes, fireworks are allowed, we have a number of recommended suppliers that you can choose from.

Do you allow confetti at the venue?
We allow confetti but only biodegradable and in petal form.  Etsy sells some lovely flower petal packs.

Do you allow candles?
We allow candles if they are contained in a jar higher than the flame.

Do you allow smoke bombs?
Yes, we allow smoke bombs as long as they are disposed of correctly (in a bucket of sand) to avoid burning our lawn or setting fires.

From what time can we access the venue?
Access time is different for every wedding depending on whether the ceremony is on site or not.
We will advise each couple individually.

When can we setup for our wedding?
If there is no wedding the day before yours, we ask that you come and setup from between 10:30am and 1:30pm.  If there is a wedding on the day before yours, we ask that you deliver all your decor and items to our container and provide us with a detailed list of how you wish the venue to be set up.  We then set up the Marquee and grounds exactly as you would like them.  Access for set up is from the car park behind the Marquee.

When does everything need to be out of the Marquee?
We ask that all your decor and belongings are removed from the venue by 11:30am the following day.  If there is a wedding the day after yours, we will move everything to outside the back of the Marquee or place them in the container if wet. This makes it easier for you to load your things into your vehicles.

Is there car parking on site?
Yes, we can accommodate up to 62 cars in our main car park and another 20 in our Courtyard.  There is also further car parking space around the property if required.  Caterers and other wedding suppliers can park behind the Marquee.

Can cars be left overnight?
Cars can be left overnight at the owner’s risk and must be collected by midday the following day.

Does the venue have wheelchair access?
Yes, everywhere can be accessed by wheelchair except the accommodation.  We also have a golf buggy on standby to transport any less abled guests around the venue.

Where can I find information on Accommodation?
Click here to view our Accommodation page.

How many guests can you accommodate on-site?
We can accommodate up to 30 guests in our Courtyard Cottages.  There are five cottages each sleeping 6 guests.  The cottages can also be rented the night before the wedding, subject to availability. The Apple House Bridal Suite is included in the venue hire price.

What time is check in / out?
Check in is from 4pm and check out from the cottages is strictly 10:30am which is the time breakfast is served in The Stables Room.  We then ask that everyone is offsite by 11:30am so that we can prepare for our next wedding.

Do you provide cots?
We do not provide cots or cot bedding but you are very welcome to bring your own.

Can you recommend any local accommodation or guests?
We have an extensive recommended accommodation list that we send to the couple once they have booked.

We strongly advise all guests and event attendees to book a taxi or transport in advance. Transport availability on the evening can be difficult without a pre-booking. 

Local taxi numbers:

• Joe Joe Taxis (very reliable): 07921 261 741

• Parkmore Taxis, Magherafelt: 028 7930 0500

• Dave’s Taxis Magherafelt: 028 7930 0003

• E&K Taxis: 028 7930 1249

• Regan’s Taxis Magherafelt: 028 7930 1256

• Flo’s Taxis Magherafelt: 07795 482 980

• Maghera Taxis: 07762 640 865

• Glenone Taxis Magherafelt: 028 7930 0410

• Kat’s Cab Draperstown: 07511 208 282

Do you have a recommended suppliers list?
We have a substantial list of suppliers who we have a great working relationship with and who we know will offer a great quality of service to our couples.  When you have booked with us we will send you our list.

Where are you situated?
We are located 35 minutes from Belfast and 50 minutes from Derry / Londonderry.  Our nearest airports are International Airport (30 mins), George Best City Airport (40 mins) and Derry / Londonderry Airport (50 mins).

Do you allow for two day weddings?

Absolutely, we have hosted several two day weddings.  There is a slightly reduced venue hire for the second day.