The Ultimate Wedding Venue Guide

__

If you’re dreaming of a wedding that feels like a true escape, Lusty Beg Island is hard to beat. Tucked away on its own private island in the heart of Lough Erne, it offers breathtaking water views, rustic charm, and a sense of intimacy you just can’t find anywhere else. From the romantic ferry arrival to the cosy lodges and stunning ceremony backdrops, it’s a place where your day feels like an adventure, and your guests will remember it forever.

LUSTY BEG ISLAND

 

Hey, welcome to the ultimate wedding venue guide! A dedicated webpage on my website where I share everything about the wedding venue and why I love shooting there. I’ve been shooting in the Lusty Beg Island for the past 7 years, and even though it’s only an hour away from my front door the location couldn’t be any sweeter. I know the place like the back of my hand! I teamed up with wedding coordinator and trusted guide, Rebecca, to discuss why the Lusty Beg is the ideal location to have your wedding day. Here is what she says…

___

 01.

 

What makes Lusty Beg Island such a cherished wedding venue for couples on their special day?

Nestled in the heart of County Fermanagh, Lusty Beg Island is a one-of-a-kind wedding
venue where each couple’s love story takes centre stage. Surrounded by peaceful waters
and ancient woodland, this charming private island feels like a hidden escape, yet it’s just a
short and scenic ferry ride away.

 02.

 

What sets Lusty Beg Island apart from the rest?

First and foremost—the location. Imagine saying “I do” on a private island, surrounded by
ancient woodland and breathtaking views of Lough Erne. At Lusty Beg, every wedding is as
unique as the couple celebrating it. Our bespoke approach to wedding packages means
each couple can tailor every detail to suit their vision, preferences and budget—creating the
day they’ve always dreamed of.

 

 03.

 

What types of weddings does your venue cater to?

At Lusty Beg, we welcome everything from intimate ceremonies to larger celebrations of up
to 200 guests. Couples can choose to say their vows indoors or at the lakeside, surrounded
by stunning scenery. To keep the celebrations going we can also host Day 2 gatherings at
The Thatch – with flexible spaces and bespoke packages, every couple’s wedding is truly
theirs to shape.

 

 04.

 

How do you help couples create a stress-free and seamless wedding day?

From the very first visit to the big day itself, our dedicated team is here to make each
couple’s wedding experience as smooth and stress-free as possible. Our wedding
coordinator ensures everything runs seamlessly on the day, while our wedding administrator
takes care of the finer details throughout the journey—assisting with planning, timelines and
guest accommodation. We handle the logistics so couples can focus on what truly matters:
enjoying every moment, being present with their loved ones and most importantly, taking a
breath to soak it all in.

 

 05.

 

What advice would you give to couples when choosing the perfect wedding venue?

When choosing the perfect wedding venue, we encourage the couple to trust their hearts
and go with what feels right for them. It’s all about finding a place where they feel relaxed,
truly comfortable and can imagine saying “I do” surrounded by love and joy. A venue where
they feel supported every step of the way, with a team dedicated to making their vision come
to life. Above all, it should be a place that lets them be themselves and enjoy every special
moment with the people who matter most.

 

 06.

 

What is the most epic request you have honoured to date?

We’ve been lucky to bring all kinds of epic requests to life—from dazzling firework displays
and lively casino nights to unique themed weddings and exclusive island hire for truly
unforgettable celebrations. No matter the idea, big or small, we love making every couple’s
dream wedding uniquely theirs!

 

Derry wedding photographer

Some of my favourite

Wedding Stories

Weddings at the Lusty Beg Island

A Lusty Beg Island wedding with

LUCY & ANDREW

Lusty Beg Island Weddings

A Lusty Beg wedding with

GEORGIA & ETHAN

Lusty Beg Island & Spa Wedding Day

Lusty Beg Island & Spa Resort Wedding Day with

katie & lee

We are so glad we picked James as our wedding photographer, my partner has a real hatred of getting photos taken but James was incredibly patient, positive and organised with us at every step to ensure that we got the photos we wanted with as little stress as possible. Thank you so much! James was really quick sending over loads of preview images which we were completely thrilled with.

– DEBORAH & ALEXANDER –

From the very first conversation with James we knew we wanted him to be our photographer! Hes the most chilled super fun person to be around, really made us feel so comfortable, we chose the package which included the pre wedding photoshoot and they turned out absolutely brilliant, we couldn’t wait to see him again for our wedding day photos! He even gave us a preview on our wedding night which we loved! James took me and my husband away for a few minutes throughout the day to let us both just take it all in. James standard of photography is next to none! I would highly recommend him, in fact we are gonna get him booked in for future photoshoots! 5* thanks for everything James!

– SARAH-JANE & WILLIAM –

James made things happen by absolute magic, orchestrated photos and people to where they needed to be and did this in such a perfect manner. Even when I was feeling overwhelmed he recognised this and give me and my husband time to take it all in and not rush us, he captured pure magic. James was a joy and an absolute pleasure to have around and so many of my guests commented on how lovely he was. I am sure James does weddings nearly every week but it is so clear he gives 110% every time it clearly shows in his work. He captured our personality and style and relationship perfectly and tells our love story so beautifully.

– EIMEAR & TERRY –

GOT QUESTIONS? I´VE GOT ANSWERS!

Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT MAKES YOU DIFFERENT FROM THE OTHER PHOTOGRAPHERS

Me? I’ve been told from my past couples that I’m fun, passionate and an all rounded great professional third wheel.

My style of photography is documentary with a twist. I want to capture the heartfelt moments, the unscripted, the flow but also the planned. I’m abit of a wildcard, but I truly love this approach. It’s not all about taking photos, its more so the planning of your unique day and showing you that I wont miss a photograph that you require.

My go-to words are Relaxed, Romantic and Fun Loving.

WE HATE HAVING OUR PHOTO TAKEN, WE DON'T WANT LOADS OF POSED SHOTS, IS THAT OK?

Sure thing!

I know at first-hand what that feeling is like. It can be daunting standing in-front of a camera but I promise you, I can help with your anxiety on this with little actions I’ve picked up over the years – I used to model and have a camera randomly pointed at me too – yikes.  Most of the photos I take during your wedding will be natural, unposed and relaxed. Occasionally I will steal you for 10 – 20 mins to capture some intimate moments of you both, but trust me, you will look back and love them.

Camera Shy? Here’s some info that might help

Can we request specific shots?

I completely understand that every couple has specific photographs they want from their day. That’s why I include a section in my questionnaire where you can tell me exactly what’s most important to you. Whether it’s a particular moment or a set of shots, I’ll make sure to prioritize them based on your preferences, so nothing is missed and everything that matters most to you is captured beautifully.

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE FOR OUR PHOTOS TO BE READY?

During your wedding day, I’ll share a little sneak peek of the moments we’ve captured so far. After that, you can expect to receive your full gallery within 4 to 6 weeks.

How do you approach wedding day timelines?

In the first intial meeting I ask you what your wedding day looks like. Once I know all the deeds, I will be able to form a rough timeline of your day. If you decide that I’m the guy for you, then 6 weeks before your wedding day I will send you a questionaire for you to fill out, this is where you spill absolutely everything about your wedding (and you will know alot more about it then). 4 weeks before the day – We meet up for another coffee (Yay) and go over a more structured timeline so you know everything about your wedding day as it flows.

Do you require a deposit, and when is the balance due?

In order to secure your wedding date, I require a non-refundable deposit of £300. However, if you prefer, I also offer a flexible payment plan: a cost-of-living deposit of £150 per month for 2 months. After the date is secured: You can choose to pay whatever amount you’re comfortable with, whenever you’d like, and any payments you make will be deducted from your overall balance.

DO YOU HAVE INSURANCE?

I sure do! I have only but the best protection for myself and for you on your wedding day! If you or your venue would like a copy to view this, I can give you a copy as proof. Safety first.

James Aiken Photography
WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER | ICED LATTE LOVER  |  CRAIC STARTER

HEY, I’M JAMES, THE GUY BEHIND THE CAMERA.

 

__

A documentary-style wedding photographer based in Derry, with an eye for genuine moments and a knack for making even the camera-shy crack a smile. I picked up a camera in 2014 to document my wee girl growing up, and by 2017, I was capturing weddings, now there’s nothing I love more. I’m all for the relaxed romantic & the fun-loving couples who want their wedding photographs to bring them right back to how it all felt.