would agree with Fedstar and Cathalad there Brian..
theres no easy way round it i.e. its 6 of 1, pretty much the 'same' journey and not much in it
id go the coastal route myself personally too, you should be ok at this time of year regarding traffic along that way, i hope. yip, more scenic too
the other way (ballymoney-ballymena-waterfoot) may be possibly slightly handier - more direct and better roads - but it is longer in distance... and, the 'short-cut' over the mountain and through the countryside (ballymoney-cloughmills-newtown crommelin-waterfoot) can be a bit messy.
yeah, defo the coastal route
looks like yous have timed the weather well for saturday anyway - sunny!
should see you at some stage..
cheers