If you’re the kind of bride who dreams of a magical, fairy-tale-like wedding, then you might want to consider a destination wedding in one of many majestic European castles. Europe is known for its spectacular “chateaus”, “schloss” and “palacio” and the great thing is that they allow couples to host their wedding parties within the castle grounds.
There are plenty of castle wedding venues in the UK too, all with beautiful medieval features like grand banqueting halls, acres of stunning grounds and bridal suites with four-poster beds. Picture yourself in a wedding dress in each one! Check out these stunning fairytale wedding castles, you and your dashing Prince Charming can celebrate your union, royalty-style, amidst Europe & UK’s whimsical facades and sweeping surroundings, while your guests dance the night away inside a grand ballroom that’s fit for a king.
1. Blenheim Palace, England
Picture Courtesy: @guyhearnphotography / @blenheimpalace
Few places capture a romantic and upscale fairytale wedding as perfectly as Blenheim Palace in Woodstock, Oxfordshire. Exchange vows in either the orangery with its arched windows and spectacular glass roof or the Marlborough room with glimmering chandeliers, then choose from a variety of other rooms or an outdoor marquee for the reception. Capture elegant wedding photos with the palace’s English Baroque decor.
2. Castello Orsini-Odescalchi, Italy
Picture Courtesy: @framelines_it / @castellobracciano
Castello Odescalchi Bracciano is home to many high-profile weddings including Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes. The castle is also famous for its exclusivity and architectural marvels. The series of indoor and outdoor spaces seems specifically designed to receive guests: the park, the court, the old gazebo, the corners overlooking the sea, the lounge and the dining room furnished with refined simplicity are places of great charm and appeal, to live the magic of your special day. There are a plethora of options for the ceremony or reception – The secret garden, the hall of Ceasers, the court of honor, the Armoury rooms, the well room and old kitchens which offer a great deal of flexibility.
3. Suncani Hvar – Palace Elisabeth, Hvar Heritage Hotel, Croatia
Picture Courtesy: @palace_elisabeth
San Marco Terrace offers a perfect backdrop for your fairytale wedding. This magnificent terrace is located at the heart of Empress Elisabeth’s Palace. It offers the breeze of history and an unforgettable wedding party that you and your guests will always keep in the warmest memory. San Marco Terrace has a seating capacity up to 180 pax and a reception capacity up to 250 pax, so if you are opting for the big fat Croatian wedding, this is the right place to organize it.
4. Castello di Solfagnano, Italy
Picture Courtesy: @castellodisolfagnano
The Castello di Solfagnano is located in the land of Saint Valentine, the patron saint of lovers which is a unique piece of land that is home to a suggestive valley in the shape of a heart! The castle is ideal for weddings, where you can choose either the lush outdoor area to celebrate or the majestic indoor space. Some of the services the castle offers include catering with only the finest of starred chefs. You can also take advantage of the on-site wedding planner and a staff that aims to make your day ideal. A dreamlike atmosphere in a bucolic setting will help make your wedding day the most beautiful day of your life – one you have always dreamed of.
5. Adare Manor, Ireland
Picture Courtesy: @oliviabuckleyinternational/ @jonaspeterson / @theadaremanor
Adare Manor’s 840 acres—featuring luxury interiors, manicured grounds, and historic architecture—is bound to give you a princess feeling. The venue is already so picturesque that it doesn’t take much work to make it look even more incredible for your wedding. Adare Manor is a magical place to begin your new life together: a spellbinding backdrop for a wedding day you will always cherish. Truly luxurious accommodations, a spectacular menu of food and wine tailored to your taste by our master chefs and sommeliers, and breathtaking beauty everywhere your eye falls: these elements are the foundation of your unforgettable wedding at Adare Manor.
6. Château du Grand-Lucé, France
Picture Courtesy: @matthew_oliver_weddings / @chateaudugrandluce
The eighty acres of Loire Valley beauty – with a lake, meadows, historic white oak forest – surrounded by a medieval wall is truly otherworldly. This hotel has a stunning Orangerie, working greenhouses, an exotic garden with a swimming pool, statues given as a gift from King Louis XV, multiple courtyards, terraces and secret gardens. For your wedding, the Chateau can accommodate your guests in their 14 beautifully decorated guest suites. Newlyweds generally choose to stay in the largest “Luce” suite, with stunning views towards the gardens and lake.
7. Leeds Castle, England
Picture Courtesy: @emmadugganphotography / @leedscastleuk
If you’re looking for a beautiful historic venue for your wedding day, look no further than the Leeds Castle. It has 42 rooms and has a 200 pax capacity for the ceremony. The Maiden’s Tower is an elegant, exclusive hire venue adjacent to the castle. The 16th century stone building, used for weekend house parties in the 1920s, is now a glamorous self-contained venue perfect for your wedding ceremony, evening celebrations and overnight accommodation. The ‘Garden Party Wedding’ has been designed for couples looking to combine their special day with the beautiful setting of Leeds Castle and a relaxed, informal style of celebration. Exclusive hire of the Maiden’s Tower and walled garden lends itself beautifully to this, a wonderful venue where you and your guests are invited to take the day at your own pace.
8. Domaine de Chantilly, France
Picture Courtesy: @jadapoonphotography / @chantillydomain
From small and intimate to grandiose, several spaces are available in the château, the grounds and the Great Stables at the Domain of Chantilly. The English garden with the “island of love” and the temple of Venus (lien vers rubrique « grounds »), is the ideal venue to celebrate a romantic ceremony in a magical setting. With its 115 hectares, the grounds make it possible to organize large-scale weddings in temporary structures.
9. Dundas Castle, Scotland
Picture Courtesy: @dukescotland / @dundascastle
Located close to the historic city of Edinburgh, you’ll find you’re just a short distance to the city center but surrounded by some of the most beautiful scenery imaginable. Dundas Castle offers everything you could want for your special day. There are 17 bedrooms for your closest family and friends to enjoy. They also have a romantic Boathouse on the loch which can be hired for the night of your wedding.
10. Blair Castle, Scotland
Picture Courtesy: @blair_castle_atholl_estates
If you are looking for a romantic Scottish castle, nestled in the picturesque Highlands, with a spectacular Victorian ballroom, and wonderful walled garden; then Blair Castle just might be the place for you. The Victorian Ballroom at Blair Castle is one of the most special wedding reception spaces in Scotland. Up to 220 people can be seated comfortably, and there’s even a stage for the band. There are 6 historic lodges dotted around the grounds, all of which are nice and secluded, self-catering, and have stunning views.
11. Palacio Da Pena, Portugal
Picture Courtesy: @parquesdesintra
Situated on the top of Sintra’s private mountains and enchanted woods, Pena Palace wedding venue in Portugal allows you and your guests to have beautiful views all around this Fairytale Castle Wedding Venue in Portugal for their destination wedding. Being such a special palace in Sintra, Pena Palace has been named as World Heritage by UNESCO, for its beauty, charm, and uniqueness. The colors used for the exterior of the Pena Palace: yellows with blues, mixed with reds, tiles and stones, combined with the greenery of the nature that surrounds it, gives this wedding destination in Sintra a very vintage and exotic look.
12. Hluboká Castle, Czech Republic
Picture Courtesy: @zamekhluboka
With its snow-white facade, intricate design details and immaculate gardens, Hluboká Castle is considered one of the most impressive Czech Republic castles. High towers, incredible decorations, balconies and bastions, and lace windows – everything in this castle has a spirit of a fairy tale. The castle is surrounded by a well-kept English park. Reception can be held at Stekl hotel which is nearby the castle. The hotel is built in the same style as Hluboka and it used to be a part of the entire complex.
13. The Dolder Grand, Switzerland
Picture Courtesy: @fvdb_photography / @thedoldergrand
Would you like to get married in Switzerland? The Dolder Grand provides the perfect setting for taking take time out in a unique atmosphere while enjoying real indulgence and relaxation: 175 luxurious rooms and suites, exquisite cuisine, a Spa encompassing 4,000 square meters, spacious banqueting facilities and an exclusive art collection. The Hotel’s elevated location between the pulsating city and invigorating nature provides guests with magnificent views over Zurich, the lake and the Alps.
14. Methoni Castle, Greece
Picture Courtesy: @bajanwed
If there was ever a fairytale wedding that would occupy the dreams of a woman, it would be within the fortified walls of Methoni’s Castle. A dream wedding venue, in the most glorious way for your guests to experience the beauty of Greece. Pass under the main gate, through the domed stone-paved road and under two more gates, until arriving within the innermost part of this relic from a time forgotten. From then on, feel as if you are in a star-studded movie.
15. Schloss Igls, Austria
Picture Courtesy: @schlossigls
Schloss Igls is an Austrian castle that screams winter wonderland wedding! The interiors and grounds of Schloss Igls are classic examples of romantic architecture and landscaping. If a winter wedding is what you want, Schloss Igls can deliver it in style and opulence. Located in the heart of the Tyrollean Alps, Schloss Igls is a secluded estate that offers awe-inspiring views of opulent white snow and the imposing mountains. With both privacy and lavish accommodation provided – this castle is a gem!
16. Castell de Sant Marçal, Spain
Picture Courtesy: @brycecoveyphoto / @castelldesantmarsal
Castell de Sant Marçal, located in Cerdanyola del Vallès and Sant Cugat del Vallès, is a castle dating back to the beginning of the 13th century and both its interior and its exterior have been restored over the last thirty years. The magnificent gardens allow you to celebrate a tailor-made wedding and get the most out of a unique and highly personal day. It can accommodate up to 600 people. The castle’s ancient wine cellar has recently been restored and is now used as an area for appetizers in winter and as a nightclub or for intimate weddings. It is inspired by the French Orangeries attached to French palaces and castles, where big family parties were held.
17. The K Club, Ireland
Picture Courtesy: @thekclubireland
It’s tough to beat a wedding at The K Club for opulence and style! This five-star wedding venue in Kildare, Ireland, is like something out of a fairytale! There are options for weddings of all sizes, from 12 guests up to 350. Located just 30 minutes from Dublin, The K Club is the perfect venue for anyone who’s dreaming of opulence and serenity on their wedding day. Recently renovated and looking more beautiful than ever, it’s a highly glamorous setting for bespoke weddings.
18. Palacio Estoril Golf & Spa Hotel, Portugal
Picture Courtesy: @hotelpalacioestoril
The magic of Palácio Estoril Hotel, full of history, will turn your wedding into an unforgettable event and bring your dreams to life. With its ambiance of classical splendor, the hotel is the last word in elegance and comfort and is noted for its famous service and hospitality. Its public rooms, beautiful gardens, pool and terraces make the perfect setting for your wedding reception.
19. Castello Odescalchi di Palo, Italy
Picture Courtesy: @nabisphotographers / @castelloodescalchidipalo
The Odescalchi’s Castle is located in Ladispoli, a seaside city near Rome, and it is an exclusive location for a destination wedding. Mirrored on the sea and hidden from the curious glances by a high wall to protect its beauty, Odescalchi Castle – a magnificent 15th-century residence, most likely built under the Pontificate of Pius II Piccolomini is perfect for an intimate ceremony.
20. Residenzschloss Ludwigsburg, Germany
How about getting married in a historical chapel? A romantic stand-up reception on the palace terrace? Or a lively party with dancing in a magnificent ballroom? The state palaces and gardens offer plenty of choices when it comes to saying “I do” in a royal atmosphere. Enjoy an ambiance that caters to your highest expectations and turns every meal into a fine dining experience.
Feature Image Credit: @photo_with_love
