Castle Wedding Guide: Planning Your Fairytale Day

Why Choose a Castle Wedding

A castle provides something no modern venue can replicate: genuine history, grandeur, and atmosphere. Your wedding photos will be framed by turrets, stone archways, and sweeping lawns. Guests arrive knowing they're in for something truly special.

Beyond the aesthetics, castles offer practical advantages. Many are set in extensive grounds, providing beautiful outdoor spaces for ceremonies, drinks receptions, and photos. The built-in drama of the setting means you often need less decoration — the castle itself does the heavy lifting. And with exclusive-use bookings, you and your guests have the entire property for the weekend, creating an intimate house-party atmosphere.

Castle weddings also create lasting memories. There's something unforgettable about dancing in a medieval banqueting hall, toasting champagne on battlements at sunset, or walking down a candlelit stone corridor as newlyweds.

Types of Castle Weddings

Castle weddings come in several formats, depending on the venue and your preferences:

• Exclusive-use — Hire the entire castle for your wedding weekend. Guests stay on-site, and you have complete privacy and flexibility. This is the most popular option for castle weddings.
• Licensed ceremony & reception — Many castles hold civil ceremony licences, meaning you can have both your ceremony and reception in the same breathtaking venue.
• Reception only — If you prefer a church ceremony or civil service elsewhere, you can hire a castle solely for your reception and evening celebrations.
• Elopement packages — Some castles offer intimate packages for couples who want to elope in style, with just a handful of witnesses amid castle splendour.

Budgeting for a Castle Wedding

Castle wedding costs vary enormously depending on the size of the castle, location, season, and what's included. Here's a rough breakdown to help you plan:

• Venue hire: £2,000–£15,000+ for the weekend (exclusive-use). Smaller castles and off-peak dates are at the lower end.
• Catering: £50–£150+ per head for a sit-down meal, or £30–£80 per head for buffet-style dining.
• Drinks: £20–£50 per head, depending on whether you provide an open bar or limited drinks package.
• Photography & videography: £1,500–£4,000+ for professional coverage.
• Flowers & decoration: £500–£3,000+, though castles often need minimal dressing.
• Entertainment: £500–£2,500 for a band, DJ, or other entertainment.

All in, expect a castle wedding to cost between £5,000 and £50,000+, with the average falling around £15,000–£25,000 for a mid-sized celebration. The per-guest cost can actually be competitive with hotel venues once you factor in the accommodation that's included with exclusive-use hire.

Choosing Your Castle

When selecting a castle for your wedding, consider these key factors:

• Capacity — How many guests can the castle accommodate for both the ceremony and overnight stays? Many castles sleep 15–40 guests on-site, with options for additional accommodation nearby.
• Guest accommodation — Can your wedding party stay the night? This is one of the biggest advantages of a castle wedding and makes the whole weekend more special.
• Catering options — Does the castle have an in-house chef, work with approved caterers, or allow you to bring your own?
• Accessibility — Consider the location for your guests. Is there good transport access? Is the castle accessible for guests with mobility needs?
• Outdoor spaces — Gardens, terraces, and grounds can be just as important as the castle interiors for photos and reception drinks.

Browse our castle collection to explore venues across the UK and find one that matches your vision.

Legal Requirements

If you plan to hold your ceremony at the castle, there are legal requirements to be aware of:

• Wedding licence — The castle must hold an approved premises licence for civil ceremonies. Not all castles have this, so check before booking if you want to marry on-site.
• Notice of marriage — You must give notice at your local register office at least 28 days before the wedding (29 days in Scotland).
• Registrar — You'll need to book a registrar from the local authority to conduct the ceremony. In Scotland, you can alternatively use a humanist celebrant or minister.
• Legal ceremony vs. blessing — If the castle isn't licensed, you can have a legal ceremony at a register office and then hold a symbolic blessing or celebration at the castle.

Planning Timeline

• 18–12 months before: Choose and book your castle venue. Popular wedding castles book up 1–2 years in advance, especially for summer dates.
• 12–9 months before: Book your photographer, caterer, florist, and entertainment. Send save-the-dates.
• 9–6 months before: Finalise your guest list, choose your menu, and plan the ceremony details. Visit the castle to walk through logistics.
• 6–3 months before: Send invitations, arrange accommodation for guests, organise transport, and confirm all suppliers.
• 3–1 months before: Final fittings, seating plans, and detailed run-of-day planning. Confirm everything with the castle and suppliers.
• The week before: Final payments, pack for the wedding weekend, and send a detailed itinerary to your wedding party.
• The big day: Relax, enjoy, and let the castle's magic do its work. You've earned this.