Castles are not only for royalty. Complete your fairytale wedding by getting married in a real life castle! Across the world, there are many unique and stunning castles that make the perfect backdrop for your ‘I dos’. Here are a few of our favourites:
The Lichtenstein Castle – Cape Town
Situated on the hills of Karbonkelberg Mountain overlooking Hout Bay, the Lichtenstein Castle is a gothic dream come to life. Built to replicate the Gothic Schloss Lichtenstein Castle in southern Germany, this magnificent castle comes complete with statues of dragons and gargoyles, as well as a magnificent waterfall.
Inside, there is a ballroom with black and white checkered flooring, hand-blown glass chandeliers, and stable doors opening out to rolling green lawns. There are also 4 bedrooms and a honeymoon suite that you can use as your own private villa for the evening. The venue fits 150 guests seated or 250 cocktail.
For enquiries, visit their website HERE.
Neuschwanstein Castle – southwest Bavaria, Germany
Neuschwanstein Castle, located on the Bavarian Alps, is one of the most visited castles in the world, and it’s clear to see why. Built on a rugged hill above the village of Hohenschwangau, this magnificent castle is inspired by Romanesque Revival. The castle was commissioned by King Ludwig II of Bavaria in 1869, and upon his death was opened to the public in 1886. Cinderella’s castle was modelled after Neuschwanstein, making this venue quite literally from a fairytale.
While you cannot get married inside the castle, couples are permitted to hold their ceremony on the grassy area in front of it, or in the chapel of Hohenschwangau Castle that has a view of Neuschwanstein.
For more info, visit their website HERE.
Oheka Castle – Long Island, USA
One of the most coveted wedding venues in the world, Oheka Castle is a luxurious French-inspired location that has been hosting weddings since 1919. Once the home of investment financier and philanthropist Otto Hermann Kahn and his family, Oheka was built between 1914 and 1919 and is the second largest private home in the United States. The castle is made up of 127 rooms and over 109,000 square feet (10,100 m2).
Oheka Castle has inspired more than brides. F.Scott Fitzgerald was partially inspired by the mansion when describing Jay Gatsby’s stately home in The Great Gatsby. The castle also featured in Taylor Swift’s Blank Space music video.
For more information, visit their website HERE.
Larnach Castle – New Zealand
New Zealand’s Larnach Castle is situated on the picturesque Otago Peninsula and was built in 1871 by merchant baron and politician William Larnach for his first wife Eliza. It was purchased by the Barkey family in 1967, who still privately own it today, and was restored to feature original New Zealand period furniture and antiques.
Your nuptials can take place at a number of places on the Castle grounds, including the Rock Garden on the Ballroom Lawn, the Reflecting Pond with Dunedin City framed in the background, the Alice lawn or under the beautiful 1930s Cupola. For your reception, step inside the ballroom that features period architecture, glorious furnishings, magnificent chandeliers, baronial open fires and a polished sprung dance floor. The ballroom can accommodate up to 180 people.
For more information, visit their website HERE.
Sudeley Castle, Gloucestershire, England
Nestled in the Cotswold Hills, Sudeley Castle’s buildings, ruins and award-winning gardens cover a sprawling 1,200 acres of grounds. This Tudor-style castle was once home to Queen Katherine Parr, the last and surviving wife of King Henry VIII, who also died here is buried on the grounds.
The venue’s 15th century church is the perfect ceremony location for traditional couples, but you can also choose from the Castle Library and their various outdoor spaces including the Secret garden, Queens’ garden, and Mulberry lawn to tie the knot. A bespoke marquee on the private Castle Lawn, which boasts grand views of the Castle and overlooks water lilies on the carp pond, is a stunning place to hold your ceremony.
For more information, visit their website HERE.
Château de Challain-la-Potherie – France
Built in 1854 by the La Rochefoucauld family, one of the most eminent families of France, Château de Challain-la-Potherie is a magnificent mansion honouring net-gothic romanticism. It stretches 7,600 square meters, has 4 towers, 12 turrets and 26 spiral staircases that complete the fairytale feel.
Chateau Challain offers a full-service chateau wedding packages for 120+ guests that includes attentive staff and exclusive use of 23 decadently decorated suites, as well as their 72 acres of gardens, forest, and lake. You can say ‘I do’ in the spacious 18th century church opposite the chateau, under the gazebo by the lake, outside the beautiful Memorial Tower or even in their small on-site chapel.
For more information, visit their website HERE.
St. Florentina’s Castle – Barcelona, Spain
Castell De Santa Florentina, or St. Florentina’s Castle, is a cultural heritage site that has been existence since the 11th century. The castle features a stunningly serene courtyard and interiors Game of Thrones fans might recognise as Horn Hill, the estate of House Tarly in the popular shows sixth season.
Wedding ceremonies can be held on the patio, pictured below, before guests move on to the magnificent Throne Hall that was designed to receive the King of Spain Alfonso XIII with his court, and can host a banquet of 200 people. You’ll definitely feel like royalty at this castle.
For more information, visit their website HERE.
Hluboká Castle – Czech Republic
Hluboká Castle is considered one of the most beautiful castles in the Czech Republic and was once home to Prince Jan Adolf II. Schwarzenberg. The castle was first built in the 13th century in the Gothic style, but has since been renovated many times, revealing a Baroque style during the 18th century and then being reconstructed to emulate the romantic style of England’s Windsor Castle.
Wedding ceremonies can be held on the hill in front of the castle, in the Ceremonial hall in the former orangery, by the pond in the park or in the interior of large dining room.
For more information, visit their website HERE.
Feature image: Unsplash
