As a country, the UK is well known for it's historical buildings, and none of these could possibly match a castle wedding. If you are wanting a beautiful fairytale wedding day, then a castle wedding venue is the best location to get married. From tall stone turrets to Gothic architecture and banqueting halls, having a castle wedding is the ideal way to feel like royalty for a day.
Castle wedding venues are perfect for you if:
- You want a fairytale wedding
- You're a big fan of history
- You don’t want to do a huge amount of decorating
- You would like some spectacular photo opportunities
- You're flexible with your ceremony times
FAQ on Castle Wedding Venues in Highlands and Islands
Can I have a civil ceremony at a castle wedding venue?
Most castle wedding venues in Highlands and Islands will have a civil ceremony license, allowing you to get married legally in one of their rooms or in the grounds. If you want to marry in the castle grounds, make sure you confirm with the venue that they are licensed for outdoor ceremonies. If your chosen castle venue isn't licensed for civil ceremonies, then you can always enquire about holding your civil wedding ceremony at a registry office nearby or having a humanist ceremony, before having an unforgettable wedding reception at the castle.
Will I be able to have a religious wedding ceremony at a castle venue in Highlands and Islands?
Often, castles have their own chapel or church on site, which is where its inhabitants would have religious services. This means that you may be able to have a religious wedding ceremony without leaving the castle grounds! If your castle wedding venue doesn't have a chapel or church, then you may be able to find one near by. Be sure to ask your chosen venues when enquiring about religious ceremonies to find out if this is a possibility.
Is it easy to find castles in Highlands and Islands that will be wheelchair accessible?
If you are looking for a wedding venue that has easy access for wheelchairs, then you will be astonished by how accessible castle venues can be. You will find that because many castles in Highlands and Islands are tourist attractions for their local area, it’s important that wheelchair users can be accommodated. However, the castle may have areas that are deemed unsuitable for wheelchair users. Be sure to ask your venues ahead of time if accessibility is top of your priorities list.
How much do castle wedding venues cost to hire?
You'll be pleased to know that castle wedding venues in Highlands and Islands are certainly affordable. Even huge palaces and historical monuments don’t always need a royal wedding budget, so it’s always worth enquiring. If you are looking to save money on your castle wedding and are having to stick to a budget, then opting for a midweek package or marrying in an off-peak season is a brilliant way to cut costs.
Are there decorating restrictions on castle wedding venues in Highlands and Islands?
Castles in Highlands and Islands are perfect for couples who don’t want to do lots of decorating at their wedding venue. After all, they’re often sumptuously decorated in the first place. With striking artwork, historic suits of armour and unique architecture, a castle's original decor is impossible to reproduce. However, as they’re often listed buildings, there may be restrictions as to how you can decorate. You may not be able to hang decorations or bunting, and many castles will not allow paper confetti.
What themes work for a castle wedding venue in Highlands and Islands?
A classic fairytale wedding theme works wonderfully for a castle venue. Think horse-drawn carriages, ball gown wedding dresses, roses and sparkling chandeliers and you have the perfect castle wedding theme.
If you’re a history lover, then a medieval wedding theme is also perfect for a castle. Castles in Highlands and Islands often have recommended entertainers such a falconers and dancers that are ideal for this, and your wedding guests will love a delicious medieval banquet.
We also find that an ideal time of year for your castle wedding is at Christmas, as castles are often richly decorated for Christmas with candles, trees and traditional touches. Take advantage and have a beautiful winter wedding in a castle!