5 Gorgeous Castle Wedding Venues to Say “I do” in

Ever dream of having that fairytale wedding in a castle? Well, for the most part, you can! While these castles are not for sale, there are plenty of estates around the world that host weddings yearly, and will work hard to make your special day as magical as something out of a storybook.

Oheka Castle

Nestled at the highest point of Long Island, NY along its glimmering Gold Coast, this picturesque chateau emanates the elegance of old century France. Handcrafted wrought iron railing, gorgeous ivory plaster molding, and lush gardens encapsulating eight reflecting pools and three fountains are all lavish features inside of the castle.

A $30 million dollar restoration effort went into resurrecting this majestic, historic mansion and breaks the record for the most money dedicated towards such a project in American history. Oheka Castle is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a member of Historic Hotels of America®, a program that recognizes and celebrates the finest historic hotels across America—a completely fitting title given Oheka’s illustrious reputation in being the backdrop for a plethora of prestigious weddings, television, film and photo productions.   

Want all your family and friends in one place as you walk down the aisle? Since Oheka Castle is also a hotel, there are plenty of rooms available to keep your loved ones close to you. The estate also has a plethora of convenient amenities such as:

• A world-class fitness center. Work off that wedding cake in Oheka’s very own gym, complete with treadmills, recumbent bicycles, multi-workout stations, free weights, elliptical trainer, balance balls, scales, and an AM/FM Radio & CD Player.
• In-Room Massages. Unwind with Oheka’s In-Room Massage Service, offered exclusively to guests at the hotel. There’s a vast array of signature massage treatments to choose from, designed to invigorate the body and lift the spirits—all from within the comfort of your room! Some packages offered are: ‘Sports Massage’, ‘Swedish Massage’, ‘Deep Tissue Massage’ ‘Aromatherapy Massage’, ‘Maternity Massage’, ‘Reflexology Massage’, and even a ‘Togetherness Massage’ for you and your partner!

Book it for:

A $7,000-12,000 location fee, and $200-500 per head. The buyout rate for all 32 rooms in the hotel starts at $6,500.

Famous people married here:

 

• Kevin Jonas & Danielle Deleasa. This popstar, most notable for being ⅓ of the Jonas Brothers, married reality television personality, Danielle Deleasa, here December 19, 2009.
• Megyn Kelley & Douglas Brunt. Megyn Kelley, an American journalist, political commentator, and former corporate defense attorney married her husband, a novelist, and entrepreneur, here in 2008.

• Joey Fatone & Kelly Baldwin. Joey Fatone, best known for being a member of the iconic NSYNC, married his girlfriend of 10 years here on September 9, 2004.

 

Ashford Castle

Feel like royalty in this remarkable 800-year-old castle, imbibed with Victorian charm. The estate was purchased in 1852 by Sir Benjamin Lee Guinness who extended the estate to span over a whopping 26,000 acres, built new roads and planted thousands of lush trees in a cornucopia of vibrant colors to comprise the Estate Gardens. Tranquil surroundings wrap around the castle, creating a magical setting on the edge of Lough Corrib. Have your guests explore the sweeping terrace, complete with the main Parterre, the ethereal Walled Garden full of perennial ornamentation, fruits and vegetables, as well as the Long Terraced Walk and Broad Walk creating vistas across the gardens.

Ashford Castle has many enticing features for its guests, including:

• 83 luxurious rooms. Each room contains impeccable attention to detail, embellished with antique furniture, custom-designed carpets, bespoke beds, feature lighting, linens comprised of soft, Egyptian cotton, as well as a private dining space. Some rooms even contain breathtaking views of the River Cong or Lough Corrib!
• State-of-the-art gym. Break a sweat to elevated views over Lough Corrib in the estate’s newly refurbished fitness center. Floor-to-ceiling windows make you feel like you are encapsulated in the stunning scenery, and guests have access to high-tech fitness technology such as PureFlow™, designed to combat fatigue and improve endurance. A personal trainer is also on staff to create a workout session for you depending on your goals.
• Treatment Spa. Rejuvenate your body and spirit with an extensive range of indulgent treatments, such as regenerating facials, refreshing scrubs, detoxifying wraps, aroma, marine therapy, and more. Additionally, there’s a ‘Hammam Ceremony’, a treatment that can be added to your package and takes you on a mystical journey back to the roots of Roman Thermae while cleansing and healing your body and soul. Wraps and bathing suits are required.
• Relaxation Pool. Indicative of its name, this is the perfect place to unwind. Within the soothing bronze conservatory, this pool has seated jets for pure relaxation, as well as resistance swimming jets for an actual workout. Additionally, meditate to sights of exquisite seashell chandeliers and the Tree of Life mural.

Hold your picture-perfect ceremony in the estate’s local church, elegant Drawing Room, or outside in the estate gardens with remarkable views of the Lough Corrib and castle acting making for a stunning backdrop.

Book it for:

A wedding package for 160 people ranges from $73,279.27 to $107,325.15.

Famous people married here:

• Pierce Brosnan & Keely Shae Smyth. Pierce Brosnan, the 6th actor to portray agent James Bond, married Keely Shae Smyth, an American journalist, author, correspondent, model, and actress, here in 2001.
• Shane Filan & Gillian Walsh. Shane Filan, Irish singer and songwriter and frontman of the boy band Westlife (1998-2012) married actress Gillian Walsh here in 2003.
• Rory McIlroy & Erica Stoll. Rory, a professional golfer and four-time major champion from Northern Ireland, married his longtime girlfriend, Erica Stoll, in his native country.

Skibo Castle

Say “I do” in Scotland’s historic Highlands region, comprised of sweeping mountainous terrain and endless cerulean skies. Witness majestic dolphins on the Moray Coast, meditate on the picturesque seascape of the North Highlands and go hiking through Britain’s highest peak, Ben Nevis. Or even have your honeymoon on the expansive chain of islands and coastline!

Skibo Castle is the gem of this melting pot of culture, history, architecture and unparalleled scenery.  The estate has 7,000-plus acres of lochs, woods, pastures, and even a golf course, residing on the edge of Dornoch Firth.

Curious about some history of the estate? Originally, Skibo Castle was home to the world’s richest man at the time, Andrew Carnegie, an industrialist, business magnate, and philanthropist. Carnegie moved to the United States when he was 13 to escape the economic depression of 1848. In 1898, to reinstate his roots in Scotland, he bought Skibo and set a multi-million-pound renovation effort, all for his daughter.

Book it for:

Unfortunately, Skibo Castle does not conduct many weddings nowadays, but you can join the private club here for a one-off joining fee of $32,856.05, and then an annual fee of $11,171.06. Plus a nightly charge of $1,708.46 when you do actually stay. Entirely worth it though!

Famous people married here:

• Madonna & Guy Ritchie. This high-class power couple chose Skibo Castle as their prime destination to say “I do”. Madonna, pop sensation, and Guy Ritchie, likely the filmmaker behind your favorite crime film, tied the knot here three days before Christmas in 2000.

 

Castle Leslie

Castle Leslie Estate in County Monaghan is encapsulated in the rich, Irish countryside, historic woodlands plagued with flourishing flora and fauna, and sparkling lakes. The castle is fashioned in the Scottish Baronial style, designed by the firm Lanyon, Lynn and Lanyon in 1870 for Sir John Leslie, 1st Baronet, MP. To the rear of the house, be enchanted by verdant gardens, relieved by a Renaissance-style cloister that links the main house to a single story wing where the Library and Billiard Room resides.

Castle Leslie touts a reputation as being one of the finest luxury estates in Ireland, as well as one of the only Irish castles to still be in the hands of the founding family, and has even undergone a vast restoration effort over the last two decades. Have your guests enjoy the idyllic setting for outdoor activities, such as exploring the expansive countryside by horseback or on foot. Additionally, you can spend a few hours fishing on one of Ireland’s most preserved lakes. During that time you can rent an apartment online through Myhome which is the most authoritative website in Ireland when it comes to apartment renting with affordable prices. Don’t want to spend too much time outside? That’s fine! Enjoy a state-of-the-art massage in the Victorian Treatment Rooms with your choice between stimulating deep tissue, the ‘pleasure ground massage’, or even massages to eliminate cellulite such as the ‘cell-u-less massage’!

Book it for:

Often referred to as “Europe’s Most Romantic Hotel”, it seems only fitting to have your special day here. As per the estate rules, if you are considering the Castle as your venue, it is required that 20 unique bedrooms are taken by the bridal party and their guests. The rate per night is $226.03. The rate of the wedding venue per day, complete with exclusive access to the Castle, fountain garden, pleasure garden, and lake, is $2,898.22.

Famous people married here:

• Paul McCartney & Heather Mills.  Known for being the bass guitarist and singer for the rock band the Beatles, this rockstar married English media personality, businesswoman, and activist, Heather Mills.

 

Highclere Castle

Any Downton Abbey fans out there? Nothing sounds all the more magical than having your wedding inside of the literal production site of the award-winning British television series. Visually, the estate is stunning, nestled in an area of outstanding beauty. The Highclere Castle has always made farming and forestry paramount, with an impressive 2,000 acres of land. Crops include oat for horse (and human) consumption, milling, barley, linseed, and more! Additionally, the estate hosts a flock of sheep that graze another 1,400 acres in Highclere Park, adjacent to the Castle.

As the bride, enjoy preparing for the special day in a regal south-facing bedroom in the Castle, before making a dramatic entrance from the first-floor gallery above your guests to the spiraling oak staircase in which you’ll descend into the Saloon, a room that sits at the very heart of the castle. Following the ceremonies, a champagne reception and traditional afternoon tea is offered. If you’d like to have your ceremony later on in the evening, enjoy a wedding breakfast through to the evening.

Book it for:

The venue charges $24,069 per day. While this may be a bit pricey for your wedding day, purchase real estate in Hampshire, England or plan a vacation to visit the estate (y’know, a honeymoon for example) for much more economical prices on your own time.

Famous people married here:

• Peter Andre & Katie Price. Peter Andre, an Australian singer known for hits “Mysterious Girl” and “Flava”, married his beau Katie Price, winner of the 15th series of Celebrity Big Brother, in September 2005 at Highclere Castle.
  
  

Spooky Castles

If you loved our wedding castles, check out our haunted ones!