For any couple tying the knot, the choice of wedding venue is a priority.
With their atmospheric keeps, panoramic views and romantic-looking ruins, castles provide endless inspiration. You’ll get a fairytale backdrop for your photos, while the rooms don’t necessarily need much dressing up – you can just add a few lights or flowers.
Equally, castles are often surrounded by gorgeous countryside or perhaps a beach or other natural feature. And with England and Wales featuring hundreds of them up and down the land, you’ll be spoilt for choice as you make your wedding unique.
But it’s not just their glorious grounds and exteriors which make these structures so photogenic – there are numerous reasons to love a castle wedding. When it comes to the inside, think sweeping staircases and elegant interiors. So you’ll create memories to last a lifetime whatever the weather, whatever the time of year.
Often, these venues are effectively a blank canvas, which you can make your own. And typically you get exclusive use, so you and your guests can enjoy having the incredible location all to yourselves, making the whole occasion feel more intimate and special. Castles’ versatility also means you’ll have many different spaces from which to take your pick, depending on the size of your party and what you want from your celebration.
Equally, you’ll have the historic enchantment of a castle combined with luxurious modern amenities.
Importantly, most of these venues offer everything you need for your big day in one setting, from ceremony to celebrations and beyond. Provided your chosen venue is licensed for weddings, you won’t need to travel between sites for your castle wedding in the UK.
Planning your flowers and photos
Flowers are key to almost all weddings, with castle marriages no exception. They set the tone and enrich the atmosphere. Floral displays and blooms also form an important part of your marriage photos, and are helpful in bringing your wedding colours together. If you have a theme, they’ll bring it to life.
There’s a lot to think about, from buttonholes to table decorations and bridal bouquets.
For a castle wedding, oversized floral displays are a great choice and will make the most of the available space; smaller arrangements could just look lost. Something else to consider is a gorgeous floral archway around one of the castle doors.
Many venues work closely with a wide range of nearby suppliers, and so will happily recommend a local florist.
Another thing to book early is your photographer, as these professionals tend to be busy, especially during peak wedding season.
And clearly, a castle background will form stunning images of your big day. But you could also have a wedding photo QR code. This allows guests to upload images to a personalised web page. They just scan the QR code provided. It’s fun and interactive, while giving you a range of informal shots from across the venue, the perfect complement to your official shots. After all, with a castle wedding in particular, you’ll want to capture every moment!
So get flowers, photos, the dress if you’re having one, and key players like bridesmaids and ushers in place before doing anything else. All the other details ca follow suit.