At a Glance:

• Elegant fusion of 13^th century Norman architecture and French chateau
• Castle wedding venue
• Licensed for Civil Ceremony and Church Ceremony
• Accommodation – 83 rooms (all guests should be resident of the castle)
• Capacity – max 40 guests for Connaught room or max 160 guests for George V
• Available for Exclusive Use
• Facilities – spa, restaurants, bars, lake, garden, wedding planner, estate activities like golf, fishing, lake cruise and more
• Average cost  Euros + VAT *(all inclusive package)
• Sunday weddings 5,000 Euros supplement
• Located on the shores of Lough Corrib
• 40 minutes away from Galway airport by car
• Shannon airport 80miles and Knock airport 32miles away

*Please note that price mentioned is a rough and basic wedding budget guideline based on 80 guests. It can go up depending on how much you want to personalize your wedding celebration (menu, drinks, flowers, etc.).

Check out the photographs below to see why Ashford Castle wins the most romantic castle hotel in Europe and why it was chosen by many brides and grooms including Pierce Brosnan.

More photos of the beautiful Ashford Castle

Tips: No matter where you decide to tie the knot, make sure to check the legislation and requirements from the local registrar office. Check details below for the Registrar Office in Ireland.

Wedding Venue – Ashford Castle

Cong, Co Mayo
Ireland
Tel: +353 (0) 94 954 6003

Wedding Registrar Office – Ireland

General Register Office, Government Offices,
Convent Road, Roscommon.
Tel: +353 (0) 90 6632900

Photos courtesy of Ashford Castle

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Eastnor Castle is one the most romantic castle wedding venue one can ever dream of. The Malvern Hills where the castle is situated is a perfect backdrop for a fairytale castle wedding. Noted as an area of outstanding natural beauty with a romantic lake, deer park and the rolling hills of the Herefordshire countryside to enjoy, this spectacular wedding venue is certainly a place that is easy to fall in love.

At a Glance:

• Castle
• Medieval Architecture
• Licensed for Civil Ceremony
• Accommodation – 11 stately rooms
• Capacity – 2 guests to 600 guests
• Facilities – garden, lake, parking, shuttle service for guests
• Available for Exclusive Use
• 2.5 hours direct train ride from London Paddington Station to Ledbury
• 2 hours away from London Heathrow by car
• Average cost  £12,000.00 *(all inclusive package)

*Please note that price mentioned is a rough and basic wedding budget guideline. It can go up depending on how much you want to personalize your wedding celebration (menu, drinks, flowers, etc)

Eastnor Castle is ideal for both summer weddings and winter weddings. Marquee can be set up and directly linked to the beautiful castle. If you wish to have a church wedding, there is a beautiful church nearby that they can recommend. There are many options to choose from and you will be sure that whatever you pick, Eastnor Castle can provide you a wonderful backdrop for your special day.

TV presenter Davina McCall chose this beautiful castle venue for her wedding and had the time of her life. Go check the venue to see if this can be your dream wedding venue….

Wedding Venue – Eastnor Castle

Ledbury
Herefordshire, HR8 1RL
Tel: +44 (0) 1531 633160    

Photos courtesy of Eastnor Castle and Press Photography

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Highclere Castle is truly a beautiful wedding venue to consider on your special day. It is considered to be the finest Victorian country house still in existence today which is much loved by the Carnarvaron family.  Built in the same style as the Houses of Parliament in London and with breathtaking garden designed by the famous Capability Brown, this makes a perfect wedding venue that is rich in history, grandeur, sophistication and romance.

At a Glance:

• Accommodation – n/a
• Architecture – Victorian architecture
• Capacity – 40 guests to 140 guests
• Celebrity wedding – Jordan & Peter Andre and Thierry Henry & Nicole Merry
• Ceremony – Licensed for Civil Ceremony the Saloon
• Children – Very welcome
• Cost – £20,000.00 + VAT *
• Exclusive Use – available at the cost  £12,000 + VAT
• Facilities – beautiful grounds, wedding planner, Tutankhamun museum, exhibition space
• Location – Berkshire
• Marquee wedding – available
• Style – Caste wedding venue
• Transportation – 15 minutes away from London Paddington Station
• Transportation – 1 hour away from London Heathrow by car

*Please note that price mentioned is a rough and basic wedding budget guideline based on 80 guests. It can go up depending on how much you want to personalize your wedding celebration (menu, drinks, flowers, etc)

Photographs courtesy of Highclere Castle and Confetti Shots

Wedding Venue: Highclere Castle

Highclere Park, Newbury

Berkshire RG20 9RN
Telephone +44 01635 253 210

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DS cannot imagine anything that can beat this wedding venue for its exclusivity, outstanding beauty, grandeur and impeccable five star services. But with anything luxe and exclusive, Skibo Castle comes with an oozing tag price! Apart from being considered to be one of the most expensive wedding venues in the world, you can only dream about getting married here if you are a member of the club.

At a Glance:

• Accommodation – 21 castle rooms
• Architecture – 19^th and 20^th century architecture
• Capacity – maximum 90 guests
• Celebrity wedding –Madonna & Guy Ritchie and Ashley Judd & Dario Franchitti.
• Ceremony – Licensed for Civil Ceremony (Dornoch Church 4miles away)
• Children – Very welcome
• Cost – £60,000.00 *
• Exclusive Use – available
• Facilities – garden, lake, helicopter landing, golf course, indoor pool, spa, tennis courts and more
• Location – Dornoch, Scotland
• Marquee wedding – available
• Style – Caste wedding venue
• Transportation – 1 hour away from Inverness’s Dalcross Airport (INV)
• Transportation – 1.45 hours direct flight from London Gatwick (British Airways)

*Please note that price mentioned is a rough calculation based on the total membership fee plus the average UK wedding costs which includes menus, drinks, venue hire.

To maintain exclusivity, membership is by invitation only or applicants may be sponsored by a current member. And if accepted by the committee, here are the fees you have to pay:-

• membership joining fee £20,000 + VAT
• annual membership £7,500 inclusive of VAT

Beautifully set in the Scottish Highlands…there is no other place that can beat this.

Wedding Venue – The Carnegie Club at Skibo Castle

Dornoch
Sutherland Scotland IV25 3RQ
Tel: +44 (0) 1862 894 600

Photos courtesy of Skibo Castle

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At a Glance:

• Accommodation – 20 castle rooms
• Architecture – Medieval Architecture
• Capacity – 10 to 245 guests
• Celebrity wedding – royalties in the Tudor period
• Ceremony –Licensed for Civil Ceremony
• Children – Very welcome
• Cost – £25,000 + VAT*
• Exclusive Use Only
• Facilities –complimentary tour of the castle, beautiful lake and grounds, wedding planner,
• Location – Kent
• Marquee wedding – Available
• Style – Castle wedding
• Transportation – 1 hour  by train from London Victoria to Bearsted
• Transportation – 1.5 hours away from London Heathrow by car

*Please note that cost mentioned above is a rough and basic wedding budget guideline based on 60 guests. It can go up depending on how much you want to personalize your wedding celebration. This price only includes F&B plus venue hire and not other wedding costs.

Our favourite of course is the Castle where Henry VIII Banqueting Hall and is located but each venue within the castle are beautiful I their own right. Check out the photographs below and see which venue will suit your style.

Henry VIII Banqueting Hall

The Gatehouse

Wedding Venue – Leeds Castle

Kent ME17 1PL
Telephone: + 44 (0) 1622 7654000

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Everything about this place is just wonderful and without any exaggeration, DS have never known anyone who did not like or wish to have their wedding at Blenheim Palace. It is a fairytale wedding venue especially if you are after the romantic, historical, grand and magical wedding.

At a Glance:

• Historical palace and a World Heritage site
• Baroque architecture
• Licensed for Civil Ceremony
• Accommodation – none but there are recommended hotels nearby
• Capacity – 2 guests to 600 guests
• Facilities – garden, lake, tour guide, security, wedding planner
• 1 hours  train ride from London Paddington Station
• 1 hour away from London Heathrow by car
• Average cost  £20,000.00 *(all inclusive package to hire both The Orangery and Marlborough room)
• Average cost  £55,000.00 *(all inclusive package for the main Palace)
• Marquee wedding for a bigger celebration available
• Fireworks facility
• Available for Exclusive Use

*Please note that price mentioned is a rough and basic wedding budget guideline. It can go up depending on how much you want to personalize your wedding celebration (menu, drinks, flowers, etc)

Here is a brief description of all the rooms available at Blenheim Palace and see which tickles your fancy the most.

Ceremony rooms

The Orangery

200 guests for  ceremony and 230 guests for wedding breakfast

This room is beautiful especially in spring or summer when the sun is up and the flowers are in full bloom. You can appreciate all these directly from the windows lining up one side of the wall. It has a classic and very grand conservatory feel to it that is complemented by the golden chandeliers.

The Marlborough Room

120 guests for ceremony and 100 guests for wedding breakfast

This room is much more suited for a smaller wedding ceremony. The interior with the fireplace, beautiful chandeliers and intricate vaulted ceilings is equally impressive.

The Wedding Reception Rooms

The Great Hall and Saloon

150 – 300 guests for wedding breakfast

Lavish, intricate and beautiful in all corners. You can see some of the magnificent art collection here and is full of warmth. I’d say it is ideal for winter weddings or for any grand and sophisticated celebrations.

The Long Library

300 guests for wedding breakfast

Home to 10,000 fine collection of books and is known to be the longest room in a historical stately home in the UK. This room is stunning, grand and a unique backdrop to celebrate and enjoy your wedding breakfast with all your family and friends.

It is easy to get overwhelmed or get carried away with the different possibilities you can choose from. All the rooms are different and beautiful in their own ways but we can guarantee you the most beautiful wedding in any room or combination you choose!

Option 1: The Orangery and the Marlborough room

These two beautiful rooms are located outside the main palace. One room can be used for the ceremony and the other for your wedding breakfast. Booking these two rooms will also allow you to use the beautiful colonnade for pre-drinks and post-ceremony drinks which overlooks the Italian gardens.

Option 2: The Orangery and The Great Hall

This combination is our second favourite. You saw your vows at the Orangery and then you move to the Great Hall for wedding breakfast and after party.

Option 3: The Great Hall and The Saloon

This is good combination and anyone who enters these two rooms will certainly be impressed with it grandness. You welcome your guests in the Great Hall for pre-drinks and the Saloon doors will be opened to welcome guests for wedding breakfast. You can also do it the other way around.

Option 4: The Great Hall, The Saloon and Long Library

DS loves this option and if you want everything to be the absolute best, then you too will love this. Booking this option will guarantee you a truly grand, luxurious and memorable wedding that will be talked about for years. You can choose to have pre-drinks at the Great Hall, wedding breakfast at the Long Library and post-dinner drinks at the Saloon.

Check out all the images below and see how you too can potentially use all the spaces at Blenheim Palace. Perhaps all these will also help you understand why this is on top of our favourite wedding venue here at DS. Romantic, unforgettable, luxe and grand through and through….

John Terry, Chelsea football club captain have chosen this venue for his wedding in 2007. He of course chose the grandest option of all! If money is also not an issue, I would definitely suggest going for the best of the best!!!

Wedding Venue – Blenheim Palace

Woodstock
Oxforshire OX20 1PX
Tel: +44 (0) 1993 811 091        

www.blenheimpalace.com

Photos courtesy of Blenheim Palace

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Inverlochy Castle is set in one of the world’s most beautiful highlands with stunning scenery, lochs, mountains, wateralls and places of historical interests that can be perfect on your special day whether it be an intimate affair or a slightly larger one.  This will be a wedding venue that will guarantee you a wedding of a lifetime and one to take your breath away.

The Great Hall or The Drawing Room in the Castle are licensed for both civil ceremony and religious ceremony. All the rooms charmingly embraces genuine Scottish heritgage and gracefully shows some original architectural features that dates back from 1863. The maximum number of guests they can accomodate here will be 80 both for the wedding ceremony and wedding breakfast. Unfortunately, this place is not suitable for brides-to-be and grooms-to-be who wish to have an outdoor wedding ceremony. They do not offer this for a reason but i can guarantee you that like Queen Victoria, you will certainly fall inlove with the castle, all the rooms, views from all the rooms and you will understand why she wrote in her diaries “I never saw a lovelier and more romantic spot” when she came to stay at Inverlochy Castle. Having the wedding in the castle will certainly give you the best of both worlds – beautiful scenery and the grandeur of a castle.

Inverlochy Castle can be hired exclusively for £9000 on high season which can accomodate up to 34 of your family and friends based on a minimum of two night stay. There are plenty of other nearby hotels and cottages that can be recommended to accomodate your other guests. Choosing this venue for your wedding will surely make you and your guests enjoy every part of the wedding. Being situated in Lochaber, the ‘outdoor capital of the UK’, you and your guests can indulge youself with its panoramic views and exciting activities like golf, fishining, climbing, horse riding, hiking, white-water rafting and many more.

The breathtaking scenery, the beautiful setting, history, architecture, world-class services, Michelin-star restaurant to fun-filled activities will surely spoil you and all your senses before, on your wedding day and after…..

Dolce Sposa Tip: For all types of ceremony you must complete the legal preliminaries by lodging notice with the Fort William Registrar. You should get in touch with them as soon as you decide you want to say your vows in Scotland.

Inverlochy Castle: Torlundy, Fort William, Inverness-shire, Scotland PH33 6SN

Telephone +44 (0) 1397 702177            www.inverlochycastlehotel.com

Fort William Registrar: Mrs Isobel McKellaig, Lochaber Collegge, An Aird, Fort Williams, PH33 6AN

Telephone + 44 (0) 1397 704583

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Sudeley Castle located at the Cotswolds Hill has been named “The Most Romantic Castle in the Cotswolds”. It is beautiful, impressive, rich in history, it has award winning gardens with over 1200 acres of ground and the majesty of the castle itself make this place the perfect wedding venue.

The Castle is licensed for Civil Ceremonies and you can choose from their four distinguished rooms where you want to say your wedding vows. The Banqueting Hall have a medieval style decor, the Long Room which is used for musical recitals provides a very elegant setting with plenty of natural lights, The Library is highly sought-after especially for more intimate ceremony and there is also the Chandos Hall which is situated within close proximity to the Castle and has a cottage feel to it. But if you want to have a garden wedding, then you will have plenty of choices as you can choose the perfect venue from one of their spectacular gardens.

All the rooms and outdoor spaces can hold both your wedding ceremony and also your wedding breakfast reception depending on the number of guests that you have. The Banqueting Hall and the Long Room can accomodate a maximum number of 100 guests while the others are suitable for a smaller gathering for both the civil ceremony and wedding breakfast. The Library can fit 50 people comfortably and you can also have a church blessing at St. Mary’s church located in the castle grounds which can fit up to 90 guests. The library and the chapel are a popular choice because of the beatiful interior and atmosphere it gives. You can always opt for a Lawn Marquee Reception to give you a flexibility of having unlimited number of guests. This can be especially beautiful with the castle and its garden as your backdrop.

Banquetting Hall

Another beautiful thing i love about The Sudeley Castle is the fact that they have their own Country Cottages that is five-minutes away from the estate making it more convenient for everyone on your wedding day. The cottages are absolutely charming and cosy making you feel so at home. It’s got a central courtyard, beautifully landscaped gardens with enough parking. It is the perfect accomodation for you, your family and guests on your luxury dream wedding.

A breathtaking place like this set in one of England’s most picturesque area the Cotswolds is a trully beautiful venue suitable for a luxury and fairytale wedding. I would not be surprised why the likes of Elizabeth Hurley and Arun Nayar chose this impressive venue for their private, starstudded and extremely luxurious wedding.

St. Mary’s Chapel

Sudeley Castle: Winchombe, Gloucestershire, GL54 5JD    Telephone: 01242 602308      www.sudeleycastle.co.uk

To find out more about Cotsworlds check this website: www.thecostwolds.org

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