31 Castle Wedding Venues That’ll Make You Feel Like Royalty

If there’s any time in your life you can truly feel like royalty, it’s on your wedding day. You’re dressed to the nines and all eyes are on you as you say “I do.” So why not lean into that magical feeling and exchange those vows in a castle that looks as if it had been plucked straight out of your favorite fairy tale? 

Believe it or not, you don’t have to traverse Europe looking for a castle fit you and your loved one. Those do exist for couples who have their heart set on a destination wedding, but there are also castles all over the United States, from the Southwest to the Northeast. 

To get a taste of what it might feel like to tie the knot a la Prince William and Princess Kate, you can review this guide for inspiration while seeking out the fairest castle wedding venues in all the land. Here, you’ll find a sampling of some of the most swoon-worthy castle wedding venues out there.

So, what is a castle exactly?

The first image that comes to mind may be Disney’s fantastical Cinderella Castle, but by definition, a castle is a large fortified building. Traditionally, these structures held important figures, like kings and queens and other lords, and were constructed with such outstanding strength to protect against invasion. 

Colloquially, castle and palace may be used interchangeably. That’s because palaces are also grand buildings that serve as the official residences of important figures. They are not, however, necessarily fortified in the same way castles are. So, you might expect to see castle wedding venues with moats or other defensive structures–but you won’t find that at a palace. Similar to palaces, manors are estates positioned on some type of farmland.

There’s another word you might hear in conversations about castles: château or the plural form of the word, châteaux. Essentially, a château is simply the French version of a castle or fortress. Today, there’s more leniency in terminology, though. As language and the way of the world in general has evolved, these three terms have become increasingly interchangeable. But if you’ve been dreaming about castle weddings for as long as you can remember, it’s important to note the distinctions.

What are the benefits of castle wedding venues?

Shall we start with the obvious? Castles are downright gorgeous, and they provide a uniquely whimsical backdrop for any component of your wedding, whether it be your vows, reception, or both. The awe-inspiring scenery will not only give you an out-of-body experience as you soak it all in on the day of, but it also provides a dramatically interesting place for your wedding photos. Just imagine wedding portraits with a clear view of these historical, towering structures in the background! 

The Instagram opportunities are only one of the perks, though. Castle wedding venues are also great because of the privacy they’ll provide you and your guests. Typically, they’re homes located on sprawling properties, and when you host an event at castle wedding venues, you and your guests will likely have all of this acreage to celebrate. Some even offer a full wedding weekend package, so you can stake claim to the property for an entire weekend—or more—hosting guests for various events throughout. Plus, some offer lodging for your close family members and friends. With all of this in mind, it’s no wonder so many celebrities host their own royal weddings at these establishments (more on that later!).

And while castle weddings may seem a bit grandiose, these sophisticated venues come in a variety of styles and price points. Even more, castle wedding venues can also help inform your decor choices. These spots typically come with storied statues, candelabras, artwork, and more that can narrow down your design details. 

Where are the best castle wedding venues located?

When you envision castle wedding venues, you might think of the towering structures high in the hills of Austria, like the iconic Hohenwerfen Castle featured in The Sound of Music, or perhaps Germany’s Neuschwanstein Castle, which inspired the one in Sleeping Beauty. But the reality is, there are castles all around the globe–and even in your own neck of the woods. 

If you have your heart set on a destination wedding, you can find many historic castles across the pond, including castle wedding venues in Ireland, England, and other popular European countries. You could even opt for an epic palace in India or a château deep in French wine country. But if domestically located castle weddings sound more practical for you and your partner, you don’t have to give up your dreams of getting married in a palace. There are dozens of castle wedding venues in the United States too, from coast to coast and all throughout the rest of the country.

Here, a look at some of the most captivating castle wedding venues in the world:

Castle Wedding Venues in the United States

If you have your eyes on options in the country, check out these mesmerizing castle wedding venues. From the Pacific Northwest to Northeast, there are countless domestic locales to host your royal ball–er, wedding! Below, we’ll take you across the country to explore a variety of options for castle wedding venues in California, New York, and everywhere in between.

International Castle Wedding Venues

Ready to hop on a plane and jet to an international destination for a true fairy tale wedding in one of the world’s most coveted castle wedding venues? The following castles, palaces, and châteaux are perfect for the occasion:

Are you ready for your very own coronation? Even if you only get to be royalty for the day, the experience of getting married at one of the many California castle wedding venues, European palaces, and more, there is sure to be one for the storybooks. 

So whether you’re planning to hop on a plane or scouting out stateside castle wedding venues, make sure to bookmark this list, narrow it down to a handful of your favorites, and then browse through our directory of real weddings to get lost in a sea of inspiring images from your preliminary selections. From there, you can crown—or, pick!—the one for you and your betrothed. 

Long live love!