Castle Weddings in Scotland for Romantic Fairytale Marriages

Romantic wedding dreams can come true with a wedding in a Scottish castle. You’ll want your day to be as special as your relationship. In a castle you can feel like a princess with your knight in shining armour.

Castle weddings in Scotland range in size from a small intimate gathering, to large elaborate celebrations with everyone in traditional Scottish dress.

Researching and choosing a castle and the wedding facilities you want can be very enjoyable and exciting. Castle wedding websites provide plenty of information and photographs. An interesting time can be had visiting selected castles, before booking your choice.

Wedding package deals often include accommodation and meals actually in or near the castle for the wedding party and your guests.

Although it may be a romantic medieval castle, you will find intriguing mixtures of traditional features and modern comforts, such as luxurious bedrooms with four-poster beds and en suite bathrooms. Rooms are reached along centrally heated corridors lined with displays of armour, weapons and banners.

Some very appealing smaller Scottish castles are available only for the actual wedding ceremony. Facilities for the reception and overnight accommodation can be arranged nearby, in suitably romantic settings. These smaller castles have fascinating histories, including stories of romantic encounters among royalty, several centuries ago.

You may be able to book the castle in Scotland for exclusive use, so only you and the people invited to your wedding will be in the castle on the special day.

Many Scottish castles have some unique extras for weddings.

Bagpipers or trumpeters can play at certain stages of the proceedings, and at the reception. You could also arrange a performance of a traditional Scottish sword dance to entertain your guests. A Scottish ceilidh band may be available to provide the music and fitting atmosphere for the ancient castle setting.

Some special touches can be included in castle weddings in Scotland. For example, the first slice of wedding cake can be cut using a Scottish dirk, instead of an ordinary knife. Wedding suit hire shops often have highland wear available, including full kilt suits. Wearing a kilt will help you get into the unique atmosphere provided by a Scottish castle, and is also a wonderful way to celebrate your Scottish heritage.

Check online for these facilities and the extras available.

The larger castles in Scotland have some spectacular facilities, including elaborate and historic banqueting halls, beautiful courtyards, landscaped grounds and gardens with scenic views. These provide excellent backgrounds for all the wedding photographs.

The official procedures for obtaining a marriage licence are less romantic, but important practical aspects to consider and deal with well in advance of a marriage in Scotland. Marriage notice forms must be obtained from a Scottish Registrar of Births, Marriages and Deaths office.

Check the procedures and rules carefully, including the exact requirements pertinent to your situation for paperwork, such as birth certificates and proof of any other relevant aspects. These could include previous divorce documents and proof of no impediment.

Submit the completed forms to the registrar in the district where you will be married at least six weeks before the marriage date.

Although the minimum amount of time may be stated as 15 days for processing the licence, it’s best to allow at least six weeks. The web page of the General Registrar Office for Scotland provides much help and contact details.

But once the practicalities are dealt with, you can begin to concentrate on your big day, celebrating the happiest day of your life in one of the most romantic countries in the world.

By: Robert Yates

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