Fairy tale Weddings-Dreams Come True in Five Imperial Settings

One of the many castles in Slovenia. Photo by Michael Matti

Are you a hopeless romantic whose heart goes thump at Disney movies?  Have you always dreamed of getting married in a castle, a place or a manor? While most of us commoners will not be able to snag a prince like Meghan Markle, you can still channel your inner princess at a plethora of venues. We curated a list of five fabulous spots where you can tie the knot Cinderella-style!

Ljubljana Castle is just one of the myriad of castles in sLOVEnia, a country whose name contains the word love!Photo courtesy of Slovenia Board of Tourism

Ljubljana Castle, Slovenia
Ljubljana Castle offers a plethora of wedding experiences. For a civil wedding ceremony, the happy couple can choose from 9 venue locations, ranging from simple to more luxurious. Locations include several renovated historical halls, the Castle vineyard, and the Castle moat. For a more traditional wedding, couples can opt for a church ceremony, which takes place in the 15th century chapel of St. George. Ljubljana Castle also hosts and can organize wedding receptions in one of six castle halls.

Ashford Castles has made dreams come true in Ireland for over 800 years.
Photo courtesy of Ashford Castle

Ashford Castle, County Mayo, Ireland
Ashford Castle, the incredible 800-year-old 5-star castle hotel set on 350 acres in County Mayo on the shores of Lough Corrib and the River Cong, offers a spectacular fairytale dream wedding come true. With a spectacular backdrop of woodlands, lake, river, and mountains, the historic 13th-century castle hotel today features 83 guestrooms, suites, and a Lakeside Cottage. Having welcomed royalty, heads of state and celebrities, Ashford’s experienced in-house wedding planners are equipped with all the skills, talent and enthusiasm required to make every moment utterly magical. Couples can even hire the entire estate so it’s exclusively theirs.

Meghan Markle famously stayed at Cliveden House the night before her wedding.Photo courtesy of Cliveden House.

Cliveden House, Taplow, Berkshire, England
Built in 1666 by the Duke of Buckingham as a gift to his mistress, Cliveden House has a long list of royal guests; from Meghan Markle, who famously stayed there the night before her wedding, to Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth II. The castle is set on 376 acres of perfectly manicured National Trust gardens and sits on the banks of the River Thames. Part of the Relais & Châteaux association, Cliveden treats its guests like royalty. The castle is perfect for weddings, honeymoons and everything in between. Located just 30 miles from central London, it’s the perfect escape from the city!

Blantyre is set in the beautiful bucolic Berkshires in New England.
Photo courtesy of Blantyre.

Blantyre, Lenox, Massachusetts, USA
Blantyre, the historic five-star property and estate in the Berkshire Mountains is nestled on 110 acres and is a stunning country manor like no other. It’s one of the only remaining gilded-age mansions in the Berkshires. Couples can toast their nuptials in the world’s only Dom Perignon champagne salon, dine in private alcoves with fireplaces and chandeliers, and unwind in the property’s boutique spa.

An ancient church on a private Venetian island is just one of the magical settings at San Clemente Palace Kempinski.
Photo courtesy of San Clemente Palace Kempinski

San Clemente Palace Kempinski, Venice, Italy
A true floating fairytale, San Clemente Palace Kempinski sparkles in a lovely private island brimming with luscious landscapes, breathtaking views, and royal charm. One of the many magical venues to unite is an ancient church on a private Venetian island.

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