It’s your big day and you have an even bigger lineup of your nearest and dearest to share it with – here’s our shortlist of huge party pads
When you sat down to write your guest list, you thought the world of wedding venues was your oyster. Now you’re worried that your guests will be crammed in like sardines. You can’t remember the exact point your numbers got out of hand – was it your H2B’s rugby team and their +1s or your mum and dad’s holiday home neighbours? Either way, you’ve scrolled through our venue directory and gulped at how many of them tap out at 100 daytime guests. Don’t panic – apart from figuring out how to pay for 300 wedding breakfasts – we’ve found a brilliant selection of spacious barns and ballrooms that’ll fit the full squad in:
Glen Tanar Ballroom
For an authentically Scottish feel, the Glen Tanar Ballroom should be on your list of must-see venues. Set in a privately owned estate in Royal Deeside, this magnificent ballroom has plenty of space for 160 day guests plus 20 more for the evening do. Suddenly, you’ll discover that you’re not just in love with your significant other, but that you’ve fallen for your amazing surroundings too!
Atholl Palace Hotel
This Pitlochry landmark has a fairytale setting for the wedding you’ve been dreaming of since you were a little girl. With space for up to 250 guests for both day and night celebrations at Atholl Palace Hotel, you’ll have no excuse not to include everyone in your plans. Don’t forget to round up the whole squad in the hotel grounds for that all-important group shot!
Achnagairn Castle
Listed as one of Harper’s Bazaar’s top wedding venues in the UK, Inverness-shire’s Achnagairn is officially magical! With enough space for 200 at the wedding breakfast plus an additional 60 for a dance in the vaulted ballroom, you can invite a proper crowd to your party. Why not celebrate for the entire weekend? Guests have the option of staying in the castle or booking one of the seven lodges in the grounds.
Carberry Tower
If your guest list is heading north of 100 and you’re planning on marrying in the vicinity of Edinburgh, look no further than the stunning Carberry Tower. It can be found in idyllic surroundings in Musselburgh and has its own private chapel for the ceremony. Once you’ve exchanged your vows, wander down to the banqueting pavilion (capacity for 150 people) where you and your friends can enjoy a sumptuous meal all while taking in the breathtaking views.
Crieff Hydro
For the couple with a huge family and masses of pals, Crieff Hydro has all the space you need to invite everyone to commemorate your big day. This stylish hotel has room for an astounding 400 guests for the wedding breakfast, rising to 450 for a night-time boogie – so there’s no worries about needing to add a marquee to accommodate your numbers. You’ll also feel one of a kind, as the Hydro limits itself to just one wedding per day.
Fairmont St Andrews
Fairmont St Andrews has gone through an extensive refurbishment of late, and the outstanding function spaces inside will blow you away. What’s more, up to 400 people can party the night away to help you celebrate your journey to married bliss. If that still isn’t enough, hire a glamorous marquee for the day and night and you’ll have space to entertain up to 600 guests. Sounds like a great time awaits!
Kinnettles Castle
Just north of Dundee near the Angus town of Forfar, Kinnettles Castle sits in 44 acres of beautiful grounds and woodlands. With enough space for 140 at the wedding breakfast and a mighty 220 to celebrate with you in the evening, there’s no need to leave anyone’s name off the list. You can even hire the castle for your own exclusive use so you and your party will have the place to yourselves.
Principal Edinburgh
When your list of guests hits the 200 mark, you might think a city-centre wedding is out of the question. Not so! Thanks to the capacious interiors of the fabulous four-star Principal Edinburgh hotel (recently rebranded from The George Hotel), you can spread out and celebrate the best day of your life in style. This is one of Edinburgh’s oldest and most iconic hotels, and a recent full-scale refurbishment means your wedding party will feel well and truly pampered and indulged here.
Macdonald Drumossie Hotel
Located in Inverness, the Drumossie Hotel offers the Drumossie Suite for weddings of up to a whopping 500 people for a stunning meal followed by a good old Highland knees-up into the early hours. And if you book this suite, you’ll also have access to your own private patio area – plenty of room for everyone to mingle.
Doubletree by Hilton Strathclyde
If you want a big do with plenty of space for celebrating, choosing a Hilton hotel is always a good idea. The Doubletree by Hilton Strathclyde can easily accommodate up to 240 guests and is conveniently situated between Glasgow and Edinburgh, so friends from all over the Central Belt can make it. A multi-million-pound investment has added style and glamour to its function rooms – perfect for a party.