Whether you’re dreaming of a grand celebration or an intimate gathering surrounded by scenic views, this region has a venue to match
Photo: Scott Arlow Photography
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If you’re planning a wedding in Scotland’s northeast, the Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire area is brimming with unforgettable venues to suit every style and season.
Think stately castles steeped in history, exclusive-use country houses made for weekend-long celebrations, and elegant estates surrounded by rolling hills and woodlands.
We’ve rounded up some of the best wedding venues in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire – from countryside escapes to city-adjacent gems – all offering flexible spaces, trusted suppliers and a wealth of photo-ready scenery.
Whether you’re local to the area or looking for a destination-style Scottish celebration, these venues capture the romance and character of the region.
Read on to explore the top wedding venues across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, and discover which setting might suit your celebration best.
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Ballogie House, Aboyne
Photo: Karol Makula Photography
Hidden along a tree-lined drive near Aboyne, Ballogie House offers an exclusive-use setting surrounded by woodland and sweeping parkland views.
With seven en-suite bedrooms, additional estate accommodation for up to 47 guests, an elegant orangery and a glass-sided marquee accommodating up to 180 evening guests, it’s designed for multi-day weddings that combine style with relaxation.
Ballogie House is located on the Ballogie Estate in Royal Deeside, with views of the surrounding hills and the River Dee running nearby – a favourite spot for wedding photos.
Couples can host intimate celebrations in the Orangery (up to 56 for dinner, 70 in the evening) or larger celebrations in the glass-sided marquee (up to 160 for dinner, 180 in the evening).
Outdoor ceremonies and drinks receptions can also take place on the lawn overlooking the hills.
Yes, the most popular option is a four-night exclusive-use stay, providing time for couples to settle in, host pre-wedding celebrations and enjoy a post-wedding gathering with friends and family.
Two- and three-night exclusive-use stays and midweek wedding packages are also available.
Yes, the house sleeps 14 guests in seven luxurious ensuite bedrooms, with additional cottages and a lodge on the estate bringing the total overnight capacity to 47 guests.
Ballogie House offers a flexible, blank-canvas approach, allowing couples to bring in their preferred caterers and suppliers – from fine dining to relaxed barbecues and food trucks.
A dedicated wedding coordinator is also on hand to offer recommendations and additional planning support.
Crathes Castle, Banchory
Photo: By Rhea Photography
Set on Royal Deeside around 35 minutes from Aberdeen, Crathes Castle is a distinctive Scottish tower house known for its world-famous walled garden.
The estate offers several options for ceremonies and receptions, from its Great Hall and Horsemill event space to outdoor garden settings. Its new Twilight wedding package, priced at £4,000, offers a late-afternoon garden ceremony followed by an evening reception.
With capacity for up to 120 evening guests and a self-catering cottage for four, it’s well suited to intimate and mid-sized weddings.
Crathes Castle is located near Banchory in Aberdeenshire, surrounded by rolling countryside and historic gardens that provide beautiful backdrops for wedding photography.
Ceremonies can be held in the Great Hall (up to 40 guests), in the Walled Garden, or in the Horsemill (up to 80 for dinner and 120 for evening receptions).
The new Twilight package accommodates up to 20 ceremony guests in the Golden Garden or Rose Garden, followed by an evening reception for up to 120 in the Horsemill. It also includes use of the grounds for photographs and access to the Horsemill the day before and after the wedding.
Marquees are also permitted for larger celebrations.
No, but weddings enjoy private access to the booked areas of the castle and grounds.
Yes – East Lodge, the estate’s self-catering cottage, sleeps up to four guests. On-site parking is available.
Crathes Castle is a dry-hire venue with a preferred list of external caterers.
Drumtochty Castle, Laurencekirk
Photo: Emma Lawson Photography
Hidden within a tranquil woodland glen near Auchenblae, Drumtochty Castle is a private estate designed for truly personal celebrations.
With its own church, on-site accommodation for up to 110 guests and exclusive-use hire as standard, couples can enjoy an uninterrupted wedding weekend surrounded by family and friends.
The castle’s historic rooms, roaring fires and homely touches make it feel like a relaxed country retreat – just with a grander backdrop.
Drumtochty Castle is located in Auchenblae, near Laurencekirk, around 30 miles southwest of Aberdeen.
Set within a wooded glen on its own private estate, it offers complete seclusion and scenic countryside views.
Ceremonies can take place in the estate’s church or inside the castle, with capacity ranging from 23 to 120 guests depending on the season.
Receptions follow in the grand function rooms, which can be tailored for intimate or large gatherings.
Yes, the entire estate is reserved for you and your guests, with no noise restrictions or early curfews – allowing celebrations to continue into the night.
Yes, the castle and its estate buildings sleep up to 110 guests in total, with accessible ground-floor bedrooms available.
The castle offers flexible catering arrangements, with a vast choice across every course.
Informal dining options are available with the use of Drumtochy’s own food truck.
Fyvie Castle, Turriff
Located near Turriff, Fyvie Castle is a striking Aberdeenshire wedding venue offering both grandeur and comfort.
The National Trust for Scotland property can host up to 100 guests and provides self-catering accommodation for 16 in its Preston Tower Apartment.
With a loch, walled garden and opulent interiors, it’s a venue that combines history with impressive photo opportunities.
Fyvie Castle lies between Aberdeen and Banff, surrounded by parkland and a picturesque loch.
It’s ideal for couples seeking a countryside wedding venue that remains accessible from the city.
Ceremonies can take place in the Drawing Room and Music Gallery, with the Billiards Room and Entrance Hall ideal for drinks receptions.
The Dining Room hosts intimate dinners for up to 22 – while the Drawing Room and interconnecting Music Gallery can seat wedding meals for up to 100 guests, as can the 19th-century Racquets Court.
No, but weddings are hosted in private areas of the castle, ensuring a sense of seclusion.
Yes – the Preston Tower Apartment offers self-catering accommodation for up to 16 guests.
Fyvie Castle is a dry-hire venue with a preferred list of external caterers.
Haddo House, Ellon
Around half an hour north of Aberdeen, Haddo House sits near Ellon surrounded by lovely landscaped terrace gardens with vibrant, geometric flower beds.
Managed by the National Trust for Scotland, the venue balances history and flexibility, offering a range of stately rooms and a private chapel for ceremonies.
From its sweeping staircases and chandelier-lit halls to the rustic charm of Haddo Hall, couples can tailor the setting to suit their celebration – all while supporting the ongoing conservation of this heritage estate.
Haddo House is located near Ellon in Aberdeenshire, set within landscaped grounds that offer both privacy and striking backdrops for photographs.
The estate’s gardens, fountain and architectural details lend themselves beautifully to capturing timeless wedding portraits.
The venue is not exclusive-use, although its separate rooms and extensive grounds create a sense of seclusion for private events.
Ceremonies can take place in the private chapel (up to 110 guests) or in the Library (up to 80).
The Drawing Room, Morning Room and Ante Room suit drinks receptions of around 110, while Haddo Hall accommodates up to 160 guests for dinner and 200 for evening receptions.
Haddo House operates on a dry-hire basis, with couples free to choose from a preferred list of external caterers.
Mar Lodge Estate, Braemar
Photo: Scott Arlow Photography
Tucked within the Cairngorms National Park, just 4.5 miles from Braemar, Mar Lodge Estate is a historic Highland retreat surrounded by ancient woodland, rivers and mountain views.
Built in 1895 for the Duke and Duchess of Fife (Queen Victoria’s granddaughter), it now offers exclusive-use weddings with on-site accommodation for up to 45 guests – ideal for multi-day celebrations in a private, scenic setting.
A traditional Highland hunting retreat, rich in history and full of charm – think warm wood panelling, antique furnishings… and plenty of stag heads!
Mar Lodge sits in Royal Deeside at the heart of the Cairngorms. Its remote location and natural surroundings create an idyllic backdrop for weddings immersed in Highland beauty.
The main lodge features multiple rooms for ceremonies and dining, including the Entrance Hall, Drawing Room and Craggan Room.
For larger celebrations, the timber-built Stag Ballroom – adorned with around 2,500 antlers – can host up to 160 guests.
Yes – the property is available for three- or four-night hire, giving couples time to relax and celebrate across the estate’s historic buildings and scenic grounds.
The estate has five self-catering apartments for 33 guests, plus a 12-bed bunkhouse – sleeping 45 guests in total.
Mar Lodge is a dry-hire venue with a preferred list of trusted external caterers.
Cluny Castle, Inverurie
Dating back to the 16th century, Cluny Castle is a private, family-owned venue surrounded by 200 acres of Aberdeenshire countryside. Known for its distinctive crenellated exterior, historic chapel and highly personalised approach, Cluny offers a level of exclusivity that few venues can match – hosting only a select number of weddings each year.
House of Elrick, Newmachar
Photo: Clara Lou Photography
A secluded 18th-century estate near Newmachar, the House of Elrick opened as a luxury wedding venue in 2023, and has since earned a strong reputation for its impeccable service and flexible setting, ideal for both intimate ceremonies and weekend-long events.
Norwood Hall Hotel, Aberdeen
Photo: J Dyer Photography
Just a few miles from Aberdeen city centre, Norwood Hall Hotel offers a secluded but easily accessible setting surrounded by seven acres of private grounds. The historic house is full of character, from its sweeping staircase and ornate wood panelling to its grand ballroom overlooking the gardens.
Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire wedding venue FAQs
Couples will find a wide range of options across the region – from exclusive-use estates and historic castles to charming countryside manors and hotel venues.
The area is known for its blend of coastal scenery, rural landscapes and elegant architecture, offering something for every taste and guest list size.
Most Aberdeenshire venues are within a 30-90 minute drive from Aberdeen Airport or the city centre, making travel easy for both local and destination weddings.
Many popular venues – such as Cluny Castle, Ballogie House and Mar Lodge Estate – offer full exclusive-use hire, giving couples private access to the property and grounds for the duration of their stay.
Yes, from walled gardens and terraces to scenic lawns and riverside settings, many venues in the region offer beautiful outdoor spaces for ceremonies and receptions during the warmer months.
Wondering what wedding venues look like further afield in Scotland? From castles to barns, and everything in between, find the perfect place to say ‘I do’ with help from our venue directory
