Inside Fyvie Castle: what it’s really like to get married at this Aberdeenshire castle

Fyvie Castle weddings 

Taking pride of place on the wall at Fyvie Castle is a letter from the then Prince Charles about how much he enjoyed a ceilidh thrown in honour of his 60th birthday here in 2008.

According to Dave Sutherland, who manages functions and events at Fyvie, His Majesty remains a fan of this 800-year-old Scots Baronial fortress. The castle is cared for by the National Trust for Scotland, of which the King is patron.

As I make my way around, I can see why Fyvie made such an impression. Despite being a treasure trove of priceless armour, antique furniture and world-class art, there's something surprisingly welcoming and homely about it.

Find out more about weddings at Fyvie Castle 

Everywhere I look, there are oil paintings, curios and objets d'art, while the ornate ceilings in room after room are some of the most spectacular I've ever laid eyes on.

My first observation for couples considering a Fyvie Castle wedding? This is a place that requires very little additional decoration.

Exclusive use and accessibility at Fyvie Castle

Fyvie is a major visitor attraction as well as an Aberdeenshire wedding venue, so there are a few practical things couples should know.

Exclusive use of the entire castle can't necessarily be guaranteed during public opening hours, although the wedding team manages celebrations to ensure privacy. And, as you might expect when getting married somewhere of such historical significance, there are some restrictions designed to protect the building and its contents.

Accessibility is another consideration. Fyvie's stone staircase is incredible to look at, but access to some of the upper-floor spaces may be challenging for guests with reduced mobility.

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What is the ceremony space at Fyvie Castle like?

Wedding ceremonies at Fyvie Castle can take place in the Music Gallery, and – wow – what a setting it is.

The intricate vaulted ceiling, carved woodwork, tapestries and pipe organ give the room an almost ecclesiastical feel. There's a look-but-don't-touch Tiffany lamp sitting on a side table – “one of the most precious items in the castle,” Dave notes – while a grand piano occupies the centre of the room.

That, happily, isn't off limits. It can be played “if you have a professional musician or a very competent pianist among your friends and family,” Dave tells me.

The castle can accommodate up to 100 guests for a wedding ceremony, so despite the grandeur of the surroundings, this isn't a space reserved solely for small celebrations.

What happens after the wedding ceremony?

Guests leave the Music Gallery via the Drawing Room, where rich jewel tones, damask wallpaper and portrait-covered walls would make a sumptuous backdrop for group and family photographs.

From here, everyone can make their way downstairs to the Billiards Room for the drinks reception.

It feels like the grand yet cosy living room of a Highland laird. If the Aberdeenshire weather isn't playing ball, celebrations can spill into the armour-filled entrance hallway too.

“If the sun is shining, though, everyone usually congregates in the courtyard for celebratory drinks, and the photographer will set up a confetti shower on the lawn in front of one of the entrance archways,” says Dave.

Where is the wedding breakfast held at Fyvie Castle?

Back upstairs, the portrait-lined Dining Room is reserved for smaller dinners. “We'd swap out the antique chairs for our own,” Dave tells me.

The room can seat up to 22 for dinner, although it's more commonly arranged for 16 guests in line with the castle's micro-wedding offering.

For larger celebrations, dinner is more likely to be served across the Music Gallery and interconnecting Drawing Room. Ten round banquet tables and 100 limewash Chiavari chairs are included with venue hire.

Catering isn't included, so couples select from a list of approved local suppliers who have worked at Fyvie before and understand both the layout and the requirements that come with catering inside an important historic building.

Where can you take wedding photographs at Fyvie Castle?

The outdoor wedding photo options at Fyvie are incredible.

The castle itself is the obvious starting point. Its Scots Baronial façade has an almost fairytale blush hue, with turrets, towers and entrance archways providing plenty of different compositions without having to stray far.

The walled garden is a riot of colourful blooms when I visit in late June, while lawns, courtyards and mature grounds give photographers plenty to work with. There's also a pretty ornamental loch.

Where is the evening reception at Fyvie Castle?

A short walk from the main castle is the Racquets Court, where evening wedding receptions are held.

Previous aristocratic owners played squash and skittles here, but these days its sprung wooden floor is much more likely to be put through its paces by a ceilidh.

The building was badly damaged by Storm Otto in February 2023, when a tree fell through its roof, but has since been restored.

A glazed roof allows natural light into the space, while a viewing balcony gives guests somewhere to take a breather from the dancing without disappearing from the party altogether.

The Racquets Court can accommodate up to 100 guests for an evening reception. There are no permanent toilets in the building but luxury portaloos are included as part of the hire.

Can you stay at Fyvie Castle after your wedding?

At the end of the night, some guests might be bussed to hotels nearby or into Aberdeen, around 25 miles away.

But one of the most charming things about a Fyvie Castle wedding is that up to 16 people can actually stay inside the castle itself.

Preston Tower has its own private entrance from the main courtyard, with eight bedrooms and several living spaces arranged around a central spiral staircase.

The apartment isn't quite as decadent as the principal castle rooms, but it retains a similar traditional feel, with antiques and artwork throughout, while being far more practical.

There's a well-equipped self-catering kitchen and dining room, plus a spacious living room where everyone can congregate.

“A lot of couples will ask their caterer to cook a night-before dinner at Preston Tower. You could even host wedding-day dinners round the large table, for those looking to lower their hire costs,” suggests Dave.

What wedding packages does Fyvie Castle offer?

Fyvie caters for celebrations of different sizes, from two-person elopements and micro weddings to full-day celebrations with up to 100 guests.

Full-day weddings give couples access to the principal castle rooms for their ceremony, drinks reception and dinner, as well as the Racquets Court for the evening reception and the gardens and grounds for photographs.

Half-day hire is available for couples planning a shorter daytime celebration, while micro-wedding packages centre on an intimate group of 16.