Royal Romance

Dreams of a fairy-tale whimsy come to life at the sprawling courtyard, overlooking the grand turrets where kings and queens once resided. Just like in the movies, carriages make their way to the entrance, and the bride, like a princess, appears in a cloud of fresh white, captivating every onlookers’ heart, most notably her prince. At this moment, one may realize fairies aren’t real, but their ‘Happy Ever After’ is.

This mini castle, once home to the monarchs, still brims with a commanding air of passionate romance, from Castillo de Viñuelas’ Spanish-gothic walls to its extensive courtyard, all within Mount Viñuelas, a meadow-oak forest north of Madrid. Out in the garden, the gazebo awaits for the sacred vows with the royal backdrop of the beautiful castle and its turrets standing proudly over the treetops. The new terrace accommodates a dazzling crowd of a thousand, offering a pleasurable view of the forest where graceful dears occasionally make their way. www.castillodevinuelas.es

The sparkling beauty of Lough Corrib and the nostalgic Victorian ambience of Ireland’s 800-year-old Ashford Castle tickles a sense of otherworldly charm. At daytime, the garden blooms with the colours of the fine bouquets, made festive with the woodland backdrop behind it. The Oak Hall sits at the heart of the castle, offering a magnanimous venue for an intimate reception, furnished with antique furniture and Irish cuisine. www.ashfordcastle.com

Surrounded by paintings in an elaborate Gothic ballroom, the wedding begins in the solemn, velvet-draped walls of the Eastnor

Castle in Herefordshire. There is no requirement to don an 18th-century ballgown, but there might be a nudge to wear a fancy English hat as the royals do. When the glistening gold rings are exchanged, the crowd spurs a glorious commotion before proceeding to the hearty luncheon in The Great Hall. eastnorcastle.com