Halloween weddings are on the up this year, with 13% more Brits getting hitched over the Halloween weekend than in 2021. But it's not just the date that makes for a spooky wedding, with thousands of nearly-weds opting for ‘haunted’ castles and venues each year to scare the socks off their guests.
Thousands of weddings are set to be held during the spooky period - from Friday October 28 to Monday October 31 - with 2,078 organised through the leading wedding planning website Hitched alone. Of those planning a wedding, 42% said they would not be put off getting married on Halloween due to the date and its sinister associations.
Almost a quarter, 24%, said they were keen on getting married in a haunted house or castle and would happily share their big day with ghostly guests. Here Hitched has compiled eight of the most popular ‘haunted’ UK wedding venues and the myths that surround them.
Zoe Burke, wedding expert and editor of Hitched says: “Adding a paranormal thrill to your wedding can be really fun if you’re into that kind of thing - you could speak to your venue about organising an after-dark ghost walk with your guests, or print off the venue’s ghost story and display it on your wedding breakfast tables for a spooky thrill!”
Most haunted Wedding Venues in the UK
1. Warwick Castle - Warwickshire
Who wouldn’t want to get married in one of the most famous castles in British history? The grand venue gets over 110,000 Google searches per month. But be warned; iconic Warwick Castle has more than a few skeletons in its closet.
One of its many supernatural lodgers include Sir Fulke Greville, a tower resident allegedly murdered by his manservant. If that doesn’t put you off, make things extra spooky by booking around Halloween - you might even catch a séance or two.
2. Alnwick Castle - Northumberland
Alnwick Castle is a memorable wedding venue with a magical twist; this site doubled up as Hogwarts in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
If that’s not scary enough for you, the castle is also rumoured to play host to a hunchback vampire who stalks the grounds and spreads disease in its wake - remember to bring a mask! Despite this, around 49,500 people search for the wedding venue on Google each month.
3. Wollaton Hall - Nottinghamshire
The incredible Grade I listed Elizabethan Wollaton Hall is a regular haunt for ghost hunters, eager to hear the murmuring voices in the corridors and catch a glimpse of the White Lady in Room 19.
It’s also a popular wedding venue, with 46,819 Instagram tags. People visiting for more romantic reasons can choose between several impressive settings - The Great Hall is not to be missed, Hitched states.
4. Blickling Hall - Norfolk
This National Trust wedding venue stands on the site of a mediaeval manor rumoured to be the birthplace of the famous Anne Boleyn. If you want to add some extra scare factor to your big day, have it on May 19, the anniversary of her execution and reportedly the best time to spot her headless ghost. The venue gets 18,100 Google searches per month.
5. Pendennis Castle - Cornwall
Green fields, sea views and a historical venue part of the English Heritage group make Pendennis Castle a gorgeous wedding venue - but there’s more here than meets the eye. A host of ghostly sounds have been reported here over the years, including children’s laughter, footsteps on the staircase, and the terrifying screams of former kitchen maid ‘Maud’. With more than 10,000 photos on the hashtag, this haunted castle is also the most Instagrammable.
6. Amberley Castle - West Sussex
Thrill-seeking couples should definitely consider saying their vows in the Grade I listed 12th century Amberley Castle, which gets over 9,900 Google searches per month. It boasts twelve acres of landscaped gardens, mediaeval stonework, and enough space for up to 250 guests; 251 if you include resident ghost Emily, a young girl said to be hanging around the Herstmonceux Room.
7. Lumley Castle - Durham
Believed to be the most haunted place in County Durham, this 14th century manor house is a seriously scary venue. The ghost of Lady Lily Lumley is a likely uninvited guest, along with the mischievous phantom Black Jack, who enjoys playing pranks on guests.
Lumley Castle itself is beautiful, so if you want a scenic wedding, go ahead and book it… if you dare. The venue gets 9,900 Google searches per month.
8. Farnham Castle - Surrey
This picturesque wedding venue has more than one supernatural guest. Farnham Castle is said to be home to a spooky monk, phantom-like voices and ghostly children running across the upper balcony.
If you’re lucky (or unlucky), you might even catch a glimpse of the shadowed figure which haunts the guardroom, and the young girl who lives on the staircase. More than 7,900 photos of the venue are tagged on Instagram.
