Castle Wedding Guide

Dundas Castle Outside

Dundas Castle is one of Scotland’s most beautiful and historic castles, it is now an officially recognised 5 Star Exclusive Use venue. Built in 1818 by the renowned Scottish architect, William Burn, the Castle is now the stately home of Sir Jack and Lady Stewart-Clark.

The castle is available for exclusive hire and can be booked for a wide variety of events – weddings, conferences, business meetings, incentive travel group visits, golfing holidays, private dinner parties, launch parties and receptions.

Secluded in the peaceful countryside of its own 1000 acre estate, yet only 8 miles from Edinburgh, Dundas Castle offers all the comforts and high standards associated with the best of hotels.
The difference is – when you choose Dundas for your special event, it belongs solely to you and your guests for the duration of your stay. No other guests, no distractions. Nowhere else could be more perfect for you.

To book Dundas Castle or check availability, please call us on 0131 319 2039 or complete one of our enquiry forms.

Wedding Venue Scotland

We have been hosting special weddings large and small, for many years and have everything you need for a day filled with moments that you will treasure. What can be more romantic than marrying in one of Scotland’s most beautiful Castles, renowned for its magnificent and exquisite rooms and hallways.
At any time of year Dundas Castle can provide the most romantic setting that you and your guests will never forget.

Spring Wedding

You may choose to exchange your vows in the spring as a sea of daffodils cover the castle’s 1000 acres of beautiful wood and parkland. As the new leaves adorn the trees, you too can mark the start of your new lives together as you admire the magnificent views across the estate from the top of the Auld Keep.

Summer Wedding

The estate comes alive in the summer months as the rhododendrons bloom. The 2 mile long drive is lined with a riot of colour while the manicured lawns provide the most spectacular backdrop for photographs.

Autumn Wedding

As the autumnal leaves fall and the nights draw in, there is nothing more romantic than making your way up the candle-lit fairytale winding staircase where your groom awaits to exchange vows with you. These memories will live with you and your guests forever.

Winter Wedding

Imagine sharing your first moments together as husband and wife surrounded by your closest friends and family as you warm by the crackling open fires. Surrounded by the silk walls of the Library you can enjoy a closing nights ‘Dram’ of whisky.

Dundas Castle Wedding

Ceremonies

For a magical day that you and your guests will remember forever, historic Dundas Castle provides you with the most romantic and picturesque wedding ceremony venue that you could wish for.  From the fairytale tower complete with winding staircase of the Auld Keep to the elegant chandelier lit Croquet room, your dreams truly will come true.

For the perfect Scottish castle wedding ceremony that is either religious, humanist or a civil ceremony, the Dundas Castle and estate offers you the most spectacular setting and atmosphere that will ensure that each and every moment is treasured by both of you and all of your guests.

Religious Ceremonies
The 15th Century Auld Keep with the original 3 feet thick walls of this tower and magnificent vaulted ceiling of the Great Hall is perfect up to 90 of your guests for  your wedding ceremony. With the option of a video link throughout the Keep, larger numbers can also be catered for. Should you desire, you can use our “Chapel of The Smallest Portion” for a quiet prayer together before or after the ceremony.

Civil Ceremonies
Our Georgian Croquet Room, elegantly created with views across the lawns, is perfect for a Civil Wedding Ceremony for up to 80 guests. Following your ceremony, you are able to entertain your guests with a champagne reception in the comfort of the main house while the room is transformed for your sumptuous wedding breakfast for up to 60 guests. Should your numbers exceed 60 the Pavilion with its breathtaking views of the estate and floodlit castle is an equally as luxurious location for your first dinner with your guests as husband and wife.

Humanist Wedding Ceremonies
For couples who dream of walking down the aisle and experiencing the unparalleled romance and enchantment of marrying in the Great Hall of the Auld Keep, but do not wish to include a religious element to their service, a humanist ceremony is a perfect option. Humanist ceremonies are legally binding in Scotland so only one service is required, (as opposed to a civil ceremony followed by a humanist ceremony in other countries). The ceremony provides you with the opportunity to be as personal and expressive as you desire.

Humanist ceremonies may also take place in the Croquet room within the main house.

Outdoor Wedding Ceremonies
The spectacular Dundas estate is a breathtaking outdoor wedding venue with a variety of locations to fulfil any dream. For an open air wedding ceremony that is both romantic and unique, choose from a ceremony on the immaculate lawns with the dramatic backdrop of the castle façade or on a hill overlooking the sun glistened waters of the tranquil Dundas loch.

On the rare occasion that the Scottish weather is unkind, you will always have the option of inviting your guests inside where we will have transformed your chosen location into your ceremony room.

Dundas Castle Ceremonies

Wedding Accommodation in Scotland

As Dundas Castle is an Exclusive Use venue, the main part of the castle belongs solely to you during your wedding celebrations. Whether you are the bride and groom or a wedding guest, you are invited to make Dundas Castle your own.  Sir Jack and Lady Lydia welcome you to share their happy home and indulge yourself in the luxurious surroundings of our fourteen bedrooms.  Each room has a private bathroom and has been individually styled featuring antique furniture, original paintings, beautiful fabrics and luxurious linen. The spacious bedrooms are located throughout the house with views across the lawn, into the private courtyard or onto the Auld Keep.
You will have your own special area of Dundas to enjoy before the party starts and then to relax in later once the day has come to an end.

We have included items in the rooms to help make your stay comfortable including a powerful hair dryer, an iron, a trouser press and tea and coffee making facilities.  In true Scottish style, a decanter of complimentary whisky is there to be enjoyed during your stay with us!

Dundas Castle Accommodation

Dundas Castle’s Wedding Etiquette Guide

There are many variations on wedding customs or etiquette and now there are even traditional and modern versions. Here you will find some etiquette tips, pre wedding advice and hints on how to make the most of your day…

Traditional Order of Speeches
There is no set time that is considered to be more appropriate for the speeches. Whether it is during the drinks reception or before or after the Wedding Breakfast.

First Speeches
Person who gives the bride away ~ says a few words about the bride and groom and proposes a toast to the happy couple.

Second Speeches
Groom ~ begins by responding to the toast on behalf of the bride and himself. Following on, the groom proposes a toast to the bridesmaids.

Third Speeches
Best Man ~ he replies on behalf of the bridesmaids, gives his speech and reads out any telemessages, emails and cards.

Speech Delivery
The speeches should be brief and typically should take no more than 5-15 minutes each. A nervous speaker who would like to do the bare minimum can simply concentrate on the main purpose of the speech which is to propose the toast and thank people. It is becoming increasingly more popular for the bride to say a few words if she wishes but it is seldom expected of her.

Marriage Schedule
Marriage Schedules must be handed in to the registrar of the district in which the ceremony will take place within 3 months of the date of the wedding and no later than 15 days before the date. For Dundas Castle weddings you will need to contact the district registrar in South Queensferry – 0131 331 1590. The marriage schedule can not be issued back to the bride and groom more than seven days before the date of the wedding and may only be collected by the bride and groom. The registrar will be able to tell you when it can be collected.

Dundas Castle Etiquette

Dundas Castle Contact information / Location

Dundas Castle
South Queensferry
Edinburgh
EH30 9SP
Scotland

Tel: 0131 319 2039
Fax: 0131 319 2068
enquiry@dundascastle.co.uk