Chateau de Chillon (original wedding and rental of Chillon Castle in Switzerland)

This is one of the most famous castles in Switzerland, located on the shores of Lake Geneva near Montreux. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions. Therefore, holding a wedding ceremony or wedding banquet in this historic castle can be an unforgettable event.

Chillon Castle was first mentioned in chronicles in 1160, when it was the residence of the Counts of Savoy. The castle was built as a strategic fortress on the route between Italy and northern Europe.
Over the centuries, Chillon Castle has been extended and renovated by various owners. It currently comprises more than 25 buildings and 3 courtyards. In the 16th century the castle was used as a prison for political dissidents and religious reformers.
Since the end of the 18th century, the castle has attracted writers: Victor Hugo, Alexandre Dumas, Gustave Flaubert. Jean-Jacques Rousseau used the castle for the plot of his novel "The New Eloise" and Lord Byron, after visiting the castle and inspired by the true story of François Bonivard, wrote a poem about the prisoner of Chillon.

Chillon Castle is currently one of the best preserved medieval castles in Europe. Chillon Castle has several halls and rooms that can be used for weddings (including the Great Hall, the Chapel and the Courtyard).
The Great Hall is an impressive room with vaulted ceilings and stone walls and can accommodate up to 220 guests. The Chapel is a more intimate space with beautiful stained glass and can accommodate up to 80 guests, making it the perfect location for a wedding at Château Chillon. The Courtyard is an outdoor space that can accommodate up to 1,000 guests with stunning views of the lake and mountains.

Château de Chillon's location on the shores of Lake Geneva, its medieval architecture and rich cultural heritage make it a popular venue for weddings and other cultural events.

Schloss Schadau (Wedding in the beautiful Swiss castle Schadau)

Shadau Castle looks like a luxurious estate on the shores of Lake Thun, with its own luxurious waterfront garden and picturesque lawns, perfect for a wedding ceremony and banquet.

It is a relatively new castle, built in 1854 in the neo-Gothic style. Since 1925 it has been owned by the city of Thun and has been turned into a tourist attraction with a working restaurant. The world-famous Swiss author (Johanna Spyri) used the castle as the setting for her children's book "Schloss Schadau", which tells of the adventures and life of a young girl in Schadau.

Between 1972 and 1992, the facades of the palace were renovated, and in June 2019, another grandiose reconstruction will be completed.
Incidentally, Schadau Castle was the first building in Switzerland to be equipped with a hydraulic lift, which was installed in 1884 and is still in use.

Today it is one of Central Switzerland's most popular venues for weddings and other events.
Château Schadau has several elegantly decorated rooms available for weddings. When organising a wedding, you can choose from nine different rooms, a restaurant and a bar.

Schloss Oberhofen (Getting married at Oberhofen Castle in Switzerland)

This amazing castle is located on the shores of Lake Thun, not far from Interlaken (Canton of Bern). It has a beautiful park with a rose garden, a banqueting hall, a chapel and a tower with a panoramic view of the lake and mountains.

The history of Oberhofen Castle dates back to the 13th century, when it was built as a fortified tower and later expanded to the size of a castle to protect trade routes. In the 19th century, the castle was acquired by Baron Albert von Zinner, who undertook extensive renovations and turned it into a stately home. In the 20th century, Oberhofen Castle became the property of the Canton of Bern and was converted into a museum housing a collection of historic furniture, paintings and artefacts.

One of the most interesting features of the castle is its park, designed by landscape architect Herman Maglin. The park is home to many exotic trees and plants, as well as a Japanese garden and a rose garden. This is a great location for a wedding photo shoot and walks.

Oberhofen Castle has several halls and rooms that can be used for wedding ceremonies and parties: the Knight's Hall (for up to 150 guests), the State Hall (for up to 60 guests) and the Garden Room with access to the beautiful garden (for up to 40 guests).
The interior of the castle has retained its historic appearance with antique furniture, paintings and decorations.

Oberhofen Castle has direct access to the lake and pier, allowing the newlyweds to hire a boat for the ceremony or to continue the reception on the boat.

Wasserschloss Wyher (Rental of the Swiss castle Wyher for a wedding)

One of the main differences between organising a wedding at Wasserschloss Wyher and other locations is its unique location on an island in the middle of a moat. This beautifully restored estate is one of the finest historic sites in Canton Lucerne.

Castle Wyher was founded at the beginning of the 13th century and served as the residence of the noble families of Lucerne and Altishofen. After the Second World War, the castle fell into disrepair, but thanks to the support of the association of patrons and the funds of the canton, it was restored according to the 17th-century Merian engraving. In 1996, the revived historic property was inaugurated and opened its doors to wedding organisers.

Wyher Castle has several rooms available for weddings. The Great Hall has a historic atmosphere thanks to the old wooden beams and stone walls. It can comfortably accommodate up to 200 people. The castle also has a number of smaller rooms (Schlosskeller and Gewölbesaal) which are suitable for smaller weddings.
Newlyweds can use the 1592 Chapel for their wedding ceremony and reception.

Schloss Thun (Organization of wedding ceremony and banquet at Thun Castle, Switzerland)

Overlooking the city of Thun in the canton of Bern, a charming and majestic castle offers a stunning panorama of the surrounding mountains and the entire region of Lake Thun.
As there is a fairly large hotel in the castle itself (capable of accommodating up to 300 guests), Thun Castle can be your ideal location for a comfortable wedding celebration and family holiday.

The history of Thun Castle dates back to the 12th century, when it was owned by the Dukes of Zähringen and then by the Habsburgs. After being handed over to the city council and undergoing extensive restoration, the castle has become a popular venue for weddings and banquets.
The city of Thun is one of the most touristic places in Switzerland, with beautiful streets, squares and restaurants, all of which contribute to a pleasant stay for your wedding guests.

Thun Castle has a variety of interior spaces to suit different numbers of wedding guests: the large Knights' Hall, the cosy castle chapel and the observation tower. The main hall for a wedding reception can be the Knights' Hall (up to 150 guests), which offers a picturesque panorama. The castle chapel can be used for a painting ceremony and a celebration for up to 60 guests. However, if your wedding is for fewer than 40 people, the Tower Room can be the most unique and memorable venue.

Inside the castle there is a historical museum with various artefacts and a collection of armour. The use of rooms with ancient weapons, furniture and tapestries will be the highlight of the wedding celebration.

Château de Vufflens (Castle hire for a wedding in Switzerland, Vufflens)

Vufflens Castle is located 3 km from Lake Geneva (in the French-speaking canton of Vaud). The castle is characterised by its ponds and a large, well-kept garden. Chateau de Vufflens is surrounded by 8 hectares of vineyards and has a working wine cellar with six 8700-litre oak barrels.

The castle was first mentioned in 1108, but the building has not survived (the current version of the castle dates from the 14th century). Vufflens owes its main appearance to the Monod family, who had the entire area extensively rebuilt and improved.
Although the castle is now privately owned, it is open for weddings and other events.

Fun fact: Chateau de Vufflens has 365 windows (one for each day of the year).
The castle has been used as the setting for several films, including Cold Mountain.

The castle has several rooms that can be hired for weddings: the main hall for 250 people, smaller rooms, a bar, and an indoor and outdoor courtyard. They have preserved rich interior decoration, carved doors, fireplace mantles and other attributes that allow you to enjoy the historical atmosphere during the wedding.

Another advantage of choosing the Château de Vufflens is that there is a hotel on the grounds with luxurious rooms and a view of the park and Lake Geneva.

Schloss Bottmingen (Original wedding at Bottmingen Castle in Switzerland)

Schloss Bottmingen is a cosy and beautiful castle situated in the middle of a pond in the community of Bottmingen (Canton Basel-Landschaft). The highlight of the castle is its bridge over the water, which is used by newlyweds for original wedding photo shoots.

Bottmingen Castle was built in the 13th century as a manor for a local noble family and then a noble episcopal family. It was not until the 16th century that it was transformed into an elegant castle, and from the 19th century it became the property of the canton.

The castle is regularly used for concerts, theatre performances and weddings.
Bottmingen now has a restaurant that is synonymous with high culinary quality. For a wedding banquet, you can rent 5 castle halls: the Knights' Hall (up to 145 guests), the Stone Hall (up to 40 guests), the Wooden Hall (up to 35 guests), the Basel Hall (up to 25 guests) and the Mirror Hall (up to 25 guests).

Château de Grandson (Grandson Castle hire for a wedding)

Grandson Castle is a cultural heritage of national importance and one of the best preserved castles in Switzerland. It is located on the shores of Lake Neuchâtel in the canton of Vaud.

The earliest buildings of the fortress date back to the beginning of the 11th century. Then (in 1270-1280) three fortified towers were built, and three more were added in the 15th century.
During the Burgundian Wars in the 15th century, Grandson Castle was the site of a major battle between the Swiss and Burgundian armies. The Swiss were victorious and the castle was instrumental in securing Swiss independence. In the 16th century, Grandson Castle became the residence of the local nobility and was restored in the Renaissance style (these luxurious interiors are the perfect highlight for an elegant wedding).

Perhaps the most original place for celebrating a wedding in a historical interior can be a hall with armor. The Château de Grandson has one of the most impressive weapons collections in Switzerland, with over 5,000 pieces from the 15th to 19th century.

The chapel in the castle grounds can accommodate up to 100 people and is ideal for weddings with its stunning stained glass windows and vaulted ceilings.
Grandson Castle also has an intimate courtyard with a beautiful fountain, surrounded by fortifications. This space can accommodate up to 300 guests for an outdoor wedding reception.

The only downside to the castle is that there is a railway near one of the outdoor areas (bear this in mind if you are hiring the castle for a wedding or event).

Schloss Spiez (Ideas for organizing a wedding in Spitz Castle, Switzerland)

Spitz Castle is one of the most iconic tourist attractions in the canton of Bern. Its prime location on Lake Thun and its unique tower with four clock faces of different designs is often used as a symbol of the city.

According to chronicles, construction of the castle began in 933 by the King of Burgundy, Rudolf II. In the following centuries, a multi-storey residential building was added. The present appearance of the castle was given by a major restoration in the 17th century.
Of particular note is the Romanesque castle church with ancient frescoes, which can be used for a wedding ceremony.

The largest hall in the castle can accommodate a wedding banquet for 250 guests. The ballroom is decorated with beautiful early Baroque stucco by Antonio Castelli (1614).
All the rooms (including the Luegisaal and the Weinbauernstube) offer breathtaking views of the lake and the surrounding mountains, allowing you to enjoy not only your wedding in a Swiss castle, but also the alpine countryside.

The grounds of Schloss Spitz also include a wine cellar and a cosy "Schloss-Café", which can be used for an indoor or outdoor wedding reception.
One of the main advantages of this wedding location is the castle hotel, which is open in winter, making the organisation of the wedding much easier.

As Spitz Castle is a museum complex, you can book a guided tour for your wedding guests (cost CHF 350 for a group of up to 20 people). An additional fee of CHF 150 will be charged for a tour outside of opening hours.

Schloss Laufen (Original wedding location at Laufen Castle, Switzerland)

A special feature of Laufen Castle is its location near Europe's largest waterfall (the Rhine Falls) in the canton of Zurich. Perhaps this is why Laufen Castle was used as a location for the James Bond film (Goldfinger, 1964).

The castle was built in the 11th century by the Dukes of Swabia to protect and control their territory.
In the 20th century, Schloss Laufen was converted into a museum, hotel and restaurant, with rooms available for weddings.

The castle hotel has 14 rooms, each with its own unique character. All suites (including the Tower Suite, Knights' Room and Honeymoon Suite) have panoramic views of the Rhine Falls and four-poster beds.

Laufen Castle offers a number of intimate rooms for wedding ceremonies: Knights' Hall, Rhine Hall and Castle Terrace. The Knights' Hall is the largest and most impressive banquet room, accommodating up to 200 guests. The Castle Terrace is an outdoor venue that can accommodate up to 120 guests. It offers stunning views of the Rhine Falls and the surrounding countryside, making it the perfect setting for a wedding ceremony.

The castle also has its own restaurant and old wine cellar which can be used for a banquet and wedding reception.

Schloss Burgdorf (Swiss Castle Burgdorf wedding planning and hire)

Burgdorf Castle is a classic medieval castle in the canton of Bern. The castle is built on a hill overlooking the town of Burgdorf and its surroundings. This picturesque setting was the inspiration for Johann David Wyss's famous novel The Swiss Robinson Family.

The history of Burgdorf Castle dates back to the 12th century and is first mentioned in documents in 1130. It was owned by the Dukes of Zähringen and the Counts of Kyburg. In the 14th century, the city of Bern took possession of the castle (it was during the siege of Burgdorf in 1383 that artillery was used for the first time in Switzerland). From the 14th century until 623, the castle was the residence of the Bernese bailiffs, the governor and the court. Recently (2012) Burgdorf Castle has been opened to tourists and has become a popular venue for private events and weddings.

The castle's largest hall, the Knights' Hall, can accommodate up to 130 people and has a unique atmosphere thanks to its wooden walls and ceiling. Smaller rooms (the Tower Room and the Saffron Room) are ideal for intimate weddings and banquets.

Schloss Hünigen (Wedding planning at Hunigen Castle in Switzerland)

Situated in the countryside near Bern, this chic manor house is surrounded by a beautiful, secluded lakeside park. Hünigen Castle is a peaceful place with its own hotel, garden and restaurant, ideal for weddings and banquets.

The history of Hünigen Castle dates back to the 16th century. It was originally built by the von Wattenwil family as a fortified manor house with thick walls and a protective moat. In the 18th century, the castle was restored in the Baroque style and the interior was decorated with rich stucco and frescoes. In the 19th century, the castle underwent another major neo-Gothic reconstruction. After the Second World War, the castle was once again restored and turned into a venue for weddings and other events.

Hunigen Castle has several halls and rooms that can be used for wedding receptions, including the Great Hall, the Fireplace Hall, the Library and the Tower Hall.
The Great Hall, with its fireplace, panoramic windows and high ceilings, is the largest room and can accommodate up to 250 guests. The Fireplace Room and the Library are more intimate rooms for 20 to 60 guests, perfect for smaller weddings and receptions. Schloss Hünigen's most atmospheric room is the Tower Room, located in the castle tower, which can accommodate several dozen guests.
The beautiful garden and lakeside restaurant terrace can be used for a painting ceremony or an open-air banquet.

A big plus for this wedding location is the hotel on the grounds of Hünigen Castle. Guests can also stay in the castle's luxurious rooms, furnished in traditional Swiss style with modern amenities.

Schloss Wildegg (Rental of a Swiss castle for a wedding ceremony / Wildegg)

This beautifully preserved castle in the Aargau region (near Zurich) is renowned for its beautiful gardens and park. There is a museum, a chapel and a wine cellar that can be used for weddings.

Built in the 13th century as a fortified manor house, Wildegg Castle has been the residence of various noble families over the centuries. In the 16th century, the von Effinger family came into possession of the castle and created extensive gardens around the estate, which remain a tourist attraction today.
Today, the Wildegg Castle estate covers 100 hectares and includes 37 buildings, gardens, an organic farm, vineyards, woods and even fishing waters with fishing rights.
Wildegg is also home to a rare breed of sheep, the Wildegg sheep, which was once common in the Aargau region but almost disappeared by the mid-20th century. Thanks to the efforts of the castle's owners, the breed was revived and today the sheep graze in the castle's gardens and fields.

Today the castle is a popular venue for weddings and other special occasions.
Schloss Wildegg has several halls and rooms that can be used for weddings: the Baroque Hall, the Knights' Hall and the Green Salon. The Baroque Hall is the largest room with beautiful stucco work and panoramic windows and can accommodate up to 120 guests. The Knights' Hall is a more intimate room decorated with period weapons and armour and can accommodate up to 50 guests. The Green Room is a small, elegant, classically-styled room that can accommodate a small wedding reception (up to 20 guests).

In the 19th century, Wildegg Castle was the site of the signing of the Treaty of Arau, which established Switzerland's modern cantonal system. The celebration of your wedding can thus become part of this amazing centuries-old history.

Schloss Habsburg (Wedding ceremony and wedding party at Habsburg Castle, Switzerland)

The Habsburg Castle was the ancestral home of the Habsburg family for several centuries until they moved their residence to Vienna in the 13th century. The Habsburg Castle is considered the birthplace of the dynasty, as it was here that the founder of the Radbot family established his first residence. The Habsburgs went on to become one of the most influential and powerful dynasties in Europe, giving the world many royal families. And it all started with this family castle, which still bears the name "Habsburg"!

One of the most interesting features of Habsburg Castle is the castle chapel, built in the 12th century. The chapel has a unique mural depicting a monkey stealing a bishop's hat. Such a light-hearted approach to a serious piece of religious art shows the out-of-the-box thinking of the owners of the estate.

Some interesting features of Habsburg Castle that can add to the atmosphere of your wedding:
- The central tower of the castle was built in the 10th century and is one of the oldest surviving structures of its kind in Switzerland.
- The chapel with its altar and a collection of medieval frescoes can be a great place for a wedding ceremony and a photo session.
- The central courtyard of the castle, surrounded by arcades and balconies, can be used for an open-air reception, a cocktail aperitif or a reception before the wedding ceremony.

Although the appearance of the castle is inferior to other options on our list, it is great that the newlyweds have the opportunity to join such a significant historical site and organise a wedding on the estate of the royal Habsburg dynasty. In addition, Habsburg Castle's picturesque location on a high hill offers beautiful views of the surrounding hills and Swiss countryside and can provide a stunning backdrop for an outdoor wedding.

Schloss Hagenwil (Organising a wedding in the original Hagenwil Castle in Switzerland)

Hagenwil is a charming castle surrounded by a large moat (canton of Thurgau). It was built in the 16th century by Jacob Hannibal I, a nobleman from St. Gallen. Throughout its history, Hagenwil has been owned by several prominent Swiss families. It is currently owned by the Angern family, who are renowned Swiss restaurateurs (there is a first class restaurant in the castle grounds) and members of the prestigious Guild of Restaurateurs.

The restaurant and bar at Schloss Hagenwil regularly host food festivals, tastings and harvest festivals, so organising catering and a banquet for your wedding should not be a problem.

Schloss Hagenwil has several rooms available for wedding receptions. The largest room can accommodate up to 150 people for a banquet or 220 people for an aperitif and cocktail buffet. Several smaller rooms ("Kaminzimmer" and "Schlosskeller") are ideal for organising a wedding for 20-50 people.
Hagenwil Castle also has a number of rooms for overnight stays that have been preserved in their original state and have four-poster beds.

Each castle has its own characteristics and unique history, and depending on your choice, one of the castles in Switzerland will become part of the story of your wedding day or corporate event.

You can read more about the other 11 castles in Switzerland in our article Event and corporate party in a Swiss castle. Here is the list of these castles:
- Château d'Aigle
- Castelgrande Bellinzona
- Schloss Gerzensee
- Château de Gruyères
- Schloss Kyburg
- Schloss Lenzburg
- Château de Nyon
- Schloss Rapperswil
- Stockalperschloss
- Schloss Werdenberg
- Schloss Trostburg

© Igor Kuksenko
It is forbidden to use the article "Planning a castle wedding in Switzerland" without an active link to the website www.lafestamusic.info.