Edinburgh Fun-Filled Country Wedding Venue

Edinburgh couple Ali and Katie looked close to home for their ideal country wedding venue and Winton Castle fitted the bill as it’s just half an hour from Edinburgh.

In early October their family and friends were welcomed to Winton from all over the UK, Europe, the USA and Far East for their fun-filled wedding celebrations. The couple took full advantage of everything that Winton Castle and Estate can offer, from luxury weekend accommodation in the Scottish Renaissance castle and the Georgian country house, to the world class activities of the Winton Highland Games and clay pigeon shooting. This was topped off with an informal dinner and, of course, a grand reception and party in the Castle.

This is the story of Ali and Katie’s wedding celebrations at Winton Castle, told in their own words.

“Edinburgh is home for us, and we were looking for a wedding venue not too far away from home. A countryside venue was high on our wish list, alongside a venue where we could turn our wedding into a full weekend event,” says Ali and Katie.

“Winton ticked all of our boxes, exceeding much of the criteria we had set. Winton felt unique in that weddings are not held there every weekend. It’s not a wedding factory, and it had an intimate feel which we recognised immediately. The Castle felt special as a venue where we could have the big party we wanted with our friends and family, which was the one non-negotiable on our list.”

The wedding celebrations at Winton involved a two-night stay at Winton with Highland Games on arrival on Friday, followed by a meal in the Potting Shed in Winton’s two acre Walled Garden. On the Saturday morning, a party shot some clays before the wedding celebrations kicked off.

“During the day there were 75 guests from across the UK, Europe, Middle East and the USA,” say the bride and groom. “We used all the bedrooms in the castle and rented nearby Wintonhill Farmhouse for the weekend (13 guests stayed there).

“The whole package for our weekend was perfect. We had a lovely BBQ at the Potting Shed on the Friday night with 25 of our closest friends and family which was the ideal curtain raiser for the following day.”

Wedding Couple Embracing at Winton Castle near Edinburgh

“The Castle was the perfect venue for our wedding, just the right size for the number of guests we had invited. It was important to us to hold the evening reception in the Castle (rather than a marquee in the grounds which would have been the case at a number of other venues).

“With the weather not cooperating fully, we had our Ceremony in the Drawing Room, which looked truly spectacular. Being able to use all the rooms of the Castle really added something to the Evening, with the whisky tasting in the Cellar a highlight for several!

“The accommodation for the weekend, both in the Castle and Farmhouse on the Estate, couldn’t have been any better.”

How was Winton’s hospitality and the management of your wedding?

Ali and Katie continue: “Fay and the whole team did a wonderful job looking after us from the very first visit. No request was too much, and the time spent by the team at Winton to make our weekend so special was hugely appreciated and added a lot to our celebrations.

“The catering firm recommended by Winton for Saturday did a fantastic job. Everyone commented on the quality of the food across the board. It was fresh and seasonal and a real reflection of the best Scotland can offer. We did provide our own wine and fizz, but a number of guests happily mentioned how reasonable the bar was!

“The feedback from guests was better than we could have imagined. Everyone had a wonderful time with the venue and staff played a huge part in that.

“The uniqueness for us looking back on the weekend was the intimacy offered by the venue, attention to detail by the team at Winton, and having such a stunning backdrop to a day we’ll never forget.”

You can find out more about weddings at Winton here.