Planning a Wedding at Castell de Sant Marçal? Everything You Need to Know
You know that feeling when you step into a place and just know? That's what happens at Castell de Sant Marçal. Twenty minutes from Barcelona's buzz, yet it feels like you've entered another world entirely. As Natalia & Diego shared, “Our wedding at Castell de Sant Marçal was everything we ever dreamed of — romantic, timeless, and full of emotion.”
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A Castle That Speaks Your Language
Castell de Sant Marçal isn't just beautiful—though it absolutely is that. This is a venue that adapts to each couple, not the other way around. Some want drama and grandeur. Others crave intimacy. Here's what makes this special: you can have both.
The grounds stretch across two hectares of meticulously maintained gardens. Yes, two full hectares. That's space for up to 1,000 guests if you're planning something spectacular, or just enough room to create secluded corners for a more personal celebration. The gardens aren't just a backdrop—they become part of your story, the same way they became part of a couple’s unforgettable day. “It was a day that reflected us — our energy, our story, and the deep connection we share,” - Natalia & Diego.
Castell de Sant Marcal is beyond magical. We were in awe from the moment we saw the venue and the grounds. Our guests were blown away by the venue, and we were too. Romantic, historic, and elegant - we were so blessed to be able to start our journey as husband & wife at this venue!
- Manisha & Gavin
Seven Centuries of Living History
Seven Centuries of Living History
Here's something that sets Castell de Sant Marçal apart from other wedding venues: this isn't a restored ruin or a modern recreation playing at history. This castle has been home to the same family for 700 years. Natalia & Diego described it perfectly:
From the moment we first visited the castle, we knew it was the perfect place to celebrate our love story.
The current owner is the 22nd Marquis of Serdañola, descended directly from Marimón de Plegamans, who founded one of the most important families of medieval Catalonia. Several historians trace the castle's origins to the early 11th century, when the church of Sant Marçal was first documented. By the first half of the 12th century, Ramon Berenguer IV, Count of Barcelona, had included it among properties donated to his seneschal Ramon Guillem de Montcada. In 1225, the seneschal sold the castle to Ramón de Plegamans. His son, Marimón de Plegamans, would establish the dynasty that continues to this day.
The title of Marquis of Serdañola came in 1690, granted to Félix de Marimón for his service to the Crown as a member of His Majesty's council in Italy. That kind of history doesn't just sit in the stones—you feel it when you walk through the gardens, when you stand in the Gothic chapel, when you celebrate beneath the castle's illuminated facade.
It’s no secret: many little girls grow up dreaming of castles, flowing gowns, and a forever kind of love — and I was one of them. I believe in manifestation, but I never imagined living it so literally. The Castle of Sant Marçal, just outside Barcelona, became the fairytale setting of that dream come true.
- Victor & Regina
Architecture That Tells Stories
Originally, the castle was a square building with a central courtyard, a defensive tower, and a Gothic chapel—all surrounded by a protective moat. The structure served its purpose: protection, power, prestige. But in 1895, the Arròspide family decided to transform it into something more suited to modern life.
They commissioned Cayetano Buïgas, the architect behind Barcelona's famous Christopher Columbus monument, to adapt the building for use as a second residence. Buïgas approached the project with remarkable sensitivity. He respected the original structure while covering the building with fantastical decoration inspired by Romanesque and Gothic architecture. The result is a castle that honors its medieval roots while feeling like something out of a storybook.
The Church of Sant Marçal still preserves its Gothic doorway and the keystones of the vaults embedded in the facade, one bearing the image of the Saint himself. Walk around the grounds and you'll find the base of the original outer wall that once surrounded the castle. Parts of the moat remain too—now landscaped into beautiful features rather than defensive necessities.
Over the past thirty years, the owners have poured tremendous effort into restoring the building, both inside and out, and expanding the gardens and ponds. This wasn't amateur work. They brought in specialists in castle restoration, like José Luis Vives and numerous master craftsmen who understand historical buildings. The garden redesign was a collaboration with renowned landscape architect Luis González Camino, whose touch is evident in every carefully planned vista and hidden corner.
"When we finally visited in May 2025, it was even more spectacular in person. The gardens, the architecture, the energy… it felt like a scene from a James Bond movie. I knew instantly this was my stage to create the fairytale I had always dreamed of." - Paola & François
Spaces That Transform With Your Vision
One of the most compelling aspects of Castell de Sant Marçal is the sheer variety of spaces available. You're not locked into a single ballroom or forced to make do with limited options. The castle offers distinct areas—each with its own character and capacity—that can be combined in countless ways to create your ideal celebration flow.
The Greenhouse
Lázaro Rosa-Violán didn't hold back when he designed the Greenhouse at Castell de Sant Marçal. Drawing inspiration from French orangeries—those grand glass structures attached to palaces and castles where aristocratic families held their most important gatherings—he created something that honors tradition while feeling utterly contemporary.
Natural light floods through 470 square meters of space that can welcome up to 600 guests. But here's the genius of the design: the Greenhouse opens directly onto the gardens, blurring the line between inside and out. Your guests won't feel confined within walls. They'll feel embraced by a space that breathes with the landscape around it.
The interior feels both grand and intimate, which isn't easy to achieve. High ceilings give the space airiness. Thoughtful design creates zones within the larger area. And that constant connection to the gardens means that even with 600 people, the atmosphere never feels cramped or overwhelming.
"Every detail reflected our style — sophisticated yet authentic. A romantic garden aesthetic with green vintage linens, candlelight, and long, winding tables set the tone for an elegant but relaxed evening." - Victor & Regina
Under the Linden Trees
There's something about dining beneath century-old linden trees with the castle illuminated behind you. Many couples use this moment to bring a taste of Spain to their family and friends, just as Natalia & Diego shared: “Surrounded by our families and closest friends, many of whom traveled from different parts of the world, we wanted them to experience the best of Spain. We shared an unforgettable feast featuring jamón ibérico, oysters, pulpo a la gallega, and other Spanish delicacies that made the night even more special.”
The venue can seat 800 people in this space, but it never feels like you're at a massive banquet. The trees themselves create natural intimacy, their branches forming a living canopy that transforms as daylight fades and evening lights emerge. Couples often choose this space for dinner service, especially during warmer months. The experience of eating under those ancient trees—1,000 square meters of carefully maintained outdoor dining space—creates memories that guests talk about for years. It's romantic without trying too hard to be. The setting does the work.
"Dinner at golden hour was pure magic, with live music, a cake baked by one of my closest friends, and laughter floating in the air. Guests flew in from all over the world, bringing an energy that made the night feel global yet intimate." - Victor & Regina
The combination of natural beauty and thoughtful lighting creates an atmosphere that shifts throughout the evening. Cocktail hour under the trees feels different than dinner service, which feels different than late-night dancing. The space evolves with your celebration.
The Winery
The 250-square-meter Winery carries the castle's history in every stone. This was where wine was actually stored—not a themed space, but the real thing. The renovation has been careful and respectful, transforming it into a space that works for modern celebrations while maintaining its character.
The vaulted ceilings, the stone walls, the sense of being inside something solid and enduring—these aren't design choices. They're authentic architectural features that have been preserved. Many couples use the Winery for winter cocktails when the gardens aren't suitable.
Others save it for late-night dancing, where the enclosed space and atmospheric lighting create an entirely different energy than the outdoor areas. "The party moved to the wine cellar — transformed into a chic disco with neon lights, cocktails, and beats by @mondj that kept everyone dancing until sunrise." — Victor & Regina
The intimacy of the Winery makes it perfect for smaller gatherings too. If you're planning a rehearsal dinner or a more modest celebration, this space accommodates up to 250 people while maintaining the castle's grandeur and historical authenticity.
The Gardens
When the venue says they have extensive grounds, they mean it. Two full hectares of landscaped gardens offer more than just pretty views. This is a functional space that allows for real flexibility in how you design your day.
Civil ceremonies often take place in the gardens, with guests seated among the greenery and flowers. The castle provides the backdrop—that iconic silhouette rising behind you as you exchange vows. Cocktail receptions spread out across the lawns, giving guests room to mingle without feeling crowded. The gardens can technically accommodate up to 1,000 people for outdoor events, though most couples work with smaller numbers to maintain intimacy.
What Luis González Camino achieved in the garden redesign is remarkable. There are formal areas and wild corners. Manicured lawns transition into natural plantings. Ponds add reflective surfaces that change the light. Walking paths lead guests on journeys of discovery. It's not just one garden—it's multiple experiences within the same landscape.
Castell de Sant Marçal was the perfect backdrop for our wedding celebration - the stunning garden and architecture feels both grand and intimate at the same time. I couldn’t imagine a better place to bring together our loved ones from around the world.
- Bowie & Gabriel
What Else You Need to Know
Let's talk logistics, because stunning views mean nothing if your guests can't get there comfortably or your vendors arrive stressed and behind schedule.
Location that works:
- 15 kilometers from Barcelona's center
- About 20 minutes by car
- Positioned between Sant Cugat del Vallès and Cerdanyola del Vallès
- Easy access by both car and bus
- Free private parking on site
That last point matters more than you might think. Parking stress on a wedding day? Nobody needs that. Your guests arrive relaxed. Your vendors can load in and out without drama. Everyone's happy. "It's a short distance from Barcelona city center, but feels like another world. There's nothing like it." - Bowie & Gabriel
The proximity to Barcelona is genuinely ideal. Close enough that international guests can fly into a major airport, explore the city before or after your celebration, and enjoy all the infrastructure that comes with a metropolitan area. But far enough that when they arrive at the castle, they feel transported somewhere completely different.
Creating Your Personal Fairytale
The team at Castell de Sant Marçal has built their reputation on personalization and exclusivity. They don't run multiple weddings per day or treat couples like they're moving through an assembly line. When you book the castle, it's yours. The spaces adapt to your vision, not the other way around.
The versatility of the indoor and outdoor areas allows for endless combinations. Want a civil ceremony in the gardens, cocktails under the linden trees, dinner in the Greenhouse, and dancing in the Winery? That flow works. Prefer to keep everything outside beneath the stars? The space allows it. Need to accommodate guests with mobility concerns? There are options that don't compromise the beauty of your celebration.
The staff brings genuine enthusiasm and extensive experience to every event. They've worked through hundreds of celebrations, which means they've encountered (and solved) pretty much every challenge that can come up. That expertise shows in the planning process and on the day itself.
"I met my husband back in university when I was a pharmacy student. On our very first date, I didn't waste time. I told him, 'I want to get married, and it's going to be in a castle. A fairytale. If you can't give me that, this will be our first and last dinner.' He didn't flinch — just smiled and said, 'Sounds good to me.'" - Paola & François
When the Dream Becomes Real
For couples who have always envisioned a castle wedding, finding a venue that lives up to the fantasy can be challenging. Too many so-called castle venues are modern buildings with a few decorative turrets. Others are authentic but crumbling, more ruin than romance. Castell de Sant Marçal offers something rare: genuine historical architecture that's been lovingly maintained and thoughtfully updated for modern celebrations.
"When I stumbled upon Castell Sant Marçal, my jaw hit the floor. I showed my husband, and he didn't even blink: 'This is the one.' The photos looked unreal — a perfect mix of elegance, history, and royal grandeur." - Paola & François
The castle delivers on multiple levels. The Gothic chapel with its preserved doorway and keystones. The iconic staircase that practically demands a photoshoot. The way the building is illuminated at night, transforming into something that looks pulled from a storybook. These aren't staged details—they're authentic features that happen to be impossibly romantic.
Details That Matter
What separates an okay wedding from an unforgettable one often comes down to details. At Castell de Sant Marçal, those details are built into the venue itself. The way light filters through the Greenhouse at different times of day. The sound of fountains in the gardens. The texture of centuries-old stone walls in the Winery. The view of the castle illuminated behind the linden trees after sunset.
The ceremony was the most beautiful moment of my life — and probably everyone in the crowd's, too. A custom-built stage for my 45-pound couture gown, stunning floral arrangements, a live string trio, and Israel Vargas, a tenor with a voice that could make angels cry. I arrived in a white horse-drawn carriage beside my father as 'Con Te Partirò' echoed across the courtyard — the castle glowing behind us. Everyone sobbed. I think even the horses were emotional… or maybe my dress was just that heavy.
- Paola & François
When you stand in the gardens with your person beside you and the castle rising behind you, the rest of the world gets very quiet. That's not marketing speak. That's what actually happens. The combination of natural beauty, historical architecture, and thoughtful design creates moments that feel suspended in time.
"Every guest said it was the most beautiful venue they’d ever seen — from the lush gardens to the glass-walled reception hall and that iconic staircase, which deserved its own photoshoot. The pictures look like a royal wedding — minus the stiff smiles. Would I recommend it? In a heartbeat. If you want to give your guests a fairytale, work with the best vendors in Spain, and throw a celebration that leaves everyone speechless — this is the venue. And really, who’s ever sad about a trip to Spain? Castell Sant Marçal is the venue of the century." - Paola & François
