What Makes a Wedding at Castell de Peralada So Special
There are places that are remembered long after they have been left. Castell de Peralada is one of those places. In the midst of Catalonia, a 14th-century castle awaits to offer more than a mere venue – it is a transformation, elevating your wedding day to an unforgettable and extraordinary experience.
You have been searching for that ideal location. A place that feels both authentic and luxurious, where your guests will remember the atmosphere as well as the open bar. Castell de Peralada has all of this and more.
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Your Destination Wedding in Spain
Peralada Castle is the dream setting you've been looking at on Pinterest. This venue is where your dreams come true. It has gardens that are like something out of a romance novel, buildings with a lot of history, and food that your foodie friends will be talking about for years.
Offering unparalleled flexibility without compromise, this luxury wedding venue on the Costa Brava is truly one of a kind. Ceremonies of a religious nature taking place in a private church? Check. Romantic civil ceremonies with the castle as your backdrop? Absolutely. Events before and after the wedding where every single detail is taken care of by professionals who really care? They've got it covered.
"Our wedding at Castell de Peralada felt like stepping into a fairytale," Nicole de la Peña & Haresh Shivnani share.
The atmosphere was timeless, intimate, and filled with a sense of magic, every corner of the castle felt alive with history and emotion. It was the perfect place to celebrate our love, and we would choose it a thousand times again.
The possibilities here aren't just endless — they're achievable. That's the difference.
Unique Gardens and Salons for Every Moment
Countless celebrations have been witnessed by Peralada Castle since the 14th century. Its unique selling point is that the spaces and gardens have maintained their charm despite the passage of time. From the moment you arrive, you can feel it. The castle's corners are magical. Getting lost in them is part of the fun. With views that make your photographer's job almost too easy and a manicured elegance, the Carmen Gardens alone could be your entire venue. But then there's the lake, the private church and the wine cellar...
Spaces Steeped in History
Each space flows naturally into the next. The cocktail hour can be enjoyed in both the garden and the terrace. The transition from an outdoor setting to an indoor venue is seamless, avoiding the common issue of an awkward move that many places struggle with.
When you step inside the castle, you will see that the grandeur continues. Stone walls that have stood for hundreds of years. Vaulted ceilings. Windows that overlook the estate, offering views of the surrounding area. The indoor salons provide climate-controlled comfort without compromising the historic charm that makes this venue so unique.
The Carmen Gardens
These are not your typical manicured lawns with a few flower beds. The Carmen Gardens provide the perfect setting for a romantic outing, with their centuries-old trees, meticulously groomed pathways and stunning architectural features that make for picture-perfect photos. The gardens flow naturally into different areas, providing options for cocktail hours, ceremonies or intimate dinners under the stars.
The celebration of David and Jordi's wedding spanned three remarkable days at the castle, with each day characterised by its distinct atmosphere. The couple tied the knot beneath a bespoke Chuppah canopy, which was suspended from a floating stage above the castle's lake. This setting seamlessly blended tradition with modern romance.
After the vows, guests enjoyed a cocktail reception in the Carmen Gardens, featuring mesmerizing light effects and a spectacular fireworks display. The night culminated in an elegant indoor dinner, where the theme “Magic Garden” came to life through lush trees, chandeliers, and décor that beautifully blended fantasy with refinement, they recall.
More Than Just a Pretty Backdrop
Now, let's talk about what really matters on your wedding day. A reliable team is essential, one that won't abandon you with just three weeks to go before the event. You need accommodation that won't make your out-of-town guests regret accepting the invitation. You need food that justifies the expense. Castell de Peralada delivers on all fronts and then some, offering guests a truly unparalleled experience.
The Team That Makes It Happen
Here, event managers are dedicated to achieving excellence. Above all, they are committed to ensuring that couples enjoy a truly stress-free experience. The team is present throughout the entire event, from the first visit to the last dance. They don't hover or micromanage. They are simply there when needed.
A dedicated event manager is assigned to each couple and serves as their primary liaison throughout the planning phase. They know the venue like the back of their hand, understand the logistics of multi-day celebrations, and have relationships with the best vendors in the region. What's more, they really do pay attention to what you're saying.
Accommodation and Guest Experience
Your guests won't have to search for hotels an hour away, thanks to the resort's 5-star accommodation. They're just steps away from the celebrations, so they're more likely to show up to your welcome dinner and post-wedding brunch. (You would be surprised by the number of people who skip this when the hotel is far away.)
The resort experience is about more than just having a place to sleep. Your guests will be delighted to discover the grounds, unwind in the spa facilities and repose by the poolside, thus truly ensuring that your celebration weekend is one to remember.
What Sets This Venue Apart
| Feature | Castell de Peralada | Typical Venue |
|---|---|---|
| On-site Michelin-starred restaurant | ✓ | Usually outsourced |
| Private church for ceremonies | ✓ | Rare |
| Historic wine cellar | ✓ | Not available |
| 5-star resort accommodation | ✓ | Often separate booking |
| Dedicated event manager | ✓ | Shared among multiple events |
| Flexibility for multi-day events | ✓ | Limited availability |
| Own wine production | ✓ | Never |
Adriano and Rafaella discovered this when planning their celebration:
When I found Castell de Perelada, I knew it was the right choice. Besides the wonderful architecture of a castle built in the 14th century, they have a Michelin-starred restaurant, a Michelin-starred hotel, and a wine cellar… it was too good to be true. We planned to have a small and intimate daytime wedding, but we also wanted to get married in a church. Since the castle has the beautiful Iglesia del Carmen, we were able to combine the religious ceremony with an outdoor cocktail in the garden right afterward… it was the perfect setting.
She continues: "And most importantly, the entire team there was very kind and committed throughout the whole process. That truly made a difference. We couldn’t have chosen a better place to get married."
Gastronomy That Deserves Its Own Section
Castell de Peralada is at its best here. The Michelin-starred cuisine is more than just a selling point — it's an experience that your guests will talk about for years to come. The kitchen team uses ingredients from the local area to create dishes that combine tradition with innovation, presented with the attention to detail you've been looking for.
Michelin-Starred Excellence
The tasting menu is an integral part of the celebration, rather than just a supplementary activity to break up the toasts. The presentation is on par with anything you'd find in Barcelona's top restaurants, but it's customised to suit your tastes and the rhythm of your celebration. Whether you want a seated dinner for 150 guests or an intimate celebration for 30, the culinary team will create a menu that reflects your tastes, dietary requirements and the overall vibe you're going for. They can handle everything from vegan and gluten-free options to creating dishes that honour your cultural background or family traditions.
Wine That Tells a Story
The wine pairings come from their own historic cellar. Castell de Peralada makes its own wines, and it's every bit as impressive as you might expect. The estate's winery has been producing exceptional wines for generations. These wines are so exclusive that some of them never leave the property. This adds another layer of exclusivity to your celebration.
Whether you're a wine enthusiast who wants to curate specific pairings, or would prefer to trust the sommelier's recommendations, the wine programme here will elevate every course. Guests wishing to explore further can arrange a private cellar tour as part of their weekend festivities.
Multi-Event Culinary Journeys
Creating cohesive culinary experiences across multiple events is something the team also excels at. For example, your Friday welcome dinner could feature casual tapas and local specialities. Saturday's cocktail hour, on the other hand, could feature more refined canapés. Sunday's main reception? That's where the full Michelin magic comes into play. Each meal feels unique yet linked, creating excitement for what's to come.
Creating Your Perfect Day
Every couple envisions their wedding differently. Some want the full traditional ceremony with all the trimmings. Others prefer something more intimate, more personal, maybe even a little unconventional. The beauty of Castell de Peralada lies in its adaptability—the venue doesn't force you into a template. You're not filling in blanks on someone else's vision. You're creating something that's genuinely yours, supported by a team that knows how to make ambitious ideas actually work.
The Iglesia del Carmen
The Iglesia del Carmen is a sacred and timeless venue for religious ceremonies, where you can exchange your vows in a truly special setting. The church itself is centuries old, with stunning architecture and acoustics that make every word resonate. The stone arches, original frescoes, and the filtered light of yesteryear's windows combine to create an atmosphere that is both solemn and amorous.
The church can accommodate both intimate gatherings and larger celebrations, and, as it is located within the castle grounds, you won't lose precious time transporting guests between locations. The ceremony can flow naturally into a cocktail hour just steps away in the gardens.
Civil Ceremonies with a View
The options for civil ceremonies are endless. Say your vows on a terrace that looks out over the estate. Say "I do" beside the castle lake, where swans glide past. Or create an intimate moment in a secluded corner of the garden. The flexibility here means your ceremony location can match your vision exactly.
No matter where you choose to hold your ceremony, the castle itself will provide a dramatic backdrop. Those photos you've been pinning? They'll look even better in person.
Beyond the Wedding Day
Pre-wedding events, from welcome dinners to rehearsal gatherings, happen in spaces designed for celebration. The poolside area is the perfect place to unwind with a drink on Friday evening. The winery building is suitable for hosting themed events. The magic of the wedding continues with a post-wedding brunch, giving you and your guests one more day to enjoy each other's company before everyone goes their separate ways.
David and Jordi took full advantage of this, hosting "three extraordinary days, each with its own distinctive atmosphere and design narrative. The festivities began on Friday evening with a serene poolside Shabbat dinner at the beautiful pool of the resort of the Perelada family group. On Saturday, we hosted an unforgettable '1001 Nights'–themed soirée at the Perelada Winery, graciously made available by the Suqué family." The grooms arrived on black horses wearing bespoke ivory silk and velvet capes embroidered in gold, proving that this venue can accommodate even the most creative of visions.
Planning Logistics That Actually Matter
Now let's turn our attention to the practical questions you're probably asking yourself. How far in advance do you need to book? What is the process actually like? Can you bring your own vendors, or are you restricted to their preferred list?
Timeline and Availability
Peak season runs May through October, when the gardens are at their most spectacular and outdoor celebrations are virtually guaranteed good weather. If you're set on a summer Saturday, reaching out 18 months ahead isn't excessive. The venue only hosts a limited number of weddings each year to maintain quality and exclusivity.
Off-season celebrations have their own charm. Autumn brings golden light and fewer tourists in the surrounding region. Spring sees the gardens coming alive with new blooms. Even winter weddings work here, with the indoor salons offering cozy elegance and the possibility of dramatic weather providing unforgettable photo opportunities.
Working with Vendors
The venue maintains relationships with exceptional local vendors—florists who understand the property's aesthetic, musicians who know the acoustics of each space, photographers who've shot here dozens of times and know every perfect angle. You're welcome to use these recommendations or bring your own team.
Most couples find that mixing and matching works best. Maybe you have a photographer you absolutely must work with, but you're happy to trust the venue's florist recommendations. The event managers facilitate these relationships smoothly, ensuring everyone's on the same page long before your big day arrives.
