With “spooky season” officially here, the wedding pros at Hitched reveal that Halloween is also a scarily popular time to get married.
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More Brits are planning on getting married on Halloween in 2024 than they did in 2023, with 431 weddings planned for October 31st this year compared to 271 last year (+59%)
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Almost a quarter (24%) of those polled say they would get married in a haunted house or castle, with another 1-in-10 saying that it would “depend”
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More than a third (36%) say that they would not avoid getting married on Halloween, with another third (34%) saying knowing a venue was haunted would not put them off
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Warwick Castle (Warwickshire), Alnwick Castle (Northumberland) and Wollaton Hall (Nottinghamshire) named as most popular haunted venues in UK
Halloween typically is known as the time of year dedicated to celebrating the dead, yet exclusive user data* from leading wedding vendor marketplace, Hitched.co.uk shows a 59% increase in weddings planned for October 31st this year compared to 2023 – despite it falling on a Thursday.
According to the exclusive user data there are 431 couples planning to say “I boo!” this Halloween compared to the 271 couples who did the same last year.
Additionally, in a recent user poll** of Brits planning weddings it was revealed that not only are almost half (42%) of couples not put off by getting married on Halloween, but many are actually quite keen on sharing their big day with guests from the other side as almost a quarter (24%) say they would happily get married in a haunted house or castle.
With 25% more Brits searching online for ‘haunted castles’ in the last three months, and 9% more searches for ‘castle wedding venue’ according to Google Trends, the wedding pros at Hitched, have unveiled the 13 scariest wedding venues for those nearlyweds keen to scare the socks off their guests on their big day.
Below are the ten most searched-for haunted castles in the UK, according to Google Trends.
1. Warwick Castle – Warwickshire – 165,000 Google searches per month
Who wouldn’t want to get married in one of the most famous castles in British history? But be warned; iconic Warwick Castle has more than a few skeletons in its closet. One of its many supernatural lodgers include Sir Fulke Greville, a tower resident allegedly murdered by his manservant. If that doesn’t put you off, make things extra spooky by going around Halloween – you might even catch a séance or two.
2. Alnwick Castle – Northumberland – 90,500 Google searches per month
Alnwick Castle is a memorable wedding venue with a magical twist; this site doubled up as Hogwarts in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. If that’s not scary enough for you, the castle is also rumoured to play host to a hunchback vampire who stalks the grounds and spreads disease in its wake – remember to bring a mask!
3. Wollaton Hall – Nottinghamshire – 27,100 Google searches per month
The incredible Grade I listed Elizabethan Wollaton Hall is a regular haunt for ghost hunters, eager to hear the murmuring voices in the corridors and catch a glimpse of the White Lady in Room 19. People visiting for more romantic reasons can choose between several impressive settings – The Great Hall is not to be missed.
4. Lumley Castle – Durham – 22,200 Google searches per month
Believed to be the most haunted place in County Durham, this 14th century manor house is a seriously scary venue. The ghost of Lady Lily Lumley is a likely uninvited guest, along with the mischievous phantom Black Jack, who enjoys playing pranks on guests. Lumley Castle itself is beautiful, so if you want a scenic wedding, go ahead and book it… if you dare.
5. Aston Hall – West Midlands – 12,100 Google searches per month
Part of the Birmingham Museums group, Aston Hall regularly hosts civil ceremonies in the Great Hall before giving guests the opportunity to enjoy the Lady Holte’s gardens. Guests can also enjoy the company of the Holte family’s daughter Mary, said to still be locked up in a cell after she tried to run away with a servant.
6. Amberley Castle – West Sussex – 9,900 Google searches per month
Thrill-seeking couples should definitely consider saying their vows in the Grade I listed 12th century Amberley Castle. It boasts twelve acres of landscaped gardens, mediaeval stonework, and enough space for up to 250 guests; 251 if you include resident ghost Emily, a young girl said to be hanging around the Herstmonceux Room.
7. Ettington Park Hotel – Warwickshire – 9,900 Google searches per month
This mansion is home to a ghostly woman in white, the former governess ‘Lady Emma’, known to float through the corridors before disappearing through walls. Ghostly guests aside, the impressive turrets and ornate high ceilings make Ettington Park Hotel a beautiful wedding destination, even if it was previously named the most haunted venue in the UK.
8. Craig Y Nos Castle – Powys – 6,600 Google searches per month
The former home of an opera singer, former TB hospital, current most haunted castle in Wales – Craig Y Nos Castle has certainly got stories to tell. Nearlyweds have the option to tie the knot in the show stopping Adelina Patti Theatre – although the eponymous ghost may not be too happy about this. If you’re dying to visit post-nuptials, check out Craig Y Nos’s sister website dedicated entirely to ghost hunting.
9. Farnham Castle – Surrey – 6,600 Google searches per month
This picturesque wedding venue has more than one supernatural guest. Farnham Castle is said to be home to a spooky monk, phantom-like voices and ghostly children running across the upper balcony. If you’re lucky (or unlucky), you might even catch a glimpse of the shadowed figure which haunts the guardroom, and the young girl who lives on the staircase.
10. Loseley Park – Surrey – 6,600 Google searches per month
Nestled in the heart of 1,400 acres of rolling countryside, you’ll find the glorious Loseley Park. The main ghost here is a mysterious woman in brown who has a love story all of her own- it’s said she commutes to nearby Baynards Park to spend time with their famous ghost, the headless Sir Thomas More. How sweet.
Zoe Burke, leading wedding expert and editor of Hitched says: “A poll of our community showed that 71% of guests say they’ve felt pressure to add people to the guest list – but what about that guest that shows up whether you want them or not? That’s the risk you take booking a haunted venue, but at least they won’t cost you any extra!
“Adding a paranormal thrill to your wedding can be really fun if you’re into that kind of thing – you could speak to your venue about organising an after-dark ghost walk with your guests, or print off the venue’s ghost story and display it on your wedding breakfast tables for a spooky thrill!”
For the full list of haunted wedding venues, please visit: https://www.hitched.co.uk/wedding-planning/organising-and-planning/haunted-wedding-venues/