Occupying 823 square miles of rolling countryside sandwiched between the Firth of Forth and the Firth of Tay, the Kingdom of Fife is a diverse county renowned for its colourful fishing villages and world famous golf courses; however, in 2001, the region also became celebrated for playing a part in a Royal love story. That’s right, Kate Middleton and Prince William first locked eyes across the corridors and lecture halls of St. Andrew’s University and the rest, as they say, is history. However, Kate and Wills aren’t the only ones to have fallen head over heels in love in Fife!  Earlier this year, Team Fuze experienced the same breathless excitement that one expects from the first flush of love when Celebrant, Lucy Black, regaled us with tales of turrets and treehouses on her return from marrying Robyn and Neil on a glorious sunshine afternoon back in May.

Here’s why we’re loving Fernie Castle in Fife so much:

• The ultimate fairy tale turreted castle
• Numerous internal/external locations to say “I do”
• Glorious garden grounds complete with majestic treehouse
• Available on both an exclusive use and room-by-room basis
• Less than an hour from Edinburgh City Centre
• Incredible photographic opportunities
• Large space to accommodate 180 (ceremony & reception)
• Excellent inhouse chefs to design your menu
• Owner operated giving a super personal touch to your day

Back in the dim and distant past, 1535 to be exact, the Scottish Parliament passed a law which stated that landowners in the Borders with an estate worth over £100 were required to build a protective tower or castle to defend their property from the infamous Borders Reivers! More often than not, estate owners chose to build L-plan tower houses because they proved to be both effective fortresses and aesthetically pleasing. Although deemed unnecessary north of the Borders, the beauty of these buildings inspired a string of L-plan tower houses to be erected throughout Scotland. Over the passage of time, many of these properties crumbled to ruin; however, some are perfectly preserved and Fernie Castle is one such building.

Cloaked in ivy and standing majestically within 17 acres of beautiful garden grounds and parkland, Fernie Castle is about as close to the quintessential fairy-tale wedding venue that a couple could hope to find. Once residence to the Earl of Fife, this 480 year old baronial beauty contains an abundance of character and charm so couples on the lookout for a show-stopping wedding venue need look no further.

The magic behind Fernie Castle comes courtesy of its owners, Neil and Mary, whose creative flair and eccentricity shines throughout the building where golden thrones, ginormous chandeliers and suits of armour can be found overlooking the proceedings. Along with their team, Neil and Mary, have meticulously organised and delivered over 1000 weddings at the castle and so couples can rest assured that their big day will be in safe hands.

Fernie Castle is unique insofar as it is bookable on either a room-by-room basis, where the remainder of the hotel is open to the public, or on an exclusive use basis. With twenty aptly named en-suite bedrooms available – Monarch, King, Queen and so forth – couples and their bridal parties looking to embrace the full Lord and Lady of the manor experience can enjoy Fernie Castle in its entirety for however long they desire! From elopers on the hunt for an intimate ceremony for two to groups of 180 looking to dance the night away, Fernie Castle is perfect for almost all sizes of wedding party.

Robyn and Neil opted to say “I do” under a gorgeously romantic arch of ivory wisteria on the castle’s manicured front lawn; however, there are an infinite number of ceremony options at Fernie Castle. For smaller ceremonies, the ancient vaulted Keep Bar makes for an incredibly atmospheric spot to take your vows, but for an insanely unique nuptial exchange, make like Tinkerbell and fly through the woods where, sitting aloft six giant sycamores, you’ll find a magical treehouse. Not only can couples marry using the fantastical treehouse as an epic backdrop to their ceremony, they can also spend their first night as newlyweds perched within its confines where a magnificent king size bed made entirely of elm is surrounded by woodland murals and stained glass. Next door, an octagonal bathroom with a huge freestanding tub sits beneath a chandelier of leaves and flowers.

For larger groups, couples can make use of two wonderful reception spaces to make their vows. The Great Hall with its impressive wood panelled ceiling, open fire and ancestral hanging tapestries can accommodate up to 80 guests, or for those looking for a little more space, the wondrous circular ballroom, the Balfour Suite, can seat up to 180 guests where French doors open out onto a terrace overlooking the estate’s private lochan.

When it comes to dining at Fernie Castle, a team of talented chefs have created a selection of set menus where guests can be treated to the likes of guineafowl and pistachio terrine and roast sirloin of Scottish beef. Once the speeches are over, the Balfour Suite transforms into a brilliant evening reception space where there’s plenty of room for a band or DJ and revellers can go wild into the early hours.

Thanks to:

Couple: Robyn & Neil

Celebrant: Lucy Black

Venue:  Fernie Castle

Photographer: Liana Mitrea Wedding Stories