There is something rather special about getting married in a Swedish castle. Perhaps it is the architecture, the long driveway leading up to the main house, the old gardens and forests, the lake or the feeling that, for a few days, you have stepped into another world. A castle or historic estate gives a wedding a sense of place that becomes part of the couples story. Like living in a mansion for a day and having a great time with all their friends and family.
Over the past years, I have had the pleasure of photographing weddings in castles, manor houses, historic estates - some privately owned and lived in by the owners- and some rather beautiful unexpected places throughout Sweden. From grand celebrations at Ericsberg and Häringe to intimate weddings at estates closer to Stockholm, every venue has its own personality.

And that is one of the things I love most about photographing weddings in these places: the setting isn't just a backdrop. It becomes part of the photographs, the experience and the memories of the day.

Listing some of Sweden's most beautiful castle wedding venues

Sweden has an extraordinary collection of castles and historic estates, many of which make beautiful wedding venues. Some feel grand and formal, while others are much more relaxed, with gardens, water and countryside becoming an important part of the celebration. Yet even a formal castle does not need to look stiff and “traditional” in wedding photos. The way I photograph ads a lightness and coolness to the most classic venue.

Here are some of the places where I have photographed weddings and celebrations over the years.

Private manor house wedding — Wedding at private estate in Sweden

Ericsberg Slott

Ericsberg is one of those places where you immediately understand why a couple would choose to have their wedding here.

The architecture is spectacular, but what I particularly love is the combination of the grand setting and the intimate moments that happen within it.

I photographed a beautiful wedding at Ericsberg Slott with a ceremony in the historic chapel, wonderful dresses and a celebration that was full of personality, including the bride performing an ABBA song with her friends.
It was also a wedding that was later featured in the Swedish print magazine Gods & Gårdar.

For me, that is what makes a memorable wedding at a historic estate. You can have the architecture, the beautiful details and the grandeur, but the photographs become much more interesting when the people and their personalities are allowed to take center stage.

Wedding at Ericsbergs slott

Gardens of Ericsbergs slott where a groom and a bride have their first look

Wedding ceremony at Ericsbergs slott chapel

Häringe Slott

Häringe Slott is one of the venues I have photographed most extensively, and it remains one of my favourite examples of how a historic venue can feel both elegant and relaxed.

It is close enough to Stockholm to be convenient, but once you arrive, it feels wonderfully removed from the city.

I photographed Rebecca and Filip's wedding here, a celebration filled with dancing, laughter and a lot of energy. Rain changed some of the plans during the day, but we found pockets of time between the showers for portraits outside, while also making beautiful use of the interiors.

That is something I have learned from photographing weddings in Sweden: the weather is part of the story.

A good wedding photographer needs to be able to embrace a change in plans rather than allowing it to change the atmosphere of the day.

Rebecca & Filip's Häringe Slott wedding

Planning by: Love Lu

Krägga Herrgård

I have photographed a few weddings at Krägga Herrgård, and it is a venue I would happily return to.

There is something about the combination of the historic estate near the water, the surrounding landscape and the relaxed atmosphere that works particularly well for weddings where you want things to feel elegant without becoming overly formal.

It is also a wonderful setting for photography because the day can naturally move between the interiors, gardens and surrounding grounds. You can choose between a near by church ceremony or set up under the old tree near the water for an outdoor ceremony.

For couples planning a wedding weekend rather than simply a few hours of celebrations, venues like these can be especially appealing. There is room for everyone to settle in, spend time together and let the wedding unfold rather than rushing from one part of the day to another.

Evening portraits of a wedding couple at Krägga Herrgård

Villa Aske

Villa Aske is a little different. The architecture and atmosphere have a distinctly European, almost Italian feeling that I love. It is a beautiful option for couples who want the romance and history of an estate but perhaps something a little less traditionally Swedish-castle in character.

From a photographic point of view, I love venues that have a strong personality of their own. It gives me something to work with beyond the obvious wedding details.

Villa Aske is also a venue I would very much like to photograph at again.

Maryhill

Maryhill is another venue that I think belongs firmly on the radar of couples planning a more elevated Swedish wedding.

I have photographed a wedding there, and what makes it interesting to me is the combination of the historic surroundings, design and destination feeling.

For couples travelling to Sweden for their wedding, a venue like this can offer something more than a beautiful ceremony location. It can become part of the entire experience for the guests. Countless pools, paddle, tennis…the list goes on. Also the proximity to the Copenhagen airport need to be mentioned if you have a lot of people flying in for the wedding.

Cocktail hour outside Mayhill Estate on analog film

Beckershofs Herrgård

Beckershof is particularly memorable because of its ceremony setting by the water.

There are venues that are beautiful because of their architecture, and then there are venues where the landscape becomes almost another character in the photographs. Beckershof has that quality.

I have photographed a wedding here and would love to tell more of its story in a dedicated feature in the future.

For couples who love the idea of a Swedish countryside wedding but want something with a sophisticated, elegant atmosphere, this is a venue worth looking at. The more modern buildings that house the hotel rooms and the dinner venue have an elegant East Coast vibe while there are also simple yet modern bunk bed huts for many, many guests.

Magical outdoor ceremony site at Beckershofs herrgård

Colorful pavilion at Beckershofs Herrgård

Vår Gård, Saltsjöbaden

Not every luxury wedding in Sweden needs to take place in a traditional castle.

Vår Gård in Saltsjöbaden is a great example of a more intimate kind of luxury, particularly in the beautifully restored manor setting.

Its proximity to Stockholm makes it especially interesting for couples who want a destination feeling without being far from the city.

It is also a good reminder that a high-end wedding can be understated. You don’t need 150 guests to celebrate an exquisite wedding. Beautiful architecture, thoughtful food, good design, wonderful hospitality and a guest list you genuinely care about can create an atmosphere that feels every bit as special as a grand castle.

Flowers: 7 of a kind

Bridal couple inside of Vår Gård Saltjöbaden

Wedding dinner at Vår Gård in Saltjöbaden Stockholm — The beautiful venue of Vår Gård is ideal for beautiful wedding dinners

Trollenäs Slott

Trollenäs Slott, nearl Lund, is one of the venues further south in Sweden that really stayed with me.

It has that unmistakable fairytale quality that people often imagine when they think of a Swedish castle wedding, but with the warmth and personality that make photographing a real wedding there so much more interesting than simply photographing the building.

For couples coming from abroad, venues like Trollenäs can also offer a very different experience from a traditional hotel wedding. This is a wow castle.

Wedding couple inside the grand staircase of Trollenäs slott

Ekolsunds Slott

If your dream wedding has a softer, more romantic colour palette, Ekolsunds Slott is one to put on your list.

The beautiful pale pink manor house has a completely different feeling from the grand stone castles you might traditionally associate with a Swedish castle wedding. Add the surrounding park, historic interiors and the nearby church, and you have the perfect setting for a wedding with a romantic, pastel feel.

Ekolsund also offers several options for the ceremony, including within the castle grounds and at nearby churches, making it possible to create a wedding day that feels both traditional and personal.

Cocktail hour at Ekolsund slott — Pastel pink Ekolsunds Slott surrounded by gardens in Sweden.

High ceilings and large windows let in beautiful light at a wedding dinner at Ekolsunds slott

A pale pink church near Ekolsunds slott — A pastel dream for any church wedding at Ekolsunds slott

Krusenberg Herrgård

Krusenberg Herrgård has one of those settings that feels almost made for a summer wedding. The ceremony can take place beneath the apple trees, surrounded by greenery, with the historic manor and gardens creating a beautiful, relaxed backdrop.

I photographed the wedding here while second shooting for Yolanta Birkenhane, so the images you see here were created as part of her wedding coverage.

Wedding ceremony beneath the apple trees at Krusenberg Herrgård near Uppsala, Sweden. — Imagine the Bride and groom beneath the apple trees at a Krusenberg Herrgård wedding in Sweden.

Cocktail hour at sunset outside Krusenberg Herrgård

Eric Ericsonhallen

Eric Ericsonhallen is a completely different experience from a countryside castle. It actually used to be a church.

Located in central Stockholm, on the island of Skeppsholmen, the historic architecture gives the venue a spectacular sense of scale, while its location makes it particularly interesting for weddings with a more urban and editorial feeling.

I see this kind of venue working especially well for couples working with a wedding planner and creating a celebration where architecture, fashion, food, music and design are all part of the experience.

Cocktail hour wedding outside of Eric Ericsonhallen photographed by Birgit Walsh — Guests mingle outside Eric Ericonhallen

Ceremony set up at Eric Ericsonhallen in Stockholm

wedding at Eric Ericsonhallen — Wedding couple and their guest celebrating at Eric Ericsonhallen

Rosendals Trädgård

Rosendals Trädgård has a completely different energy again.

It is relaxed, creative and connected to the gardens and surroundings of Djurgården. I have photographed weddings here and love the way the setting works for couples who want something elegant but not overly traditional.

It is the kind of place where beautiful food, flowers, fashion and atmosphere can become just as important as the formal parts of the wedding day.

guests mingel at rosendals trägård — Guests during cocktail hour at Rosendal Trägården

Wedding Dinner set up in a greenhouse at Rosendal Trädgården

Matateljén

Matateljén at Slakthusområde is another example of the kind of venue that can appeal to a more creative Stockholm couple.

It is not a castle, and that is exactly the point.

For couples who care about design, food, architecture and creating an experience that feels personal rather than traditional, contemporary spaces like this can be incredibly exciting to photograph.

I love having both sides of the spectrum in my work: historic estates and modern Stockholm spaces.

wedding in restaurant in slakthusområde — A wedding dinner set up in the Slakthus area of Stockholm in Restaurant Matateljén

Wedding at Matateljén in Slakthus area of Stockholm

foody wedding in Stockholm — At Matateljén the guests mingle next to the open kitchen while a Jazz band plays. The perfect venue for foodies who love a cool vibe.

What makes a wedding venue beautiful to photograph?

After photographing weddings in so many different places, I have realized that the most beautiful venue isn't necessarily the one with the biggest ballroom or the most impressive facade.

What matters to me is a sense of place.

Light

Beautiful natural light can completely change the feeling of a photograph. Large windows, old rooms, gardens and changing Swedish daylight all create different opportunities throughout the day.

Architecture

Staircases, old doors, windows, stone walls, fireplaces and beautiful proportions give portraits a sense of history without making them feel staged.

Landscape

Water, gardens, forests or cityscape give us opportunities to step outside for portraits and create photographs that feel connected to Sweden.

Space (and time) for the day to unfold

The best venues allow the wedding to move naturally. Getting ready, the ceremony, drinks, dinner and dancing can each have their own atmosphere. Allow time in your timeline to enjoy the day in a relaxed way is a hug part of the planning.

Personality

This might be the most important one. A venue should feel like you.

A grand castle is wonderful if you love that sense of history and occasion. But if your dream wedding is an intimate dinner surrounded by friends, beautiful food and flowers, a smaller estate or design-led venue might be a much better fit.

Planning a Swedish castle or city wedding from abroad?

Sweden has become a beautiful destination for couples who want to celebrate somewhere that feels different from home.

I regularly work with couples and planners who are bringing their weddings to Sweden from other countries, including the US, Canada and Australia and Germany.

Planning a wedding abroad naturally comes with a few extra considerations. There are venues to understand, local suppliers to find, logistics to coordinate and cultural differences to navigate. Getting help from a local planner is going to make the process much more enjoyable.

I am Swedish-German and have lived in Canada and Bermuda before moving to Sweden. I speak Swedish, German and English at a native level, and having lived both in Sweden and abroad means I understand that expectations can look quite different depending on where you come from. A father daughter dance is rare in Sweden, but common in North America for example.

A wedding in Sweden might have a different rhythm from an American wedding. Family traditions can be different. The way speeches, dinner and the evening are structured can be different. Even something as simple as how we think about daylight and weather can require a little adjustment.

For an international couple, I think having a photographer who understands those differences can make the whole experience easier. You don't need to explain everything.

And you certainly don't need to worry about whether your photographer understands what you mean when you say you want your photographs to feel elegant, editorial, emotional and completely natural at the same time.

Photographing a wedding, not just a venue

Ultimately, the venue is not the story. You are.

The beautiful staircase, the gardens, the chapel, the lake and the dinner table all matter because they are the places where your memories happen.

My approach is a mixture of documentary observation and an editorial eye. I want to photograph the fleeting moments — the look between you and your parents, the chaos of the party, the way your friends react during the speeches, the movement on the dance floor — while also creating the beautiful, considered portraits that you will want to keep forever.

I don't want your photographs to look like they could belong to anyone. Perfection isn’t the goal. Authenticity is.

They should feel like your wedding, in that particular place, surrounded by those particular people.

A few Swedish wedding venues still on my wish list

There are always a few places a photographer secretly hopes will appear in their inbox.

For me, Rånäs Slott, Norrviken and Bjertorp Slott are high on that list. But even museums like Artipelag would be wonderful to photograph.

Each has a very different character, but they all have the kind of architecture, landscape and atmosphere that I find inspiring.

And there are many more Swedish estates and venues I would love to discover.

After years of photographing weddings around Stockholm and throughout Sweden, I still get excited when I arrive somewhere I've never photographed before.

That is one of the best things about this work.

There is always another beautiful place, another couple and another story.

Planning a castle or city wedding in Sweden?

Whether you're planning a grand castle wedding, an intimate celebration at a historic estate or a design-led wedding in Stockholm, I would love to hear what you are planning.

I photograph weddings throughout Sweden and internationally, with a particular love for celebrations that have a strong sense of place, beautiful details, great food, wonderful people and plenty of room for the day to unfold naturally. Luxury isn't necessarily about having more. It can be about having the right things, in the right place, with the right people.

For couples travelling to Sweden from abroad, I am also very happy to help you navigate the Swedish side of the experience.

If you're planning a 2027 wedding in Sweden, get in touch and tell me a little about what you're dreaming up.

I'd love to hear about it.

Castle Weddings in Sweden: A Photographer's Guide to Beautiful Swedish Wedding Venues