On your wedding day the castle is exclusively yours, which the venue makes a point of saying.
The ceremony
The medieval Great Hall is licensed for civil ceremonies and, according to the venue's website, seats up to 90. If you'd rather a church service or blessing, St Leonard's is just below the castle courtyard, though that's arranged separately with the parish vicar.
A castle is also a visitor attraction, so ask how weddings fit around the public opening days and which areas are private on the day. The views from up there are a big part of the appeal, and the Rose Garden and Terrace Lawn give the photographer plenty to work with. Just bear in mind that old buildings come with stairs and uneven floors. If you've got guests with mobility needs, talk it through at your showround.
Drinks, dinner and dancing
After the ceremony you move into the Panel Room, with its wood-panelled walls, which opens onto the Terrace Lawn for drinks. Smaller parties (up to 60, the site says) can dine in the Great Hall itself.
Most couples will use Walker's House, a 17th-century house in the grounds. The dining room sits up to 76, the original staircase is a natural spot for speeches, and the Undercroft downstairs has the bar and dance floor for the evening. The venue says a marquee can be connected to Walker's House for up to 220.
Entertainment that suits a castle
With guests split between the Panel Room and the lawn, roaming magic is a good fit. Lewis Joss works close-up in small groups, so it doesn't matter that the space is spread out. Down in the Undercroft later, a magic mirror or photo booth gives you a pile of daft pictures to look back on.
Walker's House is set across three floors, so having something going on at each level stops everyone piling into one room.