Where Can I Have My Fairy-Tale Wedding at Lake Bled?
Slovenia is a country in central Europe known for its mountains, lakes and resorts. In 2016, Slovenia became known as the first green country in the world because it had complied with all the rules for sustainability that the Green Destinations company had put in place. It was no surprise; Slovenia is a place that values nature.
If you’ve heard of Slovenia, then you must have also heard of Lake Bled which is Slovenia’s most popular resort. We’re sure you’ve even seen pictures of the blueish green lake looking like it’s from a fairy-tale or a Disney cartoon. Well, we’re here to tell you that yes, it does look like that in real life. This is the reason why it gets lots of visitors every year, and it would make a gorgeous location for your wedding.
Lake Bled has a lovely story behind it too. The locals tell a tale of fairies who are responsible for the island. According to legends, once upon a time, Lake Bled was a fertile valley that attracted shepherds in the day and fairies that came to dance at night. After a while, the fairies began to worry that the shepherds and their flocks would eat the valley dry. They begged them to at least put a fence around their dancefloor, but the shepherds didn’t listen. Soon the sheep ate up all of the grass, and only dry, barren earth was left. The fairies then called up the brooks and springs nearby to flood the area leaving only the island in the middle where the fairies would continue to dance at night. How magical!
Where can you have your wedding at the lake Bled you ask? There are lots of venues. A Lake Bled wedding is often unique and beautiful as there are many scenic locations that you can use. We thought we should share some of these destinations with you. The ones we’ll be discussing here are the Lake Bled Island, Lake Bled Castle, Vila Bled, and the Grand Hotel Toplice. These locations are amongst the top spots in Lake Bled, and couples who hold their weddings at these places always talk about how unforgettable the experience was. If you’re ready, grab a relaxing cup of tea, find your favourite seat and let’s talk about some lovely places for your wedding at Lake Bled.
- Lake Bled Island
It only makes sense that the lovely island mentioned above is a popular place for weddings. It plays hosts to couples from Slovenia, Europe and the rest of the world. Lake Bled Island is a magical place, and every visitor to this place is surprised and charmed. You and your guests will be too. The spiritual significance of this place goes back to a temple built on the island to the goddess of fertility. An old church stands at that very same spot now and is a lovely addition to many wedding rituals.
You’ll have to get on the water to arrive here. This lovely lake water is clear, with an atmosphere that is clean and delightful. There’s a straightforward reason for the serene atmosphere of this place; electric motorboats are not allowed on it. You either have to rent a boat and row yourselves or let a traditional oarsman take you across. As you cross, you’ll most likely be surrounded by the aroma of roasting chestnuts and get a chance to view lovely white swans swirl on the lake. Imagine including and getting pictures of something this magical as part of your wedding ritual. But that is just the beginning.
At the island itself, which is the only Island in Slovenia, the groom has to carry the bride up 99 steps to ring a special bell that grants wishes. You have to ring it three times and have a genuine belief in God for your dreams to come true, however, so be sure that you comply. Lots of couples ring it while wishing for marital bliss and legends have it that it works.
Lake Bled Island is a symbolism to the uniqueness and natural beauty of Slovenia. If you have your wedding here, it will be one you and your guests will talk about for years to come.
- Lake Bled Castle
Have you always dreamed of a beautiful wedding in a magical castle setting? There’s something fantastic about the thought of a castle wedding. It seems almost fairy-tale like and offers the possibility of a unique wedding day filled with romance. Castle wedding venues are also usually unrivalled in their beautiful surroundings. Lake Bled Castle provides you with that and more.
This castle is over thousands of years old and dates back to as early as 1011. Perched on the edge of a cliff with a magnificent view of the lake, you can have your civil ceremony at the Knights Hall. This hall can hold up to 110 guests. You can also enjoy filling a bottle of wine in the castle wine cellar and have your wedding certificate printed at the printing works, which is as ancient as the castle. The interior of this location has been preserved so you can be sure you are walking in a place that has been around for long.
You also won’t lack for places to take your wedding day photos as the interior of this castle is a beauty to behold. The courtyard is also quite attractive. Your reception can hold at the castle restaurant, which is known for its amazing meals and also has a great view of the lake. The terrace can also hold up to 120 of your guests.
So, if you’re looking for an excellent way to make your special day even more enchanting, you should consider having your wedding at Lake Bled Castle. You can head here for your fairy-tale, castle, rustic or vintage wedding. Weddings with a classic theme also do well at this location. It’ll be an unforgettable experience with stunning photos you’ll be more than happy to share with the rest of the world.
- Vila Bled
Two words distinctively describe the atmosphere at Vila Bled: Classy and exclusive. This location offers you an opportunity to have a private, civil ceremony with a timeless elegance that you won’t find at any other place. Vila Bled is located on the shore of Lake Bled and offers you a garden where your wedding dreams can come true.
If you’ve been thinking of having your destination wedding in a mansion, this is the place for you. You’ll also love the fantastic meals that the Vila Bled restaurant will prepare for your wedding dinner and it’s a short distance from here to the island so you can include a church wedding in your plans too if you so wish.
Did you know that Marshal Tito once hosted famous tea parties in the Belvedere pavilion at Vila Bled? Well he did, this used to be his summer residence, so you bet that the crème d la crème was in attendance. How many of your friends can boast of a wedding reception in a place with such history?
This venue also offers on-site accommodation with 31 rooms available. This means that you can show up with your guests, relax, hold your wedding and reception all in one place. You won’t have to pay for transportation and worry about the logistics involved in it. The best part is that you’ll get a lovely view of the stunning lake Bled the whole time.
Couples that come to Vila Bled for their wedding should expect a place brimming with timeless elegance, spacious rooms and a staff known for their hospitality. You and your guests will feel like royalty. It’ll be a time you won’t forget. It’s a great place to start your life together as a couple.
- Grand Hotel Toplice
If you want to feel like a celebrity, the Grand Hotel Toplice is where to have your wedding. The world-class treatment you’ll get is one you won’t forget in a hurry. There is on-site accommodation with facilities like a thermal pool, sauna, free WiFi and more. Like the other venues at Lake Bled, this hotel has a rich history and lovely views of the lake. It also has impressive views of the alps, Bled Island and Bled Castle.
There’s a thermal spring below the hotel, and you’ll find the beds are customised to offer you the best comfort possible. The Grand Hotel Toplice was built on top of this thermal spring with medicinal properties about 100 years ago. You and your guests will be charmed and can combine this with your wellness vacation.
Grand Hotel Toplice prides itself as the location where you can throw some of the loveliest weddings in the whole of Lake Bled. The spacious terrace with views of the lake will offer you a place for stunning and artistic wedding photos. There is also a Grand Hall where you can host a lavish blown out wedding if you so wish. Want something more private? You can opt for any of the chic salons that are more intimate.
The couples that choose to have their wedding at the Grand Hotel Toplice get a stunning and exclusive location with many other benefits. Some of those are the fantastic culinary delights provided by the hotel’s top-class chefs, the stunning views, the hospitality and the tranquil feel of the location’s natural setting. You’ll love your wedding and the photos you get from your wedding if you hold it here.
Your Lake Bled wedding can be the joyous and special occasion that you want it to be. Especially if you get it right with the choice of your wedding venue. Couples from all over the world have been getting married here for centuries, and the lake’s magical appeal for weddings also lies in the remarkable venues that surround it.
Getting it right when it comes to the destination for your wedding is important because it’ll affect almost all that has to do with your wedding day. For one thing, you’ll see it in all of your wedding pictures for the rest of your life so please make sure it’s at the very least, a place that you like. We hope that this has been a useful guide and that it helped you make up your mind on where to have your destination wedding in Lake Bled. Best of luck!!!
Many thanks to Wedding Lake Bled Team for this article.
We have created our new book How to Plan Your Perfect Wedding just for you. Click here to order your copy
