Medieval Wedding Guide #1: Planning, Budget and the Four Decisions That Determine Everything

November 11, 2026

Trinkhorn mit Drachenkopf, klassisches Zubehör für die Mittelalterhochzeit

This guide has three parts. Part 1 (this one) settles the big questions: theme, budget, venue, timeline, invitations. Part 2 is about clothing, Part 3 about castles and the knight's feast. Parts 2 and 3 have existed since 2015; we wrote Part 1 in November 2026 because the same questions keep reaching us.

The short answer: A medieval wedding is a normal wedding with a theme that all guests go along with. Legally nothing changes: you marry at the registry office and celebrate afterwards however you like. The four decisions that determine everything else: how strict the theme is, how much money you spend, where you celebrate, and when you tell the guests. A year's lead time is good, eight months works too. It needn't be more expensive than a normal wedding; the costume replaces suit and wedding dress, and usually costs less.

I'm writing this as someone who has sold medieval clothing for over twenty years and advised a fair number of couples along the way. Most come to us with the same mix of excitement and panic: the idea is there, but nobody knows where to start. Here is the order that works.

Decision 1: How much medieval should it be?

This is the most important question, and you should answer it before you book anything. There are three levels:

Level 1, theme light: The two of you wear costume, guests may but needn't. Decoration and food have a medieval touch. This is the most relaxed version and the right one if your families are rather sceptical about the idea.
Level 2, theme for everyone: All guests come in costume, roughly medieval is enough. Venue fits the theme, music and food too. This is the version we see most often, and it works because it creates atmosphere without anyone having to do research.
Level 3, authentic: Fixed era, historically correct clothing, no phones in the photos, knight's feast without potatoes. Only sensible if your friends already go to markets or play LARP. Otherwise the guests become extras, and you can tell.

Our recommendation is level 2. And if you're unsure whether grandma will join in: she will. Every single time, it's grandma who ends up with the best costume.

Decision 2: The budget

A medieval wedding doesn't automatically cost more than a classic one. It just distributes the money differently:

Costume for the couple: 250 to 500 euros per person, depending on ambition. That's considerably less than a wedding dress, and you'll wear it again. Details in Part 2.
Venue: A castle for one day with catering costs roughly 80 to 150 euros per guest, depending on region and provider. A medieval tavern or a farm with a barn comes in below that, as does your own garden with a marquee and catering.
Music: A minstrel band for the evening runs between 600 and 2,000 euros. A jester or fire artist for an hour from about 300 euros. Both are optional, and both are the things your guests will still talk about in ten years.
Decoration: Candles, linen, wood, drinking horns, coats of arms. You can save here, because much can be made yourself and the venue often does half the work already.
What drops out: Flower decoration on the classic scale, DJ, wedding car, stretch limo. If you want, take a horse. Most people then decide against it.

Rule of thumb: reckon with the same total budget as for a normal wedding and shift the clothing item towards venue and entertainment.

Decision 3: Registry office, church or free ceremony?

In Germany, legal marriage only happens at the registry office. Some registry offices also perform ceremonies in castles and palaces; ask your preferred venue whether it is licensed as a wedding location. Everything else is ceremony: a church wedding (in costume, after consulting the priest; most don't mind) or a free ceremony with a celebrant who picks up the theme. The free ceremony is the most common form for medieval weddings because it fits the theme best: handfasting with ribbons, mead instead of sparkling wine, an oath instead of vows. What you say is up to you. The line from The Lord of the Rings about preferring one lifetime with someone to all the ages of the world alone is one we've heard many times. It works every time.

Decision 4: The venue

Briefly, because Part 3 covers it in depth: a castle is the classic, but not the only option. A farm with a barn, an open-air museum, a medieval tavern, a patch of woodland with a tent, all of them carry the theme. What matters is that the venue has no modern backdrop you have to decorate away. A hotel function room with carpet will never look medieval, no matter how many candles you set out. Book the venue first, at least nine to twelve months ahead. Castles with wedding experience go fast on summer weekends.

The timeline

12 months ahead: Settle the theme level, budget, book the venue, secure the registry office date.
9 months ahead: Invitations out. Earlier than for normal weddings, because guests need to buy or sew costumes. Book music and celebrant.
6 months ahead: Order or commission your own costume. Made-to-measure takes time, and you want a fitting with margin.
3 months ahead: Fix catering and menu, collect decoration, remind guests who still have nothing to wear.
4 weeks ahead: Dress rehearsal in costume. Seriously. You want to know beforehand whether you can climb stairs in that dress and whether the cloak gets in the way when dancing.

The invitation: how to get guests into costume

The most common mistake is an invitation that mentions the theme and then says nothing more. Guests then don't know whether "medieval" is meant seriously, and turn up in suits. So be specific:

Which level applies (see above), in one sentence.
Three examples of what's fine: "Linen shirt and tunic are enough, a cloak is nice, a sword isn't necessary."
Where to get it. Yes, you may link to us. But costume hire, second hand or sewing are fine too.
A contact person for guests who are unsure. Best man or maid of honour are well suited.

And give guests time. Nine months sounds like a lot, but there's always the aunt who only gets going three weeks before.

What guests need, and what they don't

So that nobody overdoes it or does nothing out of fear, here is the basic kit for guests that we recommend in our stores: shirt or blouse, over it a tunic or dress, a belt, plus shoes that don't look like trainers. That's all. A cloak makes a big impression and doesn't cost the earth, a headpiece likewise. What's not necessary: weapons, armour, historical accuracy. Whoever brings their own drinking horn has usually understood the evening best.

Frequently asked questions

Can you marry at the registry office in costume?
Yes. There is no dress code at the registry office. Tell the registrar beforehand; most of them are actually delighted.

How far in advance do you need to plan a medieval wedding?
Twelve months is relaxed, eight months works. The bottleneck is the venue, not the clothing.

Is a medieval wedding more expensive than a normal one?
Not necessarily. The costume costs less than a wedding dress and suit; the venue and music can cost more. Overall you usually land at the same budget.

What is handfasting?
An old ritual in which the couple's hands are bound with ribbons. That's where the expression "tying the knot" comes from. Almost always part of free ceremonies in medieval style.

Do all guests have to join in?
No, but the more the better the atmosphere. Make the theme clear, give time and examples, and accept the two guests who still come in a shirt.