Wedding Ceremony Cardiff Area - Wedding Venues Cardiff, South Wales | Wedding Ceremony, Reception & Packages at Craig y Nos Castle

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Wedding Ceremony Cardiff Area

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My Wedding Ceremony Room
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From the champagne breakfast to the ceremony itself, the speeches and tossing of the bouquet, your wedding day is saturated in moments that become memories.
"Don't tell people your Dreams - Show Them"

"I'll have my Wedding Ceremony in the grade one listed opera house - it's a small theatre near Cardiff with its own stage."

Theatre at Craig y Nos Caste Cardiff Wedding Ceremony Room


A wonderful setting for your wedding ceremony only enhances the memory.
A theatre's as good a place as any for magic



The theatre is a historic listed building. It was built by Opera Star Adelina Patti in the 19th century to entertain her guests.


It's said to be based on Wagner's Opera House in Bayreuth, Bavaria.
Jake Morley Photography - Craig y Nos Castle Cardiff Theatre Wedding Ceremony4
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As a recent improvement to our service, we can now provide
white chair covers and bows in the theatre for your Wedding Ceremony.

Bring your own sashes, hire in from a supplier, or hire from our own growing
selection of sashes & bows. The white chairs in the theatre cannot be used in other rooms.
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Craig y Nos Castle Theatre Cardiff
Wedding Ceremony Room Theatre Cardiff

Our auditorium can be tailored to your ceremony. The floor is more commonly tilted (see picture) to slope down towards the stage with the stage raised.

This flexible seating arrangement allows the ceremony, and you, the happy couple, to be witnessed by all your wedding guests, enabling you to fully share your wedding ceremony with all your loved ones.

The ceiling has a glass atrium roof which lets in lots of light. This is generally covered with a blackout cloth to prevent sun-damage to the Grade One theatre's wall paintings and gold leaf paintwork. It can be removed for your wedding on request.

Jake Morley Photography - Craig y Nos Castle Cardiff Wedding Ceremony


In 1878 the castle and its setting captivated the leading opera star of the day, who felt she had found the home of her dreams amid the calm isolation of this beautiful valley.
Jake Morley Photography - Craig y Nos Castle Cardiff Wedding Ceremony
The castle's name alone strikes a romantic note and in rough translation means 'Rock of the Night'.

Craig-y-Nos in the Brecon Beacons National Park in South Wales is the perfect setting for taking your marriage vows. The Castle is within reach of Cardiff, Swansea and Brecon.
Jake Morley Photography - Craig y Nos Castle Cardiff Wedding Ceremony

Adelina Patti was the 'Madonna' of her day, earning up to £11 million a year in today's money.  In her Opera House she performed privately for European Royalty.

Many heads of stage and internationally renowned artists graced the theatre in Adelina's time. It is a wonderfully preserved memorial to the great diva and the great composers whose names she included in the regal decor. The theatre has superb acoustics, so all your guests will hear you say your vows - and hear the registrar!
"When you stand on the Stage, you must have a sense that you are addressing the whole world, and that what you say is so important the whole world must listen" - Stella Adler

Overlooking the River Tawe and the picturesque Fforest Fawr, the Castle of today offers panoramic views over the Brecon Beacons National Park. Its first owner, Captain Powell and his family, lived here for several decades. His daughter, Sarah, inherited the estate in 1864 as the last remaining Powell. She lived here for 11 years with her husband, but after his death in 1875 the estate was sold to a Mr. Morgan and family.


Patrick Ellis Photography - Craig y Nos Castle Cardiff Wedding Ceremony
Nic Cleave Photography - Craig y Nos Castle Cardiff Wedding Ceremony
Wedding Venues near Cardiff, Swansea, Brecon - Craig y Nos Castle Cardiff Wedding Ceremony

In 1878 the castle changed hands again, this time being purchased by Spanish soprano singer, Adelina Patti. The prima donna turned Craig y Nos into her own private estate. She embarked on a major building project at the castle (spending around £11m in today's money) which saw the creation of new North and South wings, conservatory, glass covered winter gardens (latter since relocated - Patti's former winter gardens are now the 'Patti Pavilion' in Swansea), and the Adelina Patti Theatre.


The Grade I listed opera house is licensed for Wedding Ceremonies.
Patti's favourite composers, including Rossini, Verdi and Wagner, adorn the walls, flanked by Corinthian columns.

The Theatre is one of only 8 Grade One listed Opera Houses in the UK, one of only two in private ownership. No other wedding venue in Wales has its own opera house where I can dazzle my audience from my very own stage!

Today Craig-y-Nos Castle's Theatre is one of the few remaining Victorian theatres with the original backstage mechanisms preserved and fully working.

Capacity: 150 (limit for Wedding Licence: 130)
Wedding Venues near Cardiff - Craig y Nos Castle Theatre Wedding Ceremony

History


Craig y Nos Castle's theatre was built by opera star Madame Adelina Patti, for private performances to European Royalty. Patti was the 'Madonna' of her day, earning £11 million a year in today's money - the highest paid opera star of her time and the most famous (yet she is little known today).

When translated into English ‘Craig Y Nos’ becomes ‘Rock of the Night’. The castle started life as a Victorian-Gothic country house, built between 1841 and 1843 by Captain Rice Davies Powell. It was converted into a 'Castle' by Adelina Patti who added numerous extensions including several turrets (to make it more castle-like), the clock tower, and her own mini opera house to practice singing in.


The Theatre is one of only 8 Grade One listed Opera Houses in the UK, one of only two in private ownership.

No other wedding venue in Wales has its own opera house where you can dazzle your audience from your very own stage!

The theatre benefits from wonderful acoustic qualities. Whether you’ve hired a Welsh Choir, a harpist, or have pre-recorded some DVD's to play your favourite songs on your own music system, you can be sure everyone in the auditorium will clearly hear you say your wedding vows and enjoy your choice of music.

All your guests will hear you and the registrar!

The original 125 year old curtain depicts Madame Patti on a Chariot in Rossini's last Italian Opera, Semiramide.

Flanked by Corinthian columns the walls are adorned with the names of Patti's favourite composers, including Rossini, Verdi and Wagner.

Wedding Venues near Cardiff - Craig y Nos Castle Theatre Wedding Ceremony
Wedding Venues near Cardiff - Craig y Nos Castle Theatre
Wedding Venues near Cardiff - Craig y Nos Castle Theatre is ready for Wedding Ceremony

- Backdrop Curtain on Stage -

Most people like the historic connection with Adelina Patti, the lady on a chariot on the theatre curtain. However some Couples feel they would prefer a plainer background.

If your colour theme is blue, the blue theatre curtains can be drawn down over the picture of Adelina Patti on her chariot, providing a dark rich blue background.

Another option is to have  a Supplier (often a DJ) provide a moveable white pleated screen similar to that on the rear wall of the theatre, that can be placed on the stage behind the Wedding Table where you sign the Register.

Capacity: 150 (limit for Wedding Licence: 150)


Wedding Ceremony in our grade one listed opera house built by world famouse opera diva Adelina Patti
Craig y Nos Castle
Craig y Nos Castle Wedding Venue
Enjoy a Homely Welcome and Friendly Service at Craig y Nos Castle
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