Leopoldskron Castle, in Salzburg, is one the best known Austrian wedding locations, internationally. I recently checked out its outdoor area for a couple who are planning a sophisticated garden wedding. Find here some essential information as well as inspiration for your garden wedding guide.
The Castle
Contrary to some of Austria’s other famous landmarks, Schloss Leopoldskron has a distinctly relaxed and quiet air about it. While it shot to international fame as the legendary Van-Trapp home in the 1960’s candy-sweet blockbuster ‘The Sound of Music’, Austrian’s revere it as the former home of the famous theater producer and founder of the Salzburger Feststpiele, Max Reinhardt.
Reinhardt had bought the castle built in the style of Rokoko, together with the Meierhof, located on its grounds, just after the end of World War I. Following his vision for a place where he, his wife and their artist friends can meet, talk, discuss and create freely and peacefully, he invested a lot of time and money in the restoration of the castle.
The Park and a Hidden Theater for your garden wedding
While the castle is truly enigmatic, it is the park that we came for and why we chose this location for our garden wedding guide. The festival founder Max Reinhardt brought the park of the property to life with statues from the Lower Austrian Thuerntal Castle. In order to be able to indulge his theatrical passion in an intimate circle, he built his own garden theater in the rear part of the park, from which, however, only the foundations are still discernible today.
The South Terrace and the Lake Shores
The terrace at the back of the house boasts a beautiful gate leading directly to the lake. Boats can moore here, a most charming idea for a bridal arrival. Such an entrance is bound to make your guests gasp. Utilize the whole terrace for a diverse range of ceremony set-ups.
The Party goes on – In the Great Hall
Almost all Austrian outdoor locations have a 10pm cut-off time for music and loud noise in general. for that reason suitable indoor rooms are essential. Leopoldskron Castle’s Great Hall is for sure one of the most significant indoor party locations. It easily accommodates up to 100 guests and live band and sound equipment are available.
The Library, The Venetian and The Chinese Room
The rooms of the castle are magnificent and proof of Max Reinhardt’s dedication to its restoration. He had the Berlin architect Professor Alfred Breslauer and the set designer Ernst Schütte built a splendid library on the first floor of the magnificent building, which is the heart of the palace to this day.
Off the library lies a small room, almost hidden from view. It is the office of the intendant Reinhardt, still kept in its original state. Wooden paneling on the walls and his famous typewriter are witnesses of a different era.
He expressed his love for artistic engravings in the specially set up copper engraving cabinet. Reinhardt’s cosmopolitanism manifested itself in the Venetian and Chinese rooms, which are true to the original.
Guest Rooms and Catering
The castle has room for up to 40 guests. For bigger parties the Meierhof next to the Castle offers plenty of nicely styled accommodation. Enough for your family and friends to stay on site. Castle Leopoldskron offers its own catering adapting it to the most varied requirements and needs. You can take your meal in most of the castle’s grand rooms, such as the library, Chinese and Venetian rooms or the Marble Hall.
Prices and Exclusivity
Castle Leopoldskron offers two wedding packages at 244 EUR and 279 EUR respectively. The difference lies in the number of guests. In the main wedding season, from May to October, the venue charges for 100 guests, even if you bring less. Castle Leopoldskron and Meierhof can be rented together exclusively for 24 h for the price of 43.000EUR. Catering will be an additional 30EUR per Person, on average.