Wedding venue near Prague · Photographer’s guideChâteau Mcely
A five-star château wedding in the forest, 50 minutes from Prague
Château Mcely is a 17th-century hunting lodge turned five-star château hotel, set in an English park in the middle of the St. George Forest, about 50 minutes from Prague. It is a wonderful choice for couples who want the elegance of a château and a whole weekend together with their guests, away from the city.
Here is what it is like to get married at Mcely, and how we can use the house and the park for your photos.
The venue
A château made for a wedding weekend
Mcely was once the palatial seat of the Thurn-Taxis family. Today it is a five-star hotel with a herbal spa, a library, elegant salons and Piano Nobile, its restaurant, which is listed in the 2025 MICHELIN Guide. Because you and your guests can stay on site, the whole day flows easily: getting ready, ceremony, dinner and party, all in one place.
Portraits
The park, the façade and the forest
The château sits in a five-hectare English park, with old trees, open lawns and paths that lead into the forest. That gives us a lot of variety in a short walk: the grand white façade, soft green backgrounds under the trees, and quiet corners where it feels like it is just the two of you.
Inside, the salons, the staircase and the library make beautiful backdrops for getting-ready photos and rainy-day portraits.
Getting ready
Beautiful rooms, beautiful light
The rooms at Mcely have tall windows, soft colours and period furniture, so getting-ready photos look elegant without any styling. I usually photograph the bride and her friends in one of the suites, and the groom and his friends in the library or on the staircase.
Practical tips
Good to know before you book
Travel. Mcely is roughly 50 minutes by car from Prague. Most couples organise a shuttle for guests who are not staying overnight.
Plan a weekend. Because guests can stay at the château, many couples add a welcome dinner the night before or a relaxed brunch the next day.
Light. The park is open and sunny, so I like to schedule couple portraits in the softer light of the late afternoon, with a short walk under the trees.
Rain plan. The salons, library and staircase are perfect for portraits if the weather turns.
A real wedding
Château Mcely through my camera
See a full real wedding here: A lavender wedding at Château Mcely (July 2025)
Questions
Good to know
How far is Château Mcely from Prague?
About 50 minutes by car, in the St. George Forest in Central Bohemia.
Can guests stay at Château Mcely?
Yes, it is a five-star hotel, so you and your guests can stay on site. Ask the château about room blocks for your date.
Is Château Mcely good for a small wedding?
Yes. Its size and the option to stay overnight make it a great choice for intimate weddings as well as larger celebrations. The venue can advise on capacity.
Do you photograph weddings at Château Mcely?
Yes. I know the house and the park well, and I can help you plan the timeline so you get both the interiors and the park in the best light.
More venues
Other places I photograph
Villa Richter
Prague Castle vineyard
Bon Repos
45 minutes from Prague
Cost of a Prague wedding
2026 guideVenue facts from Amazing Places.
Let’s talk
Getting married at Château Mcely?
Send me your date and I will let you know if I am available, and share a few ideas for your wedding weekend.