When you picture a perfect wedding you probably imagine sparkling chandeliers, twinkling fairy lights, fragrant flowers and a dance floor packed with happy guests. Yet for a daring few, the idea of saying “I do” in a place that sends a shiver down the spine adds an extra thrill. This is where our top 10 creepy list steps in – venues that blend romance with the uncanny, perfect for couples who crave a ceremony that’s as unforgettable as it is eerie.
Why These Venues Make the Top 10 Creepy List
From Hollywood legends to centuries‑old castles, each location on this roster carries a chilling backstory, ghostly sightings, or a reputation for strange happenings. Whether you want a hauntingly beautiful ballroom or a desert outpost where the wind whispers lost souls, these spots promise a wedding that will be talked about for generations – or at least whispered about in the dark.
10 The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel
The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, swinging its doors open back in May 1927, proudly claims the title of Los Angeles’ oldest hotel. Spanning more than 25,000 square feet, it can comfortably host up to 1,500 guests, offering lavish rooms that harken back to the golden age of cinema. Its guest list reads like a Hollywood Hall of Fame, boasting names such as Marilyn Monroe and Charlie Chaplin.
But the glitz isn’t the only thing that haunts this landmark. The hotel is famed for its paranormal activity, featuring specters that are anything but ordinary. Montgomery Clift is said to mischievously tamper with luggage and blow his trumpet at odd hours, while Marilyn Monroe allegedly appears in a mirror that once hung in her suite, lingering in a wistful glow.
Room 213 is notorious for a headless apparition that delights in startling visitors, while faucets and televisions flicker on and off of their own accord. If you’re brave enough to ignore these spooky shenanigans, the Hollywood Roosevelt offers a wedding setting that’s truly one‑of‑a‑kind.
9 Walworth Castle Hotel
Castles have long been favoured for nuptial celebrations, and Walworth Castle Hotel in Darlington is no exception. Dating back to the 12th century, the estate sits on lush green lawns and offers both indoor and outdoor ceremony spaces, making it a dream venue for any bride‑to‑be.
Yet the castle’s breathtaking façade masks a grim tale. Legend tells of a female servant who, after a secret affair with a lord, was cruelly walled into a staircase during renovations to keep the scandal hidden. The servant was reportedly pregnant at the time, and her tragic death left a sorrowful spectre that still roams the corridors.
Patrons and staff alike have reported a host of eerie phenomena: disembodied screams echoing from behind the staircase wall, sudden hair pulls, and shadows drifting across hallways or settling into armchairs. The chilling atmosphere adds an unforgettable edge to any ceremony held here.
8 Berkeley Castle
Berkeley Castle in Gloucestershire offers a picture‑perfect setting steeped in history. This 11th‑century fortress opened to the public in 1956 and provides sweeping photo‑backdrops at every turn. Couples can choose a traditional church ceremony or a civil one within its grand chambers, then stroll past lily‑filled ponds and historic terraces, walking in the footsteps of Queen Elizabeth I.
Despite its romantic allure, the castle harbours a darker past. A dungeon once stored animal carcasses, and in 1327 Edward II was allegedly imprisoned nearby, the foul stench of rotting beasts intended to make him ill. When that failed, legend claims Edward met a gruesome end within the walls, his anguished cries said to echo across the lawns.
Today, whispers suggest the dungeon also housed human remains, and visitors sometimes report hearing disembodied screams mingling with the tormented wails of Edward’s ghost, adding an eerie soundtrack to any wedding celebration.
7 1886 Crescent Hotel and Spa
Set in the charming town of Eureka Springs, Arkansas, the 1886 Crescent Hotel and Spa blends luxury with a spine‑tingling reputation. Guests enjoy spa treatments, gourmet dining, and a host of outdoor activities, from hiking to wine tastings, making it a premier destination resort.
Beyond its five‑star amenities, the hotel is famed as America’s most haunted lodging. During construction, a stonemason named Michael fell to his death inside the building. In the early 1900s, a young woman plummeted from a top‑floor window—some say she was pushed—adding to the hotel’s grim legend.
In 1937, the property changed hands when Norman Baker purchased it and transformed it into a “miracle” cancer cure center. Baker’s methods were far from miraculous; he ensured patients had no close relatives, forced them to sign letters claiming they were cured, and performed bizarre surgeries in the basement, drilling holes in skulls and injecting a concoction of water, corn silk, carbolic acid and watermelon seeds.
The “psychiatric ward” was locked away, leaving patients to scream in agony unheard by the outside world. When they eventually died, Baker would send funeral‑fund requests to any distant relatives, further deepening the hotel’s sinister reputation.
Numerous sightings of spectral doctors, nurses, and wandering patients have been reported. Today, the hotel offers ghost tours that let visitors explore the basement where Baker’s horrors unfolded, even showcasing an original autopsy table still on display.
6 Hawthorne Hotel
Established in 1925, the Hawthorne Hotel in Salem, Massachusetts, proudly wears its Historic Hotels of America badge and has welcomed over a million guests since opening. Its inaugural celebration featured a grand parade on July 23, 1925, and over the decades the hotel has hosted a 1960s dance school and even served as a filming location for the TV series “Bewitched’s Salem Saga.” In 1990, a séance was held in hopes of summoning the spirit of Harry Houdini.
Before the hotel rose, an apple orchard occupied the site, owned by Bridget Bishop—one of the first women executed during the Salem Witch Trials. Today, patrons often detect a faint apple scent drifting through the corridors. Ghostly sea captains have been encountered, and Room 612 is said to be haunted by a woman hovering at the doorway, while Room 325 experiences taps turning on and off on their own, accompanied by the faint cries of a phantom baby.
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5 Lizzie Borden Bed and Breakfast
The Lizzie Borden Bed and Breakfast in Massachusetts is perhaps the most infamous entry on our list, notorious for the 1892 axe murders of Andrew and Abby Borden. Though Lizzie was not initially a suspect, investigators eventually focused on her after a fruitless police search, noting that she had attempted to purchase prussic acid before the killings and burned a dress shortly thereafter—suggesting she might have committed the murders while unclothed.
After a 14‑day trial, Lizzie was acquitted on June 19, 1893, leaving the true perpetrator’s identity shrouded in mystery. This lingering enigma draws tourists from around the globe, many of whom are intrigued by the prospect of a wedding set against such a dark backdrop.
Guests have reported ghostly encounters: Abby’s spirit is said to emit occasional screams, while Andrew’s apparition calmly wanders the premises, attending to his usual business. For couples seeking a truly unsettling setting, the B&B offers an unforgettable, if eerie, experience.
4 The Moors Castle
Located in Muldersdrift, Gauteng, South Africa, the Moors Castle sits within the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site, perched beside the Crocodile River. The venue is entirely off‑grid, powered by solar panels, with water drawn from a borehole and rainwater harvested and filtered for use.
The castle boasts an outdoor amphitheatre and provides comprehensive wedding packages, alongside conference facilities and live entertainment. Its sustainable design and striking architecture make it a coveted destination for eco‑conscious couples.
Yet the surrounding woods conceal a darker legend. Paranormal investigators who ventured into the area reported a Victorian‑era woman in a black dress drifting through the forest, accompanied by distant screams from the nearby river. Local folklore also speaks of a “serpent lady” who once appeared in the river during ancient healing rituals, adding an extra layer of mystique to the venue.
3 Death Valley
In Eastern California’s scorching expanse lies Death Valley, home to the famed Oasis outdoor wedding venue—a historic inn adorned with luxurious finishes, ideal for couples seeking a desert backdrop. The surrounding national park, framed by towering mountain ranges, offers breathtaking vistas for ceremony and reception alike.
The valley’s history is peppered with paranormal lore. Abandoned ghost towns dot the landscape, and legends tell of miners’ restless spirits. One such phantom, the headless ghost of Joe Simpson, is said to roam the area, his gunshot echoing each year on the anniversary of his death.
The nearby Amargosa Opera House and Hotel adds to the eerie ambiance. Visitors have reported hearing children’s disembodied voices and witnessing objects soaring through the air. Inside the opera house, a spectral cat prowls the stage, while ghostly parties seem to continue indefinitely, reminiscent of classic haunted hotel tales.
Further afield, Scotty’s Castle—once the home of actor Walter Scott and his faithful dog—remains a hotspot for hauntings. Scott’s ghost is often seen seated by the fireplace, his dog occasionally brushing against guests’ legs. Some visitors report sudden panic attacks that dissipate once they exit the mansion, adding an unsettling yet fascinating twist to any wedding celebration.
2 Dracula’s Castle
Bran Castle, popularly known as Dracula’s Castle, perches in Transylvania and is linked to the infamous Vlad the Impaler, the inspiration behind Bram Stoker’s iconic novel. The castle also served as the residence of Queen Marie of Romania, who cherished its tranquil setting. After her death, her heart was interred in the fireplace, and her lingering spirit is said to wander the gardens.
The castle now welcomes weddings, even offering ceremonies within its ancient dungeon. However, guests should note the lack of modern amenities such as running water and functional bathrooms. Legends speak of medieval spectres haunting the grounds, with reports of poltergeists, demonic possessions, and even the ghost of Vlad himself, perpetuating an eternal reign of terror.
1 Q Station
Perched on North Head in Sydney, Australia, Q Station (formerly a Quarantine Station) blends historic charm with chilling tales. The venue provides heritage halls with stunning harbour views, making it a picturesque location for nuptial celebrations.
From 1832 to 1984, Q Station functioned as a quarantine facility, housing passengers afflicted with ship‑borne diseases such as the Spanish flu, typhoid, small‑pox, and scarlet fever. Many patients never left alive, turning the site into a somber memorial of suffering.
Over the decades, the station has earned a reputation as one of Australia’s most haunted locales. Witnesses report a man in a fedora clasping a child’s hand, captured on camera within an old shower cubicle. Disembodied voices whisper, “Why are you here?” while shadowy figures are seen closing doors on their own. Some visitors experience nausea and claim to smell an unseen perfume drifting through the corridors.
Additional apparitions include a spectral mortician roaming the grounds and a nurse known as Matron patrolling the former hospital ward. These eerie encounters add a layer of supernatural intrigue to any ceremony held within these historic walls.