The photos on this page are from other weddings of ours (Alicante), not from Palacio de Meres.
The Palacio de Meres is a historic Asturian house that hosts religious and civil weddings in its halls, gardens and grounds. Since 1990 it has been protected, together with its surroundings, as a Bien de Interés Cultural (Site of Cultural Interest) in the monument category, and it belongs to the Fundación de Casas Históricas y Singulares de España, the Spanish foundation for historic and singular houses. The estate is in the municipality of Siero, near Oviedo, although it is worth confirming that location with the house. There are two versions of its origins. One places the first building in the first half of the fifteenth century and a rebuilding at the end of the sixteenth, confirmed by a coat of arms found on the roof bearing the inscription «reedificado en 1.590» (rebuilt in that year). The other traces its roots back to the thirteenth century.
Getting there
The published address is Finca del Palacio de Meres, Meres n.º 8, 33199 Siero (Asturias). Before printing the invitations, it is worth checking it with the palace. Its wedding listing says the estate is seven kilometres from Oviedo, deep in the countryside and in a mountain area. That is a reasonable figure, though still to be confirmed. For distances to Gijón, Avilés or Asturias Airport, the most reliable approach is to plan the route from that address or ask about them during your visit. As this is a country estate, you need to think about how guests will get there. Transport is among the services the palace advertises, with no further detail. So it is worth asking whether they can arrange coaches from Oviedo or from your guests' hotels.
Spaces and capacity
The palace lists the spaces it offers on a wedding portal; these need to be confirmed on your visit. For the religious ceremony it mentions the Capilla de Santa Ana (Chapel of Saint Anne). It describes it as one of the largest in Spain, at 500 square metres with room for 220 people. It also mentions a separate space for the civil ceremony and a church. Among the indoor rooms with period furniture it names the Salón Nuevo and the Patio Central. Outside are the main garden, the Huertín and the Campera, intended for the drinks reception or for putting up marquees, plus a terrace. The list also includes a dance area, a children's area, a wood, a space for the bride to get ready and a llagar, the place where cider is traditionally made. For the wedding breakfast, a minimum of 60 guests and a maximum of 400 are given. If the minimum is not reached, a minimum hire fee is charged. It is also advertised that only one event is held per day, so the estate would be entirely yours. The capacity of each room and each outdoor area separately is not given and needs to be requested.
Catering, menus and prices
The palace's own website quotes the phrase «The true host is the one who gives the dinner», and the house seems to take it seriously. According to its wedding listing, and pending confirmation, you cannot hire the venue alone without the catering. On who does the cooking, the information is contradictory. On the one hand, it speaks of in-house kitchens where renowned chefs prepare banquets, drinks receptions, dinners and espichas. On the other, it says there is no in-house kitchen and mentions a kitchen for the caterer's use. This is the first thing to clear up. Menus are advertised from 200 to 300 euros per guest, including the drinks reception, the wedding breakfast, a late-night supper and an open bar. Menus can be adapted, and there are vegetarian, vegan, diabetic, low-sodium, allergy-friendly and coeliac options. The palace also takes care of the cake. The listing mentions a fixed venue fee, an initial deposit, 50% before the wedding and no finishing time. It also mentions protocol staff, security, beauty, a cloakroom and waiting staff.
Accommodation and parking
For the couple, the palace advertises a private room in one of its towers, for getting ready and resting during the day. According to the same information, still unconfirmed, the wedding night at the Hotel de la Reconquista in Oviedo is included as a gift from the house, depending on the number of guests. It is worth asking from how many guests this applies. The same listing says there is no accommodation for guests, so they will have to find a hotel themselves. Oviedo, a few kilometres away, is the obvious choice. As for parking, it speaks of space for 400 vehicles within the estate, another figure worth confirming on your visit.
A plan B for rain
It rains often in Asturias, and you need a plan B from the outset. The palace's own description, to be confirmed in person, offers several covered spaces. For the religious ceremony there would be the Capilla de Santa Ana, with room for 220 people. For the wedding breakfast and dancing, the indoor rooms such as the Salón Nuevo or the Patio Central. Marquees are also advertised for the outdoor spaces. On your visit, ask where the civil ceremony would take place if it rains, how far in advance the switch is decided and whether the marquee costs extra.
Photography at the palace
Evan and Natalia Simon have not photographed any weddings at the Palacio de Meres, so there are no photos of our own of the venue here. The palace's website quotes someone who says they have shot four of their films there and calls it «the most universal and photogenic palace in the world». It is a hint of how the building looks on camera. At the entrance there is a pedunculate oak wood, described as one of the best preserved in central Asturias. The palace also advertises a wood around the estate, ideal for photo shoots, and within its grounds there is a pumarada, that is, an apple orchard. Add to that the main garden, the Huertín, the Campera and the chapel. To get an idea before you go, its wedding listing includes a video, a 360-degree virtual tour and dozens of photographs.
Contact and visiting
The palace's website is palaciodemeres.com, and it is the best starting point for contacting the house and requesting a quote. A tourism portal also advertises a guided tour of the palace, its history and its natural surroundings. It can be useful as a first introduction, though it is worth confirming that it is still running. On your visit as a couple, you need to clarify who does the cooking and whether there is an in-house kitchen or a trusted caterer, exactly what the per-guest price includes and where each part of the wedding takes place if it rains. You should also ask about accessibility. The published information states that there is no access for people with disabilities, which matters if any of your guests need it.
Links
Official website of Palacio de Meres: palaciodemeres.com
Information checked on: bodas.net, turismoasturias.es, casashistoricas.com, sidraturismoasturias.es.