Fairytale Thornewood Castle Wedding | carleyjayne photography

From the moment I met these two, I knew their day would be incredible. We met for a venue walk-through a couple of weeks before their wedding day and discussed their plans thus far. With details like Cinderella blue gowns for Val's bridesmaids, the ambiance of a 4 string quartet during their ceremony and cocktail hour, jewels from head-to-toe, and a ceremony in the castle's lush garden, their description of the run-of-show had me swooning!

When their wedding day came, they looked right at home at Thornewood Castle - straight from a fairytale. After their first look at the base of the castle's main staircase, we walked grounds taking their portraits and stopping to admire the views. Back inside, Val and I and her maid of honor went to the "hall of mirrors" for photos of Val looking like a posh princess among them. The wedding party watched from the castle windows as guests arrived for the ceremony. The photo of Val's dad waiting patiently for her to arrive so he could walk her down is aisle is one of my favorites. Everything went perfectly and the couple sealed their vows with a kiss!

After the ceremony guests made their way through the garden to cocktail hour while sipping champagne and congratulating the couple. As the string instruments played, young girls twirled in their dresses; feeling like princesses, themselves, I imagine. A short ride later, we were in Val and John's very own backyard where they had transformed part of their property into a stunning soirée that perfectly complimented their castle ceremony.

Elegant banquet tables covered in silver and white filled the space. As the reception commenced, Val and John took their seats at a sweet heart table at the top of the room and with the perfect view of all of their loved ones. I'll never forget their emotional first dance and how Val looked in to John's eyes. "He's my best friend" she repeated through her tears. "You're my best friend."

Soon after the first dance, flashes of Cinderella blue lit up the dance floor as Val's ladies and other guests joined the couple in celebration. As my night came to a close, Val and John were left to soak in the joy of their day and dance amidst the love of their people. The perfect ending to their Princess-meets-her-Prince day fairytale wedding day!