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 V’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 the grounds taking their portraits and stopping to admire the views. Back inside, V and I, along with her maid of honor, went to the "hall of mirrors" for photos of V looking like a true princess among them. The wedding party watched from the castle windows as guests arrived for the ceremony on the property's main lawn.


The walk from the castle adds to the drama and beauty of the space - the photo of V’s dad waiting patiently for her to arrive so he could walk her down the aisle is one of my favorites. Among the ambiance of the castle and blooming hydrangeas, the couple wed in a beautiful ceremony and 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 V and J’s very own backyard, where they had transformed part of their property into a stunning soirée that perfectly complemented their castle ceremony.


Elegant banquet tables covered in silver and white filled the space. As the reception commenced, V and J took their seats at a sweetheart table at the top of the room, with the perfect view of all of their loved ones. I'll never forget their emotional first dance and how V looked into J’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 V’s ladies and other guests joined the couple in celebration. As my night came to a close, V and J 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 fairytale wedding day!

Silhouette of a wedding dress through a doorway in dramatic black and white.
Elegant wedding dress photographed from behind on ornate wooden staircase.
Classic white wedding dress captured on vintage wooden staircase with warm lighting.
Intimate dance moment captured in warm-toned wedding venue with wooden paneling.
A wedding couple walking outside a grand historic red brick mansion with ornate architectural details.
Newlyweds pose elegantly in front of a stately Victorian-style manor with red brick and stone features.
A romantic black and white capture of newlyweds against a Gothic-style architectural backdrop.
Elegant outdoor wedding photo with white dress flowing in the breeze.
Wedding couple walking through stone archway entrance with dress billowing.
Stunning Victorian brick mansion with tall chimneys and ornate architecture serves as backdrop for wedding celebrations.
A couple poses in formal attire before a grand Gothic-style brick manor with tall stone chimneys.
Classic wedding portrait in front of historic red brick manor with tall windows and stone chimneys.
A romantic wedding portrait in front of a Gothic-style brick building with roses.
Bridesmaids in light blue dresses help arrange wedding gown on mansion lawn.
Close-up of a white boutonniere on a white tuxedo jacket with black lapels.

Planning/Day-of-Coordination: Melissa Ley; mystikmusic.com

Hair: Sarah Gulbranson; berkeleyavesalon.com

Floral: The Enchanted Florist; enchantedflorist.info

Venue: Thornewood Castle, thornewoodcastle.com

DJ: John Ley; mystikmusic.com

Catering: Galluci's; galluccis.com

Cake: Celebrity Cake Studio; celebritycakestudio.com

Planning a wedding at Thornewood Castle? You may also enjoy this Olympic Rooftop Pavilion wedding or this Fox Hollow Farm wedding.