Castle House Garden Wedding

From time to time I can’t put my finger on exactly why I love a wedding – all I know for sure is that the couple just nailed it. Amelia and Lucian, who wanted a handfasting ceremony surrounded by redwoods and a dance party under the stars, are a prime example of such a couple. Who better to capture the wedding day than Rog of EPLove?

From the bride, Amelia: Lucian and I both envisioned an intimate hand fasting ceremony surrounded by our family and friends. I knew I wanted a bouquet of lush garden roses, and a dance party under the stars. Lucian’s top priorities included exchanging our vows within a circle of redwoods, and enjoying delicious, local food.

Bouquet recipe: My bouquet was a cascade style bouquet consisting of sustainable grown garden roses, white spider mums and various ferns. My bouquet evoked the romance and nostalgia of a time long ago. The mums were a heartfelt inclusion to remember my grandmother’s favorite flower, the fragrant garden roses included are the epitome of romance, and completed with a long cascade of velvet and silk ribbons, it was the perfect compliment to my gown.

Our wedding was romantic, elegant, rustic, and organic. We incorporated various vintage elements including the antique silver and milk glass vases that were used for floral arrangements. Castle House provided the perfect venue for our wedding! We searched high and low for the right venue, one that was not only rustic, but elegant also, and castle house really delivered. We were able to have the ceremony of our dreams surrounded by a magical ring of old growth redwoods, and the party of a lifetime out on the fabulous cobblestone courtyard.

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Any advice for couples planning their weddings now? Focus on traditions that are meaningful to you, and skip the rest. Incorporate your friends, family, and community. We decided against having a wedding party, and instead invited all of our friends and family to participate freely however they desired. My dear friend from high school officiated. She wrote the most beautiful ceremony, and it fit us completely. Another friend DJd’d and the music was absolutely perfect! The whole wedding felt like a collective labor of love, and it made the day all the more magical.

Wedding Music:
First Dance: “A Man Needs a Woman,” James Carr
Parent/Daughter Dance: “Teach Your Children Well,” CSNY
Lucian’s mother led a traditional Balkan folk dance.

Wedding Location: Bonny Doon, CA / Photographer: EPLove / Venue and Flowers: Tessa’s Garden at Castle House Garden / Wedding Dress: Jenny Packham / Hair: Melissa Marie / Caterer: Feel Good Foods / Wedding Cake: Buttercup Cakes / Wedding Invitations: A Printable Press