East Garden Room Wedding Castle Farms

You would think that a late April Wedding would bring the start of Spring with beautiful flowers and April showers. What we got this year was snow and cool temperatures. Heather and Matt brought lots of warm fuzzies to Castle Farms to heat up the rocks in this old castle. Castle Farms East Garden Room King’s Gallery Charlevoix Wedding Photography by Paul Retherford.

Both Heather and Matt “don’t like their picture taken.” This to me is a challenge that I will accept.

Rarely do I get a Client who is completely comfortable in front of the lense.

It didn’t take long and they were both getting used to my presence.

There are so many distractions on the Wedding day that I use them to my advantage to take the focus of the photography off of the Bride and Groom.

Furthermore, keeping the images moving and utilizing candid photography soothes the Clients nerves.

Upsy-daisy floral designs wonderful flowers and this Wedding is testament to their skills.

The purples, pinks, and white really work well with the simple designs of the East Garden Room at Castle Farms.

The Wedding ceremony is in the King’s Gallery which is located between the East and West Garden Rooms.

A family friend is the officiant for the day.

The light is beautiful beaming in from the gallery windows. So is the gorgeous bride Heather! Matt seeing his Bride for the first time brings tears to his eyes. Heather called it.

The front row of seats are taken by five framed pictures of lost family members with fresh flowers for each. I don’t even know these people but just looking at them makes me tear up. Trust me, my career is not easy, in any way. But I love it.

The Wedding ceremony is short. We sign the marriage license. Then off to capture family images in the Queen’s Courtyard.

Following the family images, the Wedding party walks around the Castle Farms grounds to make more amazing images.

Of course we would take another 10 degrees warmer but it isn’t raining!

Heather and Matt are so happy and I can just see the relief of the ceremony being over. That is a big stresser for both of them.

We have fun just walking around and making fun images from the Castle walls, dragon, pond, birches, front Castle view and much more.

East Garden Room Castle Farms

BJ’s catering is offering the catering for the event in the East Garden Room at Castle Farms. They do everything from the food, to the bar, to cake cutting, to all of the waitstaff and dinnerware. I love their spinach artichoke dip appetizer and their pulled pork dinner option.

Introductions in by my friend Tom Pluister of Pluister Entertainment around 6pm into the East Garden Room. Tom is a genuinely nice guy who interacts with his Clients and really cares about them and his business. Pluister Entertainment is composed of the Pluister family of three. All of them are continuously educated by Tom.

Heather had originally booked another baker but they were not answering her emails and calls, strange. Last minute, she contacted Jane’s Sweet Creations in Alanson and she is glad that she did. The cake and cupcakes were all very delicious and reasonable, according to Heather.

Paul Retherford Photography Photo Booth was in full effect at the Wedding ceremony. It is available early in the day and the Wedding party started having fun with it way before the reception even began. Check out the images from the photo booth at https://www.printsbypaul.com/Wedding-Photography-Paul-Rethe/2018-Wedding-and-Event-Photography/Castle-Farms-East-Garden-Room-Wedding-Photography/Photo-Booth-Heather-Matt/

The dancing and even hours are amazing. Even though the sunset isn’t until 8:30pm, family and guests are filling the dance floor. There are a lot of kids so the chicken dance and hokey pokey are welcome in this crowd.

The evening ends with some images with the magic hour light on the faces of the bride and groom around Castle Farms.

It is so amazing working with couples like I do and getting a glimpse into their life. I love the fact that I get to put a small stamp on probably the most important day in their lives. It feels good to know that I give it my all so that they can enjoy the day and remember/relive the special moments.

Congratulations Heather and Matt! You two are perfect for each other. I can feel the love when around the two of you. The struggles you have gone through are a testament to love.

All photography by photographer Paul Retherford. All images are available for viewing at https://www.printsbypaul.com/Wedding-Photography-Paul-Rethe/2018-Wedding-and-Event-Photography/Castle-Farms-East-Garden-Room-Wedding-Photography