The Dream Book
Castle + Ruin Wedding
Not the fairytale on the cake topper — the real thing, with cold stone walls and a hall that echoes. We look for historic estates, manors and ruins where the architecture does the decorating, then style into the building rather than against it. Expect heavy fabrics, dim warm light, and portraits that look like they were painted.
What it could include
The shape of the day.
- Historic estate, manor and ruin sourcing, domestic or abroad
- Site visit notes on light, power, noise rules and curfews
- Styling direction built around the architecture
- Candle, fabric and tablescape planning with your florist
- Ceremony and reception flow inside a heritage space
- Editorial portrait session in the best rooms of the building
Everything above is a starting point, not a fixed package. Tess plans it and photographs it; you book the vendors she lines up, so you hold every contract.
The practical part
Where, when and roughly what.
- Ideal locationsThornewood Castle, historic Washington estates, Scottish and Irish castle estates, Portuguese quintas
- Ideal datesYear-round; winter for firelight, June for long evenings
- Guest countEight to 60
- Approximate investmentStarting at $11,500
Approximate investment covers planning and photography. Vendors, permits and travel are quoted in writing before anything is signed.
Next step
Tell us this is the one.
The form takes two minutes and arrives with the concept name already attached. You will hear back within two business days with real dates, real numbers and the honest version of what it takes.
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