Gardens of Castle Rock Wedding | Stephanie + Ryan
As wedding coordinators in MN that specialize in backyard and tent weddings, we have a special place in our hearts for Gardens of Castle Rock weddings. They provide the same vibe as a backyard tented wedding, but with the ease of a traditional venue!
When Stephanie and Ryan booked us for their wedding at the Gardens of Castle Rock, we couldn’t wait to get started! The couple did all of the pre-planning with Rustic Elegance Owner, Kellie. As their big day approached, we had a big meeting to loop in their Lead Planner Danielle.
After meeting with the couple, Lead Planner Danielle and Assistant Planner Amy were ready to help the couple celebrate their love with their 125 guests!
THE MORNING
The bride and her gals arrived bright and early to get ready with Blush Beauty in the bridal suite on site. When our team arrived, we checked in on the wedding party and began setting up decor. This included the card table which also had a box for guests to write advice to the couple.
It was a breezy day, so our team had to improvise on some of the decor to ensure everything would stay in place. We bring an emergency kit to every wedding, so our couples have peace of mind that they won’t need to send anyone to the store for any last minute necessities!
Everything was moving swiftly and staying ahead of schedule, so Stephanie, Ryan, and their loved ones were relaxed and enjoying their peaceful morning.
After getting ready with her mom, Stephanie made her way outside for a first look with her bridesmaids. We always love seeing our brides getting hyped up by their besties!
Images by Nic then placed the couple for their first look. You could so clearly see the love these two have for one another! After sharing an emotional moment, they privately read their vows.
The wedding party then joined the couple and Images by Nic captured a ton of fun photos of the group!
Our team pulled everyone aside shortly after to run a quick day of rehearsal. Once everyone was feeling comfortable with the process, the couple signed their marriage license and hid away before guests began arriving.
THE CEREMONY
As guests arrived, they made their way to the gorgeous Lathe House. This is the most iconic ceremony location for a Gardens of Castle Rock wedding! Studio B Floral added even more elegance to the space with a beautiful floral display on the venue’s arch. Everyone was serenaded by Kent Goodroad Music’s live piano as they arrived and throughout the ceremony.
Once everyone was seated, our team of coordinators began sending the wedding party down the aisle. The guests were all amused by the flower bros that made their way down the aisle in western attire and fanny packs filled with rose petals!
Stephanie then made her grand entrance with her father. She looked absolutely stunning!
The ceremony was filled with so much love and intention. From the couple’s hand fasting unity symbol to a special reading, every detail was perfect.
Stephanie and Ryan sealed all of these sweet details with a kiss before making their way down the aisle as husband and wife! After the ceremony, the newlyweds went into the bridal suite for some alone time to soak in that just married feeling!
THE RECEPTION
Cocktail hour had delicious hosted drinks served up by With A Twist and prepackaged snacks from the couple including popcorn, chips, and trail mix. While guests were playing ladder ball and corn hole from our rental inventory, our team delivered the couple their drinks of choice!
Stephanie and Ryan also rented our photo booth, which kept guests entertained during cocktail hour and through the end of the night. Guests received their images right away via text and the couple got to see how much fun everyone was having when we sent them the full gallery the next day!
Prior to the reception starting, the RE team popped into the tent and turned on the battery candles and made sure everything was in place. Our favorite part of their decor was the table numbers that the bride hand made by needlepoint. Such a special (and impressive) touch!
Studio B Floral and We’ve Got it Covered worked together to level up the elegance of the tent with draping, greenery, and twinkle lights. It was beautiful!
Once guests found their assigned seats, it was time for the grand entrance. The RE team helped cue everyone in. There were so many fun entrances, including the flower bros that were a hit once again. Yes, they did include an outfit change into dresses with their cowboy hats and boots. This group was a hoot!
After a welcome speech said by the couple and a prayer from the bride’s grandpa, it was time to eat. Divine Swine Catering served up a delicious buffet for everyone to enjoy! This included a pig on display with the couple’s names branded on the side.
Near the end of dinner, our team helped coordinate the speeches. The father of the bride, father of the groom, best man, and maid of honor all shared stories of memories with the couple of honor. There were hearty laughs and tears of joy throughout each speech!
Once everyone began diving into the cupcakes from Battered Spoon, they were gone in a flash! Guests were raving about the cupcakes all night. They had a variety of flavors including Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup, Salted Caramel Banana, Cookies and Cream, and Boston Creme Pie that we displayed on our Woodsy Dessert collection!
Stephanie and Ryan then shared their romantic first dance before Instant Request opened the dance floor up to everyone. It was packed for the rest of the night!
While everyone was dancing the night away, the couple popped outside for a few sunset portraits. We love the scenery at Gardens of Castle Rock weddings!
The rest of the night was spent dancing, snapping pictures on our photo booth, and enjoying the fireplace outside. Stephanie and Ryan also provided late night pizzas for the Gardens of Castle Rock team to cook in the wood fire place. This is one of our favorite perks about weddings at this venue!
We wrapped up the night by cleaning up all of the decor and packing it into the appropriate cars per our Clean Up Package that the couple added on.
Stephanie + Ryan, you and your guests were so much fun! Our team had a great time celebrating with you!
VENDORS
Minnesota Wedding Coordinator: Rustic Elegance - Danielle + Amy
Venue: Gardens of Castle Rock
Caterer: Divine Swine
Bartender: With A Twist
Dessert: Battered Spoon
Rentals/Decor: We’ve Got it Covered
Ceremony Music: Kent Goodroad Music
DJ: Instant Request
Florist: Studio B Floral
Photographer: Images by Nic
Minneapolis Photo Booth Rental: Rustic Elegance
Hair/Makeup: Blush Beauty
Creatively written by: Hope Konkol