Whimsical Renaissance Faire Themed Wedding at Thornewood Castle

i had so much fun photographing emerald and dylan’s renaissance faire-inspired wedding at thornewood castle. Honestly, this venue felt like it was meant for a day like theirs.

thornewood has so much character by itself. the dark wood interiors, stained glass windows, ornate details, and that iconic staircase all feel like they’re from another era. When a couple brings a vision that’s whimsical, historical, and playful, it fits right in. it just works.

emerald and dylan embraced that vibe, and the whole day felt thoughtfully put together but still relaxed and fun.

how emerald & dylan met

emerald and dylan actually met back in 2017 at her sister mara’s graduation party.

they had technically gone to the same high school, but dylan was a freshman when emerald was a senior, so… she did not give him the time of day. in fact, she said she actively avoided him in a grocery store after finding out he thought she was pretty, which is pretty funny looking back.

at mara’s graduation party in 2017, they ended up at the same table playing board games. dylan was, by everyone’s account, the funniest person there. the rest is history.

they’ve built their relationship by trying new things together, like games, food, and outdoor activities, and by staying curious and open to new experiences. both are big fans of Magic: The Gathering and World of Warcraft. one of the best parts of their wedding was seeing people who had known each other online for years finally meet in person.

emerald had said before the wedding that she was thinking about a quote she’d come across: there are only two events in your life when everyone gathers to celebrate you, and you only attend one of them. the people in that room were there because they mattered, and the whole day showed for it.

a thornewood castle wedding that fully leans into the vibe

thornewood castle is a full english gothic manor transported to lakewood, washington. this is one of those venues where you don’t need to transform it into something else.

it’s also the kind of place that attracts couples with a clear vision. the architecture already feels like its own world, so couples who choose it usually embrace that. emerald and dylan definitely did.

emerald and dylan’s vision was moody, a little ren faire inspired, and centered around having a genuinely good time with their people. there was a lot of thought put into the experience for guests, which really showed throughout the day.

if you’re planning your own thornewood castle wedding, i’ve got just the guide for you to walk you through all the logistics.

getting ready + first look on the staircase

they both got ready at thornewood, which made the day feel smooth and easy—no rushing between locations or dealing with extra logistics. their first look was on the main staircase, one of the best spots in the castle. the light, the woodwork, and the scale of the space made it a perfect backdrop. dylan’s tudor-inspired brocade outfit looked right at home there.

thornewood castle wedding ceremony with handfasting + personal touches

their ceremony was indoors in the great hall, with emerald’s uncle as the officiant. they included a handfasting ceremony along with their vows, which fit perfectly with the day’s tone. it was meaningful without being too formal and matched the Renaissance-inspired details throughout.

details that made the day feel like them

one of my favorite things about this wedding was how much of it was handmade or intentionally chosen.

emerald embroidered napkins for their guests, which doubled as favors. there were hand-painted candles, layered textures in the decor, and little details that you wouldn’t necessarily notice all at once, but they built this really cohesive feel throughout the space.

the wedding party look was so fun and fit the ren-faire wedding theme perfectly.​

emerald & dylan’s thornewood castle wedding photos

thornewood castle gives you a lot of variety to work with. there’s the staircase, the corridors, the entrance with the stone lions and, of course, the stunning gardens.

cocktail hour + reception

the entertainment was fantastic, with a magician moving around the room during cocktail hour. they also had performers, including knights and archery, which added to the ren faire vibe without making it feel over the top. It stayed fun and a bit unexpected.

after their first dances, they served pie instead of a traditional wedding cake, and it just made sense! it felt more relaxed and communal with people choosing flavors, going back for seconds, talking, and lingering instead of a quick cake-cutting moment and moving on. it matched the overall vibe of the day really well.

they even had a magic: the gathering draft table. for anyone unfamiliar, this is where players open booster packs, draft cards, and build decks to play against each other. It’s both nerdy and a lot of fun, and it was the perfect activity for a group who had been gaming together online for years and were finally in the same room.

​it was exactly what Emerald described wanting — everyone laughing and enjoying their people together, with her and Dylan right in the middle of it.

glowing testimonial from the bride

“We hired Julie to photograph our ren faire themed wedding at Thornewood Castle and learned 5 things:

1. Julie knows what she's doing - she guided us on photo day and kept our wedding party in CHECK for portraits. That ish was done quick and efficiently.

2. She will get IN there for photos, maneuvering around guests and getting the absolute perfect shots.

3. She will be communicative and call out RBF when needed, which is immensely appreciated!

4. She is open to ideas and whimsy! Want to run through the mud for that perfect ethereal shot? She'll be up on the wall capturing your joy in the most magical way possible.

5. She's just cool, the vibes were there and my husband (who does not enjoy being photographed) was at ease and his photos are some of my favs.

Overall we are more grateful than we could ever express for Julie's time and experience. She was a wonderful photographer and a beautiful soul, and we'd recommend her to anyone.”

— Emerald

planning a thornewood castle wedding

thornewood is a venue that naturally works well for creative or themed weddings because it already has such a strong atmosphere. you don’t have to go all out with a renaissance faire theme, but if you want something whimsical or unique, this place will support your vision.

however, thornewood photographs best when you know how to work with it. the indoor spaces are dim and moody, which I love, but they require a photographer who understands that kind of light. outdoors, you might get anything from bright sun to full pacific northwest overcast, sometimes all in one afternoon.

Hiring a professional photographer who knows how to handle all of that makes a big difference. I know how to work with Thornewood’s unique lighting, capture the details, and make sure your photos are everything you’re dreaming of and more.

so, if you’re getting married at thornewood castle and want a photographer who knows all the best spots, angles, and lighting tricks, let’s chat. i’d love to help capture your day in a way that feels effortless, natural, and so you.

you can learn more about our packages here! reach out today to chat about your wedding plans!

photographer: julie, sound and sea photography

planning: your perfect bridesmaid