Traditional New England Wedding at Searles Castle
Here is a beautiful traditional wedding at the historic Searles Castle, in Windham NH, a favorite venue in New England.
The Wedding Couple
This is MK & Nate, a couple from Southern New Hampshire, who tied the knot at the picturesque St. Kathryn Parish in Hudson. Surrounded by family, their love story unfolded in the heart of this charming location, followed by a grand reception at the iconic Searles Castle in Windham.
The Ceremony at St. Kathryn, Hudson, NH
MK wanted her wedding photography coverage to start with a first look with her father. This is one of those parts of the day that I most appreciate having a second shooter! With the extra assistance, we were able to capture more than one angle of this special moment.
While this was happening, family and friends entered the church where MK and Nate chose to get married.
St. Kathryn Parish in Hudson, with its timeless charm, set the stage for the sacred ceremony. The elegant interiors and gothic architecture provided a beautiful place for the wedding mass. MK & Nate also welcomed a children’s choir, who sung traditional Catholic hymns and mass settings throughout the ceremony.
The ceremony was not only sacred and solemn, but also family-focused, making their day even more special. St. Kathryn Parish was buzzing with joy, from the littlest cousins to their favorite aunts and uncles; everyone was in on the celebration.
Capturing a photo of all of their family and friends was super important to the couple. During their final consultation, we planned out a group photo to remember everyone who came to celebrate them. While we were waiting, I instructed the guests to cheer the couple as they exited the church.
The wedding reception at Searles Castle
The celebration continued at the majestic Searles Castle (one of my favorite wedding venues in New England, if I haven’t already said it!), transforming the wedding reception into a fairytale affair. This iconic venue added a regal touch, creating a backdrop of grandeur for the couple’s joyous celebration. I absolutely love how the venue decorated their tent, paying attention to all the smallest details. I especially enjoy how the Searles castle team plans weddings with couples and how they work with vendors.
The couple had cake and pastries supplied by Klemm’s Bakery (in Windham as well!). Family and friends also brought various desserts to share, as is tradition in Pennsylvania where the couple had family ties.
The reception at Searles Castle became a haven for laughter, love, and cherished moments. One of my favorite parts was during the father of the bride’s speech. He pulled out a little spoon that she had used from the time she was a child, signifying how precious all the little moments he had with her throughout her life. This was followed by the newlyweds’ first dance, as well as the parent dances.
After cake cutting, I took some more photos of the couple in the historic interior of the castle. Next, the groom washed the feet of his bride, in reference to Catholic faith.
I had a blast getting photos of the bouquet toss from one of the castle towers (yes, you heard that right!). After that, the couple danced the night away and ended the celebrations with a fun, but rowdy tradition! It goes like this: the bride dances with as many members of the family as possible. As each member of family finishes dancing with her, they form a spiral around her. As the dancing continues the bride and groom try to unite despite being surrounded by family. The guests definitely had fun trying to prevent Nate from getting to MK, that’s for sure! What a great way to end the day.
Supporting Vendors
Here is a list of wedding vendors that I worked alongside. The wedding couple highly recommended all of them! I also had a wonderful experience on the wedding day due to their professionalism and services.
- Second Shooter: Omar Alonzo
- Event Manager: Blackwater Events
- Holiday Inn Hotel: Salem, NH
- La Quinta Inn: Salem NH
- Reception Venue: Searles Castle
- Wedding Party Transportation: Pat’s Car Service Pat
- Guest Transportation: Butler’s Bus
- Hair Stylist: the Cutting Corner
- Flowers: Susanne’s Weddings
- Entertainment: Get Down Tonight: DJ Nick Kafejelis
- Officiant: Fr. Michael Monnette
- Bakery: Klemm’s Bakery
- Videographer: Hindsight Wedding Films
