Where: Thornewood Castle | Tacoma Wedding Photographer

Who: Veronica + James

I can’t decide if Veronica and James’ wedding made me feel like I was witnessing a fairy tale or on the movie set for Game of thrones or Lord of the Rings. Either way, it was epic and the detail Veronica put into her wedding day “look” and groom(smen) outfits were perfectly suited for the Thornewood Castle. Since I moved to Washington, I have been dying to photograph a wedding at the Thornewood Castle near Tacoma. I had the pleasure of second shooting a wedding there last fall but it was even more amazing to come back in the spring when all of the rose garden was in bloom. It’s pretty awesome that the only castle on the west coast is less than 20 minutes from my home. I loved leaning some of the rich history of the castle from their staff but what caught my interest the most was that in 1907, Mr. Thorne purchased a 400-year-old Elizabethan manor in England and had it dismantled and shipped, brick by brick, from England to Washington. That’s right – the 500 year old castle in my backyard was shipped from Europe!

Veronica and James were going for a woodland fairytale theme. Not only did they nail it, it suited them and the venue perfectly! They added in personal touches and Veronica said it’s what made their day so special. “My father made all the wooden candle holders, both the tall trios and the logs. My sister made my bouquets and my mother pretty much planned most of the wedding. It was a family effort.” 

Veronica and James, your wedding was truly magical and I am honored to have been able to document your fairytale love story! 

It’s always fun to ask my couples what advice they would give to other couples planning now that they are on the other side of it! Short and sweet, Veronica and James said, “Don’t stress the small things, everything will turn out just fine.” I have to agree with them!

Amazing team of vendors:

Venue | Thornewood Castle 

Makeup Artist | Faith Du Puy

Caterer | 12 Baskets Catering

Desserts | Black Diamond Bakery

Officiant | Seattle Wedding Ceremony, Dayna

Interested in having me as your Thornewood Castle Wedding Photographer? Email me today for information and to reserve your date!

Megan Montalvo is a Wedding Photographer based out of Tacoma, Washington. She offers Olympia Wedding photography to surrounding PNW destinations such as Seattle, Olympia, Mt. Rainier, Lake Quinault, Snoqualmie, Snoqualmie Pass, Cle Elum, Suncadia, Leavenworth, Ruby Beach, Cape Kiwanda, Cannon Beach and the San Juan Islands. Megan also travels for intimate weddings, elopements and destination weddings all over the country and internationally.