Once Upon a Wedding: A Whimsical Outdoor Celebration Right Out of a Storybook

25 July

Once Upon a Wedding: A Whimsical Outdoor Celebration Right Out of a Storybook

Have you ever wished you could step into a storybook—wandering through a world filled with whimsy and romance? For Chi and Ashley, that dream came true on their wedding day at The Gardens of Castle Rock.

The magic of the day began with the first look in the serene Wedding in the Woods and continued into the beautifully decorated Lath House ceremony site. Inspired by Disney’s Tangled and Up, Ashley thoughtfully wove elements from both films throughout the celebration. She even renamed the Gardens Pavilion—home to the bar—the “Snuggly Duckling,” a playful nod to the pub near Rapunzel’s tower. At the candy station displayed on a Gardens Mid-Height Table, guests found a whimsical replica of Carl Fredricksen’s house from Up, complete with thousands of balloons.

The Gardens’ natural beauty, along with the newly added Cruck Frame and Lath House Covered Pergola, created a breathtaking backdrop. The moment Ashley walked down the aisle and into the Lath House to say her forever “I do,” felt like a moment lifted straight from a fairytale. Lining the aisle, lush floral arrangements in a variety of colors, textures, and sizes gave the feeling of discovering a hidden meadow deep within an enchanted forest.

In the Wedding Reception Tent, white café lights twinkled above as oversized, handcrafted flowers seemed to float overhead. The Cedar Banquet Tables were dressed in moss runners, tiny bud vases, glowing votive candles, playful mushrooms, and delicate butterflies—bringing their storybook vision beautifully to life.

As the sun began to set, Chi and Ashley stepped away to share a quiet moment together. Their photographer captured the glow of golden hour as they held each other close—grateful, radiant, and certain they had found their happily-ever-after.

Here’s what Chi & Ashley had to say about their wedding day at The Gardens of Castle Rock, “This venue is straight out of a dream — magical, natural, and beautifully maintained. From the moment my now-husband and I visited, we felt it was fate. Glenn and the staff were with us every step of the way for nearly two years, offering incredible communication and support to ensure our wedding day was seamless. We chose the Lath House for our ceremony, and it was the perfect choice. The multiple photo locations are stunning, and we couldn’t have picked a more enchanting place to start our forever.”

The Gardens Cruck Frame, Lath House Covered Pergola and finally the Lath House – Minnesota’s most unique ceremony location. Photo credit: Matthew Eberle Photography

Your Happily Ever After begins at The Gardens of Castle Rock. Photo credit: Matthew Eberle Photography

Anticipation builds as Chi & Ashley see each other for the first time dressed in a gorgeous fairy-like gown and a suit with the jaw-dropping boutonniere. Photo credit: Matthew Eberle Photography

Everyone has their favorite moment during a wedding day. One of our favorites is when the couple sees each other for the first time……..speechless. Photo credit: Matthew Eberle Photography

The Lath House is set and the wisteria with pastel butterflies hang from the ceiling. Ready for the ceremony. Photo credit: Matthew Eberle Photography

The wedding party’s pastel color palette aligns perfectly with the time of year the wedding was held…..early spring. Photo credit: Matthew Eberle Photography

The Lath House looks like a page out of a storybook……that’s good as the couple wanted a romantic fairytale vibe throughout the entire day. Photo credit: Matthew Eberle Photography

Chi escorts his mom up the aisle of the Lath House at the beginning of the ceremony procession. Photo credit: Matthew Eberle Photography

The arch at the front of the Lath House is available for couples to decorate as they’d like. Chi & Ashley chose to use a soft pink drape with flowers of pink hues and white anchoring it in the middle. Photo credit: Matthew Eberle Photography

Next up…..members of the wedding party walk up the aisle of the Lath House prior to the big entrance of the bride and her father. Photo credit: Matthew Eberle Photography

Created by Stargazer Designs, for the couple’s romantic storybook wedding theme, these individual artificial floral installments lined the aisle of the Lath House. Photo credit: Matthew Eberle Photography

Ashley & her dad have plenty of time to relish the special walk down the aisle to the Lath House…..144 feet to be exact. Photo credit: Matthew Eberle Photography

The pops of colors, sizes and textures of each floral installations create a feeling of whimsy. Photo credit: Matthew Eberle Photography

With each step, Ashley gets closer and closer to Chi and a lifetime together. Photo credit: Matthew Eberle Photography

Hand-to-hand, Ashley & Chi make their vows to each other in the Lath House. Photo credit: Matthew Eberle Photography

It’s like being in a romantic storybook…..the Lath House at The Gardens of Castle Rock. Photo credit: Matthew Eberle Photography

Chi reads his sweet vows to Ashley and there isn’t a dry eye anywhere to be seen. Photo credit: Matthew Eberle Photography

The new Mr. & Mrs. have their first kiss while guests clap and cheer. Photo credit: Matthew Eberle Photography

They did it! Let’s party! Photo credit: Matthew Eberle Photography

Don’t forget the kiss halfway down the aisle……it’s picture perfect. Photo credit: Matthew Eberle Photography

White café lights with giant flowers hanging down continue the romantic storybook vibe in the Wedding Reception Tent. Photo credit: Matthew Eberle Photography

Chi & Ashley make their grand entrance into the Wedding Reception Tent ready to celebrate their commitment to one another. Photo credit: Matthew Eberle Photography

Continuing with the storybook theme, moss runners with flowers, candles, mushrooms, butterflies and candles give off a magical forest vibe. Photo credit: Matthew Eberle Photography

There’s nothing like a dip and kiss after entering the Wedding Reception Tent to garner cheers from your guests. Photo credit: Matthew Eberle Photography

As fans of the Disney movie Rapunzel, the couple named the bar area under the Garden Pavilion, “The Snuggly Duckling”. The same name used in the movie for the pub located somewhere in the woods near Rapunzel’s tower. Photo credit: Matthew Eberle Photography

Into the storybook Wedding Reception Tent, Ashley & Chi walk to the head table, an adorably decorated Gardens Sweetheart Table. Photo credit: Matthew Eberle Photography

Sweet treats abound for guests, on a Gardens Mid-Height Table, with a replica of the Carl Fredicksen’s house (complete with thousands of balloons) from the Disney & Pixar movie Up. Photo credit: Matthew Eberle Photography

Welcoming and thank you to family and friends who have come to share Chi & Ashley’s special day. Photo credit: Matthew Eberle Photography

Delicate bud vases along with votive candle holders, mini mushrooms all on a moss runner play into the couple’s storybook enchanted forest theme. Photo credit: Matthew Eberle Photography

The dessert table is set with delicious Nothing Bundt Cakes and strawberry cheesecake on a Gardens Mid-Height table. Photo credit: Matthew Eberle Photography

Chi and Ashley cut a piece from their 2-tiered wedding cake from the very popular Nothing Bundt Cake. Photo credit: Matthew Eberle Photography

A fun post dinner activity for guests is a S’mores Station where guests can roast marshmallows in the Natural Stone Fireplace. Photo credit: Matthew Eberle Photography

Chi & Ashley take their first dance as a married couple in the Wedding Reception Tent. Photo credit: Matthew Eberle Photography

When you’re in love, even your footsteps feel like dancing. Photo credit: Matthew Eberle Photography

At dusk the Lath House takes on a ethereal golden glow. Photo credit: Matthew Eberle Photography

With the soft glow of the Lath House in the background, Chi & Ashley share a few moments to themselves. Photo credit: Matthew Eberle Photography

As the stars appear, Chi & Ashley embrace in The Gardens’ classic gazebo. Photo credit: Matthew Eberle Photography

Whether in the day or at night, The Gardens Lath House continues to be the most unique ceremony site in Minnesota. Photo credit: Matthew Eberle Photography