Loren and Kellen’s May wedding day was a celebration of love, natural beauty, and timeless romance. Set against the lush backdrop of the vibrant Gardens’ greenery and custom-built timber-frame structures, their special day blended deeply personal, heartfelt moments with high-energy celebration. Their thoughtful ceremony among friends and family in the Lath House featured a sentimental wine box unity ceremony, sealing away a bottle of Paso Robles AVA’s 2014 Truth & Valor Zinfandel—the same wine they shared on their very first date, a bottle Kellen had thoughtfully saved ever since. From their serene first look and exchanging handwritten vows in the Wedding in the Woods ceremony site to dancing the night away beneath a canopy of draped fabric and glowing string lights in the Wedding Reception Tent, every detail captured the joyful, deeply meaningful spirit of their new beginning.

 

A wooden welcome table styled with pastel floral arrangements and signs, positioned beneath a heavy timber-frame arbor with string lights on a paved outdoor patio at The Gardens of Castle Rock in Northfield, MN.

A warm welcome right from the start! The rustic, hand-crafted Grindbygg-inspired pergola cradles the welcome and guest book table, nestled among lush garden greenery and warm bistro lights. Photo credit: Rachel Lahlum Photography

 

Large wedding party lined up outdoors on a green lawn beneath vibrant tree branches, with bridesmaids in soft green floral dresses and groomsmen in matching light blue suits posing alongside the bride and groom at The Gardens of Castle Rock in Northfield, MN.

Surrounded by the best crew! Loren and Kellen celebrating their special day alongside their loved ones in light blue and soft sage green. Photo credit: Rachel Lahlum Photography

 

Close-up of a wooden wedding welcome table set up outdoors, featuring a pastel floral arrangement in a white pitcher, a framed gold "Gifts & Cards" mirror sign, a wine bottle for guest messages, and a flower-trimmed card box all at The Gardens of Castle Rock in Northfield, MN.

Loren and Kellen’s welcome table paired vibrant pastel florals and gold accents with a creative “Message in a Bottle” guest station and card box. Photo credit: Rachel Lahlum Photography

 

A large A-frame cruck timber entryway structure with heavy wooden logs spanning over a paved walkway lined with lush green trees, stone landscaping, and a white welcome sign at The Gardens of Castle Rock in Northfield, MN.

Grand entries start here! Our handcrafted cruck timber frame‘s architecture meets natural garden greenery at The Gardens of Castle. Photo credit: Rachel Lahlum Photography

 

A curved wooden cruck timber-frame archway lined with cafe string lights spans over a stone-paved walkway, leading towards the vine-covered Lath House set within landscaped garden terraces of The Gardens of Castle Rock in Northfield, MN.

Guests were guided down the paver pathway toward the Lath House ceremony site beneath the handcrafted curved covered timber frame archway. Photo credit: Rachel Lahlum Photography

 

A wide paved ceremony aisle at The Gardens of Castle Rock leading under a large cruck timber-frame pergola interwoven with green vines and potted floral arrangements lining the entrance at The Gardens of Castle Rock in Northfield, MN.

Bathed in dappled sunlight, the vine-covered Lath House at The Gardens of Castle Rock was set for Loren and Kellen’s ceremony, complete with potted floral accents flanking the paved aisle. Photo credit: Rachel Lahlum Photography

 

Smiling bride holding a bouquet as she approaches her groom from behind during a first look moment in a grassy clearing surrounded by lush green trees at The Gardens of Castle Rock in Northfield, MN.

That first look feeling! Loren approaching Kellen for their sweet first look moment out at the Wedding in The Woods ceremony site. Photo credit: Rachel Lahlum Photography

 

Bride in an off-the-shoulder white wedding gown reading a paper letter to her groom in a light blue suit while holding his hands at the Wedding in The Woods ceremony site at The Gardens of Castle Rock in Northfield, MN.

Sharing sweet, private vows before saying “I do.” Loren and Kellen exchange handwritten notes under the trees of the Wedding in The Woods ceremony site. Photo credit: Rachel Lahlum Photography

 

A smiling bride in an off-the-shoulder white gown holding a bouquet of pink and white flowers walks arm-in-arm with her father in a navy suit down a paved aisle in the Lath House at The Gardens of Castle Rock.

A radiant walk down the Lath House aisle for Loren and her dad. Photo credit: Rachel Lahlum Photography

 

Back view of a bride in an off-the-shoulder white dress and long veil walking down a stone paver aisle of the Lath House with her father past seated wedding guests at The Gardens of Castle Rock.

All eyes on the bride! Loren makes her way down the aisle beneath the vine-draped Lath House as guests look on, taking in every moment before the ceremony begins. Photo credit: Rachel Lahlum Photography

 

An outdoor wedding ceremony taking place under the Lath House covered in greenery and bistro lights. The bride in an off-the-shoulder white gown and long veil holds hands with the groom in a light blue suit while an officiant speaks. A bridesmaid in a sage green dress kneels to adjust the train of the bride's dress. Guests sit and watch from folding chairs on a stone patio. This is all held at The Gardens of Castle Rock in Northfield, MN.

It’s all in the details—and the crew that makes sure every moment looks effortless. There’s nothing quite like saying “I do” surrounded by lush greens, warm bistro lights, and the people who have your back (and your train!) in the Lath House. Photo credit: Rachel Lahlum Photography

 

A wide shot of an outdoor wedding ceremony beneath the Lath House, a large wooden trellis covered in green foliage and glowing string lights. The bride and groom hold hands at the altar, flanked by bridesmaids in sage green dresses and groomsmen in light blue suits, with seated wedding guests filling the stone patio at The Gardens of Castle Rock in Northfield, MN.

Under the canopy of the Lath House, surrounded by green leaves, warm lights, and the people who matter most. There’s something truly magical about an outdoor ceremony when The Gardens is in full bloom. Photo credit: Rachel Lahlum Photography

 

A bride and groom participate in a wine box ceremony during their wedding in the Lath House at The Gardens of Castle Rock in Northfield, MN. The bride holds a wine bottle while the groom opens a curved wooden box on a rustic table, with groomsmen in light blue suits standing out of focus in the background under string lights.

Sealing away memories to open on a future anniversary. A wine box ceremony is such a timeless and meaningful tradition to weave into your wedding day. Photo credit: Rachel Lahlum Photography

 

Groom in a light blue suit kissing the hand of a smiling bride holding a floral bouquet as they walk down the aisle of the Lath House at The Gardens of Castle Rock in Northfield, MN.

Sealed with a kiss! Loren and Kellen walking into forever surrounded by loved ones in the Lath House. Photo credit: Rachel Lahlum Photography

 

Back view of a bride in an elegant white gown with a flowing veil holding hands with her groom in a light blue suit as they walk along a paved stone pathway toward the Lath House Covered Pergola and Cruck Frame at The Gardens of Castle Rock in Northfield, MN.

Loren and Kellen soaking in those newlywed moments as they walk towards the Lath House Covered Pergola and Cruck Frame Timber Built Covered Structure. Photo credit: Rachel Lahlum Photography

 

Bride in an off-the-shoulder white gown signing a marriage license with a pen while her groom in a light blue suit leans in and watches with a smile. All in The Gardens Suite at The Gardens of Castle Rock in Northfield, MN.

Making it official! Loren signing the marriage license with Kellen in The Gardens Suite. Photo credit: Rachel Lahlum Photography

 

Spacious wedding reception tent with flowing white ceiling draping, brick paver flooring, round and long wooden tables, and young birch trees wrapped in white fabric accenting the support posts at The Gardens of Castle Rock in Northfield, MN.

Bringing the beauty of The Gardens under the canopy of the Wedding Reception Tent. Photo credit: Rachel Lahlum Photography

 

A tall white wooden seating chart board titled "our favorite people" sitting at the entrance of a wedding tent, decorated with potted flowers and woven baskets at the base at The Gardens of Castle Rock in Northfield, MN.

Welcome to “our favorite people”! Every detail set to welcome guests to an unforgettable evening under the pavilion lights of the Wedding Reception Tent. Photo credit: Rachel Lahlum Photography

 

Close-up of a wedding reception table centerpiece featuring a printed table number six card with childhood photos, tall taper candles in glass cylinders, small bud vases with white flowers, and sage green napkins in the Wedding Reception Tent at The Gardens of Castle Rock in Northfield, MN.

It’s all in the details! Table 6 features sweet childhood photos of Loren and Kellen, paired with elegant brass taper candles, delicate white blooms, and sage green accents. Photo credit: Rachel Lahlum Photography

 

Close-up of Gardens Cedar Banquet Table set with vintage-style pink, green, and blue goblet glasses, soft pastel napkins, and delicate floral arrangements in the Wedding Reception Tent at The Gardens of Castle Rock in Northfield, MN.

Pastel perfection on the head table! Vintage-inspired pink, blue, and green goblets add the sweetest touch of color to the Gardens Cedar Banquet Tables and soft garden blooms. Photo credit: Rachel Lahlum Photography

 

Smiling bride in a strapless white gown and groom in a light blue suit holding hands and walking together along a stone paver patio framed by rustic timber-frame structures and potted plants.

Loren and Kellen prepare for their grand entrance in the Wedding Reception Tent as they are introduced as the new Mr. & Mrs. Photo credit: Rachel Lahlum Photography

 

Bride and groom sharing a romantic kiss at their reception head table under a draped pavilion ceiling, surrounded by cheering wedding guests, glowing candles, and colorful floral centerpieces.

Cheers to the newlyweds! Photo credit: Rachel Lahlum Photography

 

Smiling bride in a white gown and groom in a light blue suit dancing together on a stone paver dance floor under draped ceiling fabric and warm twinkling string lights inside a reception tent.

Loren and Kellen twirling into forever during their first dance under a canopy of twinkling lights in the Wedding Reception Tent. Photo credit: Rachel Lahlum Photography

 

Joyful bride in a sparkly white sequin mini dress dancing with her arm raised alongside her groom in a light blue suit and guests on a outdoor dance floor under string lights.

Loren takes the dance floor accompanied by Kellen in her stunning reception mini dress. Photo credit: Rachel Lahlum Photography

 

Bride in a white strapless gown holding hands with her groom in a light blue suit as they walk down a paved stone aisle under a wooden pergola adorned with warm string lights.

Loren and Kellen share a quiet, glowing moment in the Lath House. Photo credit: Rachel Lahlum Photography

 

Close-up profile shot of a smiling bride in a strapless white dress cupping her groom's cheek as they gaze lovingly at each other under warm string lights.

As the golden hour sets in, the first day of the rest of their lives comes to an end and the adventure together begins. Photo credit: Rachel Lahlum Photography

 

Vendor Spotlight:

Catering & Dessert: Divine Swine

Beverage Service: LiquidMotion

Bridal Footwear: Amazon

Bridal Jewelry: Amazon

Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Revelry

Day-of Coordination: Weddings By Kassidi

DJ: Nicolas Thomas Entertainment

Engagement Ring: Continental Diamond

Event Decorator: We’ve Got It Covered

Groom’s Attire: Milbern Clothing

Groomsmen’s Attire: Milbern Clothing

Hotel: Holiday Inn & Suites – Lakeville | Candlewood Suites – Lakeville | Quality Inn Lakeville North

Makeup: Midwest Makeup

Photography: Rachel Lahlum Photography

Shuttle Service: Schmitty & Sons

Wedding Bands: Etsy

Wedding Gown: Vow’d