There’s something surreal about photographing a wedding in a literal castle. Katy and Victor’s wedding at Canterbury Castle felt like stepping into another world for the day.
Tucked inside Canterbury Village, the castle is one of the most unique wedding venues in Michigan. Between the stone architecture, winding staircases, and historic grounds originally developed by William E. Scripps, the entire place feels like it was built for weddings.
But the best part of the day wasn’t the castle.
It was Katy and Victor.
Getting Ready At Canterbury Castle
The morning started quietly at a nearby AirBnB while Katy got ready with her closest friends and family. She excitedly handed me over a box full of items for her detail and flat-lay shots- including her hand-crocheted bouquet (like, how stunning and quirky?!). I was stunned at how dreamy and cohesive everything was, while also staying true to her unique vision.
Wedding mornings can go a lot of different ways. Some are chaotic, some are emotional, some are calm. This one felt relaxed in the best way. Everyone was excited, but there was still time for the little moments that make the morning meaningful, and all the intention without the heavy pressure.
Once the essentials were done, we headed to the castle. From that point forward, it was friends fixing hair, putting on the finishing touches, and the room getting quiet for a second when Katy finally stepped into it.
Those small moments always end up being some of my favorite photos from the entire day.
A Castle Wedding Ceremony in Lake Orion, Straight From a Fairytale
The ceremony itself felt incredibly genuine.
It was prefaced by a string quartet playing some of the couple’s most treasured songs. Then, there were tears. The way they looked at each other made it obvious that this wasn’t just about the wedding day. It was about the life they’re building together.
From a photographer’s perspective, those ceremonies are the easiest to capture. Nothing feels forced. People are present in the moment. The emotion just happens naturally, and the excitement carries over into a stellar reception.
Wedding Portraits Around Canterbury Village
After the ceremony, we explored the castle grounds for portraits.
This is one of my favorite parts of photographing weddings at Canterbury Castle, because there are so many great photo locations within a short distance. Stone walls, greenery, dramatic staircases, and historic architecture all within a few minutes of each other. It is the perfect match for my vintage-inspired photography style, and I will never not love it.
Katy and Victor were completely natural together, which always makes portraits feel effortless. They spent most of the time laughing, pulling each other close, and just soaking in the fact that they were finally married.
The Reception Celebration
By the time the reception started, the energy had shifted.
The ballroom filled with music, hugs, and a lot of excitement from family and friends. There were heartfelt speeches, a packed dance floor, the kind of laughter that tells you everyone in the room genuinely loves the couple– and temporary tattoos that Katy sported like a champ.
Those are the weddings that feel the most special to photograph. When you can tell the couple is surrounded by people who truly support them, and they are just having fun.
A Storybook Wedding at Canterbury Castle
At the end of the day, Katy and Victor’s wedding wasn’t just beautiful because it happened at a castle.
It was beautiful because of how natural everything felt.
They spent the entire day laughing, soaking up eachother’s presence every chance they could, and enjoying every moment with the people closest to them. Nothing felt staged or rushed, it just felt like two people who were really happy to be getting married.
Planning a Canterbury Castle Wedding
If you’re planning a wedding at Canterbury Castle or anywhere in Lake Orion, it’s one of the most unique venues in the state. Between the historic architecture and the charm of Canterbury Village, it creates an incredible backdrop for a wedding day.
And… if you’re looking for a photographer who focuses on natural, documentary style moments rather than stiff posing, I’d love to photograph it– in digital, and 35mm film.
