Oheka Castle is a Long Island wedding venue Oheka Castle wedding venue that has landscaping and architecture worthy of a European estate. The stunning gardens and mansion make an incredible backdrop for a wedding experience that will sweep you away. This Oheka Castle wedding included beautiful floral details that I documented on film photography.
An Oheka Castle Wedding
An Oheka Castle wedding feels like being transported to a European destination. The Gilded Age mansion has an extensive garden designed by the Olmsteads. The interior features vintage furniture, beautifully preserved woodwork, and elegant wallpaper.
Oheka Castle can feel a bit surreal in its beauty. Walking around is such a lavish experience. You get a wedding packed with fairytale moments, and your guests get a night they will not forget. My neighbor once mentioned to me that he went to a wedding here years ago. He still can hardly believe it.
Based on my research, the starting cost for an Oheka Castle wedding of around 100 guests is $100,000. Factors affecting cost include
- What time of year you’re getting married (whether you’re in peak or off-peak season)
- Whether you’re staying overnight at the venue
- Which amenities you opt for (valet parking, etc.)
If you have your heart set on an Oheka Castle wedding, you can save money by choosing an off-peak date, such as spring or fall. You might also consider hosting a brunch or daytime wedding on a weekday.
Oheka Castle is located on Long Island in Huntingdon, New York. It’s just an hour from Manhattan. This part of Long Island is known as the Gold Coast. Between the 1890s and 1930s, America’s elite built extravagant mansions here. Oheka Castle gives you a sense of the Gatsby-level lifestyle that once existed here.
Looking at these photos, you might think that Oheka Castle looks familiar. That’s possibly because Taylor Swift filmed her iconic “Blank Space” music video here. Who could forget the bicycle rides down the mansion’s halls? I’m not saying you have to show up with a golf club and sports car on your wedding day. But if you do, I’m happy to photograph a few campy portraits.
Elevated Wedding Details
A lot of creativity went into this wedding. It was really cool to see how the marriers made the space their own through their event design. For this Oheka Castle wedding, the marriers found a lot of inspiration in the venue itself. They loved the idea of a lush garden party theme. Color and florals played big roles in the day.
This comes through in their ceremony arch for sure. Peach, purple, and white flowers arced over them. Oheka Castle’s Formal Gardens are so green that the florals’ colors really popped in contrast. The Formal Gardens are part of the estate designed by the aforementioned Olmsteads who also designed Central Park in Manhattan.
At this Oheka Castle wedding reception, flowers filled the tables with the same summery palette. The arrangements brought that garden party feeling inside to the ballroom. Delicate flowers decorated the custom menus as well as the linens. Everything came together to communicate intentional curation without being over the top.
To complete the reception’s ambiance, little lanterns hung from the trees beside the floor-to-ceiling windows. They brought some whimsy to the elegant celebration. It also suggested an enchanted forest. I loved that the little lanterns so closely mirrored the chandeliers around the walkways where we took some of the post-ceremony portraits.
Editorial Wedding Photos on Film
As I do with every wedding I photograph, I documented this Oheka Castle wedding on a mix of digital and film photography. Digital will always have a place in my work. It’s capable of documenting so much in low light and serves as a failsafe for older film technology. Film is where my heart is, though. I learned photography on film. The mix of artistry and technical skill film photography requires is so inspiring for me.
Oheka Castle looks good on film, too. Film preserves the dreamlike quality of suddenly finding yourself surrounded by European topiaries. Since these marriers were very intentional about the colors and decor in their event design, I wanted to preserve that. Those come through true-to-tone on film, so they can remember their day as it really was.
At an Oheka Castle wedding, the architecture and landscaping provide endless possibilities for artistic portraits. The French doors in the getting ready suite even gave the first look with the bridesmaids an editorial flair. Dramatic side lighting gives so much depth to photos. There’s a time and place for evenly lit natural light photos, too. A wedding venue like this, though, demands some artistry in your images.
After the ceremony, we took some magazine-worthy photos beneath the sweeping arches and chandeliers around the property. While we explored, we discovered an incredible patio with a gorgeous pool table hidden under a cover. Immediately, I knew that this was a golden opportunity for a chic portrait. I whipped off the cover and positioned the groom beside it. He look like they could be in a GQ feature.
A Stylish Wedding Celebration
The library was another favorite spot for film photography. Once the marriers signed their license, we took a few elegant photos. Later in the evening, we returned with the bride in traditional wedding attire from her family. The direct flash photo of them posed on the arm of the couch is just beautiful.
These marriers brought style to every part of their Oheka Castle wedding. Both of them wore outfits covered in exquisite details, including floral and botanical elements. The bride’s elaborate henna patterns even complimented her wedding dress perfectly.
The guests loved the magical feeling of the ceremony against the backdrop of the reflection pools. Descending the steps to the ceremony felt like entering a space just for them. Even though this estate is in the middle of a town, the fact that it’s over 400 acres gives you a sense of quiet and intimacy.
Oheka Castle is a dreamy wedding venue. I can’t wait to photograph there again!
Would you like me to photograph your wedding? I’m a queer wedding photographer based in Philadelphia. I would love to document your day with photos with forever in mind. Inquire with me today!
