This enchanting wedding editorial took place in the beautiful German countryside in the village of Lichtenberg, seven kilometers south of Neuruppin, about an hour from the center of Berlin. From the soft pastel florals that feel like summer, to the tree-flanked ceremony setup leading to a magnificent mansion, to the striking wedding gown and even some horses - this editorial showcases what’s possible when planning a European destination wedding!

This shoot is something that I never even dreamed was possible - until one sunny July afternoon when I was standing in the German countryside, horses whinnying in the distance, delicate wildflowers swaying in the breeze, and an incredibly beautiful couple in front of my lens. This Germany Destination Wedding Editorial was the product of six months of planning and preparation with the help of an amazing group of German wedding vendors, and the result was better than I could’ve imagined - and it’s been featured on Destination I Do!

It all started with an email and a mood board. I reached out to Talika of Spreeversprechen about collaborating on an editorial photoshoot while I would be spending the summer in Berlin. We spent the next few weeks narrowing down the vision, which may or may not have involved multiple hours worth of scrolling through Pinterest (lol). But once we fielded interest from nearby venues and connected with Gut Hesterberg, our vision finally came together and it was a match made in heaven. This aim with this editorial was to create an enchanting wedding-day atmosphere that felt in harmony with the natural surroundings of the venue, while also indulging in the lavish details that make destination weddings so special.

The Gut Hesterberg was such a charming and elegant setting for this day. The grand yellow mansion, flanked by mature oak trees and manicured gardens, sits on the edge of 250 acres of abundant pastures. This breathtaking setting was the source of much inspiration, and contributed to the enchanted and dreamlike atmosphere of the day. This stunning Fara Sposa gown worn by our bride was definitely a stand-out feature from this day. The long sleeves and delicate floral appliques on the gown accentuated the elegance and beauty of our bride, Maida. And this gown, provided by Princess Dreams Bridal, perfectly complemented the charming blue suit that Firat Anar of Bespoke Avenue created for our handsome groom, Andres! The beautiful florals by Kerstin Kühnel of Deko Dosis tied the entire vision together, featuring an abundance of pastel yellow roses, striking craspedia, delicate scabiosa, giant chrysanthemums, and cooling eucalyptus leaves. The blooms complemented the soft tones of the Gut Hesterberg and surrounding countryside, and elevated each component of the day. Our ceremony aisle was made up of six long floral arrangements, centered between grand oak trees lining the road to the mansion, and was later reconstructed to adorn both the reception table and cake display. The sun-shaped diamond setting of this engagement ring was dazzling, and definitely added to the charm and elegance of the day. Our summery color palette consisted of soft yellows, blush pinks, cooling blues, and lavish greens to accentuate the natural surroundings of the rolling countryside. And Soph Script Co designed the invitation suite with this color palette in mind, complete with a hand-drawn sketch of the venue itself!

Our advice to couples planning a destination wedding is to think outside of the box, and consider locations that you may have never thought to say “I do” at. European venues have so much to offer in terms of architecture, landscapes, and amenities, and it can be overwhelming trying to research it all on your own. So get in touch with a local wedding planner, book that flight, and make a vacation out of touring your dream wedding venues! Who knows - you may just end up tying the knot in the German countryside! We encourage couples to pursue whatever their dream wedding day looks like, no matter how unconventional or far-out it may seem, because there is always a vendor team out there who is ready to bring your dream to life. If you've ever dreamed about a European destination wedding, this is your inspiration to make it happen!