Grace and Style

Vendor Spotlight: Waldorf Photographic Art

Unquestionably, the photo-journalistic style of wedding photography has taken over the industry and no one can do it with such a sensitive and artistic flare than Bill Waldorf of Waldorf Photographic Art.
Art has been Bill’s passion most of his life. Light, composition and movement are the fundamentals which he bases his all his photographs. He is able to intuitively capture artistic images which create the story book album that all couples want.

“I capture the authenticity of moments as they unfold,” Bill said.

When the couples look at their wedding album it’s like reliving their day. With a hands-off approach, Bill can shoot details that the couple can remember for the rest of their lives.
Another quality that Bill possesses is his uncanny ability to put people at ease so they’ll feel comfortable in front of the camera. Also, Bill studies his craft and travels extensively to attend photographic workshops and seminars.
When choosing your wedding photographer, make sure you choose a photographer whose experience and artistic ability will capture the special moments of your unforgettable day.

We’ll keep you posted on Waldorf Photographic Art’s latest Castleton Farms projects.

Follow the Bride: Savannah Burger

What do you do when you have one day to find your wedding venue? Enlist the help of your mother and Google, of course.

Destination: Romance

How can you turn your wedding day into a mini-vacation for you and your guests? Plan a carefree destination wedding.

Castleton Farms is the perfect destination wedding location because it offers all the glitz and glamour as a traditional wedding venue, but it also provides the convenience and romance that a destination wedding has.
Our five-bedroom Greek Revival Antebellum Manor can accommodate 10 guests and if more room is needed, Knoxville is just a shuttle drive away. With four wedding packages and skilled, experienced wedding planners on staff, your day is sure to be unforgettable.
The versatility of Castleton Farms is also appealing to bridal parties of all sizes. Whether your dream wedding is an intimate party or a grand affair, we have the perfect space. Our patio beside our beautiful pool is perfect for a small gathering or for the cocktail hour before the reception. The bridal pavilion can be set up to accommodate any number of guests. Also, our semi-permanent structure is an elegant, regal site that can be open or enclosed making it suitable for any time of year.
Castleton Farms is featured as a destination wedding location in Bride in Bloom, The Knot and Get Married .

Contact us for a consultation so we can help you plan the destination wedding of your dreams.

ABC Visits Castleton Farms

More than 20 bridal consultants descended on Castleton Farms for networking fun when we hosted the Association of Bridal Consultants this week.

“It is a step above of what we usually see,” said Lisa Saffell, One Enchanted Evening bridal consultant. She said that our facility would be suitable for any bride who wants to feel like a princess.

The bridal consultants, florists and other wedding industry representatives were guided on a tour of the facility and grounds. Then, they enjoyed a fabulous sit-down dinner by All Occasion Catering.

Thank you to All Occasions Party Rentals for the set-up help.  We enjoyed the evening and we appreciate everyone who attended and made it possible.

The Open House Experience

Castleton Farms

The first thing visitors to our hugely successful open house noticed was the gorgeous weather. The sun warmed things up and made for a perfect day to tour not only the manor, but also, the grounds of Castleton Farms.

In our circular drive that features a four-tiered Palazzo fountain, guests were greeted by accommodating valet parking attendants.
The staff welcomed each visitor and took them on tour of the Greek Revival Antebellum manor. The knowledgeable guides described the amenities and conveniences of the five-bedroom home that can accommodate up to 10 people for the entire weekend.

Night setting at Castleton Farms

After a tour of the home, staff members guided visitors around the grounds. They described that at night, the grounds are lit up with twinkle lights making for a mesmerizing setting for any special occasion. Benches are located throughout the grounds which provide special photographic moments or offer a quiet spot for a quick break from the activities.
Visitors also saw the uniqueness of Castleton Farms. They were able to envision versatile locations on the estate that would be perfect for an intimate party or an extravagant gala for hundreds.
In and around an elegant tent in the vineyard, all-inclusive and preferred vendors were available to showcase their best and to answer questions. Scrumptious samples of menu items and cake were offered by Rosa’s Catering and All Occasion Catering.
Beautiful models were wearing dresses and accessories from White Lace and Promises who were on hand to answer questions. Also, representatives from Walker’s Formal Wear were available to discuss the classics and trends in mens’ formal wear.

Tables were set up to showcase the work of Samuel Franklin Florist, Powell Florist and Always in Bloom. Ogle Entertainment explained their DJ services and accent lighting options. Gorgeous sample albums from Waldorf Photographic Art were on display. Sample invitations and save-the-date cards were artfully displayed by Paper Paraphernalia and The Happy Envelope which has been featured in “In Style Wedding,” “The Knot,” and other local and national bridal magazines.
Don’t despair if you weren’t able to attend our open house. Contact us and we’ll be happy to schedule an appointment to discuss your wedding or special occasion.

A Special Thanks To All Our Vendors!

We want to give a VERY SPECIAL thanks to all our vendors for helping to make our Open House a VERY SPECIAL day!

Inclusive Vendors:

All Occasion Catering
All Occasions Party Rentals
Montage Salon
Rosa’s Catering
Waldorf Photographic Art

Preferred Vendors:

A Perfect Day
A Regal Carriage Company
Always In Bloom
Bella Boutique
Image Cinema Photo Booth
Paper Paraphernalia
Park Inc.
Pour Guys
Powell Florist
Samuel Franklin Florist
Sound Force Entertainment
Special Notes Entertainment Agency
The Happy Envelope
Wedding Wonderland
White Lace and Promises

Great Turnout At Our Open House Today!

We have had a wonderful turnout for our Open House today. The sky was beautiful and the weather was nice and warm, which made for a wonderful day to stroll around the grounds here at Castleton Farms to meet our wonderful vendors.

Castleton Farms Open House

The Open House is Here!

Energies were buzzing and excitement hung in the air as we put the finishing touches on our elegant grounds for tomorrow’s event. Come meet our exclusive and preferred vendors and experience the magic Castleton Farms for yourself at our Open House.

Saturday, February 20, 2010
2:00 PM – 6:00 PM

• Light Refreshments will be provided by Castleton’s all-inclusive Caterers
• A wide variety of Wedding Photo Albums will be available by
• Castleton’s all-inclusive Photographer
• Tours will be given of the Manor and Castleton’s Gardens

You won’t want to miss this special event in beautiful Loudon, Tennessee. Bring your family – forecasts show that it will be a delightful, sunny day with clear skies.

Come and meet our Inclusive Vendors

All Occasion Catering

All Occasions Party Rentals

Montage Salon

Rosa’s Catering

Waldorf Photographic Art

and our Preferred Vendors

Always In Bloom

Bella Boutique

Image Cinema Photo Booth

MagPies Bakery

Ogle Entertainment

Paper Paraphernalia

Park, Inc.

Pour Guys

Powell Florist

A Regal Carriage Co.

Samuel Franklin Florist

Special Notes Agency

The Happy Envelope

Walker’s Formal Wear

Wedding Wonderland

White Lace and Promises

Premier Bride

Getting Started: The Budget, Part I

Congratulations on your engagement. Now what?

Ask ten wedding planners, what should the engaged couple should think about when planning a wedding and nine of the ten will probably say, “First thing, determine the budget.”

To determine the budget, the couple should identify their priorities. Think about the following categories:

planner or consultant

location for ceremony

location for reception

guest accommodations

officiant

ceremony music

reception music

dance instruction

food and beverage

photography

videography

flowers

decor/linen

cake and dessert

invitation and calligraphy

dress and attire

attendants

gifts and favors

sticking to the budget

Next, have the groom indicate on the list which three are his top priorities and then which three categories he places the least value. Then, the bride should do the same and compare her notes with the groom. This activity will give the couple an idea if they are on the same page on the wedding style and the formality of the event.

This list of priorities can also be referred to when making budgetary decisions. If ceremony music was way down on the list for both, then don’t be tempted to surpass the budget on that item. The same is true if the reception food is top priority. Then, a sit-down reception dinner may be the way to go.

Deciding on the budget in advance will help guide the couple on the multitude of decisions that must be made.

Our event planners at Castleton Farms would love to help with your wedding plans.