Cairnwood Estate is one of those wedding venues that looks part castle and part fairytale, and when you walk through its doors you feel like royalty. Cairnwood is gorgeous. Built in 1895 by the Pitcairn family and located next to Glencairn Museum and the Bryn Athyn Cathedral, Cairnwood’s sweeping expanse of manicured lawns and lush gardens offers a broad vista atop a hill in Bryn Athyn. Cairnwood’s side garden with formal plantings and sunset views features an antique fountain and is a wonderful location for a planned first look for the bride and groom, a perfect setting for an intimate gathering, and it offers wonderful views during reception dinners held inside.
Jen and Mike chose to experience the grandeur of the Gilded Age by having their first look and bridal portraits at Cairnwood. Then it was off to the reception at historic Trinity Episcopal Church in Solebury, where Mike’s mom had helped out for years in their annual sugar cookie bake. Then it was back to Cairnwood for the reception … and even some of the very popular sugar cookies custom designed for Jen and Mike!
Cairnwood offers many unique architectural elements: Stone arches, columns, steps, balconies, windows, gates. So many wonderful photographic props to work with to create great wedding and portrait photographs. The bridal suite is large and beautifully decorated, and there is ample space and window light for the groom and his groomsmen to also get ready in the groom suite nearby. The staircase is stunning, with plenty of large windows offering perfect light filtering through for bridal portraits. Plenty of places for the family groupings and portraits as well. I also found some great spots for those night photos I so love to do with the bride and groom at the end of the evening. I love to offer wedding photography that ends with an artistic and creatively lit shot.
Here are a few photos from Jen and Mike’s unforgettable day at Bryn Athyn’s Cairnwood Estate:
Jen starts to get ready in Cairnwood’s gorgeous and huge bridal suite. Her bridal bouquet is reflected in the antique mirror.
Flowers were tucks in-between the braids of her hair.
Mom is checking out the bridal make-up application.
Jen’s maroon wedding shoes on a fireplace mantle in the bridal suite.
The wedding rings; Jen’s engagement ring also had emeralds bordering the center diamond.
Mike’s crazy-striped wedding socks.
The Groom’s attire. Maroon was their color.
A mirror provided some interesting reflections for a bridal portrait.
Mike is ready in the groom’s suite, contemplating seeing Jen for the first look.
Jen stops for a brief moment before approaching her waiting groom.
The side view of Cairnwood with it’s side garden and arches.
Bryn Athyn Catherdral’s spires are seen in the background with Jen and Mike on Cairnwood’s terrace.
I used an orange gel to backlight Jen and Mike, while the balcony borders the photograph of the two of them kissing.
The ceremony at Trinity Episcopal Church in Solebury, Bucks County.
The sugar cookies! Trinity Episcopal is known for their cookie sale every year, and customized wedding cookies were made just for them.
Jen and Mike’s grand entrance for the start of their reception at Cairnwood.
An ending photo taken by the entrance gates, with a little backlight behind the bride and groom.