Built in the early 1900s and inspired by European castle architecture, Searles Castle is one of New England’s most distinctive and romantic wedding venues. Originally designed as a private estate by renowned architect Henry Vaughan for Edward F. Searles, the property features dramatic stone towers, grand archways, and beautifully landscaped grounds that feel transported from another era. Today, couples are drawn to the castle not only for its history and timeless character, but also for the incredible variety of ceremony and portrait locations throughout the gardens, terraces, and sweeping lawns.

For photography, Searles Castle offers an incredible range of backdrops within just a few steps of each other. The textured stone walls, ivy-covered archways, and elegant garden pathways create depth and character in photographs, while the open lawns allow for soft, natural light throughout the day. As the sun begins to set, the warm evening light against the castle’s historic stone creates a truly magical atmosphere for romantic portraits. It’s a venue that allows couples to move seamlessly from intimate garden moments to dramatic architectural scenes, giving a wedding gallery both variety and timeless elegance.

Amanda and Brian began their wedding day getting ready in the opulent bridal and groom suites at Searles Castle, where the historic interiors set the tone for the entire celebration. Rich woodwork, elegant architectural details, and large windows filling the rooms with natural light created a beautiful and relaxed setting as the final preparations unfolded. These quiet moments — laughter with friends, finishing touches, and the anticipation of seeing each other for the first time — felt perfectly at home within the timeless atmosphere of the castle.

Before the ceremony began, Amanda and Brian shared a quiet and heartfelt moment as they opened the gifts they had chosen for each other. These private exchanges are always some of the most emotional parts of a wedding morning — a chance for couples to pause, reflect, and connect before the excitement of the day unfolds. Inside the elegant suites of Searles Castle, the moment felt especially intimate as they read personal notes and admired the thoughtful gifts they had selected, adding another layer of meaning to an already unforgettable wedding day.

After they exchanged thier gifts they made their way to the pond and gardens for thier first look and pre ceremony romance session.

Amanda and Brian shared their first look on the beautiful grounds of Searles Castle, a quiet moment away from the excitement of the day where they could simply take in the significance of the moment together. As Brian turned and saw Amanda for the first time in her gown, the emotion and joy between them immediately set the tone for the rest of the celebration.

After their first look, we spent time exploring the picturesque areas around the castle pond and the charming stone bridge for their romantic portraits. Amanda had mentioned early on that she loved photographs with a slightly more editorial, fashion-inspired feel, and these locations provided the perfect backdrop for that vision. While my approach to weddings naturally leans toward capturing authentic, documentary moments as they unfold, we blended that storytelling style with a few more thoughtfully composed portraits. The result was a collection of images that felt both elegant and natural — romantic moments framed by the historic stone architecture, peaceful gardens, and soft afternoon light that make the grounds of Searles Castle so special.

After their first look and a few group portraits, it was time for Amanda and Brian’s ceremony. Guests gathered just steps from the castle, where the ceremony space was set within a beautiful stone alcove overlooking the gardens at Searles Castle. Surrounded by historic stone walls and the natural beauty of the castle grounds, the setting felt both intimate and timeless. As Amanda made her way down the aisle toward Brian, the quiet elegance of the space created a perfect backdrop for the couple to exchange their vows and begin the next chapter of their story together.

As cocktail hour was just beginning, I noticed the warm glow of the setting sun lighting up the back side of the castle grounds. The light was simply too beautiful to pass up, so I asked Amanda and Brian if they would be up for slipping away for just a few minutes of sunset portraits. They happily agreed, and we took a short walk behind the castle where the soft golden light created a magical atmosphere. With the historic stone architecture of Searles Castle glowing in the evening light, it was the perfect moment to capture a few final romantic images before they returned to celebrate with their guests during cocktail hour.

For their reception coverage, Amanda had asked that we simply capture a few key moments — their first dance, a heartfelt toast from her sister, and a fun group photo with everyone gathered on the dance floor. It was a wonderful way to keep the evening relaxed and focused on celebrating with the people closest to them.

Just as we were finishing up for the night, I noticed the beautiful evening light illuminating the stone walls of Searles Castle. While my assistant went to bring the car around and begin loading our gear, I quietly asked Amanda and Brian if they would be up for slipping outside for just a minute. They happily agreed, and we stole away for a couple of quick photos beneath the softly lit castle — the kind of unexpected moment that often becomes a favorite. It was the perfect way to end the night and capture a few final, truly epic images before we said our goodbyes.

Just as we were preparing to wrap up for the evening, the stone walls of the castle were beautifully illuminated in the night air — the kind of light that instantly makes a photographer pause. While my assistant headed off to bring the car around and begin loading our gear, I asked Amanda and Brian if they’d be up for stepping outside for just a minute. They happily agreed, and we stole away for a couple of quick photos beneath the glowing stone architecture — a spontaneous moment that turned into a few truly epic images to end their wedding day at Searles Castle.

From the quiet moments of getting ready in the historic castle suites to the emotional first look by the pond, Amanda and Brian’s wedding day unfolded beautifully at Searles Castle. The elegant stone architecture, peaceful gardens, and timeless atmosphere of the castle created the perfect setting for a celebration filled with laughter, heartfelt moments, and joyful energy from the people who love them most. Ending the evening with a few dramatic nighttime portraits beneath the glowing stone walls of the castle felt like the perfect final chapter to their unforgettable wedding day.

If you’re planning a wedding at Searles Castle or another beautiful New England venue, I would love to hear more about your plans. You can see more of my work and get in touch through my contact page. Documenting celebrations like Amanda and Brian’s — filled with genuine moments, beautiful light, and timeless settings — is always such an honor.

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"Sally is friendly, extremely patient, talented and did a fantastic job on our wedding and our engagement photos! We could not have been happier, she is a real gem! Everyone loved the photos and many of the looked like they were out of a high end magazine.. We had over 1000 images to choose from and when we chose the ones for our album, it was hard to leave any out...we loved them all. I would recommend her to anyone for weddings or engagements, she is the best"__ Amanda V

Searles Castle is one of my favorite wedding venues with so many beautiful photo opportunities for the wedding couple and party to take advantage of, from the Medieval stone bridges and walls, to the opulent iteriors.

Searles Castle is said to have employed the finest masons and woodworkers to construct the castle, and imported marble and artifacts from Europe to furnish it. Examples of the fine work are found in the carved oak balcony, and the marble fireplaces. Edward Francis Searles was born on July 4, 1841, In Methuen, Massachusetts. At the age of thirteen he went to work in a cotton mill to support his widowed mother and his brother. His love of art and music, later to be his hallmark, were in evidence early in his life. At the age of twenty-one he was teaching piano and organ in Bath, Maine.

In 1875, after an apprenticeship with a Boston firm, Searles became an interior decorator for the prestigious Herter Brothers of New York City. In 1881, he met Mary Hopkins, a Herter Brothers client, in San Francisco. Her husband, Mark Hopkins, part-owner of the Southern Pacific Railroad, had died in 1878. He left his wife an inheritance of sixty-one million dollars.

Mary Hopkins commissioned Searles to design the interior of her Nob Hill home, and to work on Kellogg Terrace in her birthplace of Great Barrington, Massachusetts. They were married on November 8, 1887 in New York City. He was forty-seven; she was about sixty-seven. From Mary’s death in 1891 until his own, Searles was involved in building projects in Methuen, Massachusetts, as well as Salem and Windham, New Hampshire. He died in 1920.

Searles willed the castle to his secretary, Arthur T. Walker, who died in August of 1927, leaving it to his brothers and sisters. They sold it to Mr. And Mrs. Frank Andrew of Methuen, Massachusetts, in 1930.The Sisters of Mercy acquired the castle in 1952.

Since then it has been used as a novitiate for young women entering the Sisters of Mercy; a retreat house; and administrative offices. Castle College held classes in the castle for over twenty-five years.

Because the building needed extensive repairs, Castle College moved to a wing of the Sisters Of Mercy motherhouse on the property, and the castle was closed for five years. During those five years, repairs were made to the roof and building. In 1991, in an effort to restore the interior of the castle, a “Decorators’ Showcase” was held. Through the generosity of those interior designers and contributions received over the years from many benefactors, the interior of the building has been refurbished. Since that time, the castle has been available to the public for social, cultural spiritual and business events.

In November 2001, the Sisters of Mercy contracted David and Linda Kolifrath of Salem, New Hampshire to organize and manage events held at the castle. At this time it was decided that operations would be expanded to include weddings and receptions in the castle courtyard in an effort to better utilize the facility, better serve the needs of the public, and to raise additional funds to further the charitable programs of the Sisters Of Mercy.

Searles Castle Wedding

If you’re searching for a setting with an elegance and style all its own, consider a Searles Castle Wedding. Imagine your wedding here at an authentic English Tudor castle nestled in the New Hampshire woods, high atop a 175-acre estate. You will begin your day with Bridal preparations in the Bridal suite followed by a spectacular Courtyard Ceremony. Guest will enjoy a cocktail hour with passed Hors-d’oeuvres inside the castle and in the courtyard. The festivities will continue with a Reception in our climate controlled Palladium-style Euro tent.  Searles Castle at Windham offers that truly unique setting and the photo opportunities are endless.

The Bridal Suite

The bridal suite at Searles Castle, formerly the master bedroom, consists of a dressing room, parlor, private bathroom and sun porch. With views of the estate, that provide a sneak peek at all your arriving guests without them seeing you. Relax in luxury as preparations for the big event unfold.  The groom’s room with its bathroom provides an excellent location for the groom and his entourage to get ready before they mingle with the guests.

The Ceremony

The Ceremony takes place on the crescent-shaped walkway at the entrance of the courtyard surrounded by a crenelated wall. Propane umbrella heaters allow outdoor ceremonies from April through November Indoor ceremony options are also available for inclement weather or for off-season weddings.

Cocktail Hour

The cocktail hour takes place inside the castle and in the courtyard as well. With a full bar, hors-d’oeuvres stations and grand piano, your guests can wander through the first floor of the castle in a romantic, fairy tale setting like no other.

The Reception

The festivities continue under our beautifully decorated Palladium-style EuroTent with double glass French doors, chandeliers and Chiavari chairs. The tent is both heated and cooled and It has a full bath and oversized dance floor with staging for your entertainer.

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