May 10, 2025
Wedding 
Dreamy Whitby Castle Wedding
When I think back to Juliana and Daniel’s wedding day, the first word that comes to mind is joy. Not because the weather was perfect (spoiler: it wasn’t!), but because these two radiated so much love that nothing else really mattered. Their celebration at Whitby Castle in Rye, NY was the kind of day you never forget — full of real moments, deep connection, and a little fairytale twist.
Juliana and Dan have one of those stories that starts way back — freshman year at Villanova University in 2010. They were just friends at first (Dan even went to some of Juliana’s sorority formals… strictly platonic!). Over the years, life took them to different cities, but they kept reconnecting with their mutual group of friends. Then one December morning in Grand Central, of all places, Juliana spotted Dan — yes, even with masks on. She convinced him to ditch his train and grab dinner with friends, and from that one spontaneous night, everything changed. A few months later, they were dating — and now here we are.
I first met them when Daniel found me on Google to shoot his surprise proposal in DUMBO. It was one of those shoots where you instantly click with a couple, and afterward, Juliana told me she couldn’t imagine anyone else photographing their wedding. That meant the world to me, and I couldn’t wait to be there for all of it — especially once I found out their reception would be at Whitby Castle.
There’s just something about Whitby Castle. It has this old-world charm, a vintage feel, and when you add in a couple like Juliana and Dan — it turns into something truly special. Even though their wedding was in mid-April (which usually means blooming trees and soft spring light), this particular weekend was more like late winter. Cold. Rainy. Not quite what they had in mind. But they didn’t let it get to them — especially Juliana, who was determined to take photos outside Whitby Castle, no matter what. And guess what? We got lucky. Right as we arrived at the castle, the rain paused just long enough for us to sneak outside. That little window gave us some of my favorite images from the whole day — including their private vows, with the castle behind them and just the softest mist in the air. The weather may have been unpredictable, but the vibe? Pure romance.
They got ready separately — Juliana at her childhood home, surrounded by her mom and bridesmaids, and Daniel at the Sheraton with his groomsmen. One really emotional moment happened when Juliana recreated a photo her mom had taken with her own mom on her wedding day. I loved seeing that kind of generational bond play out in such a meaningful way. Later, Dan read a letter from Juliana right before heading to the church — another emotional pause in a fast-moving day.
They skipped the first look, which made that church moment even more powerful. When the grand doors opened at the Church of the Resurrection and Dan saw Juliana for the first time, it was everything she’d been dreaming of. During the ceremony, they had this easy, playful way of exchanging little smiles and jokes — like no one else was in the room. It was so clear how deep their bond runs.
After the ceremony, we had a classic bubble exit (yes, it’s as fun as it sounds) and then made our way to Whitby Castle for the reception. The bridesmaids wore dark green satin dresses, all in different styles, and they looked so good — especially against the stone and greenery of the castle and the grounds. The color palette for the reception itself was white and champagne, really timeless and elegant, which worked beautifully with the romantic interiors of Whitby Castle.
We spent some time before the cocktail hour taking all the important family and bridal party photos (with plenty of layers and warm-up breaks!), and then stole the couple away for some portraits around the castle grounds. One of the funniest — and ultimately most magical — moments happened when I tried to get a photo of them wrapped in Juliana’s veil. The wind was wild, the veil kept flying off, and we all laughed a lot. And those shots turned out to be my favorite — full of movement and happiness and just… life.
The night kept unfolding with so much heart — emotional speeches, a sweet (and very low-key) cake cutting, and the couple sneaking out with me for a few night portraits under the glow of Whitby Castle’s uplights. It felt cinematic, quiet, and beautiful — like the perfect ending to a love story that’s still just beginning. Juliana and Daniel, thank you for choosing me to be part of such a special chapter. From that surprise proposal to dancing the night away at Whitby Castle, it was such an honor to witness it all. Rain and all, your day was unforgettable.
Juliana and Daniel’s wedding at Whitby Castle wouldn’t have been the same without the incredible team behind the scenes. Here’s a shoutout to the amazing vendors who helped bring their vision to life:
Photographer: Alina Delfino Photography
Videographer: Love Life Films
Venue: Whitby Castle
Dress Designer: Pronovias
Dress Boutique: Virginia’s Bridal
Hair & Makeup: Stephanie
Florist: Westchester Floral
Live Music: Heartbeat Dance Band
If you’re inspired by Juliana and Daniel’s dreamy wedding at Whitby Castle, let’s make your dream day just as unforgettable. As a New York wedding photographer, I’m here to capture every special moment. Reach out today to start planning your perfect wedding!
1 Comment
Adds so much to the conversation.