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Carina & Patrick

Wedding at Hornbach Monastery

Relaxed people, relaxed location, relaxed celebration

| Dirk Weber | Weddings
Dream weather in September, Palatinate at its best - that's how the wedding of Carina and Patrick, better known as Carry and Patze, went. A day that was as relaxed and warm as the couple themselves. Everything seemed effortless, nothing over-staged, but still full of special details. The perfect combination of love, laughter and a bit of chaos.

Carry started her day in the bridal suite of the Hornbach Monastery - together with her maid of honour. The sun shone through the large windows, casting a warm light on the elegant dress that was already hanging ready. A back neckline with filigree lace, a row of buttons that ran gracefully along the spine - simply incredible. Elegant, but not over-the-top - just like Carry. The fabric shimmered, the light played with it, almost as if the dress had been made just for this moment. An absolute eye-catcher that immediately showed that something special was being celebrated today.

Meanwhile: The boys. Another room, of course. With wine - as befits the Palatinate. But there was one problem: not enough glasses. But Patze and his crew are pragmatists. So? Cup over, wine in. The main thing is that the glass (or cup) is full. A western was playing. Typical. Casual, relaxed and absolutely stylish in her own way. No stress, no hectic - simply the perfect start to a special day.

Wedding Dog - Cool dog at a wedding in Hornbach Monastery
Getting ready of the bride in Hornbach Monastery - Carry getting dressed with her maid of honour
Bride from behind - fantastic wedding dress with lace back neckline
Bride from behind - dramatic side light sets the veil centre stage
Hornbach Monastery - history meets modern luxury | Hornbach Monastery has an impressive history. It was founded in the 8th century and served as a Benedictine monastery for a long time. Over the centuries, it was an important spiritual centre in the region. After an eventful history and extensive restoration, it is now a luxurious hotel with a gourmet restaurant that perfectly combines history and modern comfort. Situated in the picturesque south-west Palatinate, the monastery not only impresses with its peaceful location, but also with its impressive architecture. Sandstone walls, historic monastery corridors and a lovingly designed inner courtyard provide a dreamlike backdrop for weddings - all without losing the atmosphere of a place where history is palpable.
Wedding at Hotel Kloster Hornbach: Dream wedding at Hotel Kloster Hornbach in the Palatinate with Carry & Patze
Groom and his crew getting ready at Hornbach Abbey - a western is playing on the TV in the background

The wedding ceremony - laughter, tears and a lump of ice

The wedding ceremony took place right next to the monastery in the small church of St Fabian. Small, charming and perfect for a ceremony that was as personal as Carry and Patze themselves. A free ceremony with everything that goes with it: laughter, tears - and a chunk of ice. Yes, you read that right. It was passed through the rows. A symbol of melting worries together. It was that one moment when everyone laughed because it was so unexpected - but at the same time deeply touching because the message was so clear.

The ice melted, but the emotions remained. It was a ceremony that showed what it's really about: sticking together, no matter what. Laughing when it matters and allowing tears when they can't be stopped. A wedding ceremony to remember - not just for Carry and Patze, but for everyone who was there.

Flower child with a wreath of flowers in her hair at a wedding in Hornbach Abbey
Bridal couple at the wedding ceremony in St Fabian's Church at Hornbach Monastery
Block of ice as a special ceremony at a free wedding in Hornbach Monastery
Laughter and tears combined - bridal couple with great emotions at wedding in Hornbach Monastery
In addition to free weddings, Hornbach Monastery also offers the opportunity for church weddings in the Protestant monastery church and in the small church of St Fabian (Catholic or Protestant). Civil weddings are also possible - either in the former abbot's chapel directly in the monastery or next door in St Fabian's.
Groom and his boys sit against a blue sky on the monastery wall at Hornbach Abbey

Reception in the monastery - wine, canapés and relaxed vibes

After the ceremony: a relaxed reception in the monastery. Congratulations, a good glass of wine (in glasses this time!) and delicious canapés. This is where we realised what makes Kloster Hornbach so special: top service, great food and this look! The courtyard with its charming details, the old walls that tell so many stories - it felt like you were in another time.

The guests enjoyed standing in the sun, chatting and soaking up the atmosphere. No change of location, no stress - everything in one place. Practical, relaxed and simply beautiful. That's how every wedding should be.

Bridal couple leaving after their wedding ceremony at St Fabian's Monastery in Hornbach
Cuddling wedding guests at the relaxed reception in the courtyard of Hornbach Monastery
Wedding in the courtyard of Hornbach Abbey in the Palatinate, in the foreground the metal lettering ‘Liebe’ (love)

Portraits - Just around the block

Hornbach Abbey is perfect for portraits. Carry and Patze - completely relaxed - on a walk around the monastery. No posed shots, no hours-long photo session. Just walk around the block together and see what happens. The best photos are taken when you just let things happen. Authentic, natural, spontaneous.

It wasn't about finding the perfect pose. It was about capturing the perfect moments. A quick glance, a laugh, a little kiss. All those little things that make the day so special.

Bridal couple in the monastery garden of Hornbach Monastery in the Palatinate - wedding photos in the sunshine
Bridal couple on the monastery wall of Hornbach Monastery - groom lies on the wall with his head in the bride's lap - relaxed wedding photo
Bridal couple sitting relaxed on the stairs of Hornbach Abbey - train of the beautiful dress spread out on the floor
Bride and groom smooching in Hornbach Monastery
Bridal couple sitting relaxed on the stairs of Hornbach Abbey - train of the beautiful dress spread out on the floor
Wedding photos at Hornbach Monastery - Bridal couple cuddling in the evening light in the corridors of the monastery

Golden hour - light and magic

A glass of wine, a few conversations later: the sun was low. This special light in the monastery - magical. Time for a spontaneous second photo session. No big announcements, just enjoy the light and capture what happens. Pure magic. It was as if the day had been working towards this exact moment. The monastery with its old stones, soft light and winding corridors provided the perfect backdrop.

Silhouettes of bride and groom with the logo of Hotel Kloster Hornbach
Bridal couple kissing and cuddling in wedding photos in the foyer of Hotel Kloster Hornbach
Bride and groom pose for wedding photos in the foyer of Hotel Kloster Hornbach
Table decoration with candles and hanging flowers at a wedding in Hornbach Abbey

Dinner and party - the herd takes over

Then it was off to dinner. Foosball table, photobooth, party - it was all there. ‘The Herd’, Carry's closest circle of friends, rocked the party. The food? Once again: top notch. The kitchen team at Kloster Hornbach delivered.

The atmosphere was exuberant, the music just right. Nobody sat still for long. After the meal, the party continued seamlessly. Bouquet toss, laughter, dancing, storytelling. The perfect end to a perfect day.

Wedding guests in the hall of Kloster Hornbach follow a wedding slideshow spellbound
Bride and friends have fun in the photobooth at a wedding in Hornbach Abbey
Bridal couple at the first dance in the backlight in the hall of Hotel Kloster Hornbach
Bridal bouquet toss in Kloster Hornbach - Bride throws several bouquets to make all her girls happy
To avoid any trouble in the herd, Carry had planned a surprise for the bridal bouquet toss: Not one bouquet for everyone, but one bouquet for everyone. At first glance, only one bouquet flew, but in the air it became many. That's how you look after your flock.
Colourful ring shots - wedding rings on colourful balloons during a wedding at Hornbach Monastery

Wedding in Hornbach - relaxed, special, genuine

A wedding where everything was just right: a relaxed atmosphere, a dream location and people who are close to Carry and Patze's hearts. It can be that simple. No big staging, no contrived moments - just real.

For the gearheads: By the way, this wedding was one of those where I photographed with Olympus and Sony at the same time. You can read the story in a separate blog article - what I liked about the Sony, what I didn't and why I went on with Olympus at that time.

Links & Facts

Sony vs. Olympus for wedding photography

Hotel Kloster Hornbach

Wedding at Kloster Hornbach - couple sitting on the stairs of the cloister

#klosterhornbach #pfalzhochzeit #feiernimkloster #dieherderockt

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