Wedding at Hornbach Monastery
Relaxed people, relaxed location, relaxed celebration

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.





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.





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.



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.






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.




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 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.