Couple in a wooden pletna boat on Lake Bled

An autumn wedding at Bled Castle

An elopement for two, high above the lake

Groom kissing his bride's forehead before the ceremony

They came from America to marry at Bled Castle, just the two of them. They wrote their vows by hand, saw each other for the first time by a tall window, and said yes high above the lake. It was one of the most emotional weddings I have photographed, and we have stayed friends ever since.

AlbumWeddingsBled · Gorenjska, Slovenia

Venue: Bled Castle
Location: Bled, Gorenjska, Slovenia
Setting: Medieval castle on a cliff above Lake Bled
Ceremony: On the castle terrace

First look by the window between bride and groom, black and white

Newlyweds in a pletna boat with Bled Island church behind them

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The wedding day · 47 photographs

Wedding dress hanging in a window at Bled Castle before the ceremony

Bridal bouquet of roses and greenery beside the wedding rings in a wooden box

Hand-lettered wedding vows card tied with a red ribbon and wax seal

Bride having her make-up done on the morning of her Lake Bled wedding

Groom getting ready in a dark mirrored room, black and white

Groom and his best man laughing while getting ready

Bride smiling as her make-up artist adds the final touches

Bride reflected in a small hand mirror while getting ready

Bride writing her vows in her robe on the wedding morning

Bride walking into the room as the groom waits by the window

Bride's shoes and the hem of her dress on a patterned carpet

Bride and groom laughing together outside Bled Castle with the lake behind

Bride and groom climbing the stone steps up to Bled Castle

Castle guard in historic costume greeting the couple at Bled Castle

Wedding ceremony on the Bled Castle terrace above the lake

Bride and groom exchanging vows on the castle terrace overlooking Lake Bled

Newlyweds walking through the castle archway after the ceremony

Couple embracing on the castle walls with Lake Bled below

Bride and groom laughing on the castle terrace in the sunshine

Bride and groom with a guest on the castle terrace above Lake Bled

Couple framed by a stone arch on the Bled Castle terrace

Bride with her cascading bouquet in a stone doorway of the castle

Groom adjusting his jacket while the bride watches, black and white

Bride and groom close together in soft window light

Newlyweds laughing together in the castle corridor, black and white

Bride and groom in a traditional pletna boat on Lake Bled, black and white

Bride and groom smiling in a pletna boat on the lake

Couple kissing by the lake under autumn leaves

Bride and groom touching foreheads by Lake Bled

Bride and groom laughing by the lake, black and white

Couple walking along a wooden boathouse pier at sunset

Close-up of the bride's ring and bouquet of roses

Bride's bracelet and the lace of her sleeve

Bride and groom relaxing on a leather sofa in a lakeside villa

Bride laughing on a leather sofa, black and white

Bride resting her head on the groom's shoulder by tall windows

Bride and groom close together, black and white portrait

Groom standing by tall windows, black and white

Bride standing between glass doors holding her bouquet

Bride walking out through tall doors into the autumn garden

Bride and groom sitting together in a red leather armchair

Close-up of the newlyweds' hands resting on the bride's dress

The place · Bled · Gorenjska, Slovenia

About Bled Castle

Bled Castle sits on a cliff above Lake Bled and is one of the oldest castles in Slovenia. Small ceremonies can be held on the panoramic terrace overlooking the lake, with the island church and the Julian Alps right in front of you. For two people marrying on their own, it’s hard to imagine a more beautiful place.

With just the two of them, every moment was quiet and close, and there were plenty of tears. There was plenty of laughter too: we couldn’t stop joking that the groom looks just like Jon Snow from Game of Thrones. After the ceremony we took a pletna across the lake and wandered the shore in the soft autumn light. We have stayed friends ever since.

This gallery shows the autumn elopement of an American couple at Bled Castle in Slovenia, photographed by AlbumWeddings, a wedding photographer based in Slovenia. It includes getting ready and a first look, an intimate ceremony for two on the castle terrace above Lake Bled, a ride in a traditional pletna boat and relaxed portraits by the lake and in a lakeside villa.

Yes. Bled Castle hosts civil ceremonies on its panoramic terrace, in the Knights’ Hall or in the castle park, and church weddings in its small chapel. It’s ideal for intimate weddings and elopements.

Yes, often. Lake Bled is close to home for me, so travel is included, and small weddings leave lots of time for unhurried portraits around the lake.

Late spring and early autumn. The light is gentle, the crowds are smaller, and in October the trees around the lake turn beautiful shades of gold.

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