Castle Wedding near Frankfurt: Schloss Rauischholzhausen

Turrets, timber framing, a grand staircase and a private castle park. If you dream of a fairytale castle wedding in Germany, you don't have to go all the way to Bavaria. Schloss Rauischholzhausen sits about an hour north of Frankfurt, and it's just ten minutes from my home. This July I was there as photographer and DJ, and the bride's dad had a surprise up his sleeve that nobody saw coming: a live punk band in the castle courtyard.

Around 90 percent of my bookings come from recommendations.N and S saw me at another wedding, too.

The couple found me the best way possible: they were guests at another wedding where I was photographer and DJ. That's no coincidence. Around 90 percent of my bookings come from people who saw me in action, camera in hand in the afternoon and behind the decks at night, and thought: we want him too. There's no better compliment.

01Why a castle near Frankfurt

Frankfurt is full of international couples, expats and Americans living in Hesse, and many of them want a wedding that feels like Europe. Rauischholzhausen delivers exactly that. It's a real 19th century castle with turrets, half timbered courtyard buildings and a huge English style park, but without the crowds of the famous tourist castles.

Red vintage Mustang in the courtyard of Schloss Rauischholzhausen in front of the half timbered buildings — The courtyard. Timber framing, turrets and a Mustang as wedding car.

02The castle stairs are yours alone

Locals have been taking wedding photos in this park for decades. Pretty much every couple in the region knows it. What many people don't know: if you actually get married here, the grand stairs at the entrance and the best spots in the park belong to you alone on your wedding day. No other couples, no strangers in the background, just you and the castle.

Bride with bridesmaids on the grand castle stairs of Schloss Rauischholzhausen

Welcome sign for the wedding guests at the castle stairs — On your day, the stairs belong to you.

03Getting ready in old castle walls

The castle is properly old, and you feel it in every room. Wood panelling, leaded glass windows, heavy doors. There's a getting ready suite right inside the castle and you can stay overnight. That means no taxis at 3 am and no long drives. You party, and then it's just a few stairs up to bed.

Wedding dress hanging at a leaded glass window in the getting ready suite

Invitation, rings and perfume in the sunlight while getting ready

Banquet hall with wooden columns and set tables at Schloss Rauischholzhausen — The hall where the party happens later.

04An outdoor ceremony in the shade

It was one of the hottest days of the summer. Luckily the castle park has a ceremony spot shaded by old trees. Guests sit in soft light under the leaves and nobody melts in the midday sun. As a photographer I love it, because faces don't disappear in harsh light.

Couple at their outdoor wedding ceremony in the shaded castle park

First kiss under the ceremony arch in the castle park

Couple kissing as they walk back down the aisle between their guests — The recessional. Big smiles everywhere.

My tip: sound for the ceremony and speechesN and S planned to use their own equipment for the ceremony and the speeches in the hall. Looking back, that was the only hiccup of an otherwise wonderful day with a lovely family. Save yourself the stress and just ask me. I bring great microphones and a sound system for the ceremony, and if music or speeches need to reach a second room, I set up a wireless link with smaller speakers. It's no big deal and you won't have to worry about a thing.

05Buffet in the castle

Dinner was a buffet inside the castle, and nobody went home hungry. In between there were toasts, laughter and a few moments so emotional that I simply couldn't put the camera down.

Menu card for the wedding buffet on a set table in the castle

Bride hugging guests in front of a leaded glass window

Wedding guests raising their glasses in the hall of Schloss Rauischholzhausen

06The longest sunset shoot ever

Here's the funny part. The couple had no idea, but I had agreed with the bride's dad to do an extra long sunset shoot. The reason: the band needed time to build a stage and set up their instruments in the courtyard, and that took a while.

So I kept the two of them out in the park for as long as I possibly could. One more spot, one more avenue, one more look. And we got so lucky. After the scorching day the evening cooled down and the light turned golden and soft. The couple didn't suspect a thing, and I got some of my favourite photos of the year.

Couple kissing under the veil in golden evening light

Couple in the tree lined avenue of the castle park in black and white — The avenue in the castle park. I could have stayed for hours.

07The surprise: punk rock in the castle courtyard

When we came back to the courtyard, there was suddenly a full stage. The bride's dad had secretly booked a band: Vielen_Punk from Giessen. Drums, bass, guitar and vocals, right in the middle of the castle courtyard. The couple rolled in with the red Mustang and the band kicked off.

Wedding guests in suits and evening dresses, punk rock between turrets and timber framing, all in the blue hour. That's the kind of moment people talk about for years.

Couple arriving in a red Mustang in the courtyard where the surprise band is playing

Punk band playing a surprise set in the courtyard of Schloss Rauischholzhausen

Drummer of the band on stage in the castle courtyard

Bass player of the band in the blue hour

Want to hear how it sounded? Check out my party reel with the band on Instagram.

08First dance, glow sticks and ABBA

Then we moved inside and I took over the decks. Checkerboard floor, wooden ceiling, blue light on the old walls. The first dance happened right in the middle of the guests, everyone holding glow sticks. Of course I captured the first dance and the other emotional dances on camera, and right after that the party took off.

And then came the flash mob. Dancing Queen by ABBA, and suddenly half the wedding party was doing a choreography on the dance floor. You'll find that reel on my Instagram too.

DJ setup with blue lights on the checkerboard floor in the hall — My setup in the hall, just before it all kicked off.

First dance in the hall with guests holding glow sticks in a circle

Groom lifting the bride during the first dance, black and white

Couple dancing and laughing among their guests, black and white

09A wedding DJ without curfew

For me as a wedding DJ, this castle is a gift. No neighbours complaining about noise, no curfew and no fixed end time. You decide when the party ends, not a sign on the wall. I feel the vibe on the dance floor and keep playing as long as it's there.

All the perks at a glance:

Exclusively yoursThe castle stairs and the park belong to you alone on your day.

Stay overnightGetting ready suite in the old walls and rooms right on site.

Shaded ceremonyA shaded spot in the park, even on the hottest days.

Buffet in houseCatering right inside the castle.

Party all nightNo noise issues, no curfew.

Planning a castle wedding near Frankfurt? I'm ten minutes from Schloss Rauischholzhausen and I DJ and photograph weddings in English. Find out more on my pages English speaking wedding DJ and wedding DJ Frankfurt, or read about another castle in my post on Burg Schwarzenstein in the Rheingau. For photography, visit alex-maus.de.

10Quick questions

Where is Schloss Rauischholzhausen?

In Ebsdorfergrund near Marburg in Hesse, about an hour north of Frankfurt by car. Giessen is roughly 30 minutes away.

What makes it special as a wedding venue?

The castle stairs and the park are yours alone on your wedding day. You can stay overnight, there is a getting ready suite, a shaded spot for an outdoor ceremony and no curfew.

Can we stay overnight at the castle?

Yes. There is a getting ready suite in the old walls and you can sleep right on site, so nobody has to drive after the party.

Is there a curfew?

No. There are no neighbours to complain about noise and no fixed end time. You party as long as you like.

Do you bring sound for the ceremony and the speeches?

Yes. I bring great microphones and a sound system for the ceremony. For a second room I can set up a wireless link with smaller speakers. Just ask and you will not have to worry about your own equipment.

Can you DJ and photograph our wedding in English?

Absolutely. I photograph your day and DJ your party, all in English if you like. One contact for everything, and cheaper as a package.

A castle wedding at Schloss Rauischholzhausen