Cody & Allison | Heidelberg, Germany

Bride and Groom married in front of the Germany city of Heidelberg.

It’s the stuff fairytales are made of. An emotional, intimate wedding set in the small German town of Heidelberg. The ceremony – a castle perched high atop a hill overlooking the town. It’s hard stone walls and broken history standing in contrast to the joining of two lives. The castle’s immense quiet enlivened by the smiles, and joyful tears on the faces of the fourteen family and friends surrounding this young couple. I never imagined I’d be part of such a magical story – a real life story of two close friends.

Cody and Allison are high school sweethearts and the best of friends. They met in a small town in eastern Pennsylvania, but wouldn’t have dreamt of any place better than Germany to have their wedding. They fell in love with it during a trip they made together a few years earlier. Cody and Allison were set on a journey to a spectacular and beautiful venue after their original venue in Cologne fell through. They found the Hotel Villa Marstall nestled near the Neckar River in the heart of Heidelberg. In a moment of spontaneity, they decided to wait until they arrived in Germany to find an impromptu ceremony location at the base of the world famous ruins of the Heidelberg Castle- the perfect backdrop for their emotional ceremony.

Cody is always a great time. He’s a jokester, makes light of any situation, but has a heart reserved for Ali (that’s what he calls her). On the morning of the wedding, after a 6 mile run, the entire group went for a hike. I fell behind everyone to grab a few scenic shots. When I was hurrying to catch up I came upon Cody sitting on a fallen tree just off the path. He was working on his vows. “I bet Ali thinks I am not going to take this seriously,” he said as he paused for a moment to think before writing again.

Allison is sweet. She loves books and quotes, and thinks deeply. So when it came time for her vows, Allison’s beautifully crafted, carefully worded thoughts and quotes cut right to everyone’s core- the men to my left trying to hold back their reserve, and the ladies to my right hugging and wiping their eyes. Cody looked down at what he had written earlier that morning in a small moleskin notebook. The perfect words about what he felt for her were hard for him to form, and overcome by the weight of the moment, he uttered only a few words barely audible to Allison alone. The tears came flowing. They hugged and kissed, and put rings on each others fingers, then turned smiling ear to ear only to hear the cheers of hundreds of people that had gathered atop the wall in the courtyard overlooking the ceremony.

That night was perfect for them. There was no big party. No lights or dance floors. No DJs or thumping music. Just 15 people on a boat ride with a beautiful dinner and fireworks, topped off with beers, cigars, hugs, silly antics, smiles, stories on a bench older than our home country…and more beers.

Cody and Allison- Thank you for inviting me along on your journey. I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. I love you both.

Scenic view of Heidelberg GermanyBride travels on train to her wedding destination.Bride and groom walk in the streets of Germany days before the wedding.Days before the wedding, guests stretch and pose atop the amphitheater.Bride snuggles groom on a castle tour days before their wedding.Bride and groom walk together on a tour of the Heidelberg Castle days before their wedding.Emotional bride cries as her mom gives her a necklace before her wedding.Bride and groom snuggle on a log over looking the German town of Heidelberg the day before their wedding.Wedding guest celebrates getting to the top of the mountain on a wedding morning hike.Scenic photo through a window on wedding morning of Heidelberg, Germany.Bride getting her hair done on her wedding morning.Groom writes vows during a hike on his wedding morning.Groom shaves on his wedding morning.Groom fixes his collar as he looks into the mirror getting ready for his wedding ceremony.Bride sits in her wedding dress and puts shoes on before her wedding ceremony.Wedding guest helps bride put her veil on.Bride portrait with veiled headpiece on her wedding day.Groom fixes his jacket with Heidelberg castle in background on his wedding dayBride leaves hotel to walk to her wedding ceremony.Bride and dad walk through tunnel to ceremony on wedding day.Groom cries during his vows at wedding ceremony.Bride cries during vows at wedding ceremony.Wedding guests cry and comfort each other at emotional wedding ceremony.Wedding ceremony in front of Heidelberg CastleGroom places ring on brides finger during outdoor wedding ceremony.Mom's hug bride after wedding ceremony.Bride and groom walk through tunnel after wedding ceremony.Bride and groom celebrate with champagne after intimate wedding ceremony.Bride and groom hug after wedding ceremony.Bride and groom walk on German streets to wedding reception.Bride looks over groom's shoulder during portraits on their wedding day.Groom kisses bride under a tree on their wedding day.Bride and groom have wedding reception on boat.Heidelberg sign visible outside of boat on wedding day.Bride and wedding guests talk over dinner.Wedding guests laugh during dinner at wedding reception.Bride and groom share a moment late on their wedding day.Groom and wedding guest smoke cigars on wedding night.Wedding guests share laughs at night.Bride and wedding guests relax on Heidelberg streets at night.Bride and groom walk through streets on wedding night.Thank you for looking!
Dan