Alden Castle Wedding in Brookline, MA
Michelle and Joshua’s Alden Castle wedding was one of those evenings that blended elegance, music, and celebration with effortless charm. Set inside the venue’s iconic Vintage Ballroom, their ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception unfolded all within one beautifully designed space—warm lighting, textured walls, and that unmistakable Alden Castle atmosphere.
From acoustic ceremony music to jazz upstairs at cocktail hour, to a full-on dance party until midnight, this was the kind of wedding where the room felt electric from the first moment guests walked in.
Ceremony in the Vintage Ballroom
The evening began at 6:30 PM with a heartfelt ceremony right inside the Vintage Ballroom. East Coast Soul provided both sound and live ceremony music, featuring solo acoustic guitar and a clear, simple setup for vows and speeches.
Michelle and Joshua curated a beautiful set of selections:
- Prelude: “Here Comes the Sun” (The Beatles), “Just My Imagination” (The Temptations)
- Processional: “Something in the Way She Moves” — James Taylor
- Bride’s Entrance: “Into the Mystic” — Van Morrison
- Recessional: “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” — Stevie Wonder
It was warm, romantic, and personal—perfect for kicking off the evening’s celebration.
Cocktail Hour on the Mezzanine
At 7:00 PM, guests made their way upstairs to Alden Castle’s mezzanine for cocktail hour. The couple asked for a relaxed blend of jazz standards—Frank, Dino, Ella, the classics—and the band delivered that timeless feel with a rotating jazz combo.
It set exactly the right tone: smooth, fun, and classy, without ever overpowering conversation.
Introductions & Kicking Off the Reception
The reception began at 8:00 PM with quick, upbeat introductions set to “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson & Bruno Mars. The couple requested a simple, polished vibe—no over-the-top fanfare—so intros were short, joyful, and right to the point.
The wedding party included:
- Flower Girl: Aubrey King
- Jenny King
- Sam Watson
- Brandi Landwehr
- Amy Deutsch
- Nils Vaule
- Adam Marks
- Best Man: Jon Dreyer
- Maid of Honor: Jamie Zeitler
Finally, we welcomed the couple with: “And now for the first time as a married couple… Joshua and Michelle Landwehr!”
First Dance, Blessing & Toasts
At 8:15 PM, Michelle and Joshua shared their first dance to “You Are the Best Thing” by Ray LaMontagne. It was intimate, heartfelt, and a perfect reflection of the couple’s energy.
Following the dance, Michelle’s uncle, Jay Palmer, offered a traditional hamotzi blessing over the bread—one of the most meaningful moments of the night.
Toasts followed at 8:50 PM with words from Maid of Honor Jamie Zeitler and Best Man Jon Dreyer, each sharing stories, laughter, and heartfelt congratulations.
Dinner, Cake Cutting & Father/Daughter Dance
Dinner began around 9:05 PM, giving guests time to enjoy their meal before the next round of festivities. At 9:35 PM, Michelle and Joshua cut a small anniversary tier—a simple but sweet touch.
Immediately afterward came the father/daughter dance to “How Sweet It Is” by Marvin Gaye, performed live by East Coast Soul. After a minute or so of spotlight dancing, guests were invited to join them—and the dance floor quickly filled.
Hora, Dance Requests & a Surprise Moment
By 8:20–8:30 earlier in the night, the couple also requested to kick off the celebration with a spirited Hora—and the room absolutely lit up. Lifting chairs, spinning circles, loud singing… it was everything you hope a Hora will be.
The couple also shared a few must-play favorites—Stevie Wonder, Otis Redding, “Suit & Tie,” “Moondance,” and a special request for “Beat It” to match a friend’s surprise dance routine.
Then came one of the evening’s most memorable moments: Michelle stepped onto the mic to sing “You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me” with the band… and immediately surprised Josh by segueing into “Let’s Get It On”. The reactions were priceless—part laughter, part cheering, part stunned joy. A total crowd favorite.
A Dance Floor That Didn’t Quit
The full band performance officially kicked off after the father/daughter dance, and the dance floor stayed packed until the final notes at midnight. With an emphasis on Motown, soul, and high-energy modern hits—and a “no Lady Gaga, no country” request—the playlist perfectly reflected the couple’s taste.
It was one of those nights where the room never lost momentum and the crowd never stopped moving.
Alden Castle Magic
Michelle and Joshua’s wedding at Alden Castle blended heartfelt moments, musical personality, and a packed dance floor into a single unforgettable night. We were honored to be part of such a warm, joyful celebration—congratulations to the newlyweds!
