Castleton hosts many weddings each year; we love our brides and often form a lifelong friendship with the couples as we help to plan their special day. Erin and Mike were one of those couples we will never forget…
Erin used the waterfall in Castleton's front entrance for some formal pictures
Eight years ago, March 3rd 2002, Mike and Erin were introduced through Erin’s college roommate. Erin was going to school at New Hampshire Technical Institute and so was Mike, however their paths had never crossed until two weeks prior to spring break. Erin was hesitant to jump into a serious relationship; she knew her college days were coming to a close and she had intentions of moving to Florida to pursue her career in Tourism and Travel. Erin was unaware that Mike too had plans for life after the semester. Mike was going to be leaving for Marine boot camp.
Although this was nothing either of them had planned for, they knew they wanted to see if a long distance relationship would work. Erin and Mike continued dating through the remainder of the semester, knowing that in a few short months their new relationship would be tested by their distance.
Finally school ended and Erin decided she was not going to go to Florida, instead she would see Mike off to boot camp. Erin would work at Canobie Lake Park for the summer and wait for his return.
The long summer days came to an end, Mike and Erin had spent the summer communicating through letters. As fall quickly approached Erin and Mike’s family flew to South Carolina to see Mike graduate from the Marine Corps. boot camp. In the months following graduation Mike reported to North Carolina for Infantry School for several months.
When Mike returned home in November, for what they thought would be for good, they decided to move in together. Erin and Mike found the perfect apartment in Derry, NH. They lived in the apartment for only two months before Mike received that dreaded call….he was being deployed to Okinawa, Japan in December 2002 for a full year.
Erin: “It was a long horrible year but we made it through. Again, only communicating through letters and cards. In a strange way it was the best thing that could have happened. I truly believe it made our relationship stronger. We had a relationship that was based solely on communication.”
Twelve months later Mike returned from Japan and Erin was waiting for him. Only three days after his arrival Erin and Mike were up in East Millinocket, Maine celebrating his return and Christmas with his family. Little did Erin know Mike had a BIG surprise planned for her on Christmas Eve. That’s right; Mike proposed on Christmas Eve in 2003. Naturally, Erin said yes. Immediately upon arrival back home they started planning the wedding.
After looking into venues to have the wedding Erin fell in love with Castleton, and Castleton fell in love with Erin and Mike’s story!
Erin:”I loved the staff, the grounds, the location…just everything. … once Mike saw Castleton we didn’t look anywhere else, and the rest is history!”
Erin and Mike set the wedding date shortly after visiting Castleton to be July 30th 2005. Things were going well for Erin and Mike. Plans for the wedding were coming together, they were settled living together again, and life was good.
Then one weekend in September 2004 Mike went to drill, a Marine weekend, which he attended once a month. Mike came home this particular month with not so good news. Mike sat Erin down, a not so-unfamiliar occurrence for Erin, and explained they were told over the weekend there was a very good possibility of Mike being deployed in July. The couple agreed that a July wedding with the anticipation of deployment just would not do. So, Erin called her new friend Dawn at Castleton and panicked. Luckily, Dawn was able to find one Saturday night open for the Erin and Mike. The new date was to be March 26th, 2005 and the rush set in.
Erin: “I had to coordinate all our vendors to our new wedding date. Talk about stressful! As always we pulled through. Everyone was amazing, especially Castleton. They did everything to make our wedding amazing knowing we now moved the date up three months due to Mike possibly being deployed. Dawn and I kept in close contact for the following months and really bonded.”
Erin and Mike were still able to use Castleton's grounds for some of their pictures despite the snowy March we had that year!
Erin and Mike were married at Castleton on Saturday, March 26th, 2005. The ceremony was at 5:30pm in Castleton’s Castle A&B with 165 guests in attendance. The reception followed immediately after the ceremony in Castleton’s Ashby/C Hall. Erin and Mike danced their first dance as Mr. & Mrs. to Shania Twains, Forever and For Always. Erin had fallen in love with this song while Mike was in Japan, they both agreed it fit them perfectly!
In the months following the wedding Erin and Dawn, the Sales Manager at Castleton, stayed in touch. This time it was Dawn who received a call…from Erin. Erin asked if Castleton was hiring, a few short weeks later Erin really became part of the “Castleton Family” working side by side with the staff that had been involved in her very own wedding day.
July came and went, and Mike was not deployed as originally planned. In September of 2005, Mike received the call that he would be deployed to Iraq for one year.
Shortly after Erin started working at Castleton she recruited her best friend and Maid of Honor Lisa to work at Castleton as well. The dynamic duo still work at Castleton today!
Needless to say Mike made it home safe and sound a year later. Erin and Mike have been building their lives together. Since then they have purchased their first home and…
In January of 2010, Castleton was honored to take part in Erin’s first baby shower! Erin’s family came to Castleton to host the baby shower with 65 guests in Castleton’s Ashby Hall. The same room Erin had her wedding reception years prior.
Erin and Mike had their first baby boy, Colin, on January 31, 2010. Congratulations Erin and Mike! We are so happy for you and baby Colin, you deserve your happily ever after. We love you!
Tayla & Mike were married at Castleton on Friday, July 30th at 7pm in Castleton’s Gardens….. almost TWO years ago! Since then they have become such a wonderful new addition to the Castleton family! We loved working with them, hearing their story as a couple, and have enjoyed keeping up with their adventures as Mr. & Mrs.
