Thornewood Castle Inn & Gardens

Wedding Day

Guest arrival

Ceremony

Cocktail Hour

Reception

Our Wedding

Our Engagement Story

New Year's Eve 2025. Columbia Tower Club. A mystery crime to solve...and a surprise ending!It was a few day's ahead of New Year's Eve and I was figuring out what our evening plans will be. I wanted to go out on the town, dress up, and do something extravagant!Inspiration struck, and I spent the next 3-4 days absorbed in planning an elaborate crime mystery adventure to take Patrick on. I created clues, characters, evidence, witnesses, police memos, the whole gambit! All the while, there was an idea tugging at my mind....Come December 31st, I let Patrick in on the plans. He gets his first clue: the police memo and his first task. He jumped in with a fervor, got in detective mode, and set to work solving the mystery!

The Case of the Alki Emerald

We determined that the next location was going to be our preferred neighborhood coffee shop. It was a nice day so we decided to walk, holding hands and talking about the new year. At the coffee shop, we received our next task.

We "found" a flyer on a bulletin board in the coffee shop about a new year's eve party at the Columbia Tower, and since the suspect was looking for a spot to be undercover at midnight, we figured it was a better lead than nothing. 😜 We put on our pearls and pajama best outfits, and headed out for a festive night above the clouds!

It was steadily creeping closer to midnight. Deep down, I knew this night was about something more special than a silly game I had created. I knew I wanted to spend my life with this man, adoring one another and indulging in our simple games and fantasies together, making each other smile. Clearly, based on our clues, the last task must be done at the stroke of midnight. We took a selfie (our best attempt at a "reflection photo"), and suddenly our last clue revealed itself: small black velvet pouch, just as described by witnesses. Inside, we found the missing item: the Alki Emerald!

The crowd was singing and dancing to the dj's festive tunes to bring in 2026. The city below was covered in a thick blank of fog, ethereal twinkling lights within a deep sea of clouds. It felt like we were flying among the heavens. We had our midnight kiss side by side watching the celebration before us. I looked at Patrick and took him by the hands. I told him I wanted to ask him a question. There was a glimmer in his eyes and he lit up as he realized what this night, this moment, truly was about. I professed my love for him, and asked him to marry me. He said yes! ❤️

Our Story

Parking:There is parking for up to 40 vehicles available on the premises. Due to the limited parking space, we ask that guests indicate on the RSVP whether they will drive and need parking validation. We encourage guests to carpool or rideshare.

Damages policy:There is no hard alcohol (liquor) allowed on the premises. Smoking and vaping are only allowed in outside designated areas. Any damages accrued due to alcohol, smoking or vaping is an automatic cleaning fee of at least $3,000.

Dining &amp; Dancing:The ceremony will take place in the gardens outside. The reception will take place inside. The dining hall and main hall double for dining space. After dinner, tables can be moved in the main hall and there is room for dancing. We will have a playlist of our greatest hits!

Venue

Heather Alison Pierce-Maiani

Patrick Gene Hartley

Marisa Herrera

David Gold

Rachel Rose Pierce-Maiani

Michael Hartley

Té Marie Lionello

Kris Hope

Wedding Party

Photos

Q + A

Registry

This is a formal black tie wedding event. Wear your best castle-worthy outfits! Elaborate, on-theme outfits and costumes are permitted.

Heather & Patrick

Heather & Patrick

Photos