The Wedding Day
On this page, you will find useful information on the day of the wedding itself, including details on the Programme, and a bit of background on our choice of venue.
Please refer to Logistics for more practical information on your trip.
The Programme
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Welcome 14:30
It's go-time! Sam is receiving our guests in front of Schloss Freudental. The day may be hot, so plenty of water and shade will be provided.
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Ceremony 15:00
Mendelssohn's Wedding March will start playing and a little lady dressed in white and her Papa will walk down the castle's tree alley toward a very nervous Sam. The Ceremony will be held by Romolo - one of Sam's oldest friends and aspiring lawyer. There will be parts in English, (Swiss) German, and Italian - to reflect which languages Sam and I speak every day.
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Reception 15:45
Sam and I are now married! Let's pop some champagne bottles.
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Photos with Everyone 16:25
We would like to take some pictures with everyone. Please gather at the stairs at the castle's entrance and wait for the photographers instructions.
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Kaffee und Kuchen 16:30
As per tradition, coffee and cake will be served two hours before dinner. Sam and I have chosen a rich chocolate cake - with a tiny surprise on top - as our wedding cake. There will also be some lighter cupcakes.
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Group Photos 17:15
We would like to create some memories by taking pictures with specific groups of our friends and family. Please hang around the castle entrance to ensure you are found in good time. You may also want to check our photo list to see when it's your turn.
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Rituals 17:30
To ensure a good marriage, Sam and I will undergo several traditional rituals. This includes cutting a tree stump and tying a knot.
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Dinner 18:30
Please make your way to the upstairs dining room at 18:00 and find your seat. Service will begin at 18.10.
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First Dance 21:15??
Sam and I will showcase our dancing skills, which we have acquired through the one-and-only Marianne.
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Party 21:30??
The party begins! Join us in the cellar for a wild time with a live DJ.
Dress Code
Worried about what to wear? Previously, I had thought it would be OK for everyone to just wear whatever, but my very wise and experienced planner advised that it is often nice to give somewhat of a guidance a) to take some uncertainty away from guests and b) to give the pictures a more composed look. So what follows will provide a tiny bit of guidance, which you are in no way obliged to follow.
Generally speaking, the event is rather formal in tone (75%), but not too formal (25%). For instance, the setting is a very fancy castle in the middle of nowhere and there will be fine wines and food. However, there are also several colourful individual touches, which will largely remain a surprise for now…
I would definitely recommend a suit for men and a dress or a jumpsuit for women. The dress neendn’t be full length, it’s July! Even my dress is a rather summerly dress. For suits, I recommend a navy/blue/black/grey dark colour. For dresses, I recommend blues, such as the colours of the website. If you are not a blue person, you could consider some greens, too. But if you don’t like these colours at all, you don’t have to stick to them. Wear whatever you enjoy wearing.
Note, however, that in my cultural heritage, wearing a white dress as a guest is seen as a no-go (watch this funny clip!), while purple is sometimes interpreted by some to mean some sort of jealous ill-will, and red as an affair with one of the newlyweds. 😉 So you may want to avoid those.
Speaking of cultural heritage, you are also very welcome to wear a dress from your own culture, too! E.g., sari, cheongsam, kimono. In fact, I encourage you to do so!
Gifting Advice
A lot of people have been asking me what to get us! And it’s been a bit awkward answering each time, haha! So here I will put some guidance for you.
Since we started dating, we have been showering each other with gifts. So much so, that by now we have absolutely every material good we could ever want or even think of. (✓ roomba, ✓ electric orange press, ✓ towels with embroided names, ✓ fancy stoneware plates that are so heavy they’re too inconvenient for everyday use) At this point, we have had quite enough of material consumerism and would like to start looking ahead.
Specifically, we are working toward saving money to have enough of a financial cushion to be able to expand our family in some years time. And ideally, to be able to buy a little housey in the green somewhere for this expansion (and us) at one point. ♡
For this reason, if you would like to bestow something upon us, we would appreciate your contribution toward our savings.
(Since some have asked me how exactly to do this:) In my culture, it is customary to put the desired amount of cash inside a card and inside an envelope. At specific points during the wedding (start, dinner), you will see a box which will invite you to leave your gift there. (If you don’t do paper money – or are visiting from abroad and don’t have EUR/CHF handy – you can also transfer something to us via bank transfer. The details are as follows:
Bank: UBS
IBAN: CH35 0020 2202 1343 1740 Q
Address: Giessenstrasse 21, 8600 Dübendorf
Name: Samuele Ambrosini
Your card can also double as guest book entry, as we have opted against using a guest book on the day. Instead, we will retain the cards as memory of your visit. I have always been very fond of the cards I receive and have kept all since 2015. You can write as little or much as you want, don’t worry. „Congrats“ works. A cute design will make me smile.
By the way: our plush family is very much complete (for now). I am having a very hard time finding homes for our already existing plushies. And Sam says we can’t get a bigger bed or bigger house at the moment. (Even if it breaks my heart to say this:) please don’t get us any plushies – i.e., alpacalis, teddies, sheepies,… They will be very welcome again once we expand the human family (in some years).
"One castle, please." "Make it pink, if you can."
Nestled amid undulating hills and verdant landscapes, the rose-hued „Schloss Freudental“ emerges like a fragment of a fairytale delicately cut and seamlessly pasted into the canvas of the countryside.
Naturally, we fell in love immediately. To me, it looks like a princess‘ perfect castle; and Sam was convinced by the library and the cellar. So, we went ahead and reserved it for our special day.
Read on to find further information on the venue and discover a cute and perhaps even a bit surreal fact about my family history!
Take a Sneak Peak Inside the Castle
Schloss Freudental unfolds its historical tapestry through six stunning ground-floor rooms adorned with rich stucco work. Noteworthy are four ceiling masterpieces, narrating tales from both Christian and Greek mythology. The entrance area proudly showcases the castle’s founder’s coat of arms. Ascending the staircase, two more ceiling paintings unfold tales of a striding youth with the inscription „Festina Lente“ („Make Haste Slowly“) and the classic love story of Amor and Psyche. Venturing to the upper floor reveals a grand vestibule, a reception hall, a banquet hall, and two additional stucco-adorned rooms. Eleven ceiling paintings seamlessly weave tales from Greek legend. The meticulously restored tile stove in the banquet hall adds a touch of warmth.
Tobias Baiter & Schloss Freudental
Destiny? Cross-Generational Choices
In Summer 2023, my dad went through my great-grandparent’s documents to find out more about their past. Max and Herta Heimann fled from Prussia during World War II. We came across their wedding certificate, „Trauschein“, shown in the gallery. From it, we were able to deduce that they got married in the evangelic church in Grünhagen – which is now called „Zielonka Pasłęcka“ in Polish. I googled this church and guess what I’ve found! A building that looks strikingly similar to Schloss Freudental, judging from its pink colour and twirly roof decorations. Do you agree?
Family & Sanktuarium Zielonka
Schloss Freudental: A Tale of Time
Constructed between 1698 and 1700 by Freiherr Franz Dominik von Prassberg, Schloss Freudental in Allensbach carries a legacy steeped in history and transformation. Architect Michael Wiedenmann’s intricate designs, including opulent stucco ceilings, reflect the Baroque elegance of this enchanting castle.
From serving as a refuge for Russian prisoners during World War I to housing a children’s home and a post-war pottery workshop, the castle has witnessed diverse roles. In 1975, entrepreneur Franz Josef Schmidt initiated a meticulous restoration, leasing it to the Humboldt-Institut for „German as a Foreign Language.“ Since 2004, Irmgard Moser has turned it into a popular venue for seminars and events, gaining additional recognition through wedding expos.
Acquired by Swiss entrepreneur Philipp Schwander in June 2011, Schloss Freudental underwent a comprehensive renovation. Today, its baroque chambers and guest rooms blend historic charm with modern comfort. The castle’s expansive garden, featuring inviting spots like the Thuja Allee and the Pavilion, beckons guests to enjoy its timeless tranquility. Schloss Freudental, a captivating blend of history and contemporary allure, continues to enchant visitors as a living testament to the passage of time.
Chalk painting. Sophie Ley, 1870.
Service Providers
Running our special day would not be possible without the help of some amazing people.
Here they are – with the warmest recommendations:
Tobias Baiter
Photographer