Mountain Memories at ThorpeWood

02/08/2025

Repost from Julie’s FB Page….

“I just learned that our dear friend and regular officiant for many of the couples who were married at ThorpeWood, Reverend Ronald Reaves (Ron) passed away last October unexpectedly...and then his beloved wife, passed in December! 😞

Ron was also Sam's and my officiant when we were married in 2014! 🙂

I am so shocked to have learned this...quite by accident as I was attempting to get in touch and catch up. Sending love to his family. He will be missed by many!! He officiated MANY weddings over these past several years.

Rest in Peace Ron and Lucretia!!”

02/06/2025

Are you looking for an amazing pianist? I heard Justin at the wedding on December 26 at Mountain Memories at ThorpeWood..he is a friend of the couple. He plays totally by ear...and our 1898 Steinway Piano sounded amazing. He just sat and played throughout the evening...even when guests were in the lower level listening to a playlist. He is quite talented.

Our venue? Or the venue you may have booked instead! (What? No!) :)

Justin Adams, Pianist
Freelance Pianist and Entertainer
Tel. 717.668.6298
Email. [email protected]
Facebook: Justin2Piano
Instagram:

02/05/2025

Congratulations Brooke! Wishing you all the best as you await the arrival of your baby!! Thanks for celebrating !!

💕

02/03/2025

Remaining OPEN DATES in 2025!! So, if you have ever dreamed of getting married at Mountain Memories at ThorpeWood, with our amazing staff....now is the time. Remember that Julie Castleman, Owner and Director, is retiring July 1, 2026 and will be closing the business (See earlier post with this announcement). BUT there is still time remaining in 2025 and also Spring of 2026!! Come and tour!! You might even get a discount!

Available in 2025:
June 22
July 5,6 and 27
August 16 and 24
November 21

Contact Cara at [email protected]

ThorpeWood is a beautiful backdrop for a wedding ceremony, corporate retreat, non-profit organization

01/31/2025

So, Mary Kate McKenna married Joseph Battles at ThorpeWood 16 years ago! MK was the first choice so often for our clients looking for an amazing photographer with a great eye (and guy). Such a full life she has raising their son who will be 7 this year...how can this all be! Time has flown, but memories fill us with warm hugs!! Congratulations MK and Joe. Thanks for choosing us in those early days!! Your friendship has remained!
Thanks,
Julie 🥰

Mary Kate McKenna Photography + The UnCorporate Headshot

01/26/2025

It is that time of year…we have lost a few of our weekend warriors and need to get a few more on payroll!! For more information, reach out to Julie Castleman [email protected]

Average commitment of time is 6 hours on a wedding day. You can pick and choose which weekends/days you can work. Lots of flexibility!

We would love for you to join the team!!

Thanks!!!

01/25/2025

These beautiful messages are so appreciated…even before their wedding celebration!! Thank you!! 🥰

Hi Julie!

I just wanted to say how grateful I am that we get to experience (Mountain Memories at)Thorpewood in its final year. I’m so honored I’ll have a beautiful property ingrained in my heart forever after our wedding. Thank you for everything you have answered, helped with thus far. Can’t wait til November! And woohoo so excited for you and your retirement!

KS -‘25 Bride ❤️

12/26/2024

Happy Holidays. We will start accepting Christmas tree donations on December 26th. Trees can be left anytime next to the driveway. Pine trees are great for the goats, providing nutrients, vitamin c, and a natural dewormer. As a bonus, Christmas tree donations help cut down on food costs.

Trees must be green. We cannot accept trees that were painted or tinsel was used.

Please always do your own research for the breeds/sizes of animals you have before feeding them anything new. 🐐

12/14/2024

IMPORTANT NEWS:

After almost 25 years of shepherding many interested couples, non-profit groups, corporate groups, and celebrations of all kinds, Julie (Parlaman) Castleman, Owner and Director of Mountain Memories at ThorpeWood, LLC will be closing her business July 1, 2026! Julie began this journey November 2000 when hired by the then Executive Director of ThorpeWood, Sam Castleman … now her wonderful husband and partner.

Fast forward to 2013 when Julie was asked by the ThorpeWood Board to take over the “events” side of ThorpeWood. The new arrangement provided that a significant portion of the Mountain Memories at ThorpeWood income would be dedicated to ThorpeWood’s non-profit mission.

After much consideration, she did just that and renamed HER business, Mountain Memories at ThorpeWood, LLC – a separate business, not falling under the ThorpeWood umbrella. Julie took off running and continued to welcome many people to tour and often booking their weddings and other non-wedding events since going independent.

As you might imagine, this decision comes with much sadness, but with memories full of joy, love and amazing connections … all created during these past 20+ years. Julie looks forward to these next 18 months when weddings will continue to fill the amazing ThorpeWood lodge and property.

You might ask why is this happening? As some of you may know, there is a new ThorpeWood Team, led by the new Executive Director, Kaili van Waveren. Kaili has been a friend of ThorpeWood for several years bringing Camp Jamie participants to the Lodge for weekend events. (https://www.frederickhealthhospice.org/grief-loss/camp-jamie/). Sam hired her in August of 2023 to take over the reins as Executive Director.

Kaili has a deep connection to the Frederick community especially in the area of Mental Health. Because of this connection and outreach ThorpeWood is connecting with many current and new Non-Profit organizations. These groups are filling the Lodge and calendar and therefore having weekend events, like weddings, has become impractical. Julie understands this more focused direction, but the process is challenging to say the least.

So, if you have been dreaming about having your wedding with us at Mountain Memories at ThorpeWood, now is the time. Over these many years Julie and her team have shepherded upwards of 1,000 couples through the wedding process. Plus hundreds of wonderful non-profit organizations, corporate groups, special events like memorial services for friends and family, birthdays, baby and bridal showers and more!! Wow!! We have touched SO many lives during such important times! We feel so blessed!

We have several dates in 2025 and early 2026 still open! We are ready to schedule your tour and work with you to create an amazing memory with us!! Let’s get a few more celebrations in the books. If you have any questions, please reach out to Julie, [email protected]. If you want to schedule a tour, please reach out to Cara, [email protected] (an amazing connector and also married at ThorpeWood)

Julie’s connection with her clients over these years is a special one…keeping in touch with many, becoming close friends with many…it is personal for her!! So much so that the plan is to invite all those who have celebrated with us over the years…whether a wedding, an anniversary, a baby arrival, a celebration a life well-lived…to a party! The date is Saturday, August 8, 2026!

For now, we will continue helping to create the most beautiful weddings…until we don’t!! So, give us a call, send an email…come and visit!!

Thank you!!

12/11/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1C7iPwPy8c/?mibextid=WC7FNe

From the moment we met Rachel and Adam, a spark ignited. Their warmth and genuine connection drew us in, and we knew we were destined to capture their love story.

11/18/2024

https://www.primevideo.com/detail/Still/0RD7EBI41MSZLOK7XGSHP2UIWF

"We’re thrilled to announce the release of our latest documentary, Still, now streaming on Amazon Prime! This heartfelt film captures the remarkable journeys of couples who found ways to celebrate love, even during a worldwide pandemic.

As Fine Art Wedding Film, we were moved by the resilience and hope these couples displayed—and the magic that was made possible by incredible professionals like you. See below to watch the film, share the word with others''

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One of the couples married at Mountain Memories at ThorpeWood is featured in this movie...photos/videos of their wedding! :)

11/18/2024

Congratulations Sinclaire and Chris!! November 16 was a wonderful day filled with love and joy from family and friends! Thank you for choosing and a few great vendors!! Here are a few behind the scenes photos!

11/08/2024

Brian and Heidi were married at ThorpeWood on Saturday, September 25, 2004…twenty years ago!! Brian was in touch recently and hoping that he could surprise Heidi with a walk about on the ThorpeWood property on their anniversary, but the timing just didn’t work out!

Julie Castleman (then Parlaman) was the Director of Events, not yet the owner of and these were the wonderful early years!!

The photo on the swing was iconic and the photographer got some miles out of that shot! The tree is gone…but the memories of that swing are wonderful!!

They had the first butterfly release on the lower grass area of the lodge…it was magical!! In lieu of a favor ThorpeWood was the recipient of a donation to assist with the native landscape that was being created!

Truly a memorable wedding and a wonderful couple!! We are so grateful for the memories and the connections over these almost 25 years!!

Are you one of our earlier couples? We’d love to reconnect! 🥰

11/08/2024

FYI...

Come ring in the holiday season with us at ThorpeWood! This year the ThorpeWood Lodge will be open to the community on Saturday, Dec. 7 and Sunday, Dec. 8 from 2pm-7pm.

This is a FREE event and everyone is welcome!

The open house will feature grand decorations, hot cider, a cookie potluck (bring your holiday favorites!), live music, a giant Christmas tree, and kids' crafts. Santa will be visiting us both days from 3-5pm. For a schedule of musical performances please visit the event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1061399275444651?ref=newsfeed

We can't wait to see you there!

11/08/2024

October 27 - Helen and Mike had an amazing Fall day for their wedding celebration!! Friends and family gathered in our Pine Cathedral for their lovely ceremony and then all moved to the ThorpeWood lodge for the reception!! Here are a few candid shots. Congratulations Helen and Mike!! Thanks for choosing