Exclusive: Inside Former Miss New York Taryn Delanie Smith's "Enchanted Garden" Wedding

The content creator married Alec Castillo overlooking the Pacific Northwest coastline.

Photo: Janet Lin Photography
,Planning: Events by Genevieve
,Venue: Roche Harbor

Updated Jul 26, 2024

It was love at first sight for Taryn Delanie Smith and her husband, Alec Castillo. The former Miss New York pageant star met Castillo, a personal trainer, when she walked into his Seattle gym at age 19. "Alec swears he knew right then and there that he'd marry me," Smith tells The Knot in an exclusive interview. "One of the front desk employees told me that 'some guy named Alec' was telling people I was his 'future wife,' and I initially laughed it off as a crush a stranger had on me. Then, Alec introduced himself and I was just as smitten." Following their first date in 2015, Smith continues, "I knew he was probably right and I'd be his future wife after all."

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Their predictions finally came true on July 24, 2024, when Taryn Smith and Alec Castillo got married at Roche Harbor, a historic seaside resort on San Juan Island in Washington. Surrounded by 75 guests, the content creator and entrepreneur exchanged vows in an "enchanted garden"-themed wedding—and we have an exclusive look inside the celebration here.

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Inside Taryn Delanie Smith's Wedding

After they began dating in 2015, Taryn Smith and Alec Castillo took their relationship long-distance when she moved to New York for college. (Meanwhile, Castillo was working as a fisherman in Alaska.) While they always knew marriage was in the cards, they waited for "the timing to be just right." The perfect moment for the proposal occurred in March 2023, at the end of Smith's year of service as Miss New York. Castillo popped the question with a cushion-cut engagement ring from Christi Sothers at a botanical garden just outside of the city—and Smith's brother, Travis, flew in to photograph the engagement as a surprise.

Taryn Delanie's wedding altar and arch with white peonies

That lush setting went on to inspire Smith's "enchanted garden" vision for her wedding day. "Initially I was going to tackle this all myself, but after some thinking, I decided I definitely needed a wedding planner," Smith explains. Her photographer, Janet Lin Anderson, introduced her to Genevieve de la Cruz, founder of Events by Genevieve. "She made it all so easy," Smith says. "It was like talking to a trusted friend the entire time."

There was no question that the couple would host their nuptials near Seattle, as they dreamed of giving their loved ones a taste of their hometown. "We wanted this wedding to feel like what falling in love in the Pacific Northwest felt like to us," Smith explains. Flashy details aside, the bride was focused on curating a feeling, rather than an aesthetic, for her big day. "Taryn envisioned an intimate, romantic, candlelit dinner surrounded by her closest family and friends," de la Cruz tells The Knot. "Her focus was on creating an intentional atmosphere where everyone felt cared for, including both guests and vendors. Her priority on guest experience was incredibly touching."

To do so, they allowed the exquisite natural beauty of their archipelago setting to shine. "We chose a classic palette of white and green, reflecting the venue's stunning foliage and architecture," de la Cruz continues. "Taryn had a few decorative ideas but trusted us to highlight its inherent charm."

The wedding festivities kicked off with an intimate sunset cruise on a tug boat the night before, where the to-be-weds enjoyed quality time with all of their guests—which they now call one of their "favorite details" of the week.

Taryn Smith putting on her wedding dress with her mom

On the morning of the wedding, which took place on a Wednesday, Smith got ready with all of the women in her life, not just her bridesmaids. "My mom and I had coffee in the morning before everything started," she recalls. "My aunt and cousin made a feast for everyone to snack on while getting ready, and it was really important to me to do a first look with everyone there. I wanted to share that special moment with all the women I hold near and dear. It seemed like a right of passage."

Taryn Smith's wedding dress was a strapless ball gown with a pointed sweetheart neckline and ruched bodice by Pnina Tornai, which she found at Kleinfeld Bridal in New York City.

The groom looked dapper in a custom black tuxedo by Robbie & Co. The bridesmaids wore mismatched champagne satin dresses by Birdy Grey, while the groomsmen opted for black Michael Kors tuxedos.

Taryn Smith and her husband Alec Castillo with their wedding party

The bride carried three bouquets throughout the day: a bundle of white roses, a larger version of her bridesmaids' bouquets comprised of white Playa Blanca roses, and a cluster of fluffy white peonies, which served as a nod to her mother. "My mom grew them in her garden," Smith says. "It's our favorite flower, and I wanted a smaller bouquet to keep things very timeless and dainty." Since this was her only request, the couple's florist, Emerald City Flowers, took the lead on every other installation and decorated the space with clusters of greenery and monochrome white blooms.

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The couple opted to forgo a first look, instead seeing each other for the first time during the processional. On the arm of her father, Smith walked down the aisle while pianist Aaron Buckner and cellist Gretchen Yanover performed a rendition of "I Will Always Love You."

Taryn Smith reading her husband a poem during the wedding ceremony

In addition to exchanging traditional vows, the couple had another surprise in store. Rather than take Castillo's last name, they intend to take his step-father's last name, York, which they announced in front of their guests. "He raised such an excellent man, and though John is not Alec's biological father, he was one in every way that counts," Smith explains. "We wanted to honor him and his legacy, so we surprised him with the news in front of our family and friends."

Taryn Smith and Alec Castillo kissing at their wedding ceremony

Natalie Cole's "This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)" played as the newlyweds walked up the aisle while guests threw white rose petals in the air. The flowers were held in cones covered in a custom toile pattern, which also appeared on their stationery, the champagne wallpaper, the bar, and the menus. It was a thoughtful touch that their planner suggested early in the planning process.

Taryn Smith's wedding stationery and custom toile print

"This unique design featured the Empire State Building, a nod to the view from their NYC apartment, and a sketch of their venue, Roche Harbor on the San Juan Islands, the place Taryn had dreamed of getting married at for years," de la Cruz explains. "The pattern also showcased peonies, Taryn's favorite flower, a ferry boat symbolizing Alec's hometown and the island's access, and their custom wedding crest designed by Honest Calligraphy."

Yanover provided more instrumental music as the evening transitioned into cocktail hour, where the couple's Great Dane, Bruce, was honored with a mango margarita, aptly named the "Brucerita." They also paid homage to their setting by incorporating salmon into one of the appetizers, a quintessential dish in the PNW region.

Immediately following their grand entrance into the reception, the newlyweds shared their first dance to Billy Withers' "Just The Two Of Us", sung by Buckner.

Taryn Smith's first dance at her wedding

Smith delegated the dinner menu duties to her husband, whom she describes as a "foodie." Her one request, though, was a mac and cheese station. Looking back, they consider splurging on food and entertainment to be one of their best wedding planning decisions. "We felt like these were integral to a great guest experience," she says.

Taryn Smith with her guests at her wedding reception

The after-party took place on a historic 20th-century tug boat belonging to family friends, which was a longtime dream come true: "I used to say as a teenager I'd get married on the boat one day," she recalls. "I really loved the idea of a slow dinner with live music, getting a chance to talk to all our friends and family, eating a good meal, and enjoying the beautiful surroundings."

Rather than slice into a traditional wedding cake, the couple enjoyed a confetti confection from Nothing Bundt Cakes. Guests also received their own mini bundt cake as an edible favor.

Taryn Smith and her husband Alec Castillo at their wedding reception

Before the wedding, the couple took a "pre-honeymoon" to Paris, as Smith will immediately return to New York to begin filming an upcoming talk show series hosted by content creators for Amazon Prime, produced by Reese Witherspoon's media company Hello Sunshine. While not much will change for the longtime couple as they embark on married life, Smith says she's excited to tackle her future endeavors with her husband by her side. "Alec and I laugh so much together. We stay up late into the night laughing, talking and planning," she muses. "I cannot wait for a lifetime of that."