Wedding | Tanja & Gösta

Tell us a little about yourselves!

We met about four years ago — thanks to my dog, Toto, a Cocker Spaniel who quite literally became our matchmaker. What began as a casual encounter during a walk soon turned into long conversations, shared travels, and the quiet realization that we had found home in one another.

I’m 47 and the founder of Impulse, a Berlin-based PR agency specializing in design, architecture, and lifestyle. My world revolves around aesthetics, storytelling, and creating meaningful connections through curated experiences like events. Gösta, 53, works in the aviation industry and is constantly traveling the world, yet always grounded in calmness and perspective.

Together, we form a beautiful patchwork: I bring two children, aged 13 and 15, and Gösta brings his two sons, 21 and 19. Our life is full, layered, and dynamic, a blend of teenage energy, grown-up wisdom, and the simple joy of shared everyday rituals.

We love cooking together, wandering through the forest, and foraging for mushrooms. It’s the small moments that root us, connect us, and remind us that beauty often lies in simplicity. And always, Toto at our side. He is the little soul who started it all.

Why did you decide to get married where you did?

Although neither of us are originally from Berlin, we’ve both called this city home for more than twenty years. It’s where our lives, our work, and eventually our love story found their rhythm. So choosing to get married here felt deeply natural.

Château Royal became the perfect reflection of that feeling. The hotel captures everything we love about Berlin: its quiet sophistication, creative spirit, and architectural soul, while carrying a cosmopolitan flair that mirrors our own lives. We both travel often, and our circle of friends is scattered across different cities and countries, so we wanted a place that felt both rooted and worldly.

It was also important to us to offer our guests, many of whom came from outside Berlin or even abroad, a destination worth staying for - a place that invited them to explore, connect, and experience the city in a new, beautiful way. Château Royal felt like an invitation to linger, to discover, to belong. When our guests arrived, the atmosphere unfolded into space. The rooms felt as though they had been waiting for us, warm yet refined, layered with art, texture, and light. 

Throughout the evening, the celebration moved through the house like a living story: from the aperitif on the rooftop terrace, overlooking the entire city, to an intimate dinner in the hotel’s iconic winter garden. It was the first time the team had ever hosted such a setting there, and their trust in our vision made it even more special. Later, the night continued in the bar, where more friends from Berlin joined us, and at midnight we danced into my birthday.

It was, quite simply, where we felt we had arrived - the perfect space to welcome our world, to celebrate love, life, and the joy of belonging.

How many guests did you have?

We wanted our wedding to unfold in chapters, each one with its own rhythm and intimacy. 

The ceremony at the registry office and the reception afterwards in the morning were small, around thirty people, just family and our closest friends.

For the aperitif and dinner, we gathered forty-five guests. It was a circle that felt warm, personal, and beautifully connected. Later in the evening, the celebration opened up, and around eighty friends joined us for the party at Château Royal. As it also flowed into my birthday at midnight, we wanted that part of the evening to feel a little freer, more open, spontaneous, and full of exciting movement.

It felt like the perfect progression - from quiet emotion to joyful togetherness, from heartfelt words to dancing and laughter that carried into the night.

What was your budget? 

Working in PR and event production certainly helped. I’m used to balancing vision with reality, and to shaping experiences that feel effortless while being carefully planned behind the scenes. From the beginning, we had a clear sense of what mattered most to us and where it was worth investing a little more.

Because of that, there were no real surprises. We created a framework that felt comfortable and realistic, while allowing space for moments of indulgence with beautiful details and thoughtful materials. It wasn’t about spending more, but about spending right.

Tell us about your outfits.

I never saw myself in a classic bridal gown. I’ve always been drawn to timeless pieces, refined silhouettes, and fabrics that carry emotion. So for me, it was less about the idea of “a dress” and more about creating looks that reflected different moments of the day. Since our wedding unfolded in three chapters, I wore three different outfits. Each one was tuned to its own mood and setting.

In the morning, for the civil ceremony, I wore a dress by Khaite New York - a classic from the collection, reinterpreted in a special edition of organza silk. It felt light and poetic, perfectly attuned to the quiet excitement of the day’s beginning. My wedding shawl was the most touching gift from my tailor. She had sewn it from one of her own archived dresses. So personal, so full of love.

Gösta wished for something classic and elegant. For the morning he chose a white tuxedo, paired with accessories and heirlooms from his father — a subtle nod to heritage and continuity. 

For the dinner, the mood shifted to something more sophisticated. Black Tie was the dress code. Gösta wore a deep-blue tuxedo, while I changed into a stunning silk gown by Christopher Esber which was elegant, fluid, and quietly dramatic.

Later, for the party, the atmosphere became freer, more playful. I slipped into a sequined dress by Ana Radu. It was the perfect choice for midnight dancing, laughter, and the moment we stepped into my birthday together.

We wore very few accessories. I wanted my hands and arms to be free for hugs, and for every gesture to feel natural and unrestrained. Our rings were meant to stand at the centre of it all. Designed by Ina Beissner, who also created our engagement rings, they were a true reflection of us. She translated my sketches and ideas more beautifully than we could have ever imagined into timeless pieces filled with meaning.

We both placed great importance on comfortable yet beautiful shoes to carry us through the entire day without fatigue. I wore silver sandals by Berlin-based Aeyde in the morning and changed into elegant Jimmy Choo pumps for the evening - shoes I know I’ll wear again for many special moments to come.

What was the most important aspect for you, in terms of planning your wedding?

For us, it was all about creating a feeling, an atmosphere that felt like us. We didn’t want a wedding that looked perfect; we wanted one that felt honest, emotional, and beautifully imperfect in its flow.

Every decision - from the location to the flowers, from the table settings to the music - was guided by one question: "Does it feel right?" We wanted every element to tell a story, to hold meaning, to reflect the balance between my love for aesthetics and Gösta’s calm, grounded nature.

Our guiding theme, “Angekommen im Wir” — expressed exactly what we wanted to celebrate: not a beginning, but an arrival. A feeling of calm, belonging, and deep gratitude for what we’ve found together. And this very emotion was what we wanted to share and celebrate with our kids and friends.

The essence of the day was not about spectacle, but connection. The warmth of our families, the laughter of our friends, the rhythm of conversation and clinking glasses — these were the true highlights. Everything else was there to frame that feeling.

Were there any elements that were important for you to incorporate?

We wanted each element to carry a sense of who we are. Our guiding theme, “Angekommen im Wir”  - shaped every decision, from the colour palette to the music and the flow of the day.

Design, for me, is never only about aesthetics, it’s about emotion. So we worked with materials, textures, and tones that felt warm, tactile, and human. The stationery, created by Pastos Studio, was a reflection of that - poetic in its simplicity, subtle in colour and form. Studio Lilo’s floral design followed the same philosophy: natural compositions that felt alive, like they were growing into the space rather than placed there.

Even within the styling, we wanted to weave in gestures of gratitude and connection. The silver, sculptural candleholders on our dinner tables, artfully styled by Studio Lilo, later became our gifts to the guests. After the wedding, we sent them out with personal letters, as small symbols of love, gratitude, and togetherness. They were a quiet part of the evening’s atmosphere and now, they live on in the homes of our friends, as a reminder of that shared moment.

It was equally important to us that the day didn’t revolve only around us. We wanted our guests, as the people who shape our lives and stories, to become part of the narrative, to co-create the atmosphere and energy of the celebration. And we also wanted our creative partners, who helped bring the day to life, to truly be part of it, not just as contributors, but as guests, friends, and fellow celebrators.

In the end, that’s what mattered most to us, beyond the aesthetic details and the styling elements: To see everyone - family, friends, and beloved collaborators - coming together at the end of the night, dancing, laughing, and celebrating as one. That, to us, was the most beautiful expression of what this day was meant to be.

Any tips for couples getting married?

Don’t try to please anyone but yourselves. Stay close to what feels true - your rhythm, your story, your way of celebrating. It’s so easy to get lost in expectations, but the real beauty of a wedding lies in the intimacy of intention.

Trust your instincts. Listen to your gut. It always knows. Make important decisions together and, if possible, work with people you already trust and who understand you not only professionally but personally. We were incredibly lucky to collaborate with partners I’ve known for years. There were no surprises, only a natural flow of understanding and creativity. Every single person involved exceeded our expectations in the most beautiful way.

Very early in the process, we created a shared mood board for everything that mattered most to us: stationery, location and styling, colours, outfits, even the guest list. It took time in the beginning and the research can feel overwhelming, but it helped us clarify our expectations, understand each other’s priorities, and align on what truly mattered. As a result, compromises became easier and decisions lighter.

And then, enjoy the process together. Every planning step can become a date — a memory in itself. When our dinner menu was set, for instance, we hosted a little wine tasting with friends to find the perfect pairings. It turned into the most wonderful late afternoon filled with laughter and stories — a moment we’ll always remember.

Lastly, on the wedding days themselves: hand your phone to someone else or simply keep it out of reach. Presence is the greatest luxury — and the most beautiful way to remember it all.

Are there any vendors that you would like to tell us a little more about?

We had the privilege of working with partners who have accompanied and inspired me throughout my professional and personal journey — people who understand our aesthetic, our story, and who have witnessed our love evolve.

It began with my hairstylist Gianna, who has known us personally for years, and my makeup artist Evin Mua, with whom I have collaborated professionally many times before. Together they gave the early wedding morning such a personal spirit. Their joy, warmth, and shared excitement helped to start the day in the most beautiful, authentic way.

The morning after our vows at the registry office unfolded beneath the canopy of a weeping willow. Franziske from Atelier Flora and my friend Doreen from Palm Studio created a cinematic welcome - a table draped in cherry-red textiles, the signature hue of our day. Glasses of Prosecco caught the light; platters of sweet and savoury bites - edible artistry that tasted as beautiful as they looked.

By evening, the celebration moved into the glass-roofed winter garden, again created by Palm Studio.

The table stretched like a quiet sculpture with ivory folds, deep crimson florals from Studio Lilo and cinematic silver accents. Minimal yet expressive.

The cake was crafted by Atelier Flora, architectural in form, aligned with the day’s visual language. Not just dessert, but the final note in a composition designed to be felt as much as seen.

Pasto Studio deserves a special mention, too. Her stationery captured the essence of our story, tactile, timeless, and subtly poetic. Every piece felt like a small object of art, connecting our guests to the feeling of the day even before it began.

And Corinna Keiser - her photography has fascinated me long before I even began to plan our own wedding. When we hosted our annual autumn reception, which spontaneously turned into our engagement celebration in late October 2024, we invited Corinna Keiser to capture it. From that day on, we connected deeply, not only through her work, but through her empathy, her eye for detail, and her enthusiasm for design. We share so many sensibilities, which made the collaboration on our wedding day so personal and heartfelt. The images she created are beyond anything we could have imagined, timeless, poetic, and full of emotion. Even months later, we find ourselves looking at them almost every day.

All of them understood that our wedding wasn’t about perfection, but about connection - a celebration of atmosphere, feeling, and the people who made it real.

Photographer: Corinna Keiser @corinnakeiser | Planning: by Tanja @tanjademmerath | Styling: Palm Studio @palmstudio_berlin | Flora: Studio Lilo @studiolilo_ | Reception Location: Château Royal

@chateauroyalberlin | Makeup: Evin Mua @evinmuaberlin | Cake, Catering & Beverages: Atelier Flora

@atelier__flora & Chateau Royal @chateauroyalberlin | Stationery: Pasto Studio @pastostudios | Dresses: Khaite New York @khaite_ny & Christopher Esber @christopher_esber | Suit & Groom Shoes: Suit Supply @suitsupply | Tanjas's Shawl & Gösta's Jacket: Vintage | Engagement & Wedding Rings: Ina Beissner Bridal @inabeissner.bridal | Shoes: (Bride) Aeyde @aeyde & Jimmy Choo

 @jimmychoo | Party Attire: Ana Radu @anaradu.official