Two wedding planners meet, fall in love, and plan a fairytale wedding of their own. Sounds like a match made in Hollywood, but for Kelly Melius, and John DiPreta, it was a dream come true. The couple worked together for years at Oheka Castle Hotel & Estate; the century-old, French-style chateau in Huntington, NY before they started dating. “We became friends while organizing weddings and events for our clients,” says Kelly. “After years of working with each other, I asked John if I could take him out for his birthday. It was our first time out of the Castle together, and we laughed the whole night.”

Though the two kept their romance quiet for another year, their chemistry was so apparent that no one was really fooled. “When we finally told everyone we were dating it wasn’t such a big surprise,” Kelly chuckles. “Everyone said they could tell we were more than friends.”

On February 9, 2006, John took things to the next level. The two were planning the annual Valentines Event at Oheka and, though it was Kelly’s day off, John asked her to stop by the castle and give her opinion on the menu and table setup. “When I got there, he had a candlelight dinner set up in one of the private dining rooms,” says Kelly. “We drank Champagne and had just started the menu tasting when John took the ring out and asked me if I would spend the rest of my life with him.” John had already discussed his intentions with Kelly’s friends, parents and daughter Samantha, who were all waiting outside the room. After Kelly said yes, the whole crowd joined them for an instant engagement party-and to admire the stunning engagement ring. “It was a magical night,” says Kelly.

Even more magical was the wedding itself, which took place over a year later on October 12, 2007 at (where else?) Oheka Castle. As the sounds of a 22-piece orchestra filled the autumn air in the castle’s spectacular Formal Gardens, the couple exchanged  their personally written vows under a wrought-iron gazebo decorated with white orchids and a crystal chandelier. The whole scene was mirrored in the garden’s eight reflecting pools.

The bride wore an A-line, butterscotch hued gown by St. Pucchi and a custom-made hair clip by Thomas Knoell Designs, who also made her earrings. The groom wore a simple, three button black tuxedo from Efor with a champagne tie that echoed the shade of the bridesmaids’ dresses, which were all the same color but in different styles to reflect each attendant’s personality and fashion sense.

After the ceremony, the wedding party and 400 guests walked to the castle for the reception, which was held in Oheka’s elegant, white orchid-filled Terrace Room. The autumn-themed meal was made up of grilled squash with warm goat cheese, pumpkin ravioli, and a choice of filet mignon, herb-crusted chicken with wild mushroom sauce, or seared Chilean sea bass and sautéed shrimp—all served on gold, white and champagne-colored place settings. “We worked very closely with our executive chef and executive pastry chef to create a wonderful menu, and there was plenty of food,” says Kelly.

After the meal, the eight-foot chocolate wedding cake—iced with white rolled fondant and encrusted with Swarovski crystals—was cut. The bride’s father, Gary, gave a toast, and the dancing began. No small detail was overlooked. “There was even a magician who walked around the reception to entertain guests who were not dancing,” says Kelly.

 And the party wasn’t over yet. “We had an after-party as a surprise for our guests,” says Kelly. “The cocktail room was changed into a club, with a DJ, white dance floor, colored lighting, and white sofas. A tent was put up on the back lawn for a Moroccan-themed area with sword-swallowers, snake charmers, dancers and fire-eaters.” Guests lounged on brightly-colored pillows surrounded by lush draperies and softly twinkling lights.

When everyone was too tired to dance any longer, close family and friends retired to Oheka’s 32 guest rooms for the night and they all met again for breakfast the next morning. “Everything about the wedding was wonderful—the music, the flowers, the food, the service—but the best part was sharing all of that with our family and friends,” says Kelly.

But for these newly-hitched wedding planners, the honeymoon will have to wait. Though they did spend a few days at The Lodge at Woodloch Spa in Pennsylvania, they haven’t yet had time for an extended trip. “We’re in the wedding business,” laughs Kelly. “And this is the busy season.”