Australian girl becomes a German Countess in extravagant fairytale wedding as …

Posted on by News4Me
  • Ordinary Kate Stahl from Turramurra, Sydney, married Count Anton Andreas von Faber-Castell on Saturday
  • The 30-year-old met her husband at a party when they were teenagers and they started dating in 2009
  • Her wedding ring was blessed before 300 guests at the Martin-Luther-Kirche in the town of Stein, near Nuremberg

By
Allan Hall In Stein, Bavaria


Published:

12:51 GMT, 17 May 2014


|
Updated:

17:34 GMT, 17 May 2014

The girl from Sydney became the Countess in a castle on Saturday when she married in a ceremony showcasing the oldest and noblest families of Germany.

At 12.45pm exactly ordinary Kate Stahl became Kate Graefin von Faber-Castell as her wedding ring was blessed before 300 guests at the Martin-Luther-Kirche in the town of Stein, near Nuremberg.

Her marriage to Graf – Count – Anton Andreas von Faber-Castell was the culmination of a 15 year friendship that morphed into romance just three years ago.

Happily ever after: Count Anton Andreas von Faber-Castell and bride Kate Stahl pose in front of Castel Faber-Castell after their huge wedding on May 17, 2014 in Stein near Nuremberg, Germany

Happily ever after: Count Anton Andreas von Faber-Castell and bride Kate Stahl pose in front of Castel Faber-Castell after their huge wedding on May 17, 2014 in Stein near Nuremberg, Germany

The Graf – Tony to all his pals, and Germany’s only Aussie-accented nobleman – proposed to Kate in Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love, over Thanksgiving in 2011.

On the steps of the church, flanked by his old Sydney friend Mark Fishl who was doing duty as best man, he told the Daily Mail exclusively: ‘To say it’s a big day would be an understatement. It is THE biggest day.

‘I am very excited. Kate is a wonderful woman and I am sure she will make a wonderful wife. I am so lucky. One day we hope to move back to Australia, but for now we will still be living in Munich.’

You may now kiss the bride: The newly weds emerged from the church with their adorable flower children

You may now kiss the bride: The newly weds emerged from the church with their adorable flower children

'Still Kate': The bride claimed she won't change now she's a Countess, as she left the church in her gorgeous gown

‘Still Kate’: The bride claimed she won’t change now she’s a Countess, as she left the church in her gorgeous gown

Kate’s mother Jill Porse, who entered the church while her second husband Jorgen escorted the dazzling bride up the aisle, told the Mail: ‘I am as excited as you might expect me to be. Tony and Kate have known one another a long time and I am so happy for both of them.

‘I would love for them to come back and live in Australia, but I think it will be some time away yet. They have known each other for so long, first as friends and then as something much more, that I know they will be happy together.  They grew up together and now they will grow old together.

‘We had a fabulous party in the castle last night. It was all dirndls and trachten, traditional Bavarian dress, and everyone had a great time.

Sealed with a kiss: The married couple locked lips in front of the Faber-Castell's family home. A bridesmaid in blue held up Kate's train

Sealed with a kiss: The married couple locked lips in front of the Faber-Castell’s family home. A bridesmaid in blue held up Kate’s train

Special moment: At 12.45pm exactly ordinary Kate Stahl became Kate Graefin von Faber-Castell as her wedding ring was blessed before 300 guests at the Martin-Luther-Kirche

Romantic: The pair kissed outside the church

Special moment: Ordinary Kate Stahl became Kate Graefin von Faber-Castell as her wedding ring was blessed before 300 guests at the Martin-Luther-Kirche

What a day: Kate's marriage to Graf - Count - Anton Andreas von Faber-Castell was the culmination of a 15 year friendship that morphed into romance in 2009

What a day: Kate’s marriage to Graf – Count – Anton Andreas von Faber-Castell was the culmination of a 15 year friendship that morphed into romance in 2009

The couple fulfilled German legal requirements by actually tying the knot in a civil ceremony on Friday that was attended just by close family relatives. 

But Saturday was showtime, an occasion for the outdated, but never outclassed, noble families of the Fatherland to show off in a cavalcade of designer clothes.

The Grafs and Graefins, the princes and princesses of a royal lineage that was abolished after the Second World War strutted their stuff in Chanel, Christian Dior, Hugo Boss, Jimmy Choo shoes and Yves St. Laurent morning coats.

They were peacock proud and not ashamed to strut their stuff outside the church in the town where the Faber-Castell clan – it made its fortune out of pencils and artists’ accessories – is the aristocratic employer of hundreds of locals.

From friends to lovers: Kate, who works in Munich in a marketing job, previously described the Count as her closest confidant

From friends to lovers: Kate, who works in Munich in a marketing job, previously described the Count as her closest confidant

Stunning: The blonde beauty wowed in her ivory-white gown which had a six foot train

Stunning: The blonde beauty wowed in her ivory-white gown which had a six foot train

Hats off: The Count bagged his very own version of a princess on Saturday

Hats off: The Count bagged his very own version of a princess on Saturday

Beautiful backdrop: The grand hall of the castle was the venue chosen for the couple's wedding reception

Beautiful backdrop: The grand hall of the castle was the venue chosen for the couple’s wedding reception

Classic ride: Kate looked dazzling when she stepped from a classic Mercedes long-wheelbased, gold painted limousine wearing her satin and silk dress

Classic ride: Kate looked dazzling when she stepped from a classic Mercedes long-wheelbased, gold painted limousine wearing her satin and silk dress

But resplendent as they were, no-one dared to be so extravagant as to distract attention away from the bride – and no-one could.  Kate looked dazzling when she stepped from a classic Mercedes long-wheelbased, gold painted limousine wearing her satin and silk dress by Australian designer Rhonda Hemmingway.

Cantilly lace brocade hand made in France finished off the ivory-white gown which had a six foot train and the bride clutched a bouquet of roses, primroses and freesias.

The protestant church was adorned with white and yellow flowers inside – the colours of the Faber-Castell family – and white hortensias were placed at the end of every pew.

Some 80 guests from Australia made it over with many more coming from the USA and China.  Father Tobias Wittenberg, the priest who married them, joked before the ceremony began: ‘I think only I and a couple of others actually came from just down the road for this!’

The look of love: The Count put his arm around the waist of his Countess as they posed for photos

The look of love: The Count put his arm around the waist of his Countess as they posed for photos

Thrilled: As they drove from the church to their wedding reception at the Faber-Castell castle the couple looked overjoyed

Thrilled: As they drove from the church to their wedding reception at the Faber-Castell castle the couple looked overjoyed

Officially married: The pair fulfilled German legal requirements by actually tying the knot in a civil ceremony on Friday that was attended just by close family relatives

Officially married: The pair fulfilled German legal requirements by actually tying the knot in a civil ceremony on Friday that was attended just by close family relatives

Father Wittenberg officiated in a mixture of German and English.  He said that the love between Tony – who runs a fish farm and a delicatessen business in Bavaria – and Kate was a deep and abiding one.

He said that Kate had once told Tony: ‘I have compared you to others and you were the best.’  Father Wittenberg added: ‘That sounds a little rational but it was Kate trying to find a way of saying to the astonished Tony what he meant to her.  She also said; “Should there be an earthquake, Tony would know about it.”  They both compared each other to others and they both made their choice.’

Hymns at the ceremony were Holy God, We Praise Thy Name, Love Which Has Created Me in His Image and Now Thank We All Our God.  There was also a beautiful solo rendition of Ave Maria in the one-hour long service.

Natalie, 37, the sister of Tony who still lives in Sydney, told the Mail: ‘It is a fantastic day. I had to sew a button on to the best man’s vest after it came off, but that was the only mishap.

‘Kate is a wonderful woman and I know she and Tony will make each other very, very happy. They took a long time getting here but now they are married and it’s wonderful.’

Local fireman formed a guard of honour outside the church when they emerged and the gold Mercedes crept 1,000 yards up the road at a snail’s pace, the guests all walking behind it to a reception that was as lavish as anything seen in Germany in recent years.

Fairytale wedding: Bride Kate Stahl, right, and her stepfather Jorgen Porse arrive at Martin-Luther-Church on May 17, in Stein near Nuremberg, Germany

Fairytale wedding: Bride Kate Stahl, right, and her stepfather Jorgen Porse arrive at Martin-Luther-Church on May 17, in Stein near Nuremberg, Germany

Blushing bride: Kate Stahl from suburban Sydney wore a gorgeous white original dress created by Australian designer Rhonda Hemmingway for her wedding to Count Anton Andreas von Faber-Castell

Blushing bride: Kate Stahl from suburban Sydney wore a gorgeous white original dress created by Australian designer Rhonda Hemmingway for her wedding to Count Anton Andreas von Faber-Castell

What dreams are made of: The 30-year-old had no idea she would live happily ever after as a countess when she met her future husband at a party, aged just 15

What dreams are made of: The 30-year-old had no idea she would live happily ever after as a countess when she met her future husband at a party, aged just 15

Proud: Kate's stepfather beamed as he escorted the beautiful bride into the church

Proud: Kate’s stepfather beamed as he escorted the beautiful bride into the church

Delicate: A thin veil covered the 30-year-old's pretty face as she entered the church

Delicate: A thin veil covered the 30-year-old’s pretty face as she entered the church

Helping hand: Kate's long train is fixed by a bridesmaid dressed in a navy blue strapless gown

Helping hand: Kate’s long train is fixed by a bridesmaid dressed in a navy blue strapless gown

Floral: The bride clutched a bouquet of roses, primroses and freesias as she entered the church and so did her bridesmaids

Floral: The bride clutched a bouquet of roses, primroses and freesias as she entered the church and so did her bridesmaids

The grand hall of the castle, replete with Gobelin tapestries and rare artworks, was resplendent with flowers as guests sat down to a banquet prepared by two star Michelin chef Dieter Koschina.

His Vila Joya restaurant in Portugal is listed as the 22nd best restaurant in the world on the San Pellgrino list of the top 50.  The couple will be able to indulge in his recipes in June when they fly to his resort for their honeymoon.

Kate swapped her old home on Bobbin Head Rd in Turramurra for Munich to live with Count Faber-Castell nearly two years ago. He is the 31-year-old son of Count Andreas-Wilhelm von Faber-Castell, the managing director of one of the world’s largest manufacturers of pens, pencils and office supplies.

As she rode in her modern golden carriage back to the castle for the partying to begin, one newsman asked her how it felt to be a countess.

Flashing her diamond earrings as she pushed back her blonde hair from her face she replied: ‘I haven’t changed – I am still Kate! Only I am a married Kate now!’

Nobleman: Count Anton Andreas von Faber-Castell - Tony to all his pals, proposed to Kate in Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love, over Thanksgiving in 2011
Anton-Wolfgang von Faber-Castell and wife Mary smile for the cameras

Nobleman: Count Anton Andreas von Faber-Castell – Tony to all his pals, proposed to Kate in Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love, over Thanksgiving in 2011, while Anton-Wolfgang von Faber-Castell and wife Mary (right) smile for the cameras

Joined families: Kate Stahl and Count Anton Andreas von Faber-Castell (center) pose after their wedding together with the parents Count Andreas von Faber-Castell, Countess Virginia of Faber-Castell (right) and Jorgen and Jill Porse (left)

Joined families: Kate Stahl and Count Anton Andreas von Faber-Castell (center) pose after their wedding together with the parents Count Andreas von Faber-Castell, Countess Virginia of Faber-Castell (right) and Jorgen and Jill Porse (left)

Happiest day of their lives: The couple linked arms as they emerged from the church

Happiest day of their lives: The couple linked arms as they emerged from the church

Pretty: The flower girls scattered white petals outside on the floor

Pretty: The flower girls scattered white petals outside on the floor

Supported: The Count and Countess were surrounded by friends and family as they left Martin-Luther-Church

Supported: The Count and Countess were surrounded by friends and family as they left Martin-Luther-Church

Grinning relatives: Family members of the bride and groom wore grey and pink hues to the wedding

Grinning relatives: Family members of the bride and groom wore grey and pink hues to the wedding

Melissa and Charles von Faber-Castell arrive at Martin-Luther-Church

Charlotte von Oeynhausen and Thomas Jardenelk and son Felix arrive at Martin-Luther-Church

Melissa and Charles von Faber-Castell (left) and Charlotte von Oeynhausen and Thomas Jardenelk and son Felix (right) arrive at Martin-Luther-Church

Victoria (L-R), Katharina and Sarah von Faber-Castell arrive at Martin-Luther-Church on May 17, 2014 in Stein near Nuremberg, Germany

Victoria (L-R), Katharina and Sarah von Faber-Castell arrive at Martin-Luther-Church on May 17, 2014 in Stein near Nuremberg, Germany

Elegant ladies: Victoria (left), Katharina (center) and Sarah (right) von Faber-Castell arrive at the venue looking sophisticated

German nobility: Patrick von Faber-Castell (second right), his mother Lilo (right), Caroline Gotzens (second left) and her son

German nobility: Patrick von Faber-Castell (second right), his mother Lilo (right), Caroline Gotzens (second left) and her son

Albrecht and Marie-Louise zu Castell-Castell

Dapper: Ferdinand zu Castell-Ruedenhausen turns out for the wedding

Dapper: Albrecht and Marie-Louise zu Castell-Castell (left) and Ferdinand zu Castell-Ruedenhausen (right) turn out for the wedding

Bold: Gabriele zu Castell-Ruedenhausen (right), her daughters Georgi (third right) and Susanne (third left), her husband Bernd and children stood out in bright outfits as they showed up for the big day

Bold: Gabriele zu Castell-Ruedenhausen (right), her daughters Georgi (third right) and Susanne (third left), her husband Bernd and children stood out in bright outfits as they showed up for the big day

Excited: Natalie von Faber-Castell (centre) and flower bearers arrive holding hands at Martin-Luther-Church

Excited: Natalie von Faber-Castell (centre) and flower bearers arrive holding hands at Martin-Luther-Church

Cute: The bride and groom enlisted three page boys and three flower girls for their special day

Cute: The bride and groom enlisted three page boys and three flower girls for their special day

THE FABER-CASTELLS: THE GROOM’S DISTINGUISHED HERITAGE

Count Anton Andreas von Faber-Castell comes from a long line of pencil makers, dating back to Kaspar Faber, who lived in Nuremberg in the mid-18th century.

The pencil maker set up his own business, which he passed on to his son Anton Wilhelm Faber, who built it up into a flourishing factory.

Lothar Faber who took over the company in 1839 at the age of 22, was the first Faber to be elevated to peerage, when he was  granted a life peerage by King Maximilian II of Bavaria in 1862.

This recognition was in honour of his social and economic services to the community, which included donating significant funds to one of Germany’s first kindergartens, as well as setting up a health insurance scheme, savings bank for his employees, and building them apartments to live in.

His commitment to his employees’ welfare so impressed the French emperor Napoleon III, the he sent a delegation to investigate the welfare of Faber’s workers and then made him a knight of the Legion d’Honneur.

The family name became Faber-Castell when Lothar von Faber died without a male heir and the business passed on to his granddaughter, Baroness Ottilie von Faber.

She married Count Alexander zu Castell- Rüdenhausen in 1898, but kept her name, which was one of the conditions of her grandfather’s will. This was a very unusual step at the time and required permission royal permission.

The couple became known as the Count and Countess von Faber-Castell, a name which was then transferred to the company.

The business continued to expand and is the oldest family-run manufacturer of writing instruments in the world.

Count Andreas Wilhelm Eberhard von Faber-Castell, the father of the groom, was born in Nuremberg, he moved to Australia in 1971 and is the managing director of Faber-Castell Asia Pacific.

His son, Count Anton Andreas von Faber-Castell was born in Sydney, and is currently living in Munich where he is working on a fish-farming business.

Wilhelm von Faber (1851-1893) is one of the count's ancestors, though Wilhelm was of an artistic bent and not cut out for business. Both his sons died in childhood meaning that the business was passed down to his daughter

Lothar von Faber earned a hereditary peerage from King Maximilian II of Bavaria in 1862. He was responsible for expanding the business and for embarking on a program of social improvement

Ancestors: Wilhelm von Faber (1851-1893), left, is one of the count’s ancestors, though Wilhelm was of an artistic bent and not cut out for business. Both his sons died in childhood meaning that the business was passed down to his daughter. Lothar von Faber, right, earned a hereditary peerage from King Maximilian II of Bavaria in 1862. He was responsible for expanding the business and for embarking on a program of social improvement


Comments (37)

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The comments below have been moderated in advance.

Vlad,

Bucharest, Romania,

1 hour ago

These are the true Saxons. The real thing.

Tuttle,

Kent, United Kingdom,

1 hour ago

What a beautiful wedding – the bride’s dress is stunning and the guests mostly look lovely too

R20508143,

south, Ireland,

1 hour ago

Beautiful bride dress but those page boys suits are appalling, the groom also needs to loose the hat. Morning dress , is so eighties.

Paul Marsh,

Saint Paul, France,

1 hour ago

Marrying into the Faber-Castell family,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,nothing to write home about,,,,!!!

ReadFiend,

Saint John, Canada,

1 hour ago

A lovely wedding.

Flanders,

OneTwo,

2 hours ago

Quite lovely!

kaii,

london,

2 hours ago

I really can not bare to listen to Australian accents. I have no idea why they grate on me so much. It looks like a lovely wedding, I am just glad I did not have to listen to it.

pete,

manchester, United Kingdom,

2 hours ago

ha ha!
he looks a proper hooray henry…years of refined breeding.

Robert Esquire,

Tamworth, United Kingdom,

2 hours ago

Keep away from the castle tower during a full moon.

ME,

Wiltshire, United Kingdom,

3 hours ago

Lovely elegant classy modest wedding dress with sensible train.

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