How The Gilded Age transformed U.S. estates into a British castle for Gladys’ big moment

The Gilded Age was a period in the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century during whereby several extremely wealthy families managed to construct behemoth houses based on European palaces. There was fortune coming in in the form of railroads, steel, and oil, and these families wished to display their prosperity in the form of big buildings.

Several American estates received design inspiration by looking at British castles and French chateaus, with their towers, arch windows and formal gardens. They contracted the best architects, such as Richard Morris Hunt to ensure they had a house that could easily fit another continent.

Even to this day, when just properly dressed, those same estates may remind one of the old‑world castles. Fans of the HBO series The Gilded Age were able to enjoy this piece of history on July 13, 2025, when the wedding of Gladys Russell took place. The Gilded Age sparkles in the show with extravagant flower arrangements and Gothic churches, and rolling grounds.

The team of production has chosen some historic mansions and churches which already foreshadow royal relations. They enhance this atmosphere by adding extra decorations with cascades of roses, silk curtains, and candlelit aisles that make these American locations look compelling doubles of an English wedding. The audience that watches the show today gets to witness how the architectural heritage of the time continues to influence our understanding of romance and ceremony.

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American estates take on British castle features

In the Gilded Age, New York and Newport families constructed castles that resembled European castles. They supplemented them with turrets, steep roofs, and stone fronts to reflect Windsor or Versailles. The interior rooms had high ceilings, rich mouldings and enormous fireplaces that provided an aristocratic feel.

Outdoors, there were manicured gardens and fountains, which served as the appropriate setting to organize extravagant balls. These architectural selections reflected how the Gilded Age parlayed American enterprise with an old-world look.

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Filming locations echo Victorian‑era grandeur

In the case of Gladys Russell and her great dramatic scene, the film team decided upon a Gothic revival church and a mansion nearby in Albany. The church also possessed pointed arches, stained-glass and vaulted ceilings, and these were some of the aspects typical of British chapels.

The slate roof and the stone walls of the mansion nearby reminded of a gatehouse of a castle. Set designers enhanced the impression by placing olive branches, white roses and tall candelabras along the aisle. The combination of authentic architecture and imaginative costumes made the spirit of that era come to the screen.

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Wedding styling reflects stories of real arranged marriages

The story of Gladys Russell is reflecting the actual events that took place during The Gilded Age, including the marriage of Consuelo Vanderbilt to a duke in the year 1895. In both of the marriages, two rich American families have organized unions in order to obtain titles and social status.

Laced sleeves and long train of the dress used by the bride reminded tendencies of the turn-of-the-century fashion in England. People came dressed in tailcoats and top hats, and there were silver platters and classical music at the reception. These additional details make the invented wedding of the show seem connected to the traditions.

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Legacy of the Gilded Age design in modern times

More than a century after the Gilded Age, these historic estates continue to attract attention. Tourists flock to mansions like Rosecliff and Belcourt to imagine what life was like in that era. Real estate agents note that buyers often want properties with castle‑like features.

Event planners rent out these homes for weddings and shoots, preserving old gardens and ballrooms. In 2025, the same architecture that inspired The Gilded Age now inspires new stories and memories.

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By transforming U.S. estates into a British‑castle setting, The Gilded Age reminds us of America’s fascination with Europe’s royalty. The production’s careful use of historic sites and added décor recreates a world of formality and grandeur.

Gladys Russell’s wedding scenes show how architecture, fashion, and family ambition came together more than 100 years ago. Today, that fusion continues to captivate audiences and visitors alike. In this way, the era in US history lives on through stone walls, floral arches, and timeless tales of love and strategy.