Western New York Weddings:
When planning your perfect wedding day, one of the biggest challenges is deciding where you want to create your memories! Couples often dream of a destination wedding with palm trees, ideal weather, grand ballrooms, beaches, barns, and more. As a wedding photographer and videographer, I want to explain why Western New York is one of the most underrated places to get married. I’ll spoil the surprise by saying it has everything except palm trees, but I’ve never had anyone say, “This wedding would look better if there were palm trees in the pictures.”
My Background in Rochester, New York:
I have lived in Rochester, NY, my entire life. I have been photographing in Western New York since I was about 13 years old. I’ve explored the city, the suburbs, the beaches, and the restaurants (I love food!) and have visited nearly every part of the area. Rochester offers some incredible venues and locations for weddings, such as Upper Falls, the Arbor Venues, Charlotte Beach, The George Eastman House, many golf courses, and so much more. However, if you look just outside of Rochester to see Western New York (WNY) as a whole, you will find endless venues that can accommodate any theme, vision, and budget that couples have.
Western New York Wedding Locations:
Let’s start with the Niagara area, also known as Buffalo. There’s obviously Niagara Falls, which is absolutely gorgeous. There’s Canalside, which is a very popular area for photographing wedding parties. If you go just outside the Buffalo area, several towns offer a mix of modern ballrooms with a slight rustic vibe. Buffalo is known for its historic landmarks, which mainly relate to the Buffalo Bills.
My hometown, Rochester, New York, has so many venues that often go under the radar. When people think of Rochester, they might envision a smaller version of New York City. I will say, there are some beautiful venues in downtown. However, many more exist outside the city! Almost every town features a golf course where you can host your wedding reception. Some even allow you to hold your ceremony there and play nine holes the night before your wedding! There are barn venues, both modern and rustic, and let’s not forget the vineyards… oh yes… the vineyards.
Did you know the Finger Lakes region is known for its wineries and apple farms? What does that have to do with weddings? Well, if you enjoy nature, these wineries and farms have stunning acreage to capture photos in. The Finger Lakes is where I spend a lot of my time during the wedding season! Spanning from Canandaigua all the way to Syracuse, there are so many stunning venues with nearby hotels and BnBs that make the travel worth every mile! From sunrise to sunset, the scenery by the Finger Lakes is always stunning!
Syracuse features a wonderful blend of modern and classic venues. It has some stunning theaters that are perfect for photography. Buffalo and Rochester also offer some theaters! The biggest downside of Syracuse is the lack of parking and the crowds; however, just outside the city, Skaneateles offers incredible venues and charming scenery that can accommodate most visions!
Don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten about the Adirondacks. If you are truly an outdoorsy couple, the Adirondacks offer the most stunning photographs. However, the peak season for fall weddings is much shorter than in the rest of Western New York. It’s colder for a longer time, and autumn arrives and departs about twice as fast.
I also want to briefly discuss the extraordinary cathedrals and churches that WNY offers. Unfortunately, church ceremonies are becoming less common. Fortunately, that doesn’t stop the churches from being as stunning as ever. The stained glass windows evoke such an emotional feeling that no other venue can replicate. I will be honest; recording video in cathedrals can be extremely difficult due to the reverb and acoustics in the buildings. However, your visuals will always be breathtaking!
Weather | The Seasons:
I can’t think of any other area where the four seasons are so drastically different; they give each wedding venue a unique look for winter, spring, summer, and fall. Spring brings out the gorgeous flowers; summer brings the glorious sun, and winter reveals the delicate white snow that beautifully displays on the evergreens and tree branches. Fall showcases extraordinary colors, making every outdoor photo mesmerizing. Having your wedding in Western New York is the safest option to almost guarantee stunning pictures and videos no matter the season!
Attractions:
There are numerous attractions in the WNY area for your guests to explore during their weekend visit. As mentioned, the region is home to many waterfalls, historic landmarks, and popular sports teams, including the Syracuse Orange, Buffalo Bisons, Buffalo Bills, Sabres, and Rochester Red Wings.
Rochester is home to the PGA Championship in 2023. I mention this because, although we have a short golf season, golf courses are eager to open as soon as the snow melts! There are numerous fantastic golf courses throughout Western New York, and as I noted, some even allow you to host your wedding there! Some are even open to hosting weddings in the winter season!
Rochester, as well as other major cities in the Western, New York area, also have a lot of historic muesems that guest can enjoy. So, regardless of where you are in the Western New York area, guests will have an endless list of activities to keep them busy!
Pricing:
Pricing in the area accommodates almost any budget! No matter what style you’re going for, whether it reflects your love for the outdoors, aligns with your country personality, or embraces the urban lifestyle, you can’t go wrong here. I have been a wedding photographer and videographer since 2021, and each year I get to experience new wedding venues that amaze me. Some venues charge over $20k, but they include everything you need for your magical day. For instance, they provide a coordinator, food, late-night snacks, the ceremony location, reception location, fireworks, literally almost everything you could imagine. On the other hand, other venues rent out the space for a fraction of that cost, but you’re responsible for providing all the caterers, which can really add up, but is where you can save some money! Speaking of caterers…
The Food:
As I’ve mentioned before, I’ve lived in Rochester my entire life, and I still never get tired of their food! With countless catering options tailored to any cravings or allergies, the food will always rank among the best in the country, and no, I’m not biased. Some WNY venues provide their own catering options, which I appreciate because the food is prepared the same day, not the day before. There are also popular restaurants that offer catering for your wedding day! Chicken wings, which originated in Buffalo, New York, are a very popular treat at weddings in Western New York. I also mentioned wineries, as WNY boasts some of the finest hard ciders and wines. Guests enjoy the food, and aside from witnessing your marriage, the next thing they look forward to is the meal! You will not be disappointed with the food options in the area.
The Talent:
Although people outside of Western New York may not be aware of everything we have to offer, those within WNY certainly are! As a photographer and videographer who has collaborated with various media professionals, venues, hotels, restaurants, churches, and more, I can tell you firsthand the important role WNY plays in the wedding industry. Each professional photographer and videographer has a unique style, yet they all consistently book over 30 weddings a year. This is because WNY hosts so many weddings annually that photographers don’t need to compete intensely with one another. In fact, we actively support and assist each other! As a wedding videographer, I connect with all the photographers to ensure that your wedding day runs smoothly.
Why Western New York Is the Best Place to Say “I Do”:
At the end of the day, your wedding should reflect who you are as a couple. Whether you’re dreaming of a cozy winter celebration in the Adirondacks, a vibrant summer vibe on the shores of Lake Ontario, or a vineyard wedding in the Finger Lakes, Western New York has something for everyone.
From Buffalo’s historic landmarks to Rochester’s wide variety of hidden-gem venues to the peaceful beauty of Syracuse and Skaneateles, this region is filled with character, diversity, and soul. Let’s not forget charming towns like Canandaigua, Geneva, Pittsford, Ellicottville, and Ithaca, each offering stunning venues, unique local flavor, and unforgettable backdrops for your big day.
As someone who has spent years behind the camera capturing love stories in these cities and towns, I can confidently say that Western New York weddings are unlike any others. You’re not just choosing a venue, you’re choosing a setting that enhances your story.
At Wolf Cry Productions, our goal is to capture every meaningful glance, every spontaneous laugh, and every unforgettable moment of your wedding day. Whether you’re saying your vows at a grand cathedral in downtown Buffalo, dancing under the stars at a barn in Naples, or sipping local wine by the lake in Hammondsport, we’re there to document it all with heart, creativity, and authenticity. So, if you’re planning your wedding in Western New York, or even just thinking about it, take a drive, explore these incredible towns, and see the beauty for yourself. You might just fall in love all over again.
