Where Lake Views Meet Luxury: A Picture-Perfect Wedding Weekend at an Upstate New York Wedding Venue
When Ben and Kathleen envisioned their perfect wedding, they dreamed of more than just a single day celebration. They wanted a full weekend getaway where their closest family and friends could truly connect, relax and create lasting memories together. From their search for the perfect Upstate New York wedding venue, they knew it had to be Windridge Estate. Where rolling hills, historic charm and endless possibilities came together to create the wedding weekend of their dreams.
Ben and Kathleen’s connection to the charming lake town of Cazenovia made their venue choice feel destined. This picturesque Central New York location provided the perfect backdrop for their July celebration, offering both the intimate atmosphere they craved and the stunning natural beauty that would make their photos (and memories) timeless.
Their love story, that began in high school, deserved a venue that could accommodate not just their wedding day, but an entire weekend of festivities. Windridge Estate delivered exactly that—a private estate where they could host their rehearsal dinner, reception and even continue the celebration with a speakeasy-style after party. All within a few minutes drive of their ceremony location and other places of interest for the big weekend.
The celebration began on Thursday evening with a welcome dinner that set the tone for the entire weekend. Held at Windridge Estate, this intimate gathering allowed guests to settle into the property’s peaceful atmosphere while enjoying exceptional cuisine by Diamond Catering Syracuse. The evening featured beautiful floral arrangements by Beck & Forth Co. and elegant stationery and signage by Holly Winnie Co., establishing the sophisticated aesthetic that would carry throughout the weekend.
Before retiring for the night, Ben and Kathleen did an outfit change and met the rest of their guests at the historic Brewster Inn for cocktails and an official kickoff to the weekend.
Friday’s ceremony took place in a breathtaking lakeside setting, where Craig Scott Entertainment provided beautiful musical accompaniment as Kathleen walked down the aisle. The ceremony was officiated by Kathleen’s brother, adding a deeply personal touch to their vows. String quartet melodies, including beautiful Taylor Swift arrangements, created the perfect soundtrack for this heartfelt moment.
Kathleen was absolutely radiant in her Berta gown, with flawless hair and makeup once again by The Emerson and Meghan Bella Beauty. The ceremony space was enhanced by Beck & Forth Co.’s stunning floral installations, which perfectly complemented the natural beauty of the lakeside setting.
After the ceremony, guests were transported back to the estate for a reception that truly showcased what makes this Upstate New York wedding venue so special. Morris Tents provided an elegant sailcloth tent that created an intimate yet grand atmosphere for the evening, black-tie celebration. The space was transformed with beautiful linens from Nuage Designs and furniture rentals from Brown Built Rentals and Total Events, while Petunia Rose China provided exquisite tabletop rentals that elevated every dining moment.
Diamond Catering Syracuse once again delivered exceptional cuisine, while Michael’s Hospitality managed the bar service throughout the evening. One of the evening’s memorable highlights was The Ice Farm’s custom ice luge, which became a fun focal point for guests and perfectly captured the couple’s playful spirit.
The dance floor, featuring a wrap design by FM Event Productions, came alive with entertainment by MTM Events. Custom watercolor accents throughout the space reflected the couple’s sophisticated aesthetic, while limoncello toasts honored Ben’s Italian heritage, creating meaningful moments that guests will remember for years to come.
What drew Ben and Kathleen to Windridge Estate was the same thing that attracts many couples to this exceptional venue: the promise of an unhurried, unforgettable wedding getaway. Unlike traditional venues that rush couples through a few hours of celebration, this premier Upstate New York wedding venue offers exclusive access to the entire 80-acre property for the full weekend.
The estate’s versatility shone through as the couple utilized multiple spaces for different elements of their celebration. From the intimate welcome dinner to a grand tented reception and speakeasy inspired after party, each space offered a different atmosphere while maintaining the cohesive elegance that defines Windridge Estate.
While Windridge Estate provided the stunning backdrop, Ben and Kathleen’s flawless weekend celebration truly came to life through the expertise of an incredible vendor team. At the heart of this success was Shannon Wellington Weddings, whose planning and design expertise transformed the couple’s vision into reality across multiple days and venues.
Shannon’s meticulous coordination ensured that every transition—from Thursday’s intimate welcome dinner to Friday’s lakeside ceremony and elegant tented reception at the Estate—felt effortless and intentional. Her ability to manage the complex logistics of a multi-day celebration while maintaining the couple’s sophisticated aesthetic was evident in every detail.
The collaboration between Shannon Wellington Weddings and Windridge Estate’s team created the perfect foundation for other exceptional vendors to shine. Laura Rose Weddings captured every precious moment with an artist’s eye, while Hart to Heart Media documented the weekend through beautiful cinematography that will allow Ben and Kathleen to relive these memories for years to come.
This level of coordination and attention to detail showcases exactly why couples choose Windridge Estate. Not just for the beautiful property, but for the venue’s relationships with the region’s most talented wedding professionals who can bring any vision to life.
Ben and Kathleen’s wedding perfectly demonstrates why Windridge Estate has become a premier destination for couples seeking something special:
Exclusive Weekend Access: Unlike venues that host multiple events, Windridge Estate dedicates the entire weekend to one couple, ensuring privacy and allowing for extended celebrations like Ben and Kathleen’s multi-day affair.
Professional Vendor Network: The venue’s relationships with exceptional vendors like Shannon Wellington Weddings, Beck & Forth Co., and Laura Rose Weddings ensure couples have access to the region’s best wedding professionals.
Flexible Spaces: From getting ready spaces to locations for a casual day-after brunch and everything in between, the estate offers variety for different events without requiring guests to travel between venues.
Weather-Proof Planning: The combination of covered ceremony options and elegant tent solutions from partners like Morris Tents ensures celebrations are beautiful regardless of weather conditions.
Convenient Location: The estate’s location in Central New York sits just 35 minutes from Syracuse airport and one hour from both the Finger Lakes region and Rochester, making it easily accessible for guests while maintaining that secluded, destination-wedding feel.
Ben and Kathleen’s wedding weekend at Windridge Estate perfectly captures what makes this venue extraordinary: the ability to create an unforgettable celebration that brings people together for more than just a few hours. Their story demonstrates how the right venue can provide not just beautiful spaces, but the time and flexibility to create meaningful memories with your loved ones.
If you’re searching for an Upstate New York wedding venue that offers privacy, flexibility, and natural beauty, Windridge Estate may be exactly what you’ve been dreaming of. This Upstate New York wedding venue provides everything couples need for an unforgettable celebration. Ready to see how your own wedding weekend could unfold at this stunning estate?
Contact Windridge Estate today to schedule your private tour and discover why couples choose this exceptional venue for their most important celebration.
PLANNING, DESIGN Shannon Wellington Weddings | PHOTOGRAPHY Laura Rose Weddings | CINEMATOGRAPHY Hart to Heart Media | CONTENT CREATOR Follow the Bride | FLORAL Beck and Forth Co. | STATIONERY, SIGNAGE Holly Winnie Co. | LINENS Nuage Designs | CATERING Diamond Catering | BAR Michael’s Hospitality | ICE LUGE The Ice Farm | DESSERT The Cremeria, Sugar Blossom Cake Shop | COFFEE Salt City Coffee Cart | FURNITURE RENTALS Brown Built Rentals, Total Events | TABLETOP RENTALS Petunia Rose | ENTERTAINMENT @david_coester_guitarist, More Than Music | CEREMONY MUSIC @craigscottent | DRESSES Galia Lahav, Berta, Retrofete | MAKEUP @meghanbellabeauty | HAIR The Emerson | LANDSCAPE LIGHTING Outdoor Lighting Perspectives | TRANSPORTATION Leatherstocking Trolley, S&S Limousines, Big D’s Limousines | TENT Morris Tent Rentals | FLOOR WRAP FM Event Productions | RENTALS Rentals To Go
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