Ashley and Troy’s wedding unfolded on a sunny fall day against the picturesque backdrop of the New York’s Finger Lakes region. Surrounded by the beauty of fall leaves and waterfront views, their celebration was the perfect blend of heartfelt moments, personal details, and cozy, elegant style. From a lakeside ceremony under a handcrafted arbor to a candlelit barn reception, every detail reflected their story and the people they love most.
Location: Canandaigua, New York, USA
Style: Warm, romantic, cozy, elegant
Time of planning: 18 months
Number of guests: 140
Setting: Ceremony – lakeside, reception – lake house
Season: Fall
Ashley and Troy’s story began over two decades ago at the University of Maryland, where a chance meeting on the bus sparked a friendship that would stand the test of time. Though Troy initially assumed Ashley was older, the two were actually freshmen whose bond grew stronger through shared classes, Greek life, and nights out at Cornerstone. By senior year, their connection evolved from friendship to love, and they’ve been inseparable ever since.
Fourteen years later, Troy planned an unforgettable proposal that brought together Ashley’s favorite things: travel, shopping, ice cream, and close friends. What started as a casual shopping trip turned into a whimsical moment outside an NYC ice cream truck, where a disguised friend handed Ashley a bottle of champagne instead of the Choco Tacos they were joking about. When Ashley turned around, Troy was on one knee. After the joyful “yes,” the surprises continued with a champagne toast and a room full of loved ones back at their apartment.
Bride's Look
Ashley wore the Cecilia gown by Katherine Tash, crafted from a shimmering, silky fabric. As soon as she slipped into the dress at the Lovely Bride NYC, Ashley knew it was the one. The moment felt even more special when she turned to show her family, and a familiar song began playing in the bridal shop, a song she often associated with her father, making it feel like a clear sign of his presence and approval. The gown was customized with romantic removable shoulder sleeves for a subtle transformation between ceremony and reception.
Ashley wore timeless white Jimmy Choo heels with an open toe and delicate satin finish, perfectly complementing her look as the Alexandra Grecco veil flowed behind her, adding a soft, magical touch to the silhouette. A petite bouquet of seasonal flowers in ivory, blush, burgundy, and peach tones, wrapped in hand-dyed soft pink taupe ribbon, perfectly reflected the fall palette.
Each accessory told a story: diamond stud earrings gifted by her parents, a dainty pinky ring from her mother serving as her Something Old, Borrowed, and Blue, and a dewy fragrance, Delina by Parfums de Marly, that she plans to revisit on future anniversaries. With soft Hollywood curls styled by her longtime friend Nichole Olan and a natural, glowing makeup look, Ashley stayed true to her vision. She looked and felt like herself, confident and graceful.
Groom's Fashion
Troy embraced a bold, fall-inspired style with a custom dark burgundy jacket featuring a subtle houndstooth pattern, finished with a sleek black shawl collar and lapel. He paired it with classic black tuxedo pants, a black bow tie, and refined black velvet slippers by Del Toro. For a meaningful touch, he wore Ashley’s father’s cufflinks and carried his favorite David Yurman bracelet in his pocket. The ensemble struck the perfect balance between sophistication and personal touch, thoughtfully chosen to reflect the season and the significance of the day.
The couple handpicked their wedding party to reflect the most important people from every stage of their lives. Ashley encouraged her bridesmaids to choose their own long black formal dresses, preferably not from traditional bridesmaid collections, for a chic, personalized look. Troy gave his groomsmen the option to wear a black tux from Black Tux or their own, resulting in a cohesive yet subtly unique ensemble that balanced style with individuality.
First Look
Ashley and Troy’s first look was filled with emotion, set against a backdrop of late-summer blooms and golden light. As Ashley gently approached, Troy turned around to see her for the first time in her gown, a moment he described as one-of-a-kind. The shared quiet words, laughter, and a few happy tears before the day officially began. “I’ll never forget seeing Ashley for the first time during the first look. Ashley looked stunningly beautiful, but also genuinely happy,” Troy recalls.
Drawn to a blend of editorial elegance and candid authenticity, Ashley and Troy sought a photography style that felt both polished and personal, and By Bridget Photography delivered exactly that. While the photographer included classic portraits, the focus was on capturing real, unscripted moments, that told the true story of their day. “We cannot even begin to express how amazing each and every photo is. We truly felt like you both supported us on our wedding day and we are so appreciative of your artistic ability and natural eye to capture our love,” the couple admits.
Ceremony
Set against the serene waters of the Finger Lakes, Ashley and Troy’s ceremony at The Lake House on Canandaigua exuded warmth and natural beauty. Wanting to create a meaningful weekend experience for their closest friends and family, the couple chose a venue that radiated calm energy and brought together a dream team of trusted vendors who shared their vision.
The floral design by Pistil & Pollen embraced the spirit of fall with seasonal blooms, moody foliage, and textured grasses arranged in a free-flowing, organic style. Meadow-style pops lined the aisle, leading to a modern triangular wooden arbor, built by Troy’s brother, featuring the names of Ashley’s dad and Troy’s mom inscribed at the top, so they could watch over the couple on their wedding day in spirit. Delicate ribbons from Native Ribbon Co. floated in the breeze, adding a romantic, whimsical touch that made the ceremony feel effortlessly magical.
Ashley and Troy knew that planning a fall ceremony came with weather risks, but they felt the stunning natural backdrop was worth it, and they were right. Guests were welcomed with glasses of champagne and the romantic sounds of a string quartet, Silver Arrow Band, playing a mix of classical and modern love songs, creating total ‘Bridgerton’ vibes.
"It was the most gorgeous day I’ve ever seen! The lake looked like it was covered in diamonds and seeing Troy’s smiling face at the arbor made me feel like I was the luckiest girl in the world."
The ceremony was officiated by one of their closest friends, Justin, who delivered a heartfelt and humorous account of their love story, bringing both laughter and tears, including his own. After the couple exchanged their vows, they walked back up the aisle hand in hand, beaming with joy as their guests stood, clapped, and cheered beneath the golden afternoon sun. The moment felt intimate, authentic, and cinematic, with everyone admitting it felt like watching a real-life love story unfold on screen.
Cocktail Hour
The cocktail hour was the perfect moment to unwind and soak in the joy of the day. Guests mingled under the warm glow of string lights on the covered terrace, sipping drinks and sharing hugs and laughter as the sun began to set over the lake. It was a relaxed and joyful transition from ceremony to celebration, giving everyone a chance to connect and toast to Ashley and Troy’s new beginning.
Throughout the evening, everyone enjoyed the couple’s signature cocktails, a Blackberry Bourbon Smash for him, and a Spicy Margarita for her. They were one of the many customized elements that made this heartfelt wedding day so special.
Reception
The reception space was a warm blend of cozy romance, elegant charm, and playful personal touches. With help from Hank Parker’s Rentals, the couple added a custom sheer ivory drape woven through the barn’s exposed wooden beams, creating a dreamy canopy that elevated the room’s rustic architecture. A mix of long, bare farm tables and round tables with crisp white linens were styled with black napkins, soft bud vases, and glowing candles in olive green and ivory, tapers, pillars, votives, and oversized lanterns, that cast a gentle, flickering light throughout the space.
Each table number featured a photo of the couple’s beloved dog, Bernard, who also made appearances on cocktail napkins and matchbooks, honoring his rightful role as ‘Best Man.’ The match bowls were a sweet nod to Ashley’s father, who collected them from restaurants during his travels. In another heartfelt gesture, a table displayed photos of loved ones no longer with them, and the arbor was repurposed behind the sweetheart table. It was a setting filled with beauty, meaning, and memories at every turn.
As the guests gathered beneath soft string lights and flowing drapery, Ashley knew that everything turned out just as she had hoped. Known for their love of all things fall, the couple curated a dinner menu that highlighted seasonal flavors from Upstate New York. With the setting sun outside the barn’s tall windows, the candlelit tables, comforting food, and rustic charm came together to create a romantic, inviting atmosphere.
Ashley and Troy shared their first dance to ‘Lovely Day’ by Bill Withers, swaying and smiling through every lyric. Later, DJ Mickey Hamilton of Encore Events curated the perfect soundtrack for the evening, blending old favorites with fresh hits across all genres.
The toasts were a heartfelt highlight of the evening, filled with emotion and laughter. Troy’s brother delivered a touching Best Man’s speech, while Ashley’s three sisters shared a beautiful Matrons of Honor speech together, reflecting on their bond and memories. Troy’s dad offered a meaningful blessing that set the tone for the celebration. Each toast was deeply personal and genuine, making the moment feel truly special for everyone in the room.
The couple celebrated with a playful and personal heart-shaped cake that reflected their fun-loving style. The red velvet interior was layered with vanilla frosting and topped with the phrase ‘foreva eva,’ a sweet nod to Outkast that had guests smiling. Crafted by Scratch Bakery Cafe, the cake was as delicious as it was meaningful.
Ashley and Troy’s love for music was undeniable and contagious, it pulsed through every part of the night and brought everyone together. As the night came to a close, the energy was still electric. The final song, ‘As It Was’ by Harry Styles, played out like the perfect ending to a storybook day. Surrounded by the people they love most, the couple shared one last dance, a fitting close to a day that was truly unforgettable, heartfelt, stylish, and full of life from beginning to end.
"’I’ll will never forget the endless love we felt the entire weekend and how genuinely happy everyone was. Dream weekend that I’ll always cherish!"
Advice from the couple:
• Don’t over think it! A wedding is about you as a couple and celebrating your love. If you stay true to the core of your relationship, it will shine through.
PHOTOGRAPHER By Bridget Photography | VIDEOGRAPHER Encore Events | VENUE The Lake House on Canandaigua | FLORALS Pistil & Pollen | MUAH Nichole Olan | DRESS Katherine Tash Bridal & Lovely Bride NYC | SHOES Jimmy Choo | VEIL Alexandra Grecco | PERFUME Parfums de Marly | GROOM’S SHOES Del Toro | CUFFLINKS David Yurman | GROOMSMEN’S SUIT Black Tux | BRIDAL PARTY MUAH Nichole Olan & GlamSquadSyr | CAKE Scratch Bakery Cafe | CEREMONY MUSIC Silver Arrow Band | DJ Encore Events | RENTALS Hank Parker’s Rentals | RIBBONS Native Ribbon Co.
