If you're looking for a unique and memorable historic wedding venue in Elmira NY, look no further than Ill Eagle Taphouse. The beautifully restored bridal suite, historic courtroom, and barrel house are the perfect, elegant spaces to celebrate your big day.
The bridal suite, located on the second floor, is designed to be your headquarters on your wedding day. It provides a comfortable space for you and your wedding party to get ready, take photos, and relax before the big celebration. With a capacity of 25 people, the bridal suite offers plenty of room for your entire wedding party. There is also a beautiful full bathroom (with shower) attached to the bridal suite. And if you want to add a little extra sparkle to your morning, Ill Eagle offers add-ons like drinks, food, and a mimosa bar.
Wedding Hair and Makeup
Shea Hollister from Shea Hair and Makeup did such a beautiful job on Chelsea's wedding day hair and makeup look. Shea is a talented makeup artist based in Pennsylvania but also travels for her clients. She has an impressive 10 years of experience in the industry, working with clients all along the East coast from New Hampshire to Florida. This was the first time I'd had the pleasure of working with her and I have to say, she really knows how to bring out the best in her clients. She's a real pro and I was in awe of her work.
Celestial Invitation Suite
In addition to providing all the furniture and decor that you see here, Danielle from A'La Carte Decor, is an incredibly talented graphic designer and created this stunning modern, celestial invitation suite. As a former graphic designer myself, I'm always obsessing over custom invitations. They allow you to personalize your big day from the very beginning and set the tone for your wedding day. I love how Danielle stuck with a classic black-and-white color scheme and played with different shapes and gold fastenings to hold all the pieces together. If you're looking for beautiful custom invitations, you need to check out A'La Carte.
Ill Eagle Taphouse, Elmira NY
The beautifully restored historic Courtroom was the perfect space for this Ill Eagle Taphouse wedding ceremony. I loved the soaring ceilings, gorgeous woodwork, and gold detailing on the ceiling and chandeliers. It all fit in so well with the modern, celestial theme of our styled shoot and I can't wait to see more weddings here.
A Wedding Dress with Sleeves
When I arrived and saw this stunning wedding dress with sleeves, I was super excited. The dress, provided by Ever After Bridal Boutique in Endicott, NY, was flowing and romantic, with a light and airy skirt with floral appliques, a beautifully detailed bodice, buttons up the back, and my favorite part: removable sleeves. I'd never seen a dress in person before where the sleeves could be removed, and even though we didn't take them off for photos (they were too pretty to let go) I can totally see how this would be a huge bonus if you're looking to let loose at your reception and don't want to be restricted.
Cocktail Hour
When it comes time for cocktail hour, the Barrel House is the perfect place for your guests to enjoy drinks and refreshments while the Courthouse is set up for your reception. This smaller banquet room is equipped with a beautiful bar and when Ill Eagle's rooftop bar area is completed, the Barrel House will have direct access, making it possible for your guests to enjoy cocktail hour outside with a view of the city.
Wedding Lounge Areas
Wedding lounge areas are definitely trending right now, and I love this stunning lounge setup by A' La Carte Decor. A'La Carte rents these beautiful couches, end tables, and rugs to couples for their wedding day and allows them to either pick them up and drop them off themselves, or they can choose to have ALCD deliver them and pick them up after the wedding is over. These photos were taken in the Lobby of Ill Eagle Taphouse on the first floor, which would also make a really stunning space for guests to have a drink before going upstairs to your reception in the Courtroom.
Accessible Wedding Venue in Upstate NY
I think it's also really important to note that Ill Eagle Taphouse is an accessible wedding venue. There is a ramp from the parking lot to the first floor, and an elevator in the building for guests who need it.
Gold Celestial Earrings
At this point, you've probably noticed the gold celestial earrings Chelsea is wearing (aren't they gorgeous?). They were made by Kendra from Plume Creations and I love the way they really tie the whole look together. All of Kendra's earrings are handmade with ethically sourced feathers and materials.
Modern Wedding Table Centerpieces
How beautiful are these modern wedding table centerpieces created by Jess from The Petal Post? I love how she used the gold pieces in the middle of the centerpieces to give them height and add visual interest. Tall centerpieces can be a pain because they block guests' view of each other across the table, but Jess found a way to add height without obstructing the view. Now feels like a good time to mention that Jess also created those gorgeous floral installations for the wedding ceremony, as well as the beautiful bouquet Chelsea was holding (complete with fresh and dried flowers).
How stunning are these menus by Danielle from A'La Carte Decor? I love that she personalized them and repeated details (like the gold clip) from the invitation suite to pull all the details together and make the day feel more cohesive.
Ultra-Textured Wedding Cake
The Knot is predicting that ultra-textured wedding cakes are going to be trending in 2023 and I have to agree. Sleek and smooth is beautiful too, but I absolutely love the way this cake combines a simple color palette with rough frosting and dried florals for even more texture. Not to mention this monochromatic textured cake looks amazing with Ill Eagle Taphouse as its backdrop. The Cakery Elmira did an amazing job with this one.
So, if you're looking for a unique and memorable wedding venue in Elmira NY, you definitely need to check out Ill Eagle Taphouse (and all the fantastic vendors highlighted in this post). With the beautifully restored historic courtroom, bridal suite, and Barrel House, they have the perfect space for modern, romantic weddings with a historic feel.
Elmira NY Wedding Photographer
Looking for an Elmira, NY wedding photographer to capture your Ill Eagle Taphouse wedding? I may not live in Elmira, but it's only two hours from me (which means no travel fees!). I would love to have a chat with you about your Elmira NY wedding plans.
A huge thank you to all the vendors who made this possible:
Venue: Ill Eagle Taphouse - 200 East Church Street, Elmira, NY 14901
Photographer: Kelsey Travis Photography
Planning, Decor, and Stationery: A'La Carte Decor
Florals: The Petal Post
Wedding Dress: Ever After Bridal Boutique
Earrings: Plume Creations
Suit: Mens Wearhouse
Cake: The Cakery Elmira
Rings: Ken and Dana Design
Models: @_chelseat4 and @cjlewis7