If you're considering having a Cornell wedding in Ithaca, NY, you've made a fantastic choice. As an Ithaca wedding photographer, I've photographed a lot of Ithaca wedding venues, but there's something really special about weddings on the Cornell University Campus. Sage Chapel's gothic architecture and stunning stained glass windows were the perfect backdrop for Alex and Aaron's Sage Chapel ceremony, and afterward, their romantic, literary-themed Willard Straight Hall reception was the icing on the cake.
Argos Inn Ithaca
Before we headed over to Sage Chapel, we started the day at Argos Inn, a stunning historic mansion in Ithaca, NY and the perfect place for Alex and her side of the wedding party to get ready. When I arrived, Alex was getting her makeup done and her wedding party was popping champagne and listening to music upstairs outside of the hotel rooms. Argos Inn was the perfect place for them to get ready, it was beautiful backdrop for getting ready photos with plenty of natural light, they were all able to stay together, and we weren't stuck in a cramped hotel room. I always recommend unique hotels or Airbnb's for getting ready for this reason! Not only that, but Argos Inn has 13 hotel rooms, so more than enough room for even larger wedding parties to stay. I didn't realize it at the time, but Argos Warehouse Lounge and Event Space is located right next door, so if you were to stay here before your wedding you'd be able to hang out and enjoy some drinks at the lounge and then have a short walk next door when you were done for the night. Once they were ready to go we took a few photos downstairs outside of the Argos Inn Parlor Bar before heading to the ceremony (how beautiful is that space?).
Sage Chapel Wedding
One of the things I really appreciate about Sage Chapel Weddings is that since Sage Chapel is a non-denominational Chapel, you're free to use your own officiant (religious or not). Alex chose one of her law school mentors to officiate, which made their ceremony even more special. They even included their dog Penny in the ceremony, which I've never seen done in a church before and it was SO cute.
The Gothic Revival architecture is just breathtaking with its tall spires, intricate stone carvings, and beautiful stained-glass windows. The attention to detail in every aspect of the building is incredible and it's the perfect backdrop for any wedding ceremony.
This was actually the second wedding I've photographed at Sage Chapel (check out my first Sage Chapel wedding here), but no matter how many weddings I photograph there I don't think I'll even be able to get over the stunning architecture.
Cornell Wedding
One of the things I love about Cornell Weddings is that after you have your ceremony on campus you have the option to have your reception on the Cornell Campus as well. Even if you decided to have your ceremony elsewhere, Cornell University is pretty centrally located so you wouldn't have far to go to get to most Ithaca reception spaces. Alex and Aaron chose to have their reception on campus, so after the ceremony, we took some beautiful family and wedding party photos outside Sage chapel, and then guests had a short walk to Willard Straight Hall for Alex and Aaron's wedding reception.
Willard Straight Hall Cornell University
Cornell's Willard Straight Hall was the perfect location for Alex and Aaron's romantic, literary-inspired reception. The tables were decorated with classic romantic literature, and the tall ceilings and wood paneling on the walls almost made it feel like their reception was in a beautiful old library. I also loved how right off the hall there was a rooftop patio where guests enjoyed drinks during cocktail hour and where we finished up a few family photos before the reception started.
Looking for a photographer for your Cornell wedding? I'd love to chat with you!
A special thanks to all the vendors who made this day possible:
Getting Ready Space: Argos Inn
Reception Venue: Cornell University
Photographer: Kelsey Travis Photography
Dress: Lace & Liberty
Suit: Indochino
Videographer: Finger Lakes Livestreaming
Florist: Cullen Creations
Caterer: Cornell University
Hair Stylists: Morgan Oreeda
Nancy Connors
Makeup Artists: @hm.andrean
Event Rentals: Cullen Creations
Photo Booth: Bright Bird Photobooths