As an Upstate NY wedding photographer, I have had the privilege of capturing a lot of beautiful weddings in the Syracuse area, and MaryTess and John’s wedding at The Shenendoah Clubhouse at Turning Stone was no exception. Located in Verona, NY, this venue is the perfect setting for a fall wedding.
Turning Stone has a few different location for weddings on their property including The Shenendoah Clubhouse and The Lodge at Turning Stone. MaryTess and John got ready at The Lodge and we took all their portraits there, then we headed over to St. Patrick’s Church in Oneida for their ceremony, and then back to The Shenendoah Clubhouse for their cocktail hour and reception.
Upstate NY Wedding Photographer
As a wedding photographer, one of the things I love to do is include a complimentary engagement session with all my wedding packages. As long as the couple I'm working with lives somewhere in Upstate NY or close by, we almost always can make this work before the wedding, but in MaryTess and John’s case, due to scheduling, we weren’t able to fit their session in. So, in this case, I was meeting them for the first time on their wedding day. I think these photos are proof that while I love meeting the couples I work with, getting to know them before their wedding day, and letting them get a little practice in front of my camera, as long as you have a photographer you feel comfortable with you can still get gorgeous photos even without meeting them in person first.
Turning Stone Wedding Photos
As a photographer, I HAVE to talk about the garden space at the Lodge at Turning Stone. We were there at the peak of fall foliage and it was absolutely stunning. I mean, look at all that color! I also love how many different backdrops there were within such a short walk (seriously, a color-loving photographer’s dream).
MaryTess and John got married in a church, but if you decided to have your ceremony at The Lodge, you can see their outdoor ceremony space on The Great Lawn below. It was too pretty of a spot not to use at all, so I took photos of MaryTess and her side of the wedding party here.
I really think that the Shenendoah Clubhouse is the perfect venue for a fall wedding. MaryTess and John got married in October and the property was awash in vibrant shades of red, orange, and yellow, making for stunning photos. I stole them away from cocktail hour for 5 minutes and I’m so happy I did, because these turned out to be some of their favorites.
One of the benefits of having your wedding at The Shenendoah Clubhouse at Turning Stone in the fall is the cooler weather. The crisp autumn air was perfect for photos and for their outdoor cocktail hour later on in the day, and the indoor spaces at the venue are warm and welcoming.
Speaking of indoor spaces, The Shenendoah Clubhouse ballroom is a stunning space with high ceilings, crystal chandeliers, and large windows that offered breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape and fall colors. For a more intimate wedding, the venue also offers a variety of smaller spaces that are perfect for a more intimate gathering.
MaryTess and John even had an ice sculpture at their wedding! Chef Wei-Sen Liang, the head chef at the Peach Blossom restaurant at Turning Stone, is an award-winning ice sculptor with a wealth of experience. He has even won first place at the World Ice Art Championships in Alaska on two separate occasions! Chef Wei-Sen is skilled at creating stunning ice sculptures that complement any wedding theme. Not only will an ice sculpture add a unique and visually stunning element to your wedding, it will also be a memorable and Instagram-worthy feature for your guests to take photos with. MaryTess and John's ice sculpture had a funnel with a tube running though it so that alcohol could be poured through the ice sculpture to chill before pouring out into your glass.
Fall is a beautiful time of year to tie the knot. The cool weather and vibrant colors make for gorgeous photographs and a memorable day. If you are considering a fall wedding, I highly recommend The Shenendoah Golf Club as a stunning fall wedding venue.
Are you interested in having me photograph your wedding at The Shenendoah Clubhouse at Turning Stone? Let's chat!
A big thanks to all the vendors who made this day possible:
Venue: Turning Stone Weddings
Photographer: Kelsey Travis Photography
Dress: NY Bride and Company
Tuxedo: Men's Wearhouse
Makeup Artist: Jillian Solomon
Hair Stylist: Leah
Florist: Blooms and Blossoms
DJ: Salt City DJ
Catering: Turning Stone Weddings