We love the fall wedding season, and Marissa and Greg’s Tailwater Lodge wedding was the perfect way to start it off. Yes – we know fall wasn’t technically until September 23rd and their wedding was September 7th, but everyone else was saying it! There was Halloween candy at Wegmans! And school had just started back up, soooo were embracing their wedding as the first for the fall season!! The sky was blue, filled with picturesque clouds, the couple was adorable, and the venue was elegantly rustic. What more could we ask for in such a highly anticipated day (Marissa and Greg booked us over a year before their big day, and Marissa is a long time reader of our blog <3)

We started our day by arriving early and taking a tour of the Tailwater grounds, led by the venue’s day-of coordinator Anna. We walked along the property, cut through by the Salmon River. A dragonfly visited us, landing on Wesley’s hand to say hello, and we discovered chipmunks make a sound that can be confused for a frog! Most importantly, Sarah was able to scout out some ideal locations for portraits before we were on a timed schedule.

An elementary school turned winery and event venue; Tailwater has a pretty awesome one-stop-shop thing going on. Marissa and Greg got ready in separate rooms right at the lodge, just down the hall from each other, creating lots of giddy suspense! They planned their day so they would not see each other until the ceremony, so they exchanged gifts during the getting ready time. Marissa loved the bracelet from Greg so much; she switched out the one she had planned to wear for it. And Greg was super stoked to receive bone conduction sunglasses; he opened them right away and let all his guys try them out. The guys were ahead of schedule, so Jenn was able to have Greg sit for a few portraits before they headed downstairs to the ceremony space.

The airy ceremony space, accented with lit candles and white-washed wood chairs, welcomed guests. The aisle way was lined with candles in glass hurricanes. Custom hankies were also on display for guests to grab as they walked to their seats. Once all were seated, including the parents of honor, the processional started, and it was clear Greg was having a hard time keeping it together. He was about to marry his high school sweetheart, after all. Plus, Marissa was stunning in her Mori Lee gown and dark, chestnut hair swept into an updo. It was one of the cutest ceremony moments we’ve seen! The ceremony was short, sweet, and filled with happy tears. Once they sealed their promises with a kiss, Marissa and Greg whisked off to hide before portraiture time.

Guests were invited into the winery’s tasting room while the staff flipped the ceremony space for cocktail hour. Before no time, they were filing back into the room to a full bar, adult & kid-friendly punches, and a lovely table display of hot and cold hors d’ouerves. SHP’s photo booth was there too!! The beautiful weather allowed guests to mingle outside where there was ample seating, a fire pit and bright red Adirondack chairs for lounging. As everyone sipped on libations, they could see Sarah working her magic with the wedding party off in the distance.

The wedding party was so sweet and helpful. Marissa’s ladies kept asking Sarah if she needed anything. They also made sure Marissa’s wish came true that no one else saw her all dressed up before her parents did. As you’ll see below, they rocked their portraiture time too! The cocktail hour came to a close, and the space seamlessly transitioned to for dinner. Each table was labeled with hammered metal numbers, which popped against the rustic beauty of the space, which was accented by birch in every corner. A spread of sweet treats by Kathy’s Cakes, accented with DIY Love decor, tantalized all!

The formal reception kicked off with introductions and Marissa and Greg’s first dance. Marissa was adorable as she sang every word of Ed Sheeran & Beyoncé’s “Perfect” to Greg while they floated around the dance floor. The wedding party stayed on the dance floor to watch Marissa dance with her dad and Greg dance with his mom. Afterward, guests were invited to a BBQ buffet that included ribs, Mac and cheese, cornbread and more. Yum! Yum!  Marissa and Greg mingled with their guests as they finished up their meals.

A little cake cutting ceremony kicked off the party portion of the night. Greg smushed the cake in Marissa’s face, so she had to get him back, and everyone watching erupted in joyous laughter. Along with the cake, guests were welcomed to a sweet spread that included chocolate covered strawberries, cannoli, cupcakes, and apple turnovers! Then it was time to hit the dancefloor! Everyone boogied down, and we learned a new drinking game to play to AC/DC’s song “Thunderstruck.” It wasn’t before long that Sarah was whisking Marissa and Greg away to get an epic night shot. Having been following our blog for a while, Marissa was super stoked to take part in an SHP Epic Night shot. It was adorable to hear her tell her mom where she had been – “doing The Epic Night Shot (duh! <3)!”

We had so much fun with these high school sweethearts, and we can’t wait to see the journey that unfolds from their love. Check out the highlights from their best day ever!

Congratulations and best wishes, Mr. & Mrs. Verwey!

Featured Wedding Professionals || Wedding Dress Designer – Mori Lee | Bridesmaids’ Designer – Bill Levkoff | Groom & Groomsmen Attire – JoS. A. Banks | Hair Artist – Just Stylin’ Salon | Makeup Artist – Kristen Carter | Cake – Kathy’s Cakes | Florist – Travis Floral | DJ – H & H Entertainment | Videographer – Kyle Ridlon Productions

SHP Blog Posts Featuring Lodges || Arrowhead Lodge, Brewerton, NY here and here | Skyline Lodge, Fabius, NY and here | The Lodge at Welch Allen, Skaneateles, NY |