Windrift Hall Upstate New York Wedding in Fall

“When I used to read fairy tales, I fancied that kind of thing never happened, and now here I am in the middle of one!””

— Lewis Carrol, Alice in Wonderland

Hannah and Dan planned the sweetest, most elegant, and picturesque wedding in the heart of the Hudson Valley at Windrift Hall.

The 1795 manor house, located in West Coxsackie, Upstate New York, can actually be booked as an Airbnb & VRBO getaway; but when it comes to weddings, the personalized service couples receive is like none other. “Whether you plan a small gathering with just your nearest and dearest or a bigger event with up to 150 guests, [Windrift Hall] offers an intimate and personal setting, very different from the usual corporate venues” (Windrift’s website).

And that’s why we love this venue—it doesn’t feel “venue-y,” but rather homey, intimate and personal. Every room is an inviting space, brimming with character—antique pieces, textured walls, original wood floors—it’s cozy, yet stylish. Windrift Hall is gorgeous anytime of the year, but since Upstate autumns are famed for vibrant colors an October wedding here is king.

See photos from another Windrift Hall wedding we photographed, here.

Against the backdrop of popping fall colors, a classic style is really all you need. Hannah’s wedding fit was flawlessly simple: A French-style a-line dress with flats. And as you’ll see below, Daniel looked dashing in his Proper Cloth suit.

The couple elected to set-up their ceremony directly in front of the house, and use the aisle runner of vintage rugs as a line to draw the eyes upward to the mighty 250-year-old maple tree.

As Hannah and Daniel exchanged vows and rings and their first married kiss, they stood beneath its rusted branches. Promises of lifelong love made is the shade of enduring strength: through windstorms, long winters and drought, it’s stood the test of time, and its roots are grounded and secure.

After the ceremony, we took family formal portraits in between stone pillars overlooking the pond, and then continued with the couple’s portraits in various spots on the gorgeous property. Hannah & Daniel joined their friends and family for the last half of the cocktail hour, as we mingled among them to capture all the sweet interactions.

Guests were seated at the tented reception by a clever “will call” theme, paying homage to their careers in the theater (and ultimately how they met). And Hannah showcased her love of reading with antique books forming the centerpieces (she even carried a bouquet with flowers made from old pages).

The dinner and toasts is often our favorite part of weddings, and this day was no exception. During weddings, when a couple’s family and closest friends are all together in one place, we have a front row seat to an emotional, long-awaited reunion. Sitting around the table, sharing delicious warm food, good wine and conversation, feels like an embrace after absence. After so much distance due to the current health climate, this was especially true on Hannah and Daniel’s day. So many laughs and tears were shed, these are the types of moments we never want to take for granted.