It was another beautiful autumn day at Chautauqua Institution spent celebrating Jessica and Justin’s long-awaited wedding! Sunshine filled the grounds and radiated through the Hall of Philosophy for their late-afternoon ceremony, and we could not have asked for a more perfect evening spent on the porch of the Athenaeum Hotel at their cocktail hour & reception.
There were tear-filled private vows, endless desserts, and portraits with their golden retriever… truly all my most beloved things crammed into one day. Arguably my FAVORITE part of all (other than seeing endless people & past couples I adore) was getting to photograph Jessica and Justin with her father’s vintage Ford Thunderbird. OH. MY. HECK. Wait until you see these two and the way they slayed those images. They may go down as some of my favorite wedding portraits of all time!
Justin & Jessica-
Life truly has the craziest ways of crossing paths– like when two girls casually met in the bathroom at our boyfriends’ friends’ wedding nearly a decade ago… (we love you, David & Paige!!!) Who would’ve dreamed that years later, I would be lucky enough to document YOUR wedding at one of our favorite places ever? Just when I thought Chautauqua Institution couldn’t get any more beautiful, you two shared your private vows and drenched the front lawn of the Athenaeum Hotel with your tears & laughter; now I’ll never look at a green Chautauqua bench again without thinking of you all and this beautiful day.
Working alongside you to make this celebration a reality was truly such an honor. We had some hiccups, set backs, and big changes in plans…. but in the end, we could not have asked for a day more perfect. I’ll never be able to find words to describe how grateful I am that you chose me to be part of it all– I love you guys so, so much and cannot wait to see where life takes you from here.
Thank you to all of the vendors who worked together to make Justin & Jessica’s beautiful wedding at Chautauqua Institution such a dream!
Photography: Hannah Bryerton Photography
Wedding Coordinator: Kristin Zimmerman, Athenaeum Hotel at Chautauqua Institution
Ceremony Venue: Hall of Philosophy, Chautauqua Institution
Officiant: Mike Beato
Reception Venue: The Athenaeum Hotel, Chautauqua Institution
Makeup Artist: Nichole Mason
Florist: Pea Pod & Juniper
DJ: Matt from Soundwave DJ
Transportation: Chautauqua Institution
Desserts: Cookiemunga & Full Moon Rising Bakery
Catering: The Athenaeum Hotel
Bride’s Gown: Bridal Elegance
Groom’s Attire: Generation Tux
If you’re planning a wedding here in Western New York, I can promise you there is nowhere quite like Chautauqua. Between the rich history, endless architecture, lakefront views, and one-of-a-kind Chautauqua charm, it’s a place that truly sets my photographer heart on fire! Want to see more photos taken at this iconic venue? Click HERE!
