Adventurous Catskills Wedding on Belleayre Mountain | Kelsie and Mike

There’s something to be said about a wedding with a view, and Kelsie and Mike’s Adventurous Catskills Wedding on Belleayre Mountain proved this point in a big way.

They wanted to get married in a place that felt authentic to them as a couple, so being bigtime nature lovers, it felt only natural to pick a venue that was immersed in the grandeur of nature. They chose Belleayre Mountain, an Upstate New York resort that boasts gorgeous panoramic views of the Hudson Valley. Kelsie and Mike said their I Do’s under a baby blue sky with a 360-degree vantage point of the world below. I will never recover from the beauty of Kelsie and Mike’s Adventurous Catskills Wedding, nor lose appreciation for a wedding steeped with so much tranquility that it truly feels holy.

I could see the calm, yet quirky connection between Kelsie and Mike from our very first phone call.

“From a swipe right in the pandemic, to camping all over the northeast, to graduating college together, to church dates, we are so excited to step into our future together,” Kelsie told me. They each held a deep appreciation for family (which would eventually include their fur babies) so it was only fitting to include unique moments with their family in their wedding ceremony! 😌

Kelsie and Mike planned a minimal, low-key day with a handful of their closest friends and family members, and they prioritized the things nearest and dearest to their hearts…

Two flower grammas, a “ring dog,” and a day filled with faith that means so much to them. Instead of the traditional unity candle, Kelsie and Mike opted for a tree planting as a tribute to their love of nature. Then Kelsie incorporated a first dance with not just Mike and her dad, but also her brother, uncle, and grandpa. I love how they wove their family and values into their day to make it personal to their own love story! 🥹😭

Sadly I had to miss their day because I had another wedding booked on their date 😞 (Peep Sarah and Colton’s DIY Backyard Wedding in Ithaca, NY here! 🤍) Not to mention I was also 38 weeks pregnant 👀 But they were in the best hands with my associate shooter, Kate, and I love that they were able to roll with so many punches, including a couple day-of kinks! 👀

“My dress ripped during our first dance so I had to do a dress change,” Kelsie told me after the wedding. 😂

“Thank God I had a $120 backup dress. Plus, Mike got me a hat as a cowgirl wedding gift, and it went perfectly with the backup dress, so it all worked out.” My associate shooter, Kate, painted an even more vivid picture when she told me that you had to take a ski lift to get to the top of the hill, followed by a hayride to get to the ceremony location, and on top of it all, there was ZERO cell service there. Such an adventure!! 😂 Kelsie and Mike tapped into their own adventurous spirit with a gondola ride to the summit of Belleayre Mountain, and it was there that they shared their vows at 3325′! Such a one-of-a-kind wedding experience!!

The Catskills is a truly jaw-dropping backdrop for any adventurous couple.

Surrounded by miles and miles of dense forests, majestic peaks, and rolling hills, the view from Belleayre Mountain causes any onlooker to pause and embrace the world’s natural beauty. From sun-kissed summer mornings to snow-draped winter afternoons, this gemstone is one of Upstate New York’s most awe-inspiring overlooks. Shadowed by lush woodlands and cascading waterfalls, its summit offers a mosaic of colors, especially during autumn when the foliage is vibrant. It causes the modern world to fade away, replacing it with a deep, timeless beauty, and it offers endless entertainment for any adventurous couple who might like outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, or fishing.

The Catskills area has become an up and coming wedding destination, and if you’ve followed me for any amount of time, you know that I’m a huuuuuge proponent of weddings in the Hudson Valley region!

It’s only two hours away from New York City, and in that short drive, travelers emerge into a sanctuary of rich tranquility. There are SO MANY fantastic wedding venues / vendors in that area, which you can check out in my recent blog posts here: Kat and Nitzan’s Magical Catskills Wedding at Full Moon Resort and Logan and Maria’s Charming Catskills Microwedding.

I’m truly so thankful THAT Kelsie and Mike invited me into such a special wedding day experience, and I especially loved that their day was so full of faith.

With a deep-rooted Christian foundation, Kelsie and Mike were committed to have a gospel-centered ceremony, bearing witness to the true meaning of marriage: Christ’s love for His church. Their day overflowed with truth and beauty, not just in the world around them, but also in their spirits, and I’m so overjoyed for the part I was able to play in celebrating their beautiful union!

Kelsie and Mike’S RESPONSE MADE MY HEART SO FULL when I sent over their final wedding gallery:

“Omg, they’re absolutely amazing!!! We were both in tears looking at them, and we’re planning to do a movie night with our bridal party to show them all the photos!!” Reactions like these are hands down my favorite part of the job, and I’m beyond blessed to tell the love stories of amazing couples like Kelsie and Mike!!

For more inspiration for the adventure-loving couple, check out Jordan and Casey’s Taughannock Falls Engagement Shoot in Ithaca, NY – it will not disappoint!! 🤩