Timeless Finger Lakes Wedding at Inn at Taughannock || Nicolette and Sean

It was truly such a joy to photograph Nicolette and Sean’s timeless Finger Lakes wedding at the Inn at Taughannock this summer.

Coming all the way from Tampa, Florida, these two planned the most gorgeous destination wedding with 150 of their friends and family, and lemme tell ya, it was LIIIT! From their bridal party of 14 to an 8 piece band, every minute of their day was filled with literal, palpable energy! I’m so thankful I was able to document their love story on the edge of Upstate New York’s beautiful Cayuga Lake and celebrate such a beautiful blending of their two lives.

About Nicolette and Sean…

These two met shortly after high school while they both worked as lifeguards on Lake Erie, but they didn’t start dating until a couple years later. Their paths wove together and they became inseparable as they championed each other in their careers and fell in love with exploring, traveling, and tasting life together. Their most epic adventure ended with a proposal in Costa Rica. #jealous 🙌

This very energy was woven flawlessly into their wedding weekend, making Nicolette’s vision for a timeless Finger Lakes wedding a total triumph.

They channeled all the black tie vibes, crafting a celebration that was classic and sophisticated with a modern twist. Nicolette’s gown was the perfect showpiece, a beautiful a-line silhouette made from luxe matte satin and complete with classic buttons running the extent of the back, and she was absolutely breathtaking. Everything about their day was classy, stylish, and luxe, but even more than that, I love that it was sentimental.

Nicolette and Sean selected the Inn at Taughannock as their wedding venue because it felt like home to both of them. Sean attended Cornell University, and Nicolette spent summers with her family on Upstate New York’s lakes, so the Inn held a special place for each of them. With the opportunity to create a wedding weekend experience for their guests, they cultivated the perfect atmosphere for a celebration. It was one of joy, excitement, and overflowing love. They were joined by so many of their friends and family members, who stayed right on-site at the Inn with them, all of whom were able to savor a slower, more intentional wedding celebration.

Nicolette and Sean scored the most gorgeous day for their day, not to mention a bright blue sky and 70 degree weather. It was complete with a relaxing morning with their bridal parties, an intimate first look, a heartfelt ceremony, and a dreamy window of golden hour photos, and it held endless laughter, big bear hugs, and many, many happy tears. They worked with the most amazing team of vendors to pull off their dream destination wedding, and their vision for a timeless, modern wedding in the Finger Lakes was absolutely nailed by their team of wedding professionals!

Peep a few of their upstate new york wedding vendors:

Venue: Inn at Taughannock

Florist: Michaleen’s Flowers

Hair: Casey Ryzner 

Makeup: Julianna Pastella

Band/DJ: Silver Arrow Band

Nicolette and Sean’s tribe turned up in Upstate New York ready for a good time. From the minute the band struck the first chord of Earth, Wind, and Fire, I knew the night would be an absolute riot. People showed out for Nicolette and Sean, dancing their hearts out and celebrating their once-in-a-lifetime love… and did I mention that Sean’s best man gave his speech from MEMORY. Yes. #RealMVP 💯

When the day ended in fireworks, no cap… it was next level.

Their day was unforgettable in every way, and it earned its rightful spot as my last wedding of 2023. I shot Nicolette and Sean’s wedding at 8 months pregnant (yes, I’m crazy 🙃), and while I had one more wedding scheduled at 38 weeks, baby boy had other plans and Momma needed to call in her backup photographer. 😊 While I definitely cashed in for a foot rub later that night with the hubby, it was worth every second.

My heart was full by the end of their wedding, and it reminded me all over again why I love what I do: there isn’t a job more rewarding than the one that allows you to celebrate marriage, champion the start of a special, new beginning, and embrace the gift God has given us with relationships. I’m so thankful to Nicolette, Sean, and their entire family for inviting me into their space, trusting me as an artist, and giving me the honor of documenting their love story… it was such a privilege.

For more timeless Finger Lakes wedding inspiration, check out Sydney and Brady’s Elegant Rainy Destination Wedding at the Inn at Taughannock!