Melissa & Kyle's Countryside Wedding at River Run Restaurant in Hancock, NY

Melissa and Kyle currently live and work out of Brooklyn, NY, but both have ties to greater New York state: Melissa’s family has had a lakeside camp on Oquaga Lake near Hancock since she was a little kid and some of her best memories were made there, and Kyle grew up on Long Island and went to college at SUNY Brockport, where he met Melissa. When Melissa suggested we start our day with them at her family’s lake house about 15 minutes from the venue we knew right away that it was the right call. We met up with these two just before they first saw each other that day, and when we arrived we found Kyle relaxing on the dock as friends and family paddle boarded, kayaked, and did cannon balls into the lake. From the creaky wood steps down to the water, to the fishing memorabilia throughout the interior, to the screened in porch full of single beds, the family lake house was so quintessentially rural New Yorkl and absolutely chock full of family history. As Melissa recounted memories of art directing photoshoots with disposable film cameras as a kid, bunking with friends and staying up late on the porch, reading books on the dock, and swimming in the lake we could see just how much it meant to her and her family.

After a quick stop at a nearby farm property that Melissa’s been admiring since she was a kid, we all packed up and drove over to the venue where folks had started to arrive in preparation for the ceremony. Melissa and Kyle along with their families queued up inside while folks grabbed complimentary fans and cold towels before finding their seats. The ceremony, officiated by Melissa’s best friend, was brief but beautiful and full of laughs. When we first spoke to Melissa she mentioned she had hoped to “capture summer in a bottle,” with this wedding, and between the bright July sun and the citrus themed decor throughout the tent we feel like she nailed it. Toasts from Kyle’s brother and Melissa’s sister were heartfelt and painted them as loving older siblings, and after a few formal dances the floor opened up to everyone. The mood quickly shifted from nostalgic and reminiscent to energetic and lively, with everyone from grandmothers to grandchildren to aunts, uncles, and friends going nuts on the black and white checked dance floor. As we stepped out into the cooler evening air with these two for some blue hour photos we couldn’t help but notice how relaxed they seemed. It takes a lot of effort to plan a wedding and the euphoria of realizing you’ve pulled it off is hard to put into words. Melissa and Kyle and their guests made us feel so welcomed, so part of the party, and so appreciated the entire day. It’s weddings like this that make us love what we do, and glad to keep being able to do it.

Venue/Catering: River Run Restaurant
Florals: Kaybirds
Dress: Jenny Yoo NYC
Hair: Bridal by Courtney
Makeup: Anna Ingulli
Menswear: Bonobos
Rings: Northern Royal / Baby Gold + Audrey Rose
Rentals: Taylor Rentals
Music: Engaged Entertainment - Ryan DeLap
Cake: The Love Bean
Film/Processing: Kodak Portra 400/800 / Kerry’s Warwick Photo