Ithaca Wedding Photographer | Dutch Harvest Farm Wedding | Upstate New York Wedding Venue
Dancing, plentiful food, tears, and a most beautiful sunset capped off Kathleen & Noah’s Dutch Harvest Farm wedding on a perfect fall day in Ithaca, NY
Kathleen & Noah’s Beautiful Fall Dutch Harvest Farm Wedding
If you haven’t been to the Finger Lakes of Upstate New York, you’re missing out! In particular, Ithaca, New York—where I lived for several years as a young adult—is an incredible place. It’s got spectacular food, gorgeous waterfalls and scenery, local activism, two universities, tons of outdoor activities, quirky events, and so much more. So it’s no wonder that locals, college students, and visitors alike get married here. It’s just that beautiful, but definitely not close to any major cities—and locals like to keep it that way.
Noah and Kathleen, who met at Ithaca College, just had to get married in Ithaca. They chose the lovely Dutch Harvest Farm wedding venue in Lansing, NY—just 15 minutes outside of downtown Ithaca in Upstate NY—for their celebration. They promised me lots of dancing and emotions, and they delivered! As an Ithaca wedding photographer, capturing the brilliance and nature in this region is the BEST. Plus, this new barn venue was a great venue offering an incredible sunset setting (as you’ll see in images near the bottom of this post).
A Fall Wedding in Ithaca, New York
To start their fall wedding weekend in Upstate New York, Kathleen got ready in downtown Ithaca, while Noah got ready on a well-known college street near Ithaca College. It was the weekend of Apple Fest, a local festival with food, festivities, and activities celebrating all things apples in the small town. I joined in on the festivities for a short time, then made my way with my second shooter to capture all the details and getting ready.
After everyone was ready, we met up at Dutch Harvest Farm, where we were blessed with a beautiful fall Sunday afternoon. It was a good thing, too, because the rest of the week was cold and rainy.
Dutch Harvest Farm Wedding Venue
Dutch Harvest Farm is a 50-acre luxury wedding venue and barn event venue in Lansing, New York. Compared to popular Ithaca wedding venues The Treman Center or Gratitude and Grace, Dutch Harvest is a bit less rustic and one of the newer upstate wedding venues. It’s on the East side of Cayuga Lake, the easternmost of the Finger Lakes. Because it sits on a hill facing west, it’s blessed by glorious sunsets and golden hours. With a pond and fountains and a 7,000 square-foot, 2-level barn space, it can fit hundreds of guests.
For their first look, I picked a spot out in the field on Dutch Harvest Farm’s property that gave them privacy. One look at Kathleen, and Noah couldn’t hold back the emotions.
After some time to themselves, we took portraits around the pond and property, but honestly it was a bit hard to concentrate with the paella cooks prepping cocktail hour. There was SO much food being prepped that our stomachs were all grumbling. Still, we took beautiful portraits around the different areas—on the knoll, with the fountains in the background, and beside the barn.
Following portraits of their delightful mixed wedding party and family portraits, it was time for their ceremony. Kathleen’s brother played ukulele, the wedding party came down the aisle to a packed house, and the ceremony started.
The Pavilion at Dutch Harvest Farm
Most couples getting married at Dutch Harvest Farm use their outdoor pavilion. It’s not huge, but it fits about 180, and is good for blocking out both light rain or bright sun. Kathleen and Noah had even more friends and family, so folks stood in the back to admire their tearful vows. Noah’s sister and Kathleen’s brother officiated, so the entire audience both laughed and cried with their oh-so-personalized wedding speeches.
After their joyful ceremony, it was time to eat and party! They did the hora, had a rambunctious time dancing with their live band, and despite enjoying the time with all their friends and family, just couldn’t wipe the grins off their faces when snuggling together. Yep, they are that in love.
For sunset, I saw the colors changing and ran to set up my equipment for outdoor portraits. I mean, if only all sunset wedding photos were THIS amazing.
They danced well into the night, and boy was this a fun celebration to capture. Even with a few little hiccups, their joy was practically palpable throughout the entire day. Plus, with friends and family this supportive, how could their celebration not be incredible?! ~
Vendors:
Wedding Venue: Dutch Harvest Farm
Photography: Kathryn Cooper Weddings
Hair & Makeup: Diamond Bunny Glam
Day-Of Coordinator: Crown Coordination
Wedding Planner: Pixie Designs
Caterer: Serendipity Catering
As always, love your photography with such a vibrant feel and true colours! These two hit the jackpot with those sunset conditions and you captured some amazing memories for them, thanks for sharing!