September Wedding at The Sterling at Arrowhead | Buffalo NY
Emily and Andrew had a gorgeous September wedding at the Sterling at Arrowhead in Buffalo NY. Well, right outside of Buffalo, about 40 minutes east of the city, in Akron. Any whos, the weather for their day literally could not have been any more perfect. It was THE ideal late summer day in Buffalo NY. Enough about the locaton and weather, let’s get into their day.
Both got ready off-site, locally. So they could arrive and get dressed using the two suites. The bridal suite is stunning, with a neutral color palette, nice furnishings, and plenty of room to accommodate a large wedding party. My only complaint about this venue is the groom’s suite. You have to walk through the men’s bathroom to access it. Yes, you heard me correctly: I, as a female photographer, had to enter the men’s bathroom each time I needed to enter or leave the groom’s suite. In fact, my groom didn’t have a ‘best man ‘; he had a ‘best sister,’ so at least we were in it together. I’ll keep it moving. Andrew got ready in said groom’s suite, which is styled perfectly! He got ready with his parents, aunt & uncle, and of course his best sister & spouse. I love that these two kept their getting-ready intimate and included their families. We had a sweet moment between Emily and her grandma.
They had their ceremony on the island just steps outside the venue. With a perfectly blue sky and the puffy clouds you see in Toy Story, they said I do. Emily’s stepdad married them, while all their loved ones looked on. Post-ceremony, we took care of family photos, the wedding party, extended family, and the bride & groom. They chose not to have a first look, and their intimate wedding party & family listings worked perfectly with their 4:30 pm ceremony time.
Their reception featured two long tables, creating a family dinner vibe, which continued with yummy family-style serving for their multi-course meal. The tablescape was intentionally kept minimal to give guests the opportunity to socialize and create that family-centric feel. Imaculate vibes all around. Two sweet toasts, and a thank you speech and everyone was enjoying their meal.
I snuck them out for sunset photos while everyone ate. We went over to the ‘willow field,’ as I dubbed it, where the golden light came through and created a gorgeous backdrop. What I love most about this moment, and maybe my favorite from the day, is that Emily & Andrew became their playful selves. For me, it makes my heart burst because they feel safe with me to be uniquely themselves. For them, it’s a beautiful moment to see two people let their hair down, soak in the happiness, and truly connect without the spotlight. It’s beautiful, and their sunset photos are just that.
Oh gosh, I almost forgot their first dance! How dare I! I’ll love this first dance forever, truly. They had their first dance out on the island. Originally, they had discussed having their guests circle them. However, naturally, their guests gathered at the railing across the water. It made for a moment that Emily & Andrew, I’m sure, felt a little more private. It also gave them a full guest list photo without pausing their day.
They enjoyed a three-tier wedding cake with traditional frosting accents and candied fruits. A full Italian dessert bar, with to-go boxes because everything was that delicious, but that’s to be expected when Mom and aunties made it. Loved this touch of home, it went with the family centric vibe.
If you love Emily and Andrew’s September wedding at The Sterling at Arrowhead, you’ll love Sam & Josh’s wedding in Skaneateles NY
Vendors:
Venue: The Sterling at Arrowhead
Photography: Cat DeLine
Florist: Tracy’s Delightfuls
Cake: Village Bakes Shop
Dress: New Ivory Bridal
Suit: Napoli’s
DJ: Jeremony After Dark
If you’d like to see a venue walkthrough, check it out on The Velvet Edit, aka the YouTube channel that gives you the wedding planning advice and tips you need.
