Planning your wedding in Western New York offers a variety of stunning venues that blend historic charm, breathtaking landscapes, and elegant interiors. Here are ten top venues in the area, complete with their most photogenic features and tips to help you capture each location’s unique essence. Links to additional resources are included for each venue to provide further information and inspiration.
1. The Mansion on Delaware Avenue
Location: Buffalo, NY
Photo-Worthy Features: A Victorian mansion featuring a grand staircase, elegant suites, and manicured gardens. Its refined architecture and upscale atmosphere provide a timeless, romantic setting for photos.
Photography Tips: Use the staircase for formal portraits and take advantage of the garden terrace for softer, outdoor shots. The parlor also provides a moody, vintage backdrop for intimate moments.
2. Hotel Henry Urban Resort Conference Center
Location: Buffalo, NY
Photo-Worthy Features: Set in the historic Richardson Olmsted Complex, Hotel Henry offers neo-Gothic architecture, expansive grounds, and unique, artistic interiors with vast windows that flood spaces with natural light.
Photography Tips: Capture wide-angle shots of the building’s distinctive architecture, then move inside to utilize the large windows and high ceilings for well-lit portraits with a dramatic flair.
3. Knox Farm State Park
Location: East Aurora, NY
Photo-Worthy Features: Known for its rustic, open spaces, Knox Farm features charming barns, meadows, and tree-lined paths for a relaxed, natural backdrop.
Photography Tips: Schedule a golden hour session to make the most of the soft, warm lighting. The barns add a touch of rustic charm, perfect for couples seeking an organic, countryside feel.
4. The Foundry Suites
Location: Buffalo, NY
Photo-Worthy Features: A former factory transformed into a chic, industrial-style venue with exposed brick, metal beams, and art deco influences.
Photography Tips: Use the exposed brick for moody, intimate shots, and take advantage of large windows for natural light. Evening shots outside highlight the venue’s industrial character.
5. The Timberlodge at Arrowhead Golf Club
Location: Akron, NY
Photo-Worthy Features: Surrounded by lake views, forests, and a log cabin-style lodge, Timberlodge combines rustic elegance with scenic natural beauty.
Photography Tips: Capture the lake and surrounding forest for wide, scenic shots. The lodge’s cozy ambiance also allows for beautiful nighttime photos.
6. The Roycroft Inn
Location: East Aurora, NY
Photo-Worthy Features: A historic Arts and Crafts-style inn with handcrafted details, a garden, and cozy, antique decor, perfect for vintage-inspired photos.
Photography Tips: Emphasize the inn’s architectural details and antique decor, and use the garden for soft, romantic portraits. Visit The Roycroft Inn
7. The Power House at Buffalo Color Park
Location: Buffalo, NY
Photo-Worthy Features: This converted power plant boasts exposed pipes, steel beams, and an industrial aesthetic that contrasts beautifully with wedding attire.
Photography Tips: Highlight the dramatic architectural elements and contrast them with softer portraits. Black-and-white shots can enhance the industrial atmosphere.
8. Avanti Mansion
Location: Buffalo, NY
Photo-Worthy Features: This estate features manicured gardens, a glamorous ballroom, and a versatile indoor/outdoor setting for a range of photo options.
Photography Tips: Use the gardens for vibrant outdoor shots, and move into the ballroom for elegant, light-filled portraits under the chandeliers.
9. The Atrium @ Rich’s
Location: Buffalo, NY
Photo-Worthy Features: A modern venue featuring a glass-walled atrium, with floor-to-ceiling windows providing natural light and views of the surrounding greenery.
Photography Tips: Capture airy, bright shots in the atrium, especially during sunset. The glass walls make for reflective, artistic compositions.
10. Pearl Street Grill & Brewery
Location: Buffalo, NY
Photo-Worthy Features: This popular venue combines rustic wood beams and vintage brick walls with a cozy, multi-level layout and rooftop views of the Buffalo skyline.
Photography Tips: Take advantage of the rooftop during sunset or twilight for cityscape shots, and use the rustic indoor spaces for cozy, intimate moments.
Final Photography Tips
When planning photos at these venues, check each site’s regulations for lighting equipment or drone use. Golden hour provides the best natural lighting, but many of these venues also offer evening ambiance with outdoor lighting, perfect for a romantic glow in twilight photos.
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