Nestled just south of the lake in Ontario, New York, The Lodge at Shadow Hill feels like the best kept secret in DIY venues near Rochester, NY. This venue sits in the midst of a working maple farm and feels like you have been whisked away into a deep forest retreat, when you are really only minutes off a major road & all the amenities your guests need. If you are looking for a blank slate wedding venue that is staffed by amazing humans who can help you with all of the additional vendor recommendations like caterers, florists, planners, and more, your first stop should be The Lodge at Shadow Hill.

As a photographer, I always look forward to working with Gretchen and her team and found that the vendor teams couples build around their days here are always top notch. If you send me a form saying this is your venue, I am sold and ready to come alongside your wedding day.

Ready to explore what a wedding at the Lodge at Shadow Hill could look like? Let me take you through Rachel & Tyler’s vibrant and colorful July wedding day.

One of my favorite parts about this venue is that the grounds offer such a diverse landscape for your portraits. The tall trees, especially the maples, pop in the summer & the fall but we also have a beautiful pond to walk around and explore. The mason work is impeccable and the bridge, while a slightly steep pitch, cannot be missed.

Rachel got ready on site with her girls in a space that is perfect to bring in your Hair and Make-Up artists, along with any snacks you need to get you through the pampering part of your day. Tyler met me in the main building where he went through his finishing touches with his groomsmen before the first look.

We staged the first look just outside both of these spaces, can be talk about the massive barn doors please???

And then took the bridal party down to the ceremony site where we played in the woods and by the water.

The ceremony site is a short walk from the main building but Gretchen provides a large golf cart for the day to help move guests with ease. Pro Tip here: a driver is not included so you’ll need to assign someone. This is NOT a job for Dad or the groomsmen. Your driver(s) should be someone you trust but do not need for group photos before or after the ceremony.

I’m in love with the way this ceremony site is built, as the main altar area is a step down and away from your guests so that everyone can see, and your photography & videography teams can capture the moments without standing in someone’s line of sight. You’ll need to bring in your own decor, but I love that even as a blank slate, the backdrop of this location is in a word, stunning.

And your reception space is ample. Round tables seem to work best here and I always appreciate that there is enough room for your introductions, toasts, and first dances to take place where your guests are seated (less moving to and fro when you are already trying to herd cats at the end of cocktail hour). Enjoy the fireplace as is or add in your florals and additional decor to tie in the theme of your weddding day. The dance floor is spacious enough to hold your dessert table, welcome signs, and even a photobooth for some additional late night fun.

Blank slate wedding venues are a great place to start when you have a dream day vision ready to be executed. But they are not for the faint of heart. Build a stellar vendor team including a planner to help you see your plans through and come your wedding day, you will absolutely be stepping directly into your inspo board. From there, your only job should be to enjoy every second of the day.

Rachel & Tyler’s Vendor Team:
Venue: The Lodge at Shadow Hill
Planner: Kenzie Plan with Posh
Florals: Wildflower by Simply Events
Photographer: Shelby Triglianos Photography
Videographer: A Ray of Light Videography
DJ/MC: Don & Moon The DJ Duo
Catering: Madeline’s Catering