Anissa and Zak celebrated their wedding day in true CNY fashion. Last Saturday was a playbook example of everything that Central New York has to offer in the fall for a wedding; bright autumn colors and brisk, clear air. Although they had originally planned for a July wedding, I am so happy that instead they got to have the glorious colors of fall to celebrate their day.
The morning started with the ladies getting ready at the gorgeous Honeycrisp House, which is part of the Beak and Skiff Orchards in Lafayette. Seriously, this B & B was charming and elegant with stunning views overlooking the valley. I would HIGHLY recommend anyone looking for the perfect location for pre-ceremony activities to check it out (I even looked into it for a stay-cation, lol.) Anissa, her attendees, and the mothers all prepped for the day while enjoying the comforts and amenities.
Zak sent along a present for his bride-to-be before they met up their first look. Anissa had a private moment after getting dressed to read his card and open her gift from him. His gift to her was a Moroccan wedding blanket, a traditional gift her culture heritage and a symbolic commemoration of the family that was unable to attend the wedding due to COVID.
Anissa and Zak enjoyed a first look outside of the B & B before heading to the ceremony site. The leaves were BRILLIANTLY colored in the front of the property, and it was a lovely place for their first moments together.
Once we arrived at Arlington Acres for the ceremony and reception, the wedding party and the family enjoyed the scenic grounds and landscape for portraits ahead of time. I am UBER impressed with the wedding party. It was a bit windy and chilly, but they were SOOOO relaxed and took it all in stride.
Although there was a hint of possible rain in the air, Anissa and Zak were able to have their ceremony outside, with a beautiful, cornfield backdrop.
Instead of a unity candle, Anissa and Zak planted a plant together, This is the first time I have ever seen this, and I LOVED it.
After the ceremony, everyone returned to the barn for the reception, complete with first dances, the shoe game, and the cake cutting. A meal catered by Limp Lizard was the perfect compliment to the barn vibe.