Iconic Hudson Valley Winery Wedding

Kerri and Tim’s Hudson Valley winery wedding was one of our first for the 2022 wedding season. It was the greatest start to the year. Not only was Nostrano Vineyards the most incredible setting, but the two of them also focused on what we love most: having a great time and soaking in every moment. Some couples have had their weddings planned for years and years before they reach out to us. They have a vision for what their wedding day should look like. That wasn’t the case for these two. We helped them create their wedding vision from the ground up.

When I asked Kerri and Tim what they disliked about weddings they’ve attended in the past, they both agreed that they didn’t like “cookie cutter events”. Immediately, we knew we would be a good fit. Ballrooms are not our thing over here. When I asked them what they loved most about the wedding planning process, it was the more tangible moments.  Seeing the floral arrangements come together, tasting the (mouth-watering) menu, going to pick out the rentals – all of the things that made the wedding day seem more real. If that’s the kind of wedding planning experience you are looking for too, you can learn more about working with Elite Wedding and Event Planning here.  We would love to learn more about your unique wedding vision.

Choosing their Winery Wedding Venue in Hudson Valley

When Kerri and Tim came to us, they wanted help with their wedding venue selection. They had been recommended Nostrano Vineyards but weren’t sure if it was the right choice. They also felt overwhelmed with the weight of the decision. After all, choosing a wedding venue is arguably one of the most important wedding planning decisions in the entire planning process. Although I took them to see about five other Hudson Valley wedding venues, once they saw Nostrano Vineyards in person, they felt it had exactly the vibes – and the views – they were looking for. We were happy to take it from there and make it a reality!

A Beautiful Outdoor Wedding Ceremony

Kerri and Tim had a close friend officiate, which made the wedding ceremony all the more meaningful. Just because we don’t like tradition – doesn’t mean that we don’t swoon a little over our couples’ love stories (like the fact that these two met on the dance floor at a local bar and he proposed on the top of Mount Snow in Vermont). When we started to design their wedding day, both Kerri and Tim agreed they really wanted the beauty of the Hudson Valley winery wedding venue to shine through. We kept the design simple and impactful.

Kerri admitted that throughout the planning process, she was worried she would agonize over every decision. Instead, she trusted her gut that once a decision was made, it was made. She was glad she did. After the ceremony, the two of them enjoyed a private moment together to soak it all in. Future couples: take note! As Kerri said, this was the only “pause” of the day and they loved soaking it all in together.

Outdoor Wedding Reception Underneath a Clear Tent & Sparkling Lights

When Kerri and Tim host guests at home, there is always plenty of wine, food, and charcuterie. We wanted their wedding reception to be an elevated version of what the two of them are known for. They wanted their wedding reception to be a place where guests could let loose and really enjoy themselves. Everyone should leave with stories that they would be laughing about for years to come. What a vision!

They also wanted to include some “surprise elements” so that it didn’t feel like a traditional wedding. One of my favorite moments of the night was when we had the NY Emerald Society Band do a surprise performance. It’s actually a family tradition for them to perform, but none of their guests knew what was happening until they showed up! It was a BLAST and set the tone for the rest of the night. Between them and the DJ that I recommended (they wanted a band but decided to allocate their budget elsewhere instead), the dance floor was packed all night!!

We know we are biased, but this is a perfect example of how you should always focus on the end result and how you want your wedding day to feel, over the actual elements that “need” to be included. Kerri admits she could have never pictured her wedding day without a band and it felt like a sacrifice at the time, But the DJ ended up being one of her favorite vendors of the day.

Her advice for future wedding couples? Not everything needs to be over the top. Choose a few details you absolutely love – for them, it was the clear top tent.

Hudson Valley Winery Wedding

As we mentioned above, a reoccurring theme throughout the wedding design was letting the natural beauty of the Hudson Valley winery wedding venue show. We chose a clear top tent and added string lighting for a classic and romantic evening feel. At the end of the evening, the clear top tent was one of the things that Kerri and Tim loved the most out of the entire wedding design. They wanted their wedding to be beautiful, with classic details, but remain fun and untraditional. In their words, they didn’t want anyone to say “ugh, typical wedding – what time is the shuttle?”. I think we pulled it off! It was so rewarding watching these two just have fun together all night. Their energy was so contagious that many guests commented on it! It’s easy to have fun when you see the wedding couple you are celebrating laughing and dancing.

Hudson Valley Wedding Planners

When we asked Kerri and Tim what they loved about working with us, they admitted it was nice just not to worry over all the details. Especially the week of the wedding! They knew we were on top of all the wedding details, so they could just remain present and just enjoy every moment. At one point in the morning, they said were enjoying each other’s company so much that they couldn’t believe how relaxed and easy their wedding day was! On top of that, they loved having a “day of attendant” to look after their minute-by-minute needs.

Your wedding day goes by quickly. When I asked Kerri what advice she had for future brides, one of the things she said was GET A PLANNER. You don’t want to waste a minute of your wedding day stressing because it really does go by so fast. We have to agree.

Planning your Hudson Valley Winery Wedding

If you are currently looking for a Hudson Valley wedding venue (or someone to help make the wedding planning process enjoyable again!), we would love to work with you. We are quickly booking up for 2023 so if you feel our team might be the right fit, reach out here. Or, for a list of ways to work with us, you can learn more here.

Are you considering this iconic Hudson Valley winery wedding venue? Make sure to check out this gorgeous wedding at Nostrano Vineyards for even more inspiration. It’s a stunning and unique wedding venue here in Upstate New York. Congratulations to our newest newlyweds! We couldn’t be happier for you.