Your Guide To Getting Married In Western New York

You really can’t beat the vibes of getting married in Western New York! Areas like Buffalo and Rochester, plus the gorgeous countryside, offer something to suit every couple’s wedding vision. Thanks to natural beauty, vibrant urban centers, and historic venues, the region is perfect for just about any wedding theme. 

If your guests are flying in, Buffalo is the largest airport in the Western New York area and there are lots of luxury hotel and Airbnb options in the area for your guests to enjoy, plus lots of fun things for them to do on their trip. 

Western New York is perfect for couples planning a unique celebration on their own terms, whether that’s in an elegant country club or a beautifully restored historic mansion. 

Here’s how to plan a wedding in Western New York that will be just epic! 

The Best Time Of Year To Get Married In Western New York

While this region is seriously stunning year round, if you’re curious as to when to get married in New York State, the best months are definitely June and September. You’ll enjoy long days, warm temperatures, and gorgeous lighting, but you’ll avoid the heat and humidity that we sometimes get in July and August. 

Due to the popularity of these months, definitely book your venue and vendors as far in advance as you can! Weekend dates can book out over a year in advance sometimes, so don’t wait to put down a deposit if you fall in love with a venue. 

That being said, some couples love the idea of a romantic winter wedding in the snow, which can be so magical, particularly in a historic estate — think winter fashion, fireplaces, and mulled wine cocktails! Yes, it’ll be chilly, but an indoor wedding can be cozy and fun. 

From Historic Estates To Waterfront Vibes: Types Of Wedding You Can Plan In Western New York

We’re so lucky to have such a wide range of wedding venues nearby! Western New York can really do it all when it comes to venues, including picturesque farms in the countryside, five-star waterfront resorts, or beautifully restored mansions and estates, some hundreds of years old with timeless elegance. 

Other options include scenic overlooks, awesome for a Western New York elopement, along with small chapels and cozy restaurants where you can kick back and celebrate with everyone who matters most!

Western New York Wedding Venues That You Just Might Fall In Love With!

It’s true — deciding on a wedding venue can be one of the hardest parts of wedding planning! However, when visiting venues, it helps to trust your instinct and ask yourself, where would I be most happy and comfortable on my wedding day?

You’ll also want to work out your budget first, as the cost of weddings in Western New York can vary massively! However, if you’re worried about costs, know that weekday venue rental can often be more affordable than weekends. You can also save some money if you’re willing to DIY some of your design and styling, but if you’re a creative type, this can be fun! 

Spend some time thinking about your wedding aesthetic, what sort of backdrops you’d like for your photos, and where you and your guests might feel most relaxed — then, use this Western New York wedding guide to help you narrow down your choices! It’s also never too soon to start contacting venues for their pricing or to plan a visit, getting a feel for what you prefer. 

To help you get started, here are some of the most unique wedding venues that offer flexibility and customization to suit any style. 

The Annex

The Annex is basically a blank white canvas that you can make your own! This custom-built space opened in 2021 with the aim of offering flexible options for larger weddings, and it quickly became a favorite of local couples. If you’re someone who already has a clear vision for your wedding, this might be just the place for you!

Say your vows along the waterfront or under the elegant canopy, then choose from one of the spacious, light-filled reception spaces, like the gorgeous Erie Room or Wyoming Room. They can seat up to 400 people indoors. 

It’s so easy to plan your wedding at The Annex too, as everything you need is in one convenient place and their team is just so lovely! 

The Buffalo Club

If you’re all about an old-school vibe with timeless elegance, this is one of the best places to get married in Buffalo NY. Originally formed as a social club in 1867, this historic space is like stepping back in time, with dark paneled walls adorned with priceless art and grand chandeliers. 

Your Buffalo Club wedding can be in one of the venue’s 18 rooms, accommodating up to 300 guests. Plus, the grand brick and wrought iron exterior of the club offers such dramatic style, making the perfect backdrop for your wedding photography. 

Contact the venue to find out more about their spaces and requirements, as events here require a member to sponsor. 

Whitehall Mansion

Dreaming of a luxury country farmhouse wedding? If so, look no further than Whitehall Mansion! This family-owned home, near Rochester, is such a top choice for an elegant wedding outside of the city. 

The home’s architecture is so beautifully preserved. The mansion was built in 1905, featuring a grand mahogany staircase that you can use to make a grand entrance! From lush gardens, ideal for a spring ceremony, to the bright and airy ballroom, you have lots of options and can also customize all of the spaces to suit your vibe. 

Whitehall Mansion wedding photos are always elegant and bright, and the soft golden hour light in the gardens will be so romantic for your portraits. 

Ravenwood Golf Club

Country clubs can be such a gorgeous choice for a relaxed, stylish wedding, and Ravenwood Golf Club is always a winner for fun and elegant events! Located in Victor, the lush golf course and gardens here are so pretty and always photograph well, especially at sunset. 

The venue provides a golf cart, so we can scoot around and find the best lighting and locations for your images, so fun! Unlike some courses, weddings at Ravenwood Golf Club allow for photographs on the course itself which opens up more options for shooting. 

The venue’s outdoor Stone Pavilion is the perfect place for a ceremony, as it’s open-air but has a roof, ideal if weather conditions are iffy on the day. Then, head to the Black Raven Banquet Room, a gorgeous stone and wood space with both indoor and outdoor areas, creating a relaxed backyard vibe with lots of spaces for your guests to mingle. 

Jackrabbit Club

This chic, industrial space, in Rochester, is ideal for elegant weddings. The Jackrabbit Club can host up to 100 for ceremonies and 200 for receptions, perfect for small to medium-sized celebrations. The venue encompasses over 7,000 feet, so it always feels open and spacious and there’s tons of natural light that pours in through the oversized windows. 

With exposed brick walls, hardwood floors, and exposed beam ceilings, the spaces here are easy to customize but also look sleek and luxurious. The exterior brick walls also photograph really well too!  

Jackrabbit Club weddings include a talented wedding team that can help with arranging vintage furniture, your own cocktail bar, and bespoke lighting to really take your day to the next level. Owned by the same team behind the popular Restaurant Good Luck, you know the catering will be delicious as well! 

Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens

For a gorgeous late spring wedding, check out the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens. With stunning greenhouse and atrium spaces, like the elegant Palm Dome, which soars over 70 feet into the air, you can plan a garden wedding here without needing to stress about rain. However, there are also outdoor garden spaces for both your ceremony and reception. 

Imagine saying your vows in a grand, light-filled conservatory, surrounded by lush vegetation and vibrant flowers. This space is seriously worth visiting, plus the wedding planning staff here always go above and beyond to ensure your event is just perfect. 

Their wedding packages include an on-site coordinator to help you throughout the day and they’ll walk you through all of the planning options with ease. 

Marry or Elope In Upstate New York With The Help Of These Epic Wedding Vendors!

After locking in your amazing venue, it’s time to think about your other vendors, like catering and flowers. Often, your venue will have in-house options, or will provide a list of approved suppliers to work with.​​ 

Together, your vendors will bring your style and vision to life, working together to create a seamless day for you — that’s why it’s so important to only work with absolute pros who know the wedding industry inside and out. 

Here are some of the top local wedding vendors in Buffalo and Western New York that will make your celebrations unforgettable (and check out my full vendor list for more suggestions). 

Best planner: EVL events

This award-winning local business offers full wedding planning services or one-off consultation packages to help you get started, assisting with elements like planning your wedding timeline. Their weddings are always unique and beautiful, and they always nail it by bringing your vision to life, just as you’d imagined!

Best florist: Beck and Forth Co

Founded by the talented Sara, this Western New York wedding florist is all about personalized wedding floral design. Their abundant creations will transform your venue into a work of art, always so fresh and stylish. 

Beck and Forth Co also offer styling and signage, with rental furniture and decor — so much easier to rent than buy something you’ll only use for a day! Let their team handle not just your bouquets and centerpieces, but large scale hanging or archway elements that look completely unique. 

Best event design: Sincerely Melissa

Based in Buffalo, Sincerely Melissa is a bespoke styling company that will help with your wedding vision and design. They’ll start with a custom mood board for inspiration, but will also be there on the day to set up and break down — such a time saver for couples! 

Best signage: B in a Bonnet

Wedding signage is such a key way to personalize your event, so team up with B in a Bonnet for elegant signs that you and your guests will love taking photos with! Their designs are creative and made from high-quality materials. 

Best video: ML Studios

If your budget allows, I always suggest adding videography to your wedding — you’ll absolutely love looking back on the sounds and movement of your beautiful day! ML Studios always creates such vibrant and romantic videos that capture all of the emotion of your day — without any cheesiness. 

Making It Official: New York State Marriage Requirements You’ll Need To Know

Luckily, the process to legally get married in the state of New York is straightforward, and you don’t need to be a New York resident to tie the knot here. First, you’ll need to apply for a marriage license from any local town or city clerk. 

Before this can be issued, you’ll need to provide a bit of information about yourselves. The documents needed to get married in New York State include proof of ID, such as your driver’s license or passport, as verification of your age. You may also need proof of divorce or annulment, if you’ve been married before. 

After obtaining the license, you need to wait 24 hours — but after that, you’re good to go! Your marriage license is valid for 60 days after issue. Your marriage will need to be performed by an authorized celebrant, public official, or religious figure, and one witness, of any age, will need to be present. 

There are no other requirements for guests to be present, so it’s totally ok to plan a private elopement, then celebrate later on with friends and family. 

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If you’re looking for a wedding photographer in Western New York and the East Coast, I’m here for you! I’m all about helping you feel safe and relaxed on your big day, while capturing true to life images that you’ll love. Get in touch and we can start planning your wedding photography!