Caitlyn & Michael’s Joyful Celebration
There’s something undeniably special about weddings at the Inns of Aurora. Nestled along the shores of Cayuga Lake in New York’s Finger Lakes region, this luxury destination feels like a world of its own. With its historic charm, impeccable hospitality, and stunning lake views, the property was the perfect setting for Caitlyn and Michael’s timeless celebration. A beautiful affair filled with intentional design, meaningful moments, and joyful connection.
From the moment guests arrived, it was clear that every detail had been carefully planned to offer a relaxed yet refined experience. This wasn’t just a wedding. It was a full weekend designed for connection, beauty, and celebration.
The Venue: A Lakeside Estate Full of Possibility
The Inns of Aurora is unlike any other venue in the Northeast. It combines the charm of a historic estate with the comfort and luxury of a boutique resort. With five distinct inns across the property, each with its own character, couples can curate a weekend that feels like a true escape. For Caitlyn and Michael, this meant a full wedding day experience that flowed effortlessly across the different spaces.
The property offers multiple ceremony and reception locations, each with panoramic lake views, manicured gardens, and artfully restored interiors. The ceremony was held on the lawn, where guests were welcomed with views of the lake and a soft breeze off the water. The perfect start to a spring celebration.
Cocktail Hour with Lakeside Views
Following the ceremony, guests moved to the lakeside lawn for cocktail hour, which captured the essence of a relaxed garden party. Drinks were served from an outdoor bar set beneath a canopy of trees, where bartenders offered custom cocktails and local wines. The soft sounds of live saxophone from Matthew Richards drifted over the lawn as guests mingled, sipped, and enjoyed light bites from Root Catering.
The lakeside location was more than just beautiful, it created a natural gathering space. Lounge seating and high-top tables were styled among blooming gardens and white umbrellas, offering a mix of elegance and ease. This part of the evening was especially important to Caitlyn and Michael. They wanted their guests to feel completely taken care of, and the space gave everyone room to relax, connect, and take in the view.
Elevated Details and a Garden Party Aesthetic
Caitlyn and Michael’s wedding day design was rooted in understated elegance with a garden party feel. Soft pastels, natural textures, and refined details came together seamlessly. Erie Way Flowers created lush floral arrangements that reflected the surrounding landscape, garden roses, seasonal blooms, and airy greenery in soft shades of blush, ivory, and dusty blue.
From the custom illustrations from Chelsea Lytle Designs to the custom ice sculpture from The Ice Farm, every touch felt considered and cohesive. Caitlyn’s classic wedding gown from Jenny Yoo paired beautifully with her change into a modern second dress by Mira Zwillinger during the reception. The wedding party complemented the palette with coordinated looks from Revelry, State & Liberty, and Sarah O. Jewelry.
The Tent: Refined, Joyful, and Full of Life
The reception tent was a vision of elevated celebration. Set just off the lawn, the sailcloth tent allowed guests to dine and dance with the lake as their backdrop. The interior was styled with romantic floral centerpieces, soft lighting, and delicate linens from BBJ La Tavola. It felt like an extension of the garden itself. Warm, welcoming, and full of light.
A custom menu by Root Catering was served as golden-hour settled in. The speeches were heartfelt, the atmosphere electric, and the joy unmistakable, a videographer’s dream! As the evening continued, Marque Events brought the energy with a packed dance floor, while Matthew Richards played the saxophone played across the dance floor for a truly unforgettable party. The night ended with a stunning cake by Joelle Eats Cake, and a soft breeze from the lake. Everything about the day felt effortless, joyful, and uniquely them. Photos were beautifully captured throughout the day by Kayleigh Moore Photography, perfectly reflecting the emotion, joy, and connection that made the celebration so special.
A Destination Wedding Weekend Worth Savoring
What truly sets the The Inns of Aurora apart is its ability to transform a single wedding day into an immersive, luxurious weekend escape. Spread across five impeccably restored historic inns, the property offers a variety of accommodations for guests to relax, reconnect, and celebrate in style. Each inn is uniquely designed with curated artwork, cozy fireplaces, and lakefront views, offering the feel of a private estate for your closest friends and family.
For those seeking restoration and indulgence, the Spa at the Inns of Aurora is an unforgettable experience in itself. Perched on a hill with sweeping views of Cayuga Lake, the spa is a serene, thoughtfully designed space offering holistic wellness treatments, hydrotherapy pools, saunas, meditation spaces, and outdoor fire pits. Whether your guests book a massage the day before the wedding or you and your partner enjoy a quiet moment in the co-ed tranquility lounge, the spa brings a sense of calm that perfectly complements a wedding weekend.
Additional on-site activities make it easy to craft a weekend full of meaningful experiences. From private yoga classes and lakefront bonfires to wine tastings, cooking classes, and curated art walks, this venue has it all. Guests can explore walking trails, paddle on the lake, or enjoy lawn games during cocktail hour.
A Wedding That Feels Like a Legacy
From start to finish, Caitlyn and Michael’s wedding at the Inns of Aurora was an expression of what a high-end wedding should feel like — intentional, elegant, and grounded in experience. For couples planning a luxury wedding in the Finger Lakes or Northeast, this venue offers so much more than a beautiful backdrop. It provides a full weekend experience, allowing your guests to feel immersed in the celebration, without ever feeling rushed.
As a wedding videographer, what stood out most was how deeply this day reflected Caitlyn and Michael. Their film will forever be a reflection of not just what happened, but how it felt. The emotion, the atmosphere, the way the sunlight danced on the water during cocktail hour. That’s the power of a wedding at a place like the Inns of Aurora.
For couples dreaming of a destination wedding in Upstate New York that feels like a luxurious getaway, the Inns of Aurora creates a setting that’s not only beautiful, but deeply intentional. Where every part of the weekend is designed with hospitality, joy, and connection in mind. If you’re dreaming of a lakeside celebration filled with charm, elegance, and a timeless sense of beauty, this is the kind of venue that delivers on every level.
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