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Top 10 Wedding Venues in Western New York - One Photographer's Opinion :)

Your VENUE.... It’s the first major thing you’ll book once you start your wedding planning and will set the scene for the entire look and feel of your wedding day. But where to even begin the search?!


I’ve broken down my top 10 all time favorite western New York wedding venues and have literally covered all of the grounds - from the beach to the barn to a vineyard and downtown Buffalo, I've got you covered for whatever style you're going for!


Western New York is clearly a pretty sweet place to start your forever ♥️ These venues are all different in so many wonderful ways! Check them out below and let me know what you guys think in the comments below. You can also click on each venue's name (in blue) to be taken right to their website - so you can start your planning right away!



1. PEARL @ THE WEBB | BUFFALO NY

Pearl @ The Webb Wedding Reception First Dance Bride Groom Buffalo NY WNY Top 10 Venue

Brick walls lined with arches, exposed ductwork, and high tin ceilings give this downtown Buffalo venue an old industrial feel. Don't let it's tough exterior fool you though, you can pretty this place up easily with some florals and greenery. It's the perfect mix of rust belt Buffalo and elegant wedding venue. Pearl Street Grill & Brewery next door has a very similar style as well.




2. SPRING LAKE WINERY | LOCKPORT NY

Spring Lake Winery Wedding Lockport Bride Groom Photo Portrait Bridal Session WNY Top 10 Venue

Charming vineyards, hidden train tracks, a pond (that you can even fish in!), and a beautiful covered pavilion make this the perfect outdoor location for your wedding! From spring to fall the grounds are an absolutely stunning backdrop to your celebration.


Check out more photos HERE






3. THE ROYCROFT INN | EAST AURORA NY

Roycroft Inn East Aurora Wedding Bridal Party Photo Portrait Bride WNY Top 10 Venue

This historic craftsman style Inn is set in the cutest little town of East Aurora NY (seriously, it's in a Hallmark movie!). This place has it all - picturesque gardens, rooms and chapel, delicious locally sourced and seasonal food menu, and accommodations for you and your guests.







4. HOTEL @ THE LAFAYETTE | BUFFALO NY

Hotel Lafayette Courtyard Ceremony Wedding Bride Buffalo NY Downtown WNY Top 10 Venue

Say "I do" under the open sky in the courtyard of Hotel @ The Lafayette and then celebrate in one of their two reception rooms. Whether you book the Courtyard or Greenhouse Room, you can't go wrong - each has skylights that pour in beautiful natural light, charming rustic accents and that old exposed ductwork I personally always drool over. Set in the heart of downtown Buffalo there's plenty of photo ops around too!




5. HAYLOFT IN THE GROVE | EAST AURORA NY

Hayloft in the Grove East Aurora Wedding Reception Hall WNY Top 10 Venue

Barn weddings - you either love em or you don't! If rustic is your style, you will not be disappointed by HayLoft. In addition to their stunning barn, there are gardens to stroll through and an outdoor patio to take in the fresh air. Plus they have all the amenities of a traditional wedding venue that you may not have even realized you need, such as heat or air conditioning and upscale bathrooms.

Check out more photos HERE




6. CHAUTAUQUA INSTITUTION | CHAUTAUQUA NY

CHQ Chautauqua Institution Wedding Ceremony Bride Hall of Philosophy WNY Top 10 Venue

As long as you're not planning a wedding during CHQ's 9 weeks of summer camp, this is an exquisite setting for a wedding. Options for your ceremony include the Athenaeum Hotel's massive wrap around porch, the grand, greek style Hall of Philosophy or overlooking Chautauqua Lake at the Bell Tower. It's the character throughout this entire campus (it covers over 3 miles!) that make this place so unique.




7. PIONEER CAMP & RETREAT | ANGOLA ON THE LAKE NY

Pioneer Camp Retreat Angola on the Lake Erie Wedding Bride Beach Portrait Photo WNY Top 10 Venue

Soak in the views of Lake Erie while you tie the knot in Pioneer Camp's Chapel in the Woods or opt for one of their many other sites that can host a ceremony or reception, such as the gorgeous Hickman Hall or Wendt Shelter. You can even make a weekend of it! You and your guests can stay at the camp's cottages or private cabins.... there's even dorm style lodging for those rowdy bachelors in attendance 😉





8. CURTIS HOTEL ROOFTOP | BUFFALO NY

Curtiss Hotel downtown Buffalo rooftop bar VUE Wedding Reception WNY Top 10 Venue

The third and final downtown Buffalo venue on this list is the Curtiss Hotel. And with a modern rooftop bar overlooking the Queen City as your backdrop, you will have the most stylish wedding in all of Buffalo. Easy. When the sun goes down, guests can cozy up on couches and enjoy the large fire pit or gaze up at the stars through the retractable ceiling.


Check out more photos HERE




9. BEAVER ISLAND STATE PARK | GRAND ISLAND NY

Beaver Island Beach Wedding Buffalo Grand Island NY WNY Top 10 Venue

A beach wedding in Buffalo?! Perhaps something you hadn't even considered... I mean people don't often associate those two things 😜 But Beaver Island really brings a nice mix of pretty beach wedding and classic, polished reception hall at the Clubhouse. My favorite part of the space? The dual terraces for your reception - dance and drink the night away al fresco!

Check out more photos HERE




10. BACKYARD BASH! // Bring the vendors to YOU!

Lloyd Taco Wedding Reception Bride Portrait Photo WNY Top 10 Venue

Wedding on a budget? Take a page out of Kelly & Adam's book and beg someone with a large yard to use their space 😎 Then invite your favorite local vendors right to you! These two lovebirds had their wedding catered by the Mess Hall, Paula's Donuts and Lloyd - it was pretty much my favorite day ever food wise 🤣


Check out more photos HERE




And that's that!! Honestly, it was really difficult to narrow down this list! ...if you have any questions at all or are interested in hearing some of the amazing venues that didn't quite make the cut, please feel free to CONTACT ME. I'm always happy to answer your questions ☺️


Thanks for stopping by friends!!


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