Lakeside Garden Wedding at the Inn at Taughannock Falls | Devin and Brady
Devin and Brady’s lakeside garden wedding at the Inn at Taughannock Falls was nothing short of dreamy.
They pulled out all the stops — from impeccable design, to meaningful touches, to a thoughtful flow of events (honestly, Devin has a second calling as a wedding planner!) — and their day couldn’t have run any more smoothly or beautifully! I was so tickled they chose me as their wedding photographer because creating a visual narrative of their stunning garden wedding was hands-down one of my favorite wedding experiences to date!
Devin and Brady chose the Inn at Taughannock Falls as their wedding venue, which is a serene, not to mention sprawling 12-acre wedding estate that features a luxury hotel, vintage suites, and even a private lake house.
It was the perfect venue for their lakeside garden wedding, situated right on the bluffs of Cayuga Lake overlooking the heart of Upstate NY’s Finger Lakes region, and it was abundant with natural beauty! Nestled amidst quiet woods and breathtaking lakeviews, their June wedding was a total knockout with muted, overcast skies and a subdued summer breeze.
In part, Devin and Brady choose the Inn as their venue because of Brady’s ties to the Ithaca region; he grew up only 20 miles west of the venue, so they loved the nostalgic tie-in! But mostly, they loved that the Inn was especially close to their alma mater where they first met, Ithaca College. This was such a beautiful way to honor their love story, tying the knot in a location that not only held so much sentimental value for both of them, but one that also captured the raw, rich beauty of Upstate NY in a fierce way.
Hi, I’m Emilee!
If you’re looking for joyful, emotion-rich imagery, then I maaaay be your gal!
I’m an Upstate NY Wedding Photographer who specializes in a laid-back photography approach, and I’d love to help tell your love story!
Maybe you’ve already heard me sing my praises, but it’s worth saying louder for the people in the back — Upstate NY is a gorgeous location that doubles as the perfect wedding destination!
With an unsuspecting, yet staggering type of grandeur, the Finger Lakes region boasts spacious farmlands, sparkling green-blue lakes, and endlessly blue skies, and it makes saying “I Do” especially sacred. Devin and Brady were able to reap all the benefits of this serene, scenic location, their venue falling directly next to Cayuga Lake, and between the dense woodlands, the lush, budding greenery, right down to the soothing sounds of lapping water in the background, we felt enveloped in an oasis of calm tranquility.
From the beginning, it was apparent that Devin and Brady valued a fun, fancy, and immersive wedding experience.
Translation? They desired a day that was personal and relaxing for them, but also inviting and revitalizing for their guests. This was obvious from the very beginning of our time working together on our planning calls, but also from the minute I showed up to their wedding. Unequivocally, I’m a huge fan of crafting a wedding experience that is about fostering connection, relaxation, and shared moments in a unique setting, and Devin and Brady nailed this on the head. (For more inspiration on wedding weekend experiences, peep Madi and Eric’s earthy and romantic Catskills wedding!)
Devin and Brady were intentional about selecting small, private groups for the getting ready portions of their day, resulting in sweet, candid moments with those who they loved most — their parents, a couple siblings, and their intimate bridal parties.
This organically cultivated a relaxed, laidback vibe the morning of their wedding day, allowing for a relaxed getting ready experience and a calm start to the day.
Devin selected the Inn’s luxurious “Falls Suite,” which is a 410 sq. ft. room that has a spacious patio and sweeping, unobstructed views of Cayuga Lake. The scenery on their wedding morning was simply exquisite, and the porch views created the perfect backdrop for Devin and her girls to scoot outside for fresh air, snap some robe and jammie photos, and share a toast and pre-wedding “cheers.” (My past bride, Rachelle, also reserved this suite for her outdoor getting ready photos, with which I’m equally obsessed!) Between the porch lakeviews, the Suite’s marble bathroom, and its gorgeous double vanity, all my dreams came true for bright and airy getting ready photos! (Hi, my name is Emilee, and I’m a sucker for natural lighting! 🤪)
Psst… in case you haven’t noticed, awkward photos aren’t really my vibe.
My goal is to get you feeling comfortable and yourself, so you can enjoy personality-driven imagery for years to come!
If you’re looking at this gallery, thinking, “YASSSSS!”, then we need to talk… like yesterday!
Keep scrolling to see more of Devin and Brady’s wedding gallery! ↓
In addition to getting ready photos, Devin and I also made a concerted effort to reserve time into her timeline for flat lay photos — those intentional, storytelling details that help tell a fuller, richer wedding narrative!
I had an absolute hoot styling all of her wedding details in the Falls Suite (where again, there is no shortage of natural light! 🙌🏼) It was a priority for me to get gorgeous close-ups of Devin and Brady’s wedding rings, including Devin’s solitaire style engagement ring and its oval-cut diamond, her five-stone wedding band, and Brady’s classic yellow gold band, and honestly — their jewelry trio was next-level elegant.
Weaving in fresh, summer greenery and other pops of their wedding color palette, I stylized their green velvet ring box, custom stationery suite and gold wax seal (which they ordered through Craftsman Paper Co, and I’m absolutely OBSESSED with!), and personalized vow booklets.
Then I layered in Devin’s classic pointed-toe white Amina Muaddi Ami Pumps, her gold tennis bracelet and hoop-style earrings, and best of all, her Le Labo Santal 33 eau de parfum that Brady ordered as a wedding gift! (The perfume was literally custom-blended and labeled at Le Labo’s Brooklyn location, and Brady customized it to read: “For 6/14/25, Wifey.”) Tears! I truly can’t stop swooning over their thoughtful, fine-art wedding details!
Peep Devin and Brady’s full wedding team below and the exquisite level of detail that each service provider brought to the table —
Venue: Inn at Taughannock Falls
Photography: Emilee Carpenter Photography
Floral Design: Arnold's Flower Shop
Wedding Boutique: Hinterland Bride
Wedding Gown: Chosen by KYHA
Alterations: Mosca Alterations
Makeup: Jessie Rivera Beauty
Hair: K. Rae Salon
Video: Toast Weddings
Stationery: Craftsman Paper Co
Seating Chart and Table Numbers: Crum and Co
Napkins: Brodie Bee
Monogrammed Drink Toppers: The Sip Social
Matchboxes: Perfect Matched
Bar Sign: The Happier Official
After grabbing photos of Devin, her girls, and her bridal details, I made it a point to scoot over to Brady at the Inn’s “Hillside Residence.”
A 1725 sq. ft. two-story suite, the Le Grande room was the perfect setting for Brady and his guys to get ready. Not only did it offer great photo op spots for scenic outdoor photos and luxurious indoor photos, but it also had a spacious living room with ample natural light and a pool table. Brady and his dudes lounged around the pool table and unwound before the festivities of the day, and I was able to capture so many fun candids of them cueing up, shooting the break, and raising a glass to kick off Devin and Brady’s big day.
To me, one of the highlights of Devin and Brady’s day was their first look and private vow exchange. Devin and Brady prioritized a first look so they could exchange personal vows before the ceremony. They wanted to give themselves space to process the emotions of the day — away from the eyes of 150 guests. 🥲 It was a chance for them to slow down, savor stolen moments of quiet time, and ground themselves before their celebration unfolded — and from a photographer who has witnessed and photographed hundreds of first looks, theirs was truly one of the best (though Sam and Len’s first look at Taughannock Falls’ overlook is a close second!)
Devin and Brady shared their first look in a private garden alcove just steps from their ceremony site.
Nestled beneath a canopy of lush green trees, this peaceful setting created an intimate environment for just the two of them, and their vows were thoughtful, intentional, and meaningful. While Brady had the sweetest reaction ever, wiping away tears as he read his vows to Devin, Devin alternated between laughter and holding back tears herself. Their entire first look was so tender and beautiful, and their vows were such a deep reflection of their deep connection to one another.
Another priority for Devin and Brady on their big day was ensuring they had time for special wedding portraits with their baby girl — their French Bulldog, JoJo — and I couldn’t be more obsessed with how these images turned out. JoJo came ready to slay in her cream satin bow, and between her adorable wedding get-up and her stout little stance, she was easily the cutest guest in attendance.
Low key — I’m definitely very obsessed with this new trend of pup photos on your wedding day, and it’s something a lot of my couples have made an effort to capture!
So long as it’s planned on upfront and built into your wedding timeline, photos with your four-legged friends can always be accommodated! For inspiration, peep these precious wedding portraits with Kate, Brian, and their miniature goldendoodle, Olive, as well as Madi, Eric, and their rescues, Luna and Abby!
Considerations for couples wanting wedding portraits with their fur babies:
Is your venue pet-friendly? This is important to consider in advance because if not, we’ll have to build in additional time to accommodate off-site photos! This is completely doable — just makes for a little bit of a planning curveball.
When is your pup most calm/focused? Let’s focus on that window for photos! It can be a small sliver of time, but it will afford us just enough time to get those core “mantel” photos! Then we can free your pup and let them relax again. 🙃
Do you have a “pet wrangler” you can lean on? Depending on your “VIP guests” (a.k.a., key family members or bridal party members) to manage your pet day-of can create an unnecessary layer of stress for them, so it’s best if you can call on a third party helper for an extra set of hands!
What are your pups favorite treats? To keep your pets happy and engaged for photos, be sure to bring lots of treats and snacks to get their best cooperation!
Plan B, rather than doing photos on your wedding day? If you want photos with your fur baby, but your wedding day doesn’t seem like the best fit for you — let’s capture these photos during your engagement session instead!
Just like they did with JoJo, Devin and Brady did a great job of vocalizing their “wish list” wedding portraits and making them a priority within their timeline, so we were able to pull them off without a hitch!
We were able to drive across the street to Taughannock Point, the lakefront portion of Taughannock Falls State Park, where we captured the majority of their formal portraits. From family portraits, to bridal party portraits, to couple portraits, we were able to create such timeless imagery at this gorgeous setting, thanks to collaborative planning upfront!
Many of my past brides who’ve hosted their wedding at the Inn have wanted such lakeside wedding photos (they’ve loved the aesthetic and timeless views on the shores of Cayuga Lake, and who wouldn’t?!) but for Devin, they were an absolute priority! She wanted not just droolworthy wedding imagery, but magical photos that felt untraditional, artful, and out-of-the-box. I loved that we were able to make that happen for her, and honestly, her and Brady’s wedding portraits are some of my ultimate favorites I’ve ever created!
Being that they chose to be surrounded by only their closest friends on their wedding day, Devin and Brady also opted to embrace a small, nontraditional bridal party.
Devin had just one maid of honor stand by her side, and Brady chose his two closest childhood friends (twins!) as his best men. What a great way to emphasize intentional friendships — the type of meaningful relationships that stand the test of time. (Kate and Brian took a similar approach at their small, intimate Finger Lakes wedding, choosing their three closest friends as their bridal party! 🙌🏼)
Devin’s maid of honor wore a romantic, garden-inspired, whimsical gown that featured soft sage tones, tiered ruffles, and a delicate floral pattern that echoed the natural setting of Upstate NY, and Brady’s groomsmen rocked timeless black tuxedos with classic black bow ties. Overall, the cohesive look of their bridal party — Devin and Brady included — was one of classic sophistication, which tied in absolutely perfectly with their lakeside garden wedding vibe.
To that end, Devin and Brady's wedding aesthetic was one of soothing tones, crisp whites, and delicious summer greens.
They worked with their florist, Arnold's Flower Shop, to weave in gorgeous greenery and timeless white florals to their wedding arrangements, and they landed on a monochromatic palette with natural textures, all incredibly on-point with their garden wedding theme.
Their ceremony, specifically — positioned directly in front of Cayuga lake amidst the Inn’s well-manicured estate of lush greenery, stone pathways, and seasonal blooms — gave off the dreamiest vibes. It was like Devin and Brady wanted nature to do the talking. They embraced the natural beauty of the Finger Lakes region, letting the serene landscape speak for itself. But what sent me was the old-world elegance of the black wrought-iron fence set against the lush, semi-circle floral display of white hydrangeas, roses, dahlias, and delphinium with touches of verdant greenery. 🙌🏼
Wearing KYHA Studios’ “Arta” gown, Devin embodied this effortless look with a modern nod to ’60s-inspired bridal fashion.
Her gown featured a structured square neckline, delicate straps, and a soft fit-and-flare silhouette, and the sleek, minimalist design of the gown perfectly captured her vision of understated elegance. When paired with her cathedral length, Devin was a picture of timeless sophistication.
Beyond aesthetics alone, however, Devin and Brady’s ceremony was beautiful in a sentimental, emotional way. Incredibly family-oriented, their ceremony was officiated by Devin’s brother, Billy, and Brady’s sister, Madison, also did a special reading. This set the tone for a celebration that was rooted in meaning, support, and encouragement from loved ones. Guests traveled from near and far to celebrate, and their joy was demonstrated in the most colorful way — not just through hearty, radical support, but right down to their very attire! Decked in floral prints, breezy fabrics, and bold citrus tones, Devin and Brady’s guests showed up in a vibrant way, making Devin and Brady’s wedding feel summery, festive, and fashion-forward.
Cocktail hour reflected this very colorful essence, cultivating an atmosphere akin to a summer garden party tucked into a hidden oasis.
Framed below the Inn’s Victorian mansion and towering stone fireplace, guests rocked their bright, airy outfits, and Devin and Brady enjoyed a cocktail hour that was a soundtrack of songbirds, clinking glasses, and the hum of conversation. It was all stone terrace and old-world charm, and I’m still reeling from the beauty of it!
Devin and Brady’s guests were treated to a flavorful spread of hors d'oeuvres, skewers, and a vibrant taco bar during cocktail hour, including a colorful array of grilled meats, fresh toppings, and salsas — not to mention fun cocktail drinks and signature espresso martinis with custom monogrammed toppers. I was obsessed with every pretty little detail they incorporated into their cocktail hour (!!), not excluding their personalized napkins and personalized matchbox favors (featuring yet another fun shoutout to their precious pup, JoJo!)
Right down to their gorgeous linen fabric seating chart and miniature bar sign, Devin and Brady’s day was thoughtful, elevated, and meticulously beautiful.
Their tented reception featured family-style, farmhouse tables decked in classic green runners, botanical-patterned linens, each of which were lined with delicate florals and low, organic centerpieces — and their checkered dance floor was a total vibe (which Sam and Len also used for their romantic estate wedding weekend at the Inn, and I was equally obsessed then!)
All in all, Devin and Brady’s reception was a lively celebration of their sweet love story, powered by the vibrant support of family, friends, and what can only be described as an epic Ithaca College reunion. Their college crew brought the best kind of hype, ruckus, and energy that only college friends can deliver, and with Paul from Envision Entertainment spinning the soundtrack, the night danced between sentimental nostalgia and a full-throttle party.
Between the toasts and parent dances, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house during their reception — but the true standout moment came when Devin’s dad delivered a speech that could’ve earned him an Oscar.
With perfectly timed jabs at both Devin and Brady, and seamless emotion to match the wit, the room went from roaring laughter to misty eyes in seconds. It was nothing short of iconic, and it will live in my mind rent-free, forever. 🥹
Devin and Brady’s night was topped like a cherry with a petite, two-tiered wedding cake that can only be described as darling.
It featured a nostalgic heart shape that was frosted in white buttercream, decorated with piped ribbon detailing along the top and bottom edges, and finished with “just married” script calligraphy. It was simple and classic, perfect for Devin and Brady who just wanted something intimate for the two of them. They opted for a no-fuss cake cutting — just the two of them and me — allowing us to wrap up the festivities of their day in such an on-point way — intimate, intentional, and meaningful.
I’m unbelievably grateful that I was able to create a visual narrative of Devin and Brady’s lakeside, garden wedding at the Inn at Taughannock Falls, and I will truly never recover from the immense amount of beauty that was their wedding day.
A one-of-a-kind celebration of marriage, community, family, and the natural beauty of Upstate NY, their day overflowed with the holiness of matrimony, and I will forever be cheering Devin and Brady on in their marriage. Cheers to the Myers and to weddings that drip with the beauty of covenant love! 🥂