As a destination wedding photographer who went to school on Long Island, any time I get to head back to New York is a good time. And aside from my personal connection… I’m just a big fan of New York weddings in general. Because no matter where you are in the state, you get gorgeous views and the best energy.
If you’ve been dreaming of a wedding that’s effortlessly luxe and NY is your spot, don't miss these New York State wedding venues I LOVE documenting days at as a New York wedding photographer!
Why New York State Wedding Venues Are Some of My Favorites
New York has so many different energies. You get city, coastal, and mountain vibes all in one state, and I love seeing how the setting my couples end up choosing feels totally personal to them. But if you're still deciding whether you want a coastal celebration or something more estate-focused, I put together a guide to choosing your wedding setting that might help you narrow down the vibe you're picturing.
My job as a photographer is never to just take pretty pictures. It’s to notice all the things happening around you: the atmosphere, the details, the hospitality, the flow… And that being said, I pay a LOT of attention to how weddings unfold at different venues.
I see how different spots hold the things that really matter, and there are a few that stick out to me, including the three New York State wedding venues I’m about to tell you allll about.
3 New York Wedding Venues I Love
Land's End Waterfront
Land’s End Waterfront is a Long Island wedding venue that has the most incredible coastal energy. If you want a beachfront ceremony… Look no further.
One thing that I always notice here is how easy it feels to stay present in weddings here. There’s something about that coastal breeze, open air, GORGEOUS sunsets, and soft light that just makes you settle into the day and makes every wedding here so serene-feeling.
As a New York wedding photographer who has both photographed a wedding AND been a bridesmaid in a wedding here (yep, the same one), I know exactly what it feels like to be a part of a wedding day and how it photographs. And I have to say… Both get a 10/10 from me. Because this gallery?? It’s full of all the classy decor, all the love, and all the belly laughs that made Joanna and Billy’s day theirs.
If you’re someone who’s obsessed with all things coastal, feel most like yourself when you’re at the beach, and are dreaming of a wedding day that’s equally calm and classy, Land’s End is the perfect kind of venue for you.
Here’s what to know about getting married at this New York wedding venue!:
Max guest capacity: 300, but know that every spot on-site varies in capacity, so I’d check with the venue about the exact spaces you’re looking at!
On-site accommodations: No, but there are getting-ready suites there.
Year-round wedding availability: Yes
Indoor and outdoor venue options: Yes
Roxbury Barn and Estate
A wooded estate in the Catskills with multiple venue options, an on-site chef, on-site staff, and the option to have an entire wedding weekend?? Sign me UP.
If that all sounds like the kind of venue you’ve been dreaming of… Same. You won’t want to miss Roxbury Barn and Estate! It has a woodland forest vibe (which photographs beautifully) that’s a completely unique, iconic setting. And don’t even get me started on the fact that the trees above the ceremony site make a heart in the sky, because I’m 100% liable to cry.
I have to add that this space is a well-oiled machine where they’ve truly thought of everything. Things flow between all the different spaces so well, and the whole setup makes you say, “Wow… Literally every wedding venue should be like this.”
If you’ve been picturing your wedding as a full weekend where you’re tucked away in the woods with your people surrounded by thick forests and gorgeous natural scenery, here’s what you need to know about Roxbury:
Max guest capacity: They have a 140-guest maximum and a 100-guest minimum.
On-site accommodations: No, but there are getting-ready spaces on-site and some gorgeous hotels nearby.
Year-round wedding availability: No, they stop taking weddings through the winter months from mid-October on, but I’d recommend reaching out to the venue directly to inquire about your date!
Indoor and outdoor venue options: While there aren’t fully indoor options, there are covered open-air options that fit the natural energy of the space well.
Sweet words from the couple: “5 stars just doesn’t cover how amazing Ashley and her work truly is. Not only does she capture the MOST beautiful photos, but she is the sweetest, most bubbly, and personable human! When you work with Ashley, it honestly feels like you have a close friend who happens to be an extremely talented photographer. She makes sure you get the photos you want without taking away from the authenticity of the moment, takes creative risks that pay off, and is always ready to try something new (e.g., joining us in the ‘69 ford mustang we rented for our engagement shoot or lying in the mud in our ceremony space to capture a cool shot with the heart-shaped trees above us)... I can’t emphasize enough that if Ashley is available, the best decision you can make is to book her. She will surpass all of your expectations and more!”
The Mansion at West Sayville
For another Long Island wedding venue option that’s more of an estate vibe and less of a beach vibe, don’t miss The Mansion at West Sayville. It’s a historic estate wedding venue that still has those classic Long Island waterfront views, but also some stunning architecture and a whole lot of history. It’s the kind of place where you can start the morning sipping on mimosas with your gals and end the night absolutely killing it on the dance floor, with no slow moment in between.
Weddings at this venue look just as good in your gallery as they feel to live in. It can hold all the fun little moments (like Raychel surprising Ed with a live Irish band) and all the personal ones (like their super romantic first look!) with tons of space, and documentary-style wedding photos show it.
If you’re looking for something more refined that you can still have a good time at, this is 100% a New York wedding venue to consider!
Here’s what to know about The Mansion at West Sayville:
Max guest capacity: 205
On-site accommodations: No
Year-round wedding availability: Yes (with seasonal pricing flexibility!)
Indoor and outdoor venue options: Yes
How to Choose Your New York Wedding Venue
Stuck in the spot where you love all of these equally? I understand you deeply. Because I feel like there’s a little bit of a mansion-lover, forest-lover, and beach-lover in all of us.
If you want me to help narrow it down, I’ll break down the type of couple that each of these New York State wedding venues is right for:
Land’s End Waterfront: Best for the couples who want a beach ceremony, feel deeply connected to the coast, or want serene + classy vibes
Roxbury Barn and Estate: Best for those who want a full weekend celebration where they get to feel secluded + deeply connected to nature
The Mansion at West Sayville: Best for couples who want a classic New England wedding feel, and who are equally drawn to estate architecture and waterfront views
And if the superlatives are nice but don’t really help you narrow it down… That’s where you turn to the logistics. Think about things like guest capacity, accessibility, and the things that are close to it that’ll impact your weekend.
One thing I've learned from photographing weddings at these venues is how much the right setting can shape your entire experience. And if you're looking for a photographer who cares just as much about how your day feels as how it looks, I'd LOVE for you to take a peek at what working with me looks like!
Ashley Olafsson | New York Wedding Photographer
If one of these New York wedding venues is already on your list, or you've officially found THE one, I would LOVE to hear what you're planning!
I've had the chance to photograph some seriously special moments at these venues, and there's nothing I love more than helping my couples feel comfortable, stay present, and actually enjoy their wedding day while I document it all.
Tell me about your New York wedding here! I can't wait to hear what you're dreaming up.
Xoxo,
Ashley
