It was such a pleasure returning to the Hudson Valley to plan Jordan and Matt’s Cedar Lakes Estate wedding. Having previously planned Matt’s sister’s wedding at Blue Hill at Stone Barns, it meant a great deal to be invited back by the family. This time, the celebration unfolded as a full multi-day destination wedding set against peak October foliage. With 105 guests comfortably accommodated onsite across Cedar Lakes Estate’s houses, cottages, and cabins, the weekend felt intimate, immersive, and thoughtfully paced from Friday through Sunday.

As a wedding planner, my role encompassed complete planning and execution for the full weekend wedding. This included vendor curation, overall weekend flow, and onsite management across multiple days. My team stayed onsite throughout the weekend, allowing every transition to feel seamless and giving the couple and their guests the freedom to fully experience the property. While managing the vendors coming in and out through the weekend.

Friday Welcome Dinner in the Pavilion

My team and I arrived early Friday to begin setup, taking advantage of the flexibility Cedar Lakes Estate offers for early load in when their schedule allows. The Barn’s ceiling drapery was installed first, so that rental setup from Broadway Party Rentals could follow smoothly later in the afternoon. Our floral design partner, Mimosa, was onsite early as well, beginning installations in both the Barn and Pavilion.

The Welcome Dinner set the tone for the weekend. Simple, chic, and romantic, it was designed as an intimate kickoff for close family and friends. Guests gathered in the Pavilion, where Cedar Lakes Estate’s elegant wooden tables and cane backed chairs were styled with lace runners, each slightly different for a vintage feel. Amber bud vases filled with fall toned flowers lined the tables, while a dramatic foliage and flower lined entrance accented with lanterns created a strong sense of arrival.

Before dinner, Jordan and Matt took portraits near the lake while guests checked into their accommodations and discovered welcome bags placed by our team. Dinner leaned Mediterranean and communal, served buffet style with mezze inspired offerings. Passed desserts followed, including familiar favourites and a nostalgic s’mores station. With the bar flowing and guests enjoying the Pavilion well into the evening, the space buzzed with conversation. It was a warm and relaxed beginning to the wedding weekend.

Wedding Day Camp Activities

Saturday morning began with a relaxed Rise and Shine breakfast served buffet style in the Pavilion. Guests enjoyed comforting breakfast favourites alongside a full espresso station. After breakfast, I led a quick ceremony rehearsal with the wedding party. Having the groom’s sister officiate set a meaningful tone for the celebration ahead. The bride’s party gathered at the Farmhouse for hair and makeup. While guests spent the late morning enjoying Cedar Lakes Estate’s camp activities, including pickleball, basketball, hiking, trivia, canoeing and time by the lake.

Lunch was warm and hearty, designed to refuel guests. A selection of elevated sandwiches was served, from roast beef on ciabatta with horseradish and gruyere to pressed grilled chicken on sourdough, warm ham and gruyere croissants, and an open faced grilled artichoke focaccia. The Farmhouse spread for the bride’s party included the sandwiches, along with a mimosa bar, crudité, and salads. The groom’s party gathered in the Treehouse to get ready for the wedding ceremony.

Jordan and Matt’s dog Luka joined the weekend with the support of a dedicated dog handler on Saturday, allowing everything to run smoothly. He even got dressed up in a tuxedo for portraits! Jordan and Matt shared their first look and exchanged private vows surrounded by towering trees showing off their autumnal tones. It was a calm and grounding moment before the pace of the day shifted into the ceremony.

Ceremony in the Glasshouse

The ceremony was originally planned outdoors at the Amphitheater overlooking the lake. Mimosa had begun setting low garden florals and lantern lined aisles designed to complement the natural landscape. As the forecast worsened and rain became unavoidable, we made the decision to move the ceremony indoors to the newly built Glasshouse. The pivot prioritised guest comfort while preserving the elevated and intentional design the couple envisioned.

The transition was executed quickly, thanks to our amazing partners in Mimosa, the Cedar Lakes Estate team, and A/V working together to reframe the space. Sterling Strings played for the ceremony, beginning with “Can’t Help Falling in Love With You” for the processional, “Tale as Old as Time” for Jordan’s entrance, and “Love Me Like You Do” for the recessional. The rain and mist over the lake created a romantic backdrop for their ceremony vows. The side panels of the Glasshouse were opened up to give everyone the feeling of being outdoors, but protected from the elements.

Jordan carried a modern bouquet of striking blue hydrangea, while the bridesmaids carried mixed bouquets in mixed fall tones. Low gardens framed the couple, lanterns lined the aisle, and additional floral moments marked the Glasshouse entrances, creating a cohesive and immersive ceremony setting.

Cocktails in the Pavilion

Following the ceremony, Jordan and Matt took the GEM to their Lakeside Cottage for a brief private moment to eat, drink, and reset before joining guests for cocktail hour.

Cocktails unfolded in the Pavilion, where a large central firepit kept guests warm as Sterling Strings played contemporary music. Passed hors d’oeuvres circulated alongside interactive stations including a foraging table, dumplings, and sushi selections. Thoughtful details such as custom cocktail napkins by Suite Paperie and a statement escort display featuring silver envelopes arranged in blue trays beneath a tall floral urn added polish.

Dinner and Dancing in the Barn

Dinner in the Barn revealed a complete transformation. The mood was modern, chic, and sophisticated, with hydrangeas taking centre stage. Long tables were dressed in rich navy velvet linens and elegant glass blue chargers, each place setting topped with a personalized blue menu featuring guest names and their pre-selected meals. Dense hydrangea runners flowed down the tables in an ombré of deep brick red, cinnamon, and honey, accented by pleated glass hurricanes filled with candlelight.

Overhead, gauzy navy fabric panels draped the ceiling, framing the chandeliers and string lights while drawing the room inward. Tall branches installed along the beams behind the head table created a striking backdrop and defined the entrance into the space. A cozy lounge vignette furnished by Patina offered a quieter retreat, layered with additional branches by Mimosa.

Guests enjoyed a beautifully executed plated dinner, beginning with a shaved Brussels sprouts and baby kale salad, followed by a choice of pan seared wild salmon or petite filet mignon, with a thoughtfully prepared vegetarian option as well. Desserts were passed throughout the room alongside donut displays and mini jar treats.

Jordan and Matt shared their first dance to “Fade Into You” before a deeply personal surprise unfolded. Jordan had planned a father and daughter dance featuring their five month old baby daughter. Coordinating this moment required precise timing. Our team arranged for the baby and nanny to be discreetly transported by golf cart, passed to her grandmother just off the dance floor, and brought forward to her father Matt at the exact right moment. It was an emotional highlight of the evening and a memory their family will not soon forget. The dance floor quickly filled as guests danced non stop to the Café Wha Band.

The celebration continued in the Treehouse, where the Cedar Lakes Estate team ferried guests by golf cart for the after party. Disco balls added a playful contrast to the refined dinner design, while a DJ from Jarrell Entertainment brought late night energy. Comfort driven snacks included Buffalo chicken sandwiches and Philly cheesesteaks.

Farewell Brunch in the Pavilion

Sunday morning brought everyone back together for a relaxed farewell brunch served buffet style in the Pavilion. The Signature Market Brunch featured comforting favourites including buttermilk pancakes, French toast bread pudding, slow cooked scrambled eggs, smoky bacon, sweet potato hash, parmesan cheddar grits, and warm biscuits with gravy. Fresh pastries, seasonal fruit, bagels with assorted spreads, and steel cut oats rounded out the spread. Guests also enjoyed brunch add ons such as a smoked salmon board, a greenmarket omelette station, and an espresso bar. With coffee flowing and conversations lingering, it was a warm and thoughtful close to Jordan and Matt’s celebration.

It was truly a pleasure planning Jordan and Matt’s destination wedding weekend at Cedar Lakes Estate. From the collaborative onsite team to the flexibility the property offers for thoughtful and guest focused planning, weekends like this highlight what is possible with a full service approach and deep venue knowledge. Thank you to Abby Jiu for capturing all the fun!

Cedar Lakes Estate Wedding Venue at a Glance

Location: 500 acres of the Black Dirt Region of the Hudson Valley

Venue Address: 1 Team USA Way, Port Jervis, NY 12771

Venue Phone: (845) 533-3328

Venue website: https://www.cedarlakesestate.com/

Capacity: Works beautifully for weddings of 150-250, but they can accommodate larger weddings due to the flexibility of their many event spaces

Wedding Package: Use of the entire estate and all available facilities throughout the stay for 3 days and 2 nights (Friday 4:00pm to Sunday 11:00am)

Friday welcome dinner
Saturday breakfast, camp activities, lunch, wedding ceremony, cocktail, dinner, dancing and after party
Sunday farewell brunch

Dining style: Passed hors d’oeuvres, stations, buffet or plated dinner with a choice of entree, passed desserts, stations, late night snacks

Inventory included: Tables, chairs, benches, china, silverware, highboys, umbrellas, firepits

Activities available: Lake, pool, hiking trails, tennis, basketball, pickleball, boating, fishing, bicycles, field games, sledding, ice skating, curling, snowshoeing, ice fishing, zipline, yoga, “drive in” movie

Cost: For 2027 May-October, the site fee is $68,000 and food and beverage minimum is $130,000 = $263,328 (including 23% operations fee and 8.125% tax). There are accommodation requirements for 2 nights for their 36 Accommodations (16 Cottages, 6 Houses and 14 Cabins). For 2027 November-April, the site fee is $42,000 and food and beverage minimum is $95,000 = $182,201 (including 23% operations fee and 8.125% tax). There are accommodation requirements for 2 nights for their 16 Cottages and 6 Houses.

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