A Grand Wedding at Arrow Park

Sitting atop a cliff overlooking a waterfall-fed lake and surrounded by Sterling Forest, Arrow Park is a beautiful Italianate mansion only an hour’s drive from Manhattan. This charming private estate feels like a slice of the Italian countryside tucked right into the Hudson Valley. Couples can welcome guests into an atmosphere filled with old-world charm, elegance, and romance – either for just their wedding day or for an entire wedding weekend. 

When planning a wedding at Arrow Park, couples will be glad to know that the full property is booked just for them and their celebration. From there, you’ll be able to choose either an indoor wedding within the mansion itself or an outdoor wedding where guests are free to roam the lovely spacious grounds. Receptions can either be held in the elegant banquet hall located beside the main garden or outside in the courtyard surrounded by nature. But whether you choose indoor or outdoor, every space within Arrow Park offers its own unique charm and plenty of room to make it your own.

But one of the best features of an Arrow Park wedding is the ability to accommodate your wedding party for a weekend celebration. The second level of the mansion has rooms perfect for overnight guests with the main suites reserved for the wedding party (and doubling as your getting-ready suites!). This is a wonderful option for couples wanting to slow down and savor every special wedding moment and stretch the festivities from mere hours to days. 

For Alyssa and Zach, Arrow Park’s blend of elegance, nature, and rustic charm created the perfect setting for their timeless summer wedding.

The Old-World Allure of an Arrow Park Ceremony

The morning began in the quiet elegance of Arrow Park’s mansion, where Alyssa and her bridesmaids prepared for the day ahead. Tucked among her wedding details was a deeply personal tribute to her late father – his military cap – along with delicate charms tied to her bouquet in his honor. Zach got ready on the opposite side of the floor with his groomsmen. Of course, the wedding party made sure the two didn’t run into each other accidentally before the moment they’d see each other for the first time.

That special moment came along Arrow Park’s tree-lined driveway, where dappled sunlight filtered through the branches as Alyssa walked toward Zach for their first look. From there, the two explored the grounds together for bride and groom portraits. One of Alyssa’s special photography requests was to make sure their photo captured the charm of the venue. So, we wandered down by the lake for idyllic photos by the shimmering water. Then, we moved indoors and spent some time inside the mansion where floor-to-ceiling windows created the perfect framing for timeless photos backed by natural light. In one sunlit sitting room, Alyssa + Zach even shared a sweet, private dance before heading outside for the ceremony.

Their vows took place in Arrow Park’s European-style garden, an enchanting setting accentuated by a stone, greenery, and pops of bright flowers. The wedding party descended a stone-paved stairway to the wedding arbor below. Under the bright summer sky, Alyssa + Zach exchanged heartfelt vows they had written for each other and sealed their promises with a kiss as friends and family cheered around them.

A Vanity Fair Inspired Photoshoot

After the ceremony, guests moved out of the garden for cocktail hour while Alyssa + Zach’s family stayed behind for family portraits. Once those moments were captured, it was time for one of Alyssa’s most anticipated photo sessions – a Vanity Fair-inspired wedding party shoot. 

The grassy lawn beyond the garden and the stone staircase became their stage, with each member of the wedding party deliberately placed for a perfectly imperfect composition. Some faced the camera, others looked away, and occasionally Alyssa stood as the sole focal point while the rest gazed in different directions. As an added touch, the ladies carried ivory parasols, sometimes held high, sometimes tilted low, creating layers of texture and whimsy to each shot. Of course, traditional wedding party portraits were taken as well with the bridesmaids lined up on one side and groomsmen on the other, but Alyssa’s idea of a Vanity Fair shoot was such a fanciful and creative idea that it quickly became the best portrait session of the day. 

After the wedding party session, Alyssa + Zach took the same creative approach for their newlywed portraits, turning classic wedding photography into a series of artful, editorial-style images. From sweeping shots that captured the grandeur of the garden and the sun peeking through the trees to film shots that played with light and shadows, the results were striking, cinematic, and a wonderful blend of both timeless elegance and modern creativity.

Twilight Reception in the Arrow Park Courtyard

Finally, it was time for the celebration to truly begin. Guests gathered in the courtyard just behind the mansion, where tables draped in ivory linens and decorated with simple vases of soft pink blooms lined the perimeter. Alyssa and Zach made their grand entrance down the covered, lantern-lit pathway from the front of the mansion, stepping straight into their first dance. Laughter, happy tears, and joyful memories filled the air as one by one Alyssa’s mom, her maids of honor, and Zach’s best man gave speeches in honor of the happy couple. Then, dinner was served and a three-course menu crafted by one of Arrow Park’s preferred caterers, Love + Rosemary, was passed out. 

Once meals were cleared away, it was time to cut the cake. Alyssa + Zach’s cake was not only beautiful, but it was lovingly handmade by Alyssa’s sister. Cake cutting led straight into Zach’s dance with his mom followed by one of the most touching moments of the night. Alyssa played a slideshow of memories of her father, set to the song they had planned to dance to, then shared a tender mother-daughter dance in his honor. 

Later, guests joined together on the dance floor for a special drone shot of the entire celebration, creating a joyful keepsake for the couple. From there, the night dissolved into an all-out dance party. With music filling the night and stars twinkling in the sky above, it was the perfect ending to a beautiful day. 

Alyssa + Zach were so much fun to work with, and it was an honor to photograph their wedding for them. If you’re looking for a photographer for your own wedding, just say the word and I’ll be there for you too!

Hi there! I’m Rachael Crowe of OkCrowe Photography. I’m a New York City-based photographer but I’d be more than happy to travel to wherever you need to make your dream wedding come to life. Just fill out my contact form and schedule a quick chat to get started!