by Ember Event Management – Wedding Planner in Rochester, NY

Carlie and Adam brought a fresh, modern twist to timeless. Their wedding flowed from an immersive outdoor ceremony beneath the trees at the Memorial Art Gallery to a stylish, open-kitchen reception at Jack Rabbit Club.

Carlie reached out to Ember Event Management for planning and day of support. She already had the vision and a talented vendor team in place — what she needed was someone to bring all the moving parts together, finalize the details, and allow her and Adam to be fully present. We stepped in to build out the timeline, troubleshoot potential weather concerns, coordinate vendors across two very different venues, and ensure that every design detail and transition felt seamless.

Their ceremony took place in the tree-lined courtyard of the Memorial Art Gallery, where guests were welcomed into a non-traditional layout beneath bistro lights and a natural canopy. A big priority for the couple was making sure the chuppah and seating worked perfectly within the tree line. We spent time with Carlie ahead of the day creating layouts to ensure every guest had a clear view and that there were enough reserved seats for family and loved ones. On the wedding day, we worked with venue staff and fine-tuned placements so the setup looked beautiful while also being practical.The chuppah by Stacy K blended into the trees with white florals and soft greenery, adding a stunning backdrop for the couple.

While Carlie got ready nearby, Ember and staff prepared the ceremony area — cueing the live string quartet, reviewing the layout, and ensuring the space was ready.

After the ceremony, Ember stayed behind to manage cleanup and pack-out, while key decor elements were repurposed for the reception. We arrived at Jack Rabbit Club ahead of the guests to light candles, cue the kitchen and musicians, and make sure the photographer had a chance to capture the space before anyone entered. Dinner was intentionally intimate, styled with a clean aesthetic and a focus on guest experience. From the open kitchen to the candlelit tables, every detail was meant to feel elevated yet approachable.

The flow of the evening was non-traditional by design. Rather than saving their first dance and entrance for dinner, Carlie and Adam joined cocktail hour to spend more time with guests. This relaxed approach set the tone for the rest of the evening.

Though we were brought in as Day-Of Coordinators, our work with Carlie and Adam extended far beyond logistics. From planning a unique ceremony layout to mapping out weather contingencies and coordinating transitions, we were there to bring peace of mind — and ensure every piece of their day reflected the personal, modern story they wanted to tell.

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Vendor Team:

Coordinator: @ember_eventmanagement

Photo: @c_r_photos

Florals: @stacykfloral

Ceremony Venue: @magrochester

Reception Venue: @jackrabbit_club

Ceremony Music: @quartet442

DJ: @encoreevents

Hair: @thefactoryhairdressing

Officiant: @rabbirochelle

Desserts: @savoiapastryshoppe