Katie & Paul’s Intimate Lake House Ceremony + Backyard-Style Reception at Kettle Ridge Farms
by Ember Event Management – Wedding Planner in Rochester, NY
Katie and Paul’s wedding day was the perfect example of how intentional planning and the right venue can create a celebration that feels effortless, personal, and deeply meaningful. They chose to split their day across two locations—starting with a quiet, intimate ceremony at their family’s private lake house, followed by an elevated backyard-style reception at Kettle Ridge Farms in Victor, NY. The result was a wedding that felt relaxed and guest-focused, while still beautifully designed and thoughtfully executed.
Photo: Lovesick Inc.
Photo: Lovesick Inc.
Photo: Lovesick Inc.
Katie and Paul were married in August at their family’s private lake house, a few hours from their reception location. The ceremony was intentionally small and casual, with only their closest family and friends gathered around. One of the most special parts of the morning was that they got ready together, creating a calm, meaningful start to the day before exchanging vows. After the ceremony, guests enjoyed heartfelt toasts before everyone headed off for the celebration to continue.
For their reception, Katie and Paul wanted something that felt like a really great backyard party—but not at their own home. They wanted the ease, flow, and warmth of a backyard celebration without the stress of managing rentals, logistics, and clean-up. Kettle Ridge Farms was the perfect fit. This Rochester venue is ideal for couples who want a relaxed, open-air atmosphere, space for dancing, lawn games, and fire-pit gatherings, and the flexibility to enjoy a casual vibe without sacrificing thoughtful structure. It’s also one of my favorite venues to plan at, because it allows couples to fully enjoy their day while offering the infrastructure needed to keep everything running smoothly.
Photo: Lovesick Inc.
Photo: Lovesick Inc.
Katie brought me on for our Day-Of Coordination package, which was especially important since she was spending the morning away at the lake house for the ceremony. While Katie and Paul focused on being present, our team handled placing personal décor and stationery, managing vendor arrivals and setup, and ensuring the reception space was fully ready when guests arrived. This allowed Katie to truly enjoy her day without worrying about logistics or transitions.
Katie was an absolute dream to work with. Every decision was made with intention, and she worked closely with Posey Letterpress to design all of her stationery—from the invitations and save-the-dates to the menus, seating chart, welcome signs, and place cards. Each piece felt thoughtful, cohesive, and deeply personal. It was truly a joy to bring her vision to life at Kettle Ridge Farms.
Photo: Lovesick Inc.
Photo: Lovesick Inc.
Photo: Lovesick Inc.
Rather than a tightly packed schedule, the timeline was designed to feel open and flexible. We intentionally left space for improvised speeches before dinner, organic transitions throughout the evening, dancing, lawn games, and gathering around the fire pit. This approach created a flow where guests could move around the property, connect with one another, and enjoy the evening at their own pace—there truly was something for everyone. Guest comfort was also a top priority. Since the venue includes grassy and slightly uneven areas, we made sure older guests had plenty of accessible seating options and places to relax as the night unfolded.
Photo: Lovesick Inc.
Photo: Lovesick Inc.
As the perfect late-night treat, Kettle Ridge Farms’ food truck served flatbread pizzas personalized by Katie and Paul—a fun and delicious way to end the night. After the reception, the couple and a few close friends headed to the Sugar House, the Airbnb on Kettle Ridge’s property, where the celebration continued around a fire—soaking in the night and everything the day had been. Katie and Paul’s wedding was a beautiful reminder that you don’t need to host at your own home to get that relaxed, backyard feel. With the right venue and thoughtful planning, you can have a day that’s easy, personal, and guest-focused—without taking on unnecessary logistics.
Photo: Lovesick Inc.
Photo: Lovesick Inc.
Photo: Lovesick Inc.
For a different take on a Kettle Ridge Farms wedding, check out Alex and Alex’s celebration in a tented setup.