Adirondacks - Chateaugay, Upstate New York Elopement Photo Story Award

Wedding Photos from a Chateaugay, NY private elopement of The couple on the dock with the groom helping the bride walk out to the end

The bride and groom had a small wedding, and decided to take their wedding photos on the dock by the water at the groom's family camp. The groom helped the bride walk out to the end of the dock, making it a special moment they will always remember.

The couple wanted to take photos on the dock, which is somewhat unstable, so the groom was helping the bride walk out to the end. I snapped this photo as a beautiful ray of sunlight illuminated them through storm clouds that were rolling in.

Melissa and Bear live in Chicago and work in the film industry.  They got engaged in the spring and decided to plan a small wedding over Labor Day weekend at the groom's family camp in the Adirondacks of Upstate New York.  The original plan was to have a COVID-compliant wedding with 30 something people in attendance, but they had to downsize to just a handful of people and dogs due to travel restrictions. 

The day started with the bride getting ready in one of the small cabins that are part of the camp on Lake Chateaugay.  The guys were out boating and returned a bit soggy after a sudden downpour.  The skies cleared just in time for the wedding ceremony.  The couple got married on a boulder at the lake's edge in front of 7 close family members and their two dogs.  It was a beautiful intimate ceremony where everyone had a role to play.  The groom's father officiated, there were dog handlers and an adult flower girl.  The bride's close family friend drove through the night from Illinois to surprise her and walk her down the aisle (or woodland pathway as it were). 

After the ceremony, they got to catch up with friends that had been watching via zoom and then we took photos all around the beautiful property.  It was a wonderful intimate low-key wedding full of fresh air and beautiful views!

Camp Lake Adirondacks Upstate NY Wedding image of The bride catching a peek at her freshly done makeup

Private Adirondacks Upstate New York Wedding Venue | The bride catching a peek at her freshly done makeup

The bride catching a peek at her freshly done makeup and flower crown in a makeup mirror.

A Wedding Photo from a New York lake elopement of The bride getting help with her dress

Wedding Photographers of New York | The bride getting help with her dress

The bride getting help with her dress in the small cabin she was getting ready in.

Adirondacks Lake Wedding photo The bride arriving to the outdoor ceremony location at the edge of the water

Adirondacks Lake Wedding Image | The bride arriving to the outdoor wedding ceremony location

The bride arriving to the wedding ceremony location, with her groom and excited dog looking on.

A Chateaugay Lakes, NY wedding ceremony image from vows on a boulder at the edge of the water

Best Chateaugay Lakes, NY Photography | The wedding ceremony took place on a boulder at the edge of the lake

The wedding ceremony took place on a boulder at the edge of the lake. It rained earlier and later in the day, but the sun came out providing a glistening water background for the ceremony. There were many moments in the ceremony where the bride, groom, and the officiant (the groom's father) cracked up.

Wedding image from an Adirondacks NY Lake Ceremony of The bride and groom leaving their outdoor event by the lake

Adirondacks NY Lake Elopement Ceremony Photo | The bride and groom leaving their wedding ceremony by the lake

The bride and groom leaving their wedding ceremony by the lake with their small gathering cheering them on.

Wedding day celebration Image from an Adirondacks New York Elopement of the bride and groom pouring a champagne toast

Images from an Adirondacks New York Elopement | the bride and groom and their two dogs went back to the shed to pour champagne

After the ceremony the bride and groom and their two dogs went back to the shed to pour champagne.

Lower Chateaugay Lake, NY Wedding image of| The groom toasting with some old bourbon

Lower Chateaugay Lake, NY Wedding Picture | The groom toasting with some special bourbon

The groom toasting with some special bourbon he had saved for many years to drink on the day he got married.

Lower Chateaugay Lake Wedding Couple Portrait with a ray of light illuminated the brides hand with her ring and a bit of the groom's face

Lower Chateaugay Lake Elopement Portrait | a ray of light illuminated her hand with her ring and a bit of the groom's face

We were getting ready to do some wedding portraits up on the high point of the property overlooking the lake. The groom was helping the bride into a jean jacket that had her new last name on it and I caught this moment of them laughing with each other. I had been setting up for a silhouette, but a ray of light illuminated her hand with her ring and a bit of the groom's face.