Chris + Catherine
My first wedding of 2025! I couldn’t be happier that it was in Ithaca, NY on Cornell at Sage Chapel and Statler Hotel.
Chris and Catherine are Cornell alumni who now live in Philly but after having their original wedding plans trounced by Covid, they decided to follow through with the Ithaca wedding celebration with family and friends.
Both parties got ready at the gorgeous Statler Hotel. I had the opportunity to once again work with their event coordinator, Cassandra, who is AMAZING and keeps the whole day cohesive and running smoothly. Event coordinators like Cassandra are worth their weight in gold and then some. I’m always so happy to come back to Statler. Ithaca in general is like home away from home at this point. I spend a lot of time here shooting weddings, engagements and portraits. I almost feel like I should have an honorary degree from Cornell at this point. I basically live there.
Since Chris and Catherine already had a small wedding ceremony on Cornell during Covid, the getting ready process was pretty laid back and there weren’t a ton of detail shots for me to take. However, Charmaine from Affections Floral Design dropped off the flowers and WOW. They were so beautifully done and just a preview of what was to come at the church and the reception space.
Sage Chapel is just a short walk from Statler hotel and one of the most stunning chapels I’ve ever seen. Built in the late 1800’s, it’s filled with gorgeous tile work, stained glass windows and even has a crypt which is somehow more charming than creepy. It’s definitely worth a visit UNLESS there’s a wedding taking place and then I recommend not interrupting. There are definitely signs posted when the chapel is in use and some people disregard those which makes my blood boil. A woman actually did try to enter in the middle of Chris and Catherine’s ceremony and I’m not ashamed of the fact that I shot daggers out of my eyes at her. She quickly closed the door at my silent message. Not only am I a wedding photographer but I guess you could say I’m your wedding day bouncer too.
If ever there was a time to plan your wedding in Ithaca, it’s during the spring time. I couldn’t get enough of all the flowering trees around Sage Chapel and the spring bulbs that were popping all over campus.
After pictures with the bridal party, Chris and Catherine brought us around campus to all of their favorite and sentimental spots. – Just a friendly FYI, if you’re a photographer reading this, you might benefit from storing your equipment and bringing just what’s necessary or having an assistant carry your gear. I brought along my 60lb case full of all my stuff because there wasn’t enough time to lock it away at Statler hotel. I went up the stairs, down the stairs, up the hill, down the hill and by the end of the night I was lecturing myself on how I needed to do more pushups and cardio in my regular life. Cornell is built on hills so be prepared!
It was totally worth it for these photos though. So many gorgeous locations! I almost want to plan a styled shoot on campus. There’s so much to work with!
This particular day in Ithaca was super rainy but thankfully Mother Nature was in our favor and the rain held off while we did photos. I had clear umbrellas for everyone just in case but I am SO happy we didn’t have to use them!
Statler Hotel’s reception space is on the second floor and when we arrived it was decorated to the nines. The food is also out of this world. I literally cannot emphasize that enough. Food is so important on the wedding day and Statler always nails it. They also do the dessert table and the cake which was STUNNING!
I had so much fun getting to know Catherine and Chris and I’m SO grateful they finally got to have their dream wedding at Sage Chapel and Statler hotel on Cornell campus.
A huge shoutout to all of the staff at Statler hotel who worked so hard. You guys are rockstars and, as always, it was a pleasure! Also, my second shooter and assistant, Brittni. You are a gem and I loved getting to work alongside you! I also want to shoutout these vendors below. I highly recommend all of them!
Ceremony chapel: Sage Chapel
Reception/Catering/Cake & desserts/Accomodations: Statler Hotel
Bouquet and flower arrangements: Affections Floral
Band: Dennis Winge band
Hair/MUA: Olivia Mann
Harpist: Lisa Fenwick
Organist: David Yearsly
Dress: Pronovias (Philly location)
