Hudson Valley Wedding Photographer - Old Mill, Wallkill

Summertime weddings are such a favorite of mine — especially here in the Hudson Valley. And if you are looking for a perfect summertime wedding venue — I highly, highly recommend the charming and pretty Old Mill space. Similar to its sister venue – Audrey’s Farmhouse – their Old Mill space has a great flow, beautiful design and the loveliest team behind it all. I couldn’t get enough of their hidden away in-the-woods ceremony spot or their impressive pergola which made all my outdoor dining dreams come true.

Working here with Erin & Dennis (and their amazing team!) was one of the highlights of my 2024. Being a Hudson Valley wedding photographer – I absolutely love the venues that have seamlessly created their spaces within our Hudson Valley green. And this particular wedding had a laidback, easy going flow to the entire day — which I don’t doubt can be contributed mostly to the powerhouse wedding planning team of Canvas Weddings behind it all.

Erin and Dennis opted to skip out of the ever so popular first look and decided to wait until the ceremony to see each other. I often see my couples weighing out the pros and cons of what route to take when it comes to this decision — and am always happy when they make a choice that feels good and right to the both of them. And on top of that — it feels extra lovely to see their team support that decision and create a structure to the day that still feels relaxed and comfortable.

For this mid-July wedding — the late afternoon outdoor wedding ceremony provided us with some dream like lighting. At the Old Mill – there is a special (let’s just go ahead and say magical) clearing in the woods where you get married. It’s accessible yet tucked away — with long wooden benches and a natural, tree filled background. The shade provided relief from that mid-summer weather and fits your guests really well. (From a photographer’s standpoint – it’s also super easy to navigate and work around, with us being able to be in the background and a seamless part of the ceremony).

With Canvas Weddings behind the entire day — by the time the ceremony arrived, we had photographed both Erin and Dennis getting ready and photos of each of them with their respective families. Working closely with planners and venues in creating a schedule beforehand allows for some real flexibility and flow on the wedding day. Another big help in this day being so smooth was that we all did a site visit the month before the wedding. Meeting everyone at Old Mill before the wedding was impacting in understanding what was important and how our couple wanted the day to feel. Anytime this is a possibility — we highly recommend. It’s a great way for us, as photographers, to see the venue through our couples’ eyes — so even if we’re familiar with the space, we can understand better what they love about their venue, why they chose it — all helping us map out the day specifically revolving around them.

It’s not a secret – but we have a serious soft spot for the cocktail hour (or in recent weddings – our new favorite – the cocktail hour and a half) — and we never love to see that time spent with the couple and their family/friends enduring posed shot after posed shot instead of how it should be spent, deep in appetizers and drinks named after your dog/cat. (Oh – and enjoying the adoring love from your guests, etc., etc.). With those values in mind — we made sure that our wedding portraits with the couple and their families post ceremony were organized, smooth and efficient — on top of enjoyable and relaxed. Summer weather in The Hudson Valley is perfect for outdoor photographs. It gave our couple some much deserved space and time to have their few first we-did-it-we’re-married moments. And at the Old Mill– it’s not hard to find pockets of beauty to sneak away for portraits. Corners of nature and modern, stylish interiors are all the place and easy to walk to — all while headed back to join that cocktail hour and enjoy the wedding.

Just like it’s sister venue – Audrey’s Farmhouse – the entire venue at the Old Mill has an intimate feel — while feeling spacious and open — and this is especially true for the reception / dining area. Under the open wooden pergola, long tables were set up and featured beautiful florals by Meadow wilds — the colors and look of it all felt both effortless and enchanting. Heartfelt toasts, romantic first dances and a bustling family style dinner all had the perfect background with this open space.

Choosing the right venue for a summer time wedding in the Hudson Valley can be a little daunting — with more options than ever before — but the Old Mill is a top contender for so many reasons and not just the swimming pool. But also: swimming pool. The entire space lends itself to brilliant, bright days, feeling both intimate and romantic. There is a flow to the property that feels natural and organic. The staff there were kind and helpful — which is always, always(!) a very positive thing. And finding a vendor team — photographers, planners, florists — that supports you in your vision for the space as well as your priorities and hopes for the feel and flow of the day can make all the difference. This Old Mill wedding was one of my favorite weddings of 2024 — and I know that one of the reasons was the way this whole day felt (not just looked!).

this incredible team –

Venue – Old Mill at Audrey’s Farmhouse @audreysfarmhouse  
Planners – Canvas Weddings @canvasweddings  
Rehearsal Dinner – City Winery Hudson Valley @citywineryhv  
Band – Sound Society Band @soundsocietyband  
Florals – Meadow Wilds @meadowwilds  
Hair and Make up – Bridal by Alexandria @bridalbyalexandria  
Catering – The Upstate Table @the_upstate_table  
Dress – Sarah Seven @sarahseven