A Winter Wedding at The Barn at Villa Venezia

How can I possibly describe the abundance of joy and light that radiate off of Samantha & Harris? I’m not sure but I’m going to try. Photographing their Barn at Villa Venezia wedding was an incredible joy and I feel honored to have documented this special moment in their lives.

The Couple

Samantha found my profile on The Knot and loved my work, so she scheduled a consultation. Right before we met, I told my husband who I was having a consultation with and he said, “I think I went to high school with her!” Small world, small town. When I asked if she knew my husband, she said she remembered him, they were in band together! And from there it honestly felt like we had been friends in high school too! Their story was super sweet. Samantha’s friend thought she would be perfect for Harris, another friend of hers. They were set up on a date and hit it off. It’s so easy to see why when you sit with the two of them and chat. Harris is a GOOFBALL. He is hilarious and has Samantha (and pretty much anyone around him) cracking up. Humor aside, you can see how much they light up in each other’s presence, creating an environment around them that feels warm and fuzzy, like home.

The Venue

The Barn at Villa Venezia in Middletown, NY is such a fantastic venue. Whether you’re traveling from NYC or a local here, it has so much to offer everyone. The Barn is styled well, like a barn. But it has that red barn rustic vibe while still adhering to an elegance that is perfect for a wedding day any time of year. There are a few really pretty spots to take photos outside, with the main barn doors making a stunning backdrop. They recently built a stunning pergola on one side of the patio, where ceremonies can be held outdoors. That area has sweeping views of the farms of Hudson Valley showcasing the charm and character this area is known for. The other side of the patio has a pretty rock structure with a fountain. When you head indoors the modern farmhouse comes to mind. With rich tones and taupe-colored sheers draped to create a stunning effect, the indoor space is a perfect ceremony space for winter weddings or for a backup rain plan (something you should always be mindful of on your wedding day.) The string lights add a warm ambiance and the neutral colors allow you to bring in your creative vision with whatever colors you want for your dream wedding. One of my favorite things about The Barn at Villa Venezia is that they know how to run a wedding day smoothly so your day is stress-free…oh, and the food is AMAZEBALLS!

The Details

Samantha and Harris are both super laid back and are locals so the rustic vibe was perfect for them. They chose deep hues of navy, crimson and cream to compliment the winter season. Samantha’s nontraditional pear-shaped natural sapphire engagement ring was an inspiration for the decor and paired perfectly with her unique pear-shaped diamond eternity band. They had the cutest little favors of rustic beer bottle openers with their name and wedding date on them. Sam’s dress was chic, sophisticated and flowed beautifully into a romantic, lace-tipped train. Harris complimented the color palette of the day in his navy suit with crimson tie.

The Reception

Samantha & Harris’ reception was lovely, with a fun entrance and traditional dances. Sam danced with her brother in honor of their later father. There were sincere toasts, a game of who knows who best, and a traditional Hora followed by lots of dancing. It felt comfy, happy, exciting, and oh-so-special to witness the events of the evening unfold.

From the Couple

“Ashley was absolutely a gem throughout our entire wedding preparations, the wedding day and after. When we met with Ashley for our consultation, we knew she would be perfect to capture our special day. Leading up to our wedding, Ashley was in constant communication with us and it was so essential to have those meetings to get everything squared away. We had so much fun with our engagement shoot that I knew that we were in good hands. Ashley was amazing the day of wedding capturing everything . She went above and beyond my expectations. It was such a pleasure having Ashley as our photographer! Highly recommend!”

The Barn at Villa Venezia Wedding Vendors

Photography: Stellar Films & Photography // Venue: The Barn at Villa Venezia Middletown, NY // Lambs Hill Bridal Boutique // Hair: Creative Hair Design // Makeup: Kinetics Cosmetics // Florals: Absolutely Flowers // DJ: Levels of Sound Entertainment

Wedding Date: 3/8/2024

Looking for a Barn at Villa Venezia photographer? Contact me so we can chat and dream about your big day!