1. Real Weddings

An Elegant Waterfront Wedding at Cedar Lakes Estate in Port Jervis, New York

Amy Bonezzi (32 and a TV producer) and Geoff Buteau (33 and a consultant) celebrated their newlywed status at Cedar Lakes Estate in Port Jervis, New Y

Amy Bonezzi (32 and a TV producer) and Geoff Buteau (33 and a consultant) celebrated their newlywed status at Cedar Lakes Estate in Port Jervis, New York, a rustic property cloistered in the woods of the Hudson River Valley. “Our venue was so unique with its summer-camp atmosphere, that we wanted to hold true to its charm while adding some glam elements to the space,” Amy says. For the celebration, Amy and Geoff decked out the wooded estate with glitzy gold decor and lush floral arrangements. “We decided to bring in some nods to a secret party in the woods with our gold installation and balloons,” Amy says. The couple’s ceremony was tucked in the woods with a lake as the backdrop, and the site was simply decorated with faux-fur-covered pews, lanterns and an arch of greenery and flowers. Postceremony, guests enjoyed a vintage 1970s Miami-themed cocktail hour complete with the appearance of an old Volkswagon Truck filled with balloons and flowers. Dinner and dancing followed in the rustic barn and old racing stables. A 12-piece band kept the party going late into the evening. A weekend of wedding events included a fun-filled rehearsal dinner in Cedar Lakes Estate’s garden with s’mores and a live band. On Saturday, friends and family kept busy before the ceremony by embracing the estate’s summer-camp vibe with a zip line and a water activities. Outside Amy's bridal suite, ladies stopped by a “lash bar" to beautify and apply fake lashes. “It was a really fun way to treat my guests and get to see everyone while I was getting ready,” Amy says. On Sunday, Amy and Geoff said good-bye and thank-you to guests with a farewell brunch on the property. “It was such a nice weekend—we felt like we really got time to spend with everybody and escape the city,” she says. —Marissa Hermanson

“Our venue was so unique, with the summer-camp atmosphere, that we wanted to hold true to its charm while adding some glam to it,” Amy says of Ceder Lakes Estate in Port Jervis, New York.
A local jeweler created custom rings for the couple. “I had seen so many engagement rings, and I knew I wanted something different,” Amy says. Geoff had an oval diamond with split shank sides and a mix of rose and yellow gold created for Amy. “He did a wonderful job,” Amy says.
“I’m a reality TV producer and worked on “Say Yes to the Dress” and “Randy to the Rescue” with Randy Fenoli,” Amy says. “I had seen it all when it came to wedding dresses and had heard a lot of great advice on choosing the right dress for your body and for the venue.” Amy chose a gown with a lace top and a crepe skirt. “I wanted to be elegant and age appropriate, while still feeling comfortable and beautiful,” Amy says. She added vintage touches to her look with a beaded belt and headpiece.
"I've seen so many brides go through this day, so for me to finally be the bride was interesting," says Amy, who is a TV producer working on reality wedding shows. "I think it led me to be more relaxed because I knew what to expect. And it made me willing to get in a canoe before the ceremony to get the perfect shots for our photographer. I know what it's like to want to get the right shot."
Amy and Geoff's ceremony was held outdoors, cloistered in the woods with a lake as the backdrop at Cedar Lakes Estate in Port Jervis, New York. “Since I’m used to shooting TV, I timed the ceremony with the sunset so that the lake would be gleaming as we stood before everyone,” Amy says. The ceremony site was simply decorated with an arch of greenery and flowers.
Rustic wooden ceremony benches were softened with faux fur.
Atticus, the couple’s French bulldog, was waiting at the end of the aisle with Geoff, as Amy walked down the aisle. “He was a happy spectator during the ceremony,” Amy says.
Amy and Geoff’s reception was held in old racing stables at Cedar Lakes Estate in Port Jervis, New York. “It has been beautifully restored by the sisters who own the venue, and it has a really cool Brooklyn vibe while being in the middle of the woods,” Amy says.
For a fun alternative to escort cards, Amy had guest’s names written on tags that were tied to little gold dinosaurs.
Long rustic wooden tables were adorned with pink floral arrangements and gold-painted wine bottles that acted as candleholders.
A four-tier cake with a gold foundation was adorned with berry red-colored dahlias.
On the patio, Amy and Geoff had cozy lounge areas for friends and family to relax, along with a tobacco bar complete with corncob pipes. “A lot of the night the pipe bar was packed as people figured out how to smoke corncob pipes together,” says Amy, who bought the tobacco locally in Hudson Valley, New York.
A 12-piece band kept the party going all night. “Everyone happily danced the night away,” Amy says.
Amy and Geoff’s wedding planners brought in a vintage Volkswagon truck and filled it with flowers, candles and a giant "Love" balloon. “The space was large, and we had a smaller amount of guests, so it helped keep the atmosphere cozy while creating another great place for photo ops,” Amy says.