Summer Wedding at Buttermilk Falls Inn and Spa - Chelsea + Brendan

Wedding
Written By Caitlinn Mahar-Daniels

A Buttermilk Falls Inn and Spa wedding in late summer feels like stepping into a garden gathering that just happens to be wrapped in Hudson Valley beauty. Chelsea and Brendan’s celebration in Milton, New York was thoughtful, intentional, and deeply personal - the kind of wedding that feels less like an event and more like an experience carefully crafted around who they are.

From the very beginning, this day was about joy, creativity, and staying grounded in what mattered most. Chelsea’s talent as a designer, and Brendan’s DIY skills, allowed them to execute the wedding of their dreams, both mentally and visually.

A Love Story That Almost Happened Years Earlier

Chelsea and Brendan met online, but as they began talking, they realized their paths had crossed multiple times in their youth at local concerts. They could have met so many times before they actually did - a detail that feels strangely poetic now.

Brendan’s proposal reflected that same mix of effort and sincerity. He strung thousands of lights across the yard to create the perfect setting. The moment didn’t unfold exactly as planned - he ended up proposing during a family photo opportunity and was so nervous he opened the ring box backwards - but that’s the beauty of their story. It’s heartfelt, human, and completely them.

A Summer Day That Felt Like a Gift

The weeks leading up to the wedding were filled with rain, tornado warnings, and uncertainty. The night before was misty and gray. Then, almost magically, the wedding day arrived with perfect weather - sunny, calm, and 75 degrees.

It felt like a gift.

Chelsea and Brendan wanted the day to feel joyful, light, and effortless - more garden gathering than formal affair. They hired Wild Blooms Bridal as their day-of coordinator, something they highly recommend to future couples, which allowed them to move through the day without stress or constant decision-making.

And that ease was palpable.

A First Look That Grounded Everything

Chelsea admitted she felt surprisingly nervous before their first look. Even though they see each other every day, wedding-day emotions are different.

But the moment they turned toward one another, everything softened. The nerves dissolved. They breathed. It became one of the most grounding moments of the entire day.

These are the moments I love most - the ones that remind couples that beyond the details, beyond the logistics, this is about the two of you.

Personal Style, Designed from the Inside Out

Chelsea approached dress shopping thoughtfully. After three boutiques - and a bit of discouragement along the way - she found her Lillian West gown at I Do I Do Bridal in Morristown, NJ. It was comfortable, effortless, and perfectly suited for an outdoor summer celebration.

Comfort was key. She designed custom Converse to change into later in the evening - one of her favorite details.

Brendan invested in a bespoke blue tux, his favorite color, with a custom toile lining Chelsea designed herself. The pattern included tiny illustrations of their favorite things: skiing, espresso martinis, their dog, painting easels, campfires, Adirondack chairs. It was subtle, artistic, and deeply personal.

A Meaningful Outdoor Ceremony

One of the most meaningful details was their ceremony fans. On the back, they included tributes to family members who couldn’t be there. They carried a small portion of Brendan’s father’s ashes during the ceremony - a quiet, sacred gesture of remembrance.

This wasn’t just design - it was storytelling.

Custom Design and Creativity by the Wedding Couple

Chelsea, a talented designer, created custom invitations, linens, and even a hand-drawn map of the property for guests staying onsite. Brendan, equally creative, built the display wall backdrop and masterfully handled logistics throughout the planning process.

A Cocktail-Style Celebration

Under the reception tent, disco balls hung among greenery, casting playful light as guests moved from space to space. There were no large banquet tables. No formal seating.

Instead, guests mingled, laughed, and shared curated small bites selected with the venue’s chef.

At the reception, a curated art wall featured paintings from Chelsea’s father (Paul Soisson) and grandmother, along with candid photos of their parents and grandparents early in their own love stories.

It felt layered with history.

Why Buttermilk Falls Felt Right

Initially, Chelsea imagined a much smaller wedding. Brendan comes from a large family, and they thoughtfully compromised, curating a guest list that felt balanced and deeply intentional. They only invited people who had truly supported them as individuals and their relationship.

They weren’t drawn to a traditional seated dinner with formal structure. After attending a friend’s cocktail-style wedding, they loved the way guests moved freely, blending and connecting without rigid seating charts or spotlight moments. So when searching for venues, they looked for a place where they could create that same organic energy outdoors.

A tented wedding at Buttermilk Falls Inn and Spa offered exactly that.

The sprawling property, gardens, river views, and open-air tent allowed guests to wander, chat, grab small bites, and experience different spaces throughout the evening. It felt immersive rather than performative. Elevated without being stuffy.

The Dance Floor (and a Very Good Boy)

Their first dance was a favorite memory - especially when Rush, Chelsea’s family’s elderly German Shepherd, wandered onto the dance floor mid-song. It was unplanned, perfectly timed, and completely unforgettable.

Later, they paused together under the tent and took it all in - their loved ones gathered in one place. That quiet moment of perspective was advice they now pass along to every couple: pause. Look around. Let it sink in.

Photographing a Cocktail-Style Wedding

Chelsea and Brendan were honest from the beginning - they don’t love being in front of a camera. Lauren of Wild Blooms Bridal, their coordinator, wisely told them to choose a photographer whose energy made them feel comfortable.

When we met, they said they felt relaxed immediately. That matters deeply to me.

For a cocktail-style Buttermilk Falls Inn and Spa wedding, staying observant and agile is essential. There’s movement, spontaneity, and layers of interaction. I stayed light on my feet, documenting candid moments without intruding, while also curating portraits in the most beautiful corners of the property.

Their wedding wasn’t about perfection. It was about presence.

Experience with Their Vendors

“We loved working with you and your second shooter Laurel! You are a fantastic photographer and really helped us stay present during the photos and keep the experience fun and lighthearted, your energy was amazing, and multiple guests commented on how much they enjoyed chatting with you and having photos taken by you. We really enjoyed working with our coordinator Lauren Fitzmaurice, from Wild Blooms Bridal, and the Wild Blooms Bridal team including their florist Lauren Pasternak who made such beautiful floral arrangements. Lauren F, was so helpful during our planning process, she truly got the vision and kept us on track on the big day. She pulled everything together beautifully and we are both so glad we decided to invest in her and the Wild Blooms Bridal Team. We don't think we could've pulled the event off without her. We will be forever grateful for her help. They were all so supportive and really wonderful humans to work with. Chelsea had a great time working with the team she hired for their hair and makeup, Jules from the Luminous Bride was absolutely wonderful, and Maddie from Wedluxe Bridal Beauty brought great energy and really made the atmosphere feel comfortable and fun for the rest of the day. Their team was punctual and professional and they both did beautiful work. The band was outstanding, I have to give Brendan full credit on that. We did take a lot of online advice to go see wedding bands perform live, before choosing and we went to see several... We would go after work like a mini date night, which I also highly recommend to couples looking to hire a band. We decided on Sound Society, and are so glad we did, all of our guests have said amazing things since, and they really made the event. Everyone we've spoken to absolutely loved the music. They did a fantastic job!”

Words from their Coordinator, Lauren Fitzmaurice, of Wild Blooms Bridal - 

“From the moment I met Chelsea and Brendan, it was clear they had a strong and thoughtful vision for their wedding day and they stayed true to it from beginning to end. Even when we encountered significant logistical challenges and venue changes along the way, they remained steady and grounded, never losing sight of what mattered most to them.

As a designer, Chelsea brought an incredible level of care and intention to every detail. From the custom toile linens (one of my favorite personalized design elements to date!!) to the meaningful pieces she created for their families, every element felt deeply personal. Their cocktail style reception was especially fun to bring to life! Cocktail receptions are few and far between which made it feel fresh, intimate, and a true reflection of who they are together.

Working with Chelsea and Brendan was a genuine joy, and the love and thoughtfulness they poured into their day could be felt in every moment. <3”

Uninhibited Joy and It All Coming Together

One of my favorite aspects of the day - was Chelsea’s uninhibited smile and joy, mixed with Brendan’s bright eyes and calm demeanor. I could feel their relief and pride of all they have planned, designed, built, and accomplished. They had curated their dream wedding and documenting them seeing all their hard work pay off in real time, was a beautiful experience.

Advice From the Couple

“The biggest piece of advice we’d share is to trust your instincts and remember that your choices should reflect what feels right for you as a couple. It’s easy to feel influenced by opinions and expectations, but when your decisions are rooted in what you truly love, the day naturally feels more personal and meaningful. Seeing wedding bands live is something we highly recommend - there’s a huge difference between hearing music in person and listening to recordings, and it can completely change how you envision the atmosphere of your celebration. It’s also worth planning ahead for yourselves on the day. Scheduling time to eat before the ceremony and carving out a quiet moment together afterward made a big difference for us. Even with a cocktail-style reception, the day moves quickly, and those small pockets of time help you stay grounded and present. Choosing a photographer you genuinely connect with is just as important. Their presence shapes the energy of the day, and feeling comfortable with them allows everything to flow more naturally. Caitlinn brings such a calm, thoughtful presence, and we couldn’t recommend her more highly. If your schedule is full, your venue is far away, or you simply want extra support, hiring a planner or day-of coordinator can be invaluable, especially someone who truly works for you, not just the venue. It makes the entire experience feel smoother, lighter, and more enjoyable. And ultimately, the most important thing is this: it’s your wedding. When you choose what feels authentic to you both, the day becomes not just beautiful, but genuinely unforgettable.”

VENDORS

Venue : Buttermilk Falls Inn and Spa

If you’re planning a Buttermilk Falls Inn and Spa wedding or anywhere in the Hudson Valley and want a photographer who will bring calm, thoughtful energy while documenting your day with intention and artistry, I would love to connect.

Reach out here to inquire about availability - I’d be honored to tell your story. 🤍

Caitlinn Mahar-Daniels
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Summer Glenmere Mansion Wedding - Isabella + Chris