Sonnenberg Gardens Wedding Film | Finger Lakes Videographer
Rachel
& Alex
✦
Rachel & Alex Wedding Highlight
View more films at darrenyoungfilms.com
The Story
A Day Written in Song
It was an early October afternoon at Sonnenberg, the kind of low, golden light that only shows up in autumn, settling over the gardens right as Rachel and Alex's day got started.
The morning began quietly, invitations laid out on soft tulle with a wax seal pressed into the paper while Rachel got ready with her mom close by, their cat curled right into her arms for a photo because even the family pet knew this day mattered. Down the driveway, Alex stood by himself for a minute, straightening his tie before everything picked up speed. The first look happened along the estate's ivy covered garden walls, and the ceremony followed on the brick terrace at the base of the mansion's turret, Rachel's dad walking her down an aisle lined in white and blush blooms while the late afternoon sun cut straight through the trees behind them.
Partway through the reception, Alex pulled out a guitar he had kept hidden all night and sang an original song he wrote for Rachel. The room went completely quiet. You could see the exact moment it hit her.
"He pulled out a guitar he had hidden all night and sang Rachel a song he wrote just for her, in front of everyone they love."
The Venue
Sonnenberg Gardens and Mansion A Finger Lakes Wedding Venue
Sonnenberg Gardens and Mansion is always incredible to shoot, but an October wedding hits differently. Between the 1887 stone mansion, the turrets, and the fifty acres of ivy covered garden walls, every direction you turn is another good backdrop. Frederick Ferris Thompson and his wife Mary Clark Thompson built the mansion as a summer home, and today it is a New York State Historic Park, one of only two public gardens in the entire state parks system.
For Rachel and Alex, the estate became the backdrop for nearly every part of the day: the ivy covered walls for their first look, the mansion's turret and brick terrace for the ceremony, and the last of the golden light for portraits before a tented reception took over the grounds.
What Makes It Special
An 1887 summer estate with turrets and stonework found nowhere else in the Finger Lakes.
Ivy covered walls and formal gardens that give a wedding day backdrop after backdrop.
Perched at the north end of the lake, minutes from downtown Canandaigua.
A spacious tent on the grounds that turns golden once the string lights come on.
Open lawns and tall pines that catch the last light for portraits.
Grounds maintained year round as one of New York's official state parks.
The Film
Captured by Darren Young Films
Rachel and Alex's highlight film was captured by Darren Young Films, a Finger Lakes wedding videography studio known for cinematic storytelling that feels deeply personal. Rather than simply documenting events, every wedding is approached as a film, attending to light, emotion, and the quiet moments between the big ones.
Sonnenberg gives that approach a perfect canvas: the ivy covered walls, the mansion's turret, the golden light before the tent lit up for the night. If you are planning a Sonnenberg Gardens wedding, or any Finger Lakes wedding, and searching for a videographer who will honor the beauty and emotion of your day, we would love to hear from you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Sonnenberg Gardens and Mansion located?
Sonnenberg Gardens and Mansion sits at 151 Charlotte Street in Canandaigua, New York, at the north end of Canandaigua Lake in the Finger Lakes region. It is an easy drive from Rochester and a short walk from downtown Canandaigua.
Can you get married outside at Sonnenberg Gardens and Mansion?
Yes. The garden season runs from May through October, and couples can marry among the formal gardens or on one of the estate's brick terraces. Indoor spaces are also available for colder months.
How many guests can Sonnenberg Gardens and Mansion host?
The estate can accommodate ceremonies as intimate as 20 guests up to receptions of around 275, so it works well for both small and large weddings.
Can you have a live musical performance at a Sonnenberg wedding?
Absolutely. Rachel and Alex's reception included an original song Alex wrote and performed himself, and the open lawns and tented reception space give plenty of room for live music of any kind.
Do you film weddings beyond Canandaigua?
Yes. As a Finger Lakes wedding videographer, we document weddings across Rochester, Buffalo, Syracuse, and the Finger Lakes, and we are always glad to travel for the right couple. Inquire about your date here.
If you're looking for a wedding videographer in the Finger Lakes, I'd love to hear about your day.
Vendor Credits
The Team Behind the Day
A day like this comes together through people who care deeply about their craft.
Photography
Catering
Your Sonnenberg Wedding, on Film.
We serve couples across Rochester, the Finger Lakes, and beyond.