Love Has Not Faded | The Kester Homestead | Memphis, New York Wedding Film | Corey + Sophia

What is your story?

Corey & I met when I was attending SUNY Oneonta as a freshman, and he was visiting a mutual friend. Corey had just graduated from Ithaca College. I saw him across the room at a house party/show and had to say hi, but was super nervous so I hatched a plan and finally got enough liquid courage in me to “accidentally” spill beer on his shoes for the chance to talk to him. My friends were ready to leave by that point so I didn’t get his full name or number, and thought it would end there. Luckily, he felt a spark too because he asked his other friends about me and found me on facebook. He continued visiting and we were long distance until we moved in together in Brooklyn, then we moved back upstate about 7 years ago and got engaged in 2019. We live a happy life here in New Hartford with our dog child, Fiona!

What was your favorite memory of your wedding day?

Corey – “walking back up the aisle after we were married. felt like a celebration and surreal seeing all our loved ones around us.”Sophie – “definitely the ceremony. it was so magical. the music, setting, decor, flowers, our friends and family… it was perfect and so special.”

What were the main influences behind the style of your wedding, it’s location and your venue choice for your big day?

I had a vision and Corey trusted me to pull it off. I stumbled upon The Kester Homestead after seeing Rachel (our coordinator, Handmade Darling) post about it, and had to check it out. I instantly fell in love with the setting and aesthetic. I love the boho/americana woodland vibe and it felt so authentic to us. Everything else kind of fell into place though there were plenty of moments when purchasing items to style the wedding and DIY’ing things that I doubted it would all look cohesive and beautiful. It turned out so beautiful and all our vendors and friends who helped set up really made it happen!

What would your top tips be for somebody planning their wedding?

Really research your vendors and their reviews, and read the contracts thoroughly. There is pressure to book because good vendors book fast, but I would make sure you have a clear picture and really know what you want. We were lucky that the majority of our vendors were lovely and so kind when it came to postponing at the start of the pandemic, but we had one cancel on us the night before the wedding and another was like pulling teeth to get anything done for the rehearsal dinner after months of trying and horrible communication on their parts. We had booked them in 2019 so it was so frustrating. Everything worked out though!

What made you decide to hire a wedding videographer? Any tips for couples on the fence for a film?

I knew the photos would be amazing, but seeing our friends and family in action was really important to me. It was out of our budget but I didn’t want to look back and regret not hiring a videographer. This is one of the biggest and most special events in our lives, and I wanted to be able to look back or even show our kids someday.

Wedding Planner – Rachel Bartunek, Coordinator – Handmade Darling

Photographer – HF Photo

DJ/ Entertainment – Sarah Van Buren (DJ SVB)

Venue – The Kester Homestead

Ceremony Location – The Kester Homestead‘s Woodland Cathedral

Film – Gavin Law Films

Hair – Tease And Makeup – Stephanie Orsamorso

Make Up & Beauty – Tease And Makeup

Florist – Gypsy Blooms Floral – Hannah Brunelle

Officiant – Brian Crimmins (bro in law)

Venue Décor – Me, Kester, and some signage by Handmade Darling

Stationery – Zola