Weddings that are a little out-of-the-box are my favorites to photograph, and Jules and Dakota’s wedding at Locust Grove in Poughkeepsie, NY was just that. This location is gorgeous, but is also almost completely DIY, so you can really design your wedding day exactly as you want it to occur. Jules and Dakota’s wedding day was full of all of the best things - a pup, a pizza truck, their smiles, good friends, precious family. It was a uniquely sweet day for all of the right reasons.

THE COUPLE

Jules and Dakota are chefs in NYC, and love their professions. They love going on picnics together, spending time with their pup, exploring the city, and really wanted to have a wedding that emphasized a backyard gathering as opposed to anything overly formal. They’re funny together - always giggling and a little goofy. They’re so enjoyable to spend time with, and I found myself laughing throughout our time together on their wedding day.

THE VENUE

There are so many special places to host weddings in the Hudson Valley, and Locust Grove is one of my favorites. Located on Route 9 in Poughkeepsie, you almost miss it as you drive by - but it is such a magical little inlet of whimsy even amongst a bustling city. The grounds are stunning, featuring multiple garden areas, beautiful paths, and a gorgeous overlook of the Hudson River. Additionally, the historic buildings on the grounds, and the museum where you host the reception, are just such lovely cozy places. Even though it’s in a busy area, it’s quiet - once you’re on the property, you would never know how close you are to the local activity.

There are multiple locations to choose from to host your ceremony outside; Jules and Dakota chose to have the garden as their backdrop, but you can also choose to host it near the overlook or under the large tree near the reception space.

THE DETAILS

Since Jules and Dakota are chefs, they leaned into using fruit and herbs as a part of their centerpieces - something that I thought was so fun and unique to them. They also put a lot of thought into what they wanted included in their day - most notably their cute pup, and the pizza truck during cocktail hour.

THE RECEPTION

Jules and Dakota hosted the most amazing reception, filled with the happiest of people celebrating alongside them. They all danced and enjoyed the evening - the joy was enveloping.