Finger Lakes Weddings You Need to Check Out: The Best Venues

Why get married in the chaos of the city when you, your sweetheart, and all of your family and friends can come out for a family vacation? Finger Lakes weddings are always stunning! You can have the opportunity to wed in front of some of the most breathtaking views in the country. Whether you’d like to say your “I do”s on a bluff looking over a lake, a rustic barn surrounded by wildflowers, or a forest of fall foliage, the Finger Lakes has the perfect wedding venue for your special day.

We know wedding planning can be stressful, so we’ve created a free Vacation Guide to make your trip planning as easy as possible. In the guide, you can find all of the best restaurants, attractions, entertainment, and outdoor recreation for all of your family to enjoy during your time in the Finger Lakes region.

The Best Finger Lakes Weddings

Heron Hill Winery

If you’re a wine lover, one of the best places to get married is at a Finger Lakes winery! Celebrate your special day with a lovely wedding ceremony overlooking luscious vineyards or gorgeous Keuka Lake at Heron Hill Winery.

In addition to breathtaking panoramic views, you can choose from a selection of delicious Heron Hill wines that would best complement your menu. This Finger Lakes favorite is home to one of Travel + Leisure’s Top 10 Most Spectacular Tasting Rooms in the World! Heron Hill Winery also offers round tables, linen and napkin, white fan back chairs, wine barrel cocktail tables, wine barrel oak top tables, tent heaters, a dance floor oak bar, and more!

Belhurst Castle

Feel like Cinderella and Prince Charming when you wed at Belhurst Castle in Geneva. It’s right in the heart of Finger Lakes wine country, and you can choose between the Castle Ballroom and Meritage Ballroom.

Castle Ballroom is a 4,400-square foot event space with a stunning view of Seneca Lake. This fairytale room features an indoor bar, outdoor bar, and of course, a dance floor!

Imagine spending the best night of your life slow dancing in the Meritage Ballroom under chandeliers and gorgeous wooden beams.

Guests can admire the stunning view of the garden and Seneca Lake while socializing on the patio or lawn area. You’re sure to have the time of your life in this beautiful venue!

Bristol Harbour Lodge and Resort

Customize your dream wedding at Bristol Harbour Lodge and Resort, which is named a winner of The Knot Best of Weddings!

You can choose from several wedding ceremony venues and wedding reception venues, depending on the size of your party and your preference of indoor or outdoor wedding venues.

The Naples Room is one of the best event spaces to host a bridal shower, wedding rehearsal, or cocktail reception. It holds a party of 24 guests with a gorgeous crafted wood table and elegant chandeliers to brighten up your special event.

The Bristol Room and Terrace is a rustic reception venue with spectacular views of Canandaigua Lake.

Seneca Ballroom and Terrace is perfect for those looking for a fairytale wedding. This charming ballroom features a stone fireplace and panoramic views of Canandaigua Lake.

Plus, before or after events, you can test your swing with your bridal party at the beautifully manicured Robert Trent Jones Golf Course!

Reserve Group Vacation Rentals by the Lake

Struggling to find accommodations to house your entire family for your wedding? Look no further! Finger Lakes Premier Properties offers luxury group rentals that are perfect for your wedding party.

cottages on finger lakes, group rentals for finger lakes weddings

Book one to six of our South Bristol Cottage Compound group rentals on Canandaigua Lake. These lake homes accommodate groups ranging from two to 34 people! Whether you are getting ready for the wedding party or relaxing after an eventful day, do so on the private patio with incredible lake views!

It’s your special day, and you deserve the best amenities! In these cottages, you can enjoy central air, a toasty fireplace, cable, WiFi, a dishwasher, and a washer and dryer in each cottage!

Plus, these cottages are in an amazing location. In addition to sitting right on the lake, these homes are also near the best Finger Lakes attractions. That includes shopping, dining, hiking trails, wineries, and Bristol Mountain! If you plan on getting married at Bristol Harbor, we highly recommend these accommodations.

Ready to start planning? Check our availability and book your dream wedding getaway in the Finger Lakes today!

Why List Your Lakefront Home in Winter

The weather outside is frightful, so no one’s buying a home this time of the year, right? Think again. In the last 60 days, 35 lakefront homes went under contract in the region, including 33% of our available inventory. The market is trying to stay warm just like the rest of us, but lakefront homes are in short supply.

While winter may seem like a more challenging time to sell, the same rules don’t always apply for homes in a vacation destination. There are plenty of reasons to buy in winter, but here are some of the pros to selling your lakefront home in the off-season:

Higher priced homes see more action.

According to our listing agent, Cynthia Emerling, homes priced above $500,000 are seeing more interest. “The higher priced market starts to pick up in November, when people start evaluating their finances from the year and are motivated to take advantage of tax breaks.” Listing ahead of or during this surge of high-end buyer activity that your home sits on the market less time. “I tell high-end listings to hold out for this time of year, regardless of when they listed. This is when their buyer is in the market,” says Emerling.

Your home stays ready-to-show.

Selling in the summertime has its drawbacks. While it may be the time of year when your lakefront and landscaping look their best, it’s also the time when your lake house sees the most use. With family, friends, and guests in and out all summer, it can be difficult to ensure your home is ready-to-show when it needs to be. To maintain a staged, clean appearance, list your lakefront home in winter. As an added bonus, a light blanket of snow will cover any less-desirable features outside the home.

You’ll get the most out of your last summer on the lake.

There’s only a short window of summer weather here in the Finger Lakes. Showings can make it more difficult to schedule and enjoy your time at the lake. If your home is a vacation rental, constant showings can interfere with the guest experience. Guests who book in the peak season pay a premium for their stay and would prefer not to be interrupted by your agent.

Investment buyers have extra motivation.

On the vacation rental side, we see higher volumes of booking activity around the holidays. It makes sense – the whole family is gathered in one area, making it easy to plan their next vacation. Investment buyers don’t want to miss out on an opportunity to fill their calendars ahead of the new year. This is a huge motivator for short-term rental owners to buy ahead of the new year.

Even if you decide to hold off on listing until after the holidays, don’t wait too long. We see the spring market ramp up long before winter’s end. Lakefront buyers want to close have plenty of time to get their new home ready for summer.

Ready to list your lakefront home this winter? Start here!

Our real estate team will provide an assessment of your lakefront home and a rental analysis, free of charge, to attract buyers to the income potential of your listing. Call our lakefront listing experts today (888) 976-4981

Plan the Perfect Finger Lakes Proposal

Planning a proposal in 2020? Arrange a romantic getaway to the Finger Lakes and make it an engagement to remember! Our lakeside vacation rentals have hosted hundreds of bridal parties, bachelorettes, and wedding guests, but there’s nothing quite as special as hosting the beginning of it all.

We especially love when our brides-and-grooms-to-be share photos of the big moment with us! Here are some of the happy couples we hosted this year and the homes where they popped the question:

Stowaway

Love is in the air at this secluded chalet! Drive right through a vineyard on your way down to the Seneca Lake shoreline where this cottage sits. Modern updates blend with old world charm to make Stowaway the ultimate setting for your Finger Lakes proposal!

We couldn’t ask for a better photo!

This home has 300 ft. of lake frontage and a newly rebuilt dock to ensure everything goes according to plan!

This home is perfectly situated for a romantic hike in Finger Lakes National Forrest or nearby Watkins Glen State Park. Plus, you’re surrounded by award-winning wineries and breweries!

Book Stowaway

The Boat House

Located midway between historical Seneca Falls, and “gorges” Ithaca, The Boat House is the ideal couple’s retreat. Here, comfort meets minimalist, millennial design, from the chic open concept kitchen to the airy loft bedroom. Even the dock was made for two, with Adirondack chairs and plenty of space to get down on one knee.

This is the kind of place you’ll want to return to for anniversaries and honeymoons for years to come.

We imagine this will be the first of many proposals at this modern retreat!

Enjoy an evening of live music and dancing within walking distance at The Boathouse Beer Garden!

Book The Boat House

Paradise Found

This beautifully remodeled lake house looks like it was taken from the pages of a magazine. Clean, cozy, and comfortable, you’ll love cooking together in the gourmet kitchen and snuggling up next to fireplace.

A light snow made this proposal picture perfect!

For a more intimate experience, stay in the off-season. You’ll take advantage of lower rates, 3 for 2 specials, and fewer crowds at area attractions.

This home is right on the Keuka Lake Wine Trail and only a short drive from the charming village of Hammondsport.

Book Paradise Found

Seneca Shores

This luxurious Seneca Lake home is the perfect spot to celebrate your engagement with family and friends! Enjoy over 4,000 sq. ft. of living space, including a finished basement with a bar, game room, and gas fireplace. The lake view deck spans the entire backside of the home, offering front row seats and a hot tub to enjoy to sunset from.

The lawn at Seneca Shores offers so many different locations to pop the question. We love that this group captured beautiful, blue Seneca Lake in the background of this special moment. Plus, they had plenty of room to celebrate!

To earmark the special occasion, we suggest a champagne toast at nearby Glenora Wine Cellars.

Book Seneca Shores

Stone Crest

The perfect escape for your engagement! This sizable rental offers two master suites, one with its own entry separate from the rest of the home, so you can include the whole family, while still having a little privacy.

Cheers to the newly engaged couple!

Stone Crest offers multiple decks overlooking the water and a 30 ft. dock with rolling hills in the background. Why not schedule an engagement photo shoot during your stay?

This upscale home sits on the shores of Keuka Lake, only minutes from downtown Penn Yan. Break bread at nearby Union Block Bistro to celebrate your engagement!

Book Stone Crest

Our Picks For Your Proposal

Here are some of our favorite romantic retreats to book for your Finger Lakes proposal:

Sunset Point

Sunset Point let’s you truly get away from it all! This serene location features an extra large lot with 175 ft. of Keuka Lake frontage and a completely updated look, inside and out. Light a fire by the water at sunset for the perfect lakefront proposal.

Lakeside Getaway

This adorable cottage stays true to the lake house theme, from the wall decor to the rugs on the floor. This home has ample dock and deck space for the big moment, but for a more creative proposal, consider a snowy evening in festive Seneca Falls.

Glen Hollow Guest Cottage

Glen Hollow offers the privacy of a vacation rental with the amenities of a wine country inn. This historic landmark features naturally beautiful grounds, a waterfall, and one-of-a-kind rustic charm. The guest cottage is an old carriage house full of modern amenities and original features, like sliding barn doors and a bedroom in the hayloft!

Plan your Finger Lakes proposal with our local reservation agents! We can help you choose the best house and coordinate all of the little touches to make your engagement extra special. Call us today! (877) 269-7621

What to Do in Ithaca for the Best Day

Experience a town full of arts, sciences, and natural wonders just south of Cayuga Lake. Here’s what to do in Ithaca during your Finger Lakes vacation. But, before we let you in on all of our best-kept secrets, take a look at our free Vacation Guide. It includes the best restaurants, attractions, outdoor recreation, and entertainment in all of the Finger Lakes region of New York.

Here’s What to Do in Ithaca

Explore Downtown Ithaca Commons

If you’re looking to spend a day in Ithaca, a great place to visit is Ithaca Commons. The award-winning section of downtown has just about everything! From breweries to restaurants to museums, it’s not hard to find something everyone in your group likes.

For the Foodies

Discover six unique restaurants at Ithaca Commons by going on the Downtown Ithaca Food Tour! You can also choose vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options.

Fill up on mouth-watering samples while an expert shares information about the history and culture of Ithaca, New York!

Not only will you be introduced to the best food in town, but you can also discover the historical and architectural sites of Ithaca. Public tours are available between May and November, and private tours are available year-round.

For the Arts and Culture Expert

Head over to Cinemapolis to enjoy fascinating films of all types. You can see film festival entries as well as international movies and classics! If you’re into comic books, you can make a stop by Comics for Collectors.

Then, let your inner Picasso shine, and paint a masterpiece in a Wine & Design class!

For the Nature Lover

Downtown Ithaca contains more than just buildings. You can also go on a short hike! Take the beautiful Cascadilla Gorge Trail from downtown to Cornell University, where you can find numerous attractions that are open to the public.

Cornell University

Cornell Botanical Gardens

This botanical garden is right next to the Cornell University campus. Start in the Nevin Welcome Center, and then make your way to the botanical garden and natural areas. The university has more than 3,600 acres of biologically diverse landscapes to explore! It’s a great way to check out the wildlife and ecosystems of the Finger Lakes.

Another great way to learn about Finger Lakes wildlife is at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Here, you can check out science and art exhibits in the Visitor Center, or explore the 230-acre sanctuary to learn all about the local birds.

More Ithaca Attractions to See

Relax in a Gorgeous Lake House in the Finger Lakes

Complete your Finger Lakes vacation by staying in a luxury vacation home by the water. Our accommodations are conveniently located near several of the Finger Lakes. Plus, they are close to the best attractions in the region. Find gorgeous homes on Canandaigua Lake, Cayuga Lake, Conesus Lake, Honeoye Lake, Keuka Lake, or Seneca Lake. You can enjoy fantastic amenities, including private decks, fire pits, boat docks, and kayaks. Make your vacation a memorable one when you book a vacation rental with Finger Lakes Premier Properties. Check our availability and book your getaway today!