A New York Dairy Farm Wedding on the Family Farm

There’s nothing quite like a New York farm wedding—especially when the farm belongs to the bride’s family. On a moody, partially cloudy day in Litchfield, NY (a small town outside of Utica in the heart of the state), Rachel and Kevin threw an unforgettable celebration on the land Rachel grew up on. It was the kind of wedding where everything felt grounded, real, and full of heart.

The setting was classic upstate: cornfields, grain silos, wide open skies, and just enough wildness to keep it fun. Fireball Jello shots made the rounds, yellow school buses shuttled guests in from hotels in Utica, and a neighbor capped the night with a surprise fireworks display. The whole weekend was packed with personal touches, starting with a Friday night welcome party and wrapping up on Sunday with a surprisingly informative and moving tour of Rachel’s family’s working dairy farm.

One of my favorite moments came during golden hour, when Rachel showed off some serious off-road driving skills. We jumped in a four-wheeler and headed out for couple portraits in the goldenrod and cornfields—just the three of us, chasing light and laughter at the edge of cocktail hour. It was the kind of shoot that feels more like hanging out than working.

Rachel and Kevin were a total joy—fun, easygoing, and fully in the moment. I had such a blast with them.