Our belief system at Verve Event Co. is to build a wedding where the couple and their guests get to be fully present. We were ecstatic to work with Kathryn and Ross on their dutch-inspired spring wedding at The Lake House on Canandaigua.

“What made us happiest was hearing that people genuinely felt the love, warmth, and intention behind the celebration. It felt elegant and meaningful at the same time, which was exactly what we hoped to create.” – Kathryn & Ross

In this post, we're walking through the day as it unfolded, from the design that started with a movie reference, to a raspberry-topped cake pulled straight from their wedding invitations. Keep reading for all the behind-the-scenes details that went into this Lake House on Canandaigua wedding.

 

 

The Vision Behind the Wedding Design

Every Verve wedding starts with a conversation about what a couple wants to feel, not just see. For Kathryn and Ross, that conversation started in an unexpected place.

The design began as a nod to Ralph Lauren interiors and Nancy Meyers movie sets. But as we dug into what Kathryn and Ross actually loved, the concept shifted. It grew into something warmer and more personal: the feeling of a wintertime home at the start of spring.

Creamy neutrals became the foundation. Hunter green, water blue, and rich mahogany brown layered in as accents, alongside understated plaid and a vibrant raspberry — one of Kathryn's favorite colors. Tulips carried double meaning throughout the day, tied to Kathryn's Dutch heritage and is her favorite flower.

Custom hand-painted stationery tied every detail together, with birds referencing the couple's home on Audubon Street and soft celestial imagery worked into the invitation suite. Kathryn and Ross said they wanted their wedding to feel personal. Our team made sure that intention shows up in every choice across the weekend.

 

Wedding Morning

The wedding weekend began the night before with a rehearsal dinner and welcome celebration at Rose Tavern, setting a warm, relaxed tone before the main event. Wedding day itself started slow and intentional.

Getting-ready photos captured fashion and detail shots, including Kathryn's Madison James gown from Covet Bridal. The most meaningful detail of the morning wasn't purchased for the day at all: Kathryn's veil was crafted from fabric taken from her mother's wedding dress, previously worn by her grandmother. Three generations in one veil.

Solo portraits of Kathryn and Ross came next, followed by their emotional first look — witnessed by their parents.

From there, the newlyweds-to-be walked the grounds of The Lake House on Canandaigua for couple's portraits, using the lake as a natural backdrop. The morning finished with family and bridal party portraits before everyone headed to St. John's Episcopal Church for the ceremony.

 

The Ceremony at St. John's Episcopal Church

Inside St. John's, two large floral arrangements flanked the altar, framing the couple against the church's stained glass and stonework. The architecture did a lot of the work on its own; the florals gave it a finishing touch that felt intentional instead of overdone.

After exchanging vows, Kathryn and Ross left the church in a getaway car, heading straight back to The Lake House on Canandaigua. While guests mingled and made their way to cocktail hour, the newlyweds had a few private minutes to process everything together.

 

Cocktail Hour

Cocktail hour spread across three spaces at The Lake House on Canandaigua: the Naples, Hammondsport, and Canandaigua rooms. Guests sipped champagne and mocktails while servers passed seasonal hors d'oeuvres to the sound of instrumental music. Small floral arrangements in mint julep cups and flickering votives kept the mood warm without competing with conversation.

While guests enjoyed cocktail hour, our team at Verve was working behind the scenes to put the finishing touches on the reception space. Every candle, every place card, every centerpiece was checked and rechecked before the reception reveal.

As cocktail hour wrapped up, Kathryn and Ross stepped into the finished reception space for the first time. They were able to see the space exactly as they'd envisioned it during planning, before guests were welcomed in behind them.

 

Reception and Toasts

Guests transitioned from cocktail hour into the reception space with Kathryn and Ross.

The Tablescape

Inside, a mosaic floorplan alternated rectangular and round tables to break up the room visually. Oatmeal velvet linens and sky-blue napkins grounded each setting, while raspberry and tulip centerpieces added color under soft, amber candlelight. Custom hand-painted place cards and menus carried the paper suite's details through to the very last touchpoint of the night.

Toasts, Cake, and the First Dance

Heartfelt toasts from family and friends set an emotional tone before the couple cut into a petite, two-tier cake. Fresh raspberries lined the base of each layer, and a wavy pattern lifted straight from the invitation envelope liner decorated the sides — a small but deliberate callback to the paper suite.

Kathryn and Ross shared their first dance before the band stage, decorated with flowers repurposed from the church ceremony, came alive. The Swooners kept the dance floor full all night.

The celebration didn't end at the Lake House. Kathryn and Ross closed out the night with an after party at the Sand Bar, surrounded by their closest friends and family.

A Stress-Free, Full-Service Planning Experience with Verve Event Co.

Beautiful design only matters if the couple gets to enjoy it. That's the piece Kathryn and Ross say mattered most.

“We were able to stay present and actually enjoy our wedding weekend. Verve showed up exactly how we needed them to throughout the entire process. They kept everything organized, proactive, and moving forward, while also creating a calm and supportive environment. Their team handled the details seamlessly, which allowed us to stay present and enjoy our wedding weekend. We always felt like they were one step ahead, advocating for us and making sure every piece came together thoughtfully and smoothly. What made us happiest was hearing that guests genuinely felt the love, warmth, and intention behind the celebration. It felt elegant and meaningful at the same time, which was exactly what we hoped to create.” — Kathryn & Ross

When asked why they chose Verve over other planners, the couple pointed to more than just design instinct. They mentioned our use of technology and data throughout planning, and the added credibility of a wedding-industry podcast behind the brand. They also called out vendor connections, including stationer Olivia Provey, as a highlight of the entire process.

The concrete benefits Kathryn and Ross experienced by working with us was lowered stress, less in-the-weeds work for the bride, and strong timeline guidance from start to finish. That's exactly our aim as a full-service planning team.

Ready to Plan Your Own Spring Wedding on the Lake?

Kathryn and Ross's day is proof that a wedding can be both elegant and easy to actually enjoy. When you work with a full-service planning team, there is less stress for you, more thoughtful detail for your guests, and a weekend you get to remember instead of just survive.

If you're dreaming of your own wedding at The Lake House on Canandaigua, we'd love to hear from you. And follow along on Instagram for more a behind-the-scenes look at how we bring weddings like Kathryn and Ross' to life.

Vendors

• Planning & Design: Verve Event Co.
• Venue: The Lake House on Canandaigua
• Photography: Ali Reed Photography
• Florals: Pistil & Pollen
• Stationery: Olivia Provey
• Attire: Madison James, Covet Bridal
• Cake: Shell's Sweets
• Beauty: Ashley Knight and Morgan Oreeda
• Entertainment: The Swooners
• Filmmaker: Filmwell Studios
• Table Settings: Petunia Rose, Nuage Designs
• Rehearsal Dinner & Welcome Party: Rose Tavern
• After Party: The Sand Bar