Fall in New York – An Intimate Catskills Wedding
The Night Before
The energy the night before a wedding day always feel electric. For Madison and Ryan, this was no different. 100 of their closest friends and family had arrived to the small town of Tannersville, New York for a weekend of festivities to celebrate this madly in love duo. The air was crisp and the leaves had turned from hues of green to gold and saffron. The month of October in the Catskill Mountains is truly something magical.
Guests gathered at the artistically stunning Hotel Lilien for Madison and Ryan’s intimate welcome dinner. The room was full of bright eyes and gleaming smiles as the couple took the time to welcome each and every loved one as they sat down for dinner. As numerous people got up to toast to the couple, I sat there in awe of the love that filled the room. These two were adorded by so many. This was my first time photographing a wedding in the Catskills and it was off to an incredible start.
A Catskills Wedding
The morning of their Catskills wedding, the air had a refreshing chill, adding to the excitement for what the day had in store. The abundant beauty of the Catskill Mountains made for the perfect backdrop for Madison and Ryan’s intimate celebration. Nothing beats the colors of fall in New England.
Just a short two hour drive outside New York City, Hotel Lilien is the perfect oasis to escape the noise and retreat into nature. This design-forward boutique hotel lies on a restored 1890s Victorian estate, filled with stained glass windows, original wood paneling, and a charm unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. The hotel’s unique qualities reminded me a bit of Drew and Nikki’s wedding I photographed at the South Congress Hotel in Austin.
Madison and Ryan got ready for the day on opposite sides of the hotel with the help of their closest friends and family. They both had such a calming energy about them, knowing the day was going to unfold exactly as it should. I love when couples get ready in close proximity to one another so I can go back and forth between the two, documenting the moments as they get closer to saying “I do”.
The Exchanging of Vows
This Catskills wedding ceremony took place at Immaculate Conception Church, just a quick seven minute drive from the hotel. Madison’s father drove her there so they could have one final moment together just the two of them, a moment I know they both deeply cherished. You could feel the love in the air, as friends and family gathered in the old historic church. As “Ave Maria” poured through the walls of the church, the doors opened to reveal Madison standing there in her beautiful Alice in Ivory gown and flowing veil. Ryan’s eyes filled with tears as she began to walk down the aisle towards him. It was such an honor to witness these two commit their lives to one another and become unified for life. It was truly something magical.
Blue Hour in the Catskills
After the wedding ceremony, we took a variety of family photos and then headed back to the hotel to capture Madison and Ryan’s first portraits as husband and wife. The architecture of Hotel Lilien mixed with the fall backdrop of the Catskills added such charm to every shot. Each corner offered unique angles and textures, creating a rich visual story that reflected their personality so well. As they held hands tightly, stealing kisses in between photos, their joy felt contagious. I found myself smiling ear to ear as I captured their love in such a real and honest way.
I always find that an underrated time to take photos is right after the sun sets. We call this “blue hour” in the photography world. The sky exhibits this cool-toned, deep blue hue that adds a sense of moodiness and texture to photos. It felt like the perfect energy for Madison and Ryan’s portraits: romantic and artistic, like something out of a movie. Shooting a handful of their portraits on 35mm film was just the cherry on top. When you can time it just right, golden hour is equally a favorite time of day for photographs. Analise’s maternity session in the Texas hill country is a perfect example of this type of light.
An Intimate Catskills Wedding Reception
With the day coming to a close, the reception felt like a warm hug after all the buzz and excitement that led us here. Guests shared stories and toasted to the couple, filling the room with tears and laughter. Fig and Pig Catering provided the most delicious meal before guests flooded the dance floor. The party was one I’ll never forget, thanks to the most incredible DJ, Dart Collective.
In the end, this Catskills wedding day was truly breathtaking, but what made it particularly special was the connection between Madison and Ryan, two people who were absolutely meant for one another. I feel so lucky to have been invited into their lives and wish I could repeat this day 1000 times over. Thank you to everyone who made this wedding feel like magic in its purest form. I look forward to the day when I’m back in the Catskills, soaking up the beauty of the mountains.
Until then,
Fallon
Vendors
Photographer
FALLON STOVALL PHOTOGRAPHY
Venue
HOTEL LILIEN
Planner
Florist
Management
Rentals
Catering
DJ
Dress
About Fallon Stovall Photography
With nearly 10 years in business, Fallon’s work has been featured in publications such as Carats & Cake and Wed Society. Blending the nostalgia of film with the clarity of digital, she balances loose editorial with honest documentary, always infused with cinematic influence. Her approach is gentle and intuitive, guiding when needed while allowing moments to unfold organically. The result is imagery that is thoughtfully composed, emotionally rich, and true to every story she tells.
Clients often describe her presence as calm, fun, and grounding, like spending time with a friend rather than being photographed. Connection is at the heart of every session, as the most meaningful images happen when individuals feel comfortable, seen, and fully themselves.
Based between Austin and New York City with frequent trips to California and throughout New England, Fallon travels worldwide, documenting love stories wherever they unfold.
