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NEW YORK + DESTINATION 
est. 2008

Jess + Brody | Otesaga Wedding

Jess and Brody’s Otesaga Wedding took place on the most beautiful June day. Family and friends surrounded them from near and far and they proved to be the happiest couple on the planet celebrating their wedding. You were probably there, and you experienced it. In that case you know how amazing these two are and […]

Jess and Brody’s Otesaga Wedding took place on the most beautiful June day. Family and friends surrounded them from near and far and they proved to be the happiest couple on the planet celebrating their wedding.

You were probably there, and you experienced it. In that case you know how amazing these two are and how fun the party was that they threw. There was an tangible energy in the air before the ceremony, and a few nerves that come with planning any wedding. After they exited the church and hopped on the trolley back to the Otesaga it was if the skies cleared and the sun shone the rest of the night. That’s not too unlike the forecast, in fact. Finally saying “I do” is so rewarding.

Wedding invitation for Otesaga Wedding | Mary Dougherty

Planning : Amanda’s Errands and Events | Florist : A Rose is a Rose | Makeup : Brianna Horton | Hair : Billy Buchanan | DJ : Intra-State Entertainment | Video : Live Oak | Dress : Pronovias | Dress Shop : Garnish Boutique

Outside View of the Otesaga Resort Hotel in Cooperstown, NY

Getting Married at the Otesaga Hotel

I’ve been looking forward to this day for a long time. Yes, I go to a lot of weddings but in the last 3 years I have limited how many I take on. This means I invest so much more in the people I work with, and for Jess and Brody that started with an amazing set of engagement photos in the West Village.

Bride and Maid of Honor at Otesaga
Bride popping Champagne open on porch of Otesaga | Mary Dougherty

Before the Ceremony

I get started on a wedding day photographing both the details and candid moments that unfold. In order to do this, I tell couples to plan for a hour and a half of time. If you are wedding planning, grab this guide to an 8 hour wedding day to get started on your schedule.

back of black lace bridesmaid dress and white lace wedding dress | Mary Dougherty
bride hands with vintage heirloom ring | Mary Dougherty
bride reading letter in hotel room at Otesaga Resort hotel
custom clutch wedding purse with name | Mary Dougherty
bridesmaids holding wedding dress in front of window at Otesaga | Mary Dougherty
bridesmaids and bride holding balloons celebrating on porch at Otesaga Hotel | Mary Dougherty
Bride getting ready with mom and maid of honor at Otesaga Hotel | black and white photo by Mary Dougherty

Jess wore the most stunning Pronovias gown, with a lace topper for the ceremony. Customizing your look for different parts of the day is a great way to add variety and she found her dress at Garnish Boutique in Baltimore.

bridesmaids looking at bride dressed and happy to start the day
bride and mom putting on vintage heirloom ring | Mary Dougherty black and white image
bride looking over shoulder getting lace topper buttoned up
mom happy crying seeing bride / daughter dressed on her wedding day | Mary Dougherty
Bride in Pronovias gown
bride hugging dad after dad first look on wedding day | Mary Dougherty bw fine art film photographer

Dad First Look

Seeing her dad for the first time was such a special moment. A first look is something many people choose to include, with a parent or a fiancé and it is always so meaningful.

bride hugging dad after dad first look on wedding day | Mary Dougherty bw fine art film photographer
bride hugging dad after dad first look on wedding day
bride dressed in lace with veil at the Otesaga resort hotel in Cooperstown | Mary Dougherty
bride walking to trolley at Otesaga | Mary Dougherty

Wedding Ceremony at St. Mary’s

The ceremony took place at St. Mary’s Church in Cooperstown, New York. In this beautiful space a meaningful service was done by Brody’s childhood friend.

groom at St. Mary's Church watching bride walk down the aisle
Presenting the bride
St. Mary's Church Cooperstown New York | Mary Dougherty
Wedding Ceremony St. Mary's Church Cooperstown New York | Mary Dougherty
Cooperstown New York Wedding at St. Mary's Church
Wedding Kiss St. Mary's Church Cooperstown New York | Mary Dougherty
exiting church with guests waiting at Cooperstown Wedding
church exit outside St. Mary's Cooperstown New York | Mary Dougherty
Trolley for bridal party wedding day in Cooperstown New York | Mary Dougherty

Back to Otesaga

Just Married! After getting on the trolley we headed to the Otesaga for all photos. It was gorgeous out and the perfect location to capture many memories. I love that Jess and Brody can come back to the Otesaga Resort Hotel to visit and remember their day.

bride and groom at Otesaga Resort Hotel Cooperstown New York | Mary Dougherty
Otesaga Hotel Wedding Cooperstown New York | Mary Dougherty
Wedding in Cooperstown New York shot by Mary Dougherty
Wedding party on the grounds of the Otesaga Hotel
Groomsmen at Otesaga Resort Hotel
Bridesmaids Otesaga Resort Hotel Wedding Cooperstown New York | Mary Dougherty

The bridesmaids wore black and I am in love with this look! So classic.

Otesaga Hotel Wedding Photos
Weddings at Otesaga
Bride and Groom kiss
Bridesmaids in black
Wedding Venues in Cooperstown, NY
Groomsmen
Bridesmaids
Walking the grounds at Otesaga
Bride and Groom in front of Lake Otsego
Grand staircase at Otesaga
Otsego Lake Wedding Photos
Otesaga Wedding in Cooperstown New York
Bride and Groom walking down staircase
Jess and Brody - Cooperstown Wedding

Jess and Brody, you are two stunning and wonderful people!!

Reception in the Otesaga Ballroom

Otesaga Ballroom wedding reception
Otesaga Ballroom reception photos
Wedding cake
Otesaga Wedding Cooperstown New York | Mary Dougherty
Wedding Receptions in Cooperstown New York
First Dance Otesaga Ballroom
Speeches
Cutting the cake

Inside the reception, the party started right away and fun was had by everyone. I was impressed with how quickly the dance floor filled up and loved every minute of this wedding day – I hope you did too!

Otesaga Wedding Cooperstown New York

A classic Cape Cod wedding never goes out of style, especially at the Kittansett Club.

A Chautauqua wedding is stunning no matter the size. Karen and Walker pivoted to host the most amazing micro wedding at this historic American retreat.

Looking for a Catskills wedding venue? Browse Jaclyn and Scott’s photos to see what makes a Full Moon Resort wedding so special.