Ontario Beach Wedding at Roger Robach Community Center
Photography by: Embur Photography
Who says you can’t have a beach wedding in Rochester, NY? No one, that’s who.
The Roger Robach Community Center at Ontario Beach Park offers the perfect mix of sand-between-your-toes ceremony vibes and the sophistication of a ballroom reception—all at one of the most affordable venue rental rates in Monroe County. It’s a hidden gem for couples dreaming of a waterfront wedding close to home.
Homemade Events recently helped one couple (who almost eloped!) transform this blank-slate venue into an elegant, joy-filled celebration that had all the polish of a destination wedding—without ever leaving Rochester.
Why Roger Robach Community Center is Perfect for Weddings
The Roger Robach Community Center—known locally as “the bath house”—is the Monroe County Park system’s largest rental venue, accommodating up to 200 guests. The second-floor event space opens up to a balcony overlooking Lake Ontario, which means you can host your ceremony steps from the sand and move effortlessly inside for dinner and dancing.
The catch? It’s a true blank canvas. Every chair and table needs to be set up by the renter, and every single linen, candle, and piece of decor needs to be brought in (aka: a lot of logistics). That’s where Homemade Events’ wedding planning services come in—transforming empty spaces into warm, welcoming wedding venues, and this one was no exception.
The Couple’s Story: From “Let’s Elope” to “Let’s Celebrate”
As the youngest of four, our bride actually wanted to elope. But after all three of her siblings had already done just that, her parents had one request: a wedding.
So she and her groom found the perfect middle ground—an intimate beach wedding filled with surprises, laughter, and their own brand of personality.
Beach Wedding Ceremony on Ontario Beach
Thoughtful Details Guests Loved
Homemade Events is all about those “they thought of everything” touches.Here’s how we kept the day seamless and comfortable:
Shoe Concierge: Baby powder + paintbrushes = sandy toes solved. Guests loved this little station to clean up before heading inside following the seaside ceremony.
Repurposed Ceremony Decor: Those floral adorned pillars and candles? Reimagined as a part of the dramatic sweetheart table backdrop. A black backdrop, lace tablecloth, and taper candles anchored the look with chic elegance.
Tablescapes with Personality: Black-and-white linens, taper candles, and votives set the mood. Framed photos from the couple’s engagement in Spain added a personal touch to the tablescapes and brought in their story.
Statement Seating Chart: Gold candelabras held hanging table assignment cards—a showstopper moment as guests entered from the ceremony.
Reception at Roger Robach Community Center
Inside the community center, the celebration felt like a modern, elegant dinner party.
Madeline’s Catering served up a beautiful buffet.
The bar was staffed by friends of the groom (he bartends at Radio Social), and their signature cocktails gave the night a personal flair.
Dessert? A cannoli cake from Savoia’s, because no Rochester wedding is complete without it.
The DJ, DJ Crewz with Breakthrough Entertainment, kept the dance floor packed with the couple’s favorite tracks plus tried and true crowd-pleasers.
The night ended with everyone—family, friends, the couple—linking arms for one big group hug on the dance floor. Sweet, joyful, and perfectly them.
And yes, we had the entire space packed up by the 10:30PM park venue curfew. 😉
Why We Love Rochester Beach Weddings
If you’re looking for a waterfront wedding venue in Rochester, the Roger Robach Community Center at Ontario Beach Park should be at the top of your list. It’s spacious, affordable, and steps from the water. The trick is turning its blank slate into something that feels warm, personal, and polished—which is where Homemade Events shines.
Ready to Plan Your Rochester Beach Wedding?
Beach weddings aren’t just for the coast. Rochester couples can have their own sandy, lakeside celebration right here at home—with all the elegance and none of the stress.
“All of the beach-side elegance, none of the stress.”
👉 Ready to make your Rochester beach wedding dreams a reality?
