Romantic Fall Micro Wedding at Highland Park in Rochester, NY
Some couples want a packed dance floor and a 200-person guest list. Others want something quieter. More intentional. More them.
Kelly and Justin knew exactly what they wanted—and what they didn’t.
Living in Pennsylvania, planning a wedding from out of state, and hosting a micro wedding in Rochester (where Justin’s family is based) could have felt overwhelming. Instead, they found us the same way many couples do: a late-night search, looking for help planning a wedding that felt meaningful without being complicated.
What they envisioned wasn’t a traditional ceremony or a town hall “just sign the papers” moment. They wanted something small but mighty. Romantic but relaxed. Thoughtful, not overdone.
That’s where Homemade Events—and the Barlyssa duo—came in.
We specialize in helping couples plan intimate weddings that still feel elevated and personal, whether that means a park wedding, a restaurant reception, or a unique venue that doesn’t follow the traditional wedding playbook.
Planning a Micro Wedding in Rochester from Out of State
Kelly and Justin were planning their Rochester micro wedding while living in PA, which meant they needed a team they could fully trust. From the start, our role was part planner, part designer, part local expert.
For Kelly and Justin’s micro wedding, Homemade Events helped with:
scouting and securing the ceremony location
finding a photographer who fit their vibe
designing the ceremony setup from start to finish
handling all florals and rentals
building a clear, easy-to-follow wedding day timeline they could run themselves
They chose to skip having someone on site and instead leaned on a thoughtfully built plan—proof that micro weddings don’t need less intention, just smarter support.
This is exactly why couples seek out Barlyssa. We’re known for helping weddings of any size feel seamless and well thought out—especially for couples planning from afar or opting for something intentionally nontraditional.
Woodland Micro Wedding Ceremony at Highland Park
For the ceremony, we scouted a tucked-away wooded cove inside Highland Park—one of those spots that feels like you’ve stumbled into a secret. Surrounded by trees, fall foliage, and quiet, it was the perfect backdrop for an intimate ceremony.
The setup was simple, but stunning:
a ceremony arch dressed in white sheer fabric
soft cream florals with subtle earthy tones
a bohemian-style rug anchoring the space
glowing lanterns lining the aisle
a small number of chairs for their closest people
Everything was designed, delivered, and styled by Homemade Events to feel natural in the landscape—nothing forced, nothing fussy.
The ceremony itself was officiated by a family friend who got ordained just for this moment. (Yes, he proudly listed his title as “Jedi Knight,” which honestly felt very on brand.)
Donuts Instead of Rings (and why we loved it)
Kelly and Justin made one of our favorite micro-wedding choices ever: they skipped rings entirely and exchanged donuts instead, from a Rochester staple, Donuts Delite.
It was playful, personal, and perfectly them. A small moment that captured exactly what micro weddings do best: letting couples rewrite the rules and focus on what actually matters—something we see often in our nontraditional wedding designs.
Fall Wedding Florals by Sungrove Blossoms
Florals were handled by one of our favorite preferred vendors, Sungrove Blossoms. The bride’s guidance? Minimal.
A few purples. Earthy tones. Total trust.
Val did what she always does—created florals that felt organic, intentional, and beautifully balanced. Soft enough for the woods, elevated enough for a wedding day, and perfectly aligned with the rest of the design.
This kind of creative trust is why working with a curated vendor team makes such a difference—especially for micro weddings where every detail carries weight.
Swoon-Worthy Fall Wedding Portraits in Highland Park
October 25th brought crisp fall air, golden foliage, and the slightest threat of rain. Thankfully, the clouds held out just long enough for Kelly and Justin to explore Highland Park for photos with Diana Kapatos Photography.
From quiet wooded paths to sweeping park views, the setting gave them a variety of backdrops—without ever feeling rushed or crowded.
If you love the idea of a Highland Park wedding, you may also enjoy this Olmsted Lodge celebration, another example of how versatile and beautiful this park can be.
A Cozy Dinner Wedding Reception at Vern’s
After the ceremony, the group headed to one of Rochester’s favorite dinner spots, Vern’s. If you haven’t been, it’s a must, and for Justin and Kelly’s wedding, it was the perfect relaxed, yet elevated vibe for their intimate wedding reception.
No grand entrances. No pressure. Just good food, good conversation, and the perfect way to end the day.
“choose meaning over tradition for a day that feels true to you.”
Why Micro Weddings in Rochester Just Work
Kelly and Justin’s wedding was small in size, but huge in meaning.
It honored what mattered most to them. It felt thoughtful, personal, and unforced. And it showed exactly what’s possible when couples give themselves permission to do things differently—with the right support guiding the way.
If you’re dreaming of a micro wedding in Rochester that feels special, intentional, and fully you, we’d love to help you bring it to life.
