Ashley + Estlin’s Intimate Ceremony and Big Party Wedding at The Roundhouse in Beacon, NY
Caitlinn here, Hudson Valley Wedding Photographer for well over a decade, and fellow Beaconite. Ashley and Estlin’s wedding took place in what we biasly agree, is the best place in the Hudson Valley.
A Love Letter to Beacon: An Intimate Fall Wedding at The Roundhouse
For Ashley, Beacon wasn’t just a hometown—it was a feeling. The crisp air rolling off the Hudson, the golden glow of Main Street in autumn, the way the mountains hugged the town just right. So when it came time to say “I do,” there was never a question of where. Thankfully, Estlin agreed, and the rest is history. If you are from Beacon, you get it. There is just something so special about our hometown, and although it looks A LOT different than when we grew up here, it still has that same magic.
Their wedding at The Roundhouse was everything they had dreamed of—intimate, warm, and wrapped in the colors of fall.
One of the most magical things they decided to do, which felt best for them, was to have a SMALL ceremony, with a BIG party. They didn’t want this to take place on two different days, so why couldn’t they have the best of both worlds? So they decided - not every guest would be invited to the ceremony, but could arrive at cocktail hour instead. SO…with just their immediate family and closest friends gathered for the ceremony, the moment felt sacred, like a quiet promise whispered between the changing leaves. Then, as the sun dipped lower, the party began. Everyone they loved joined for a cocktail hour (multiple guests RAVED about arriving right at cocktail hour and didn’t mind that they weren’t invited to the ceremony, they thought it was a beautiful idea and it allowed them to get right to the good stuff…the food and drinks!), and reception filled with laughter, candlelight, and the rich, velvety hues of autumn. Dahlias bloomed on every table, their deep reds and burnt oranges mirroring the season itself—vibrant, fleeting, and breathtaking.
It was a celebration of love, of home, and of the little Hudson Valley town that had shaped her heart and soul. It was SUCH an honor to document their wedding day, and I recommend more people adopt the small ceremony + big party approach.
Vendors below.
- How you met:
“We first met briefly in college and were interested in each other, but it wasn’t until after graduation that we went out. One day, Estlin asked if I wanted to go on a hike with him. Since we both grew up in the Hudson Valley, we headed to Ninham Fire Tower—and the rest is history.”
- How you got engaged
“In July 2022, we were hiking at Lake Minnewaska—my favorite place :) - when we reached one of the vistas. As I was taking in the view, I turned around to find Estlin behind me on one knee. I don’t think I’ve ever been that happy while also being that sweaty!”
- How you decided to get married at The Roundhouse
“I love my hometown, and it was really important for us to pick a wedding venue that was easy for all our family to reach—Beacon just made perfect sense!
The Roundhouse holds a special place in my heart; I used to walk past it on my way to school when it was still an abandoned factory, and the creek was cluttered with enough furniture to fill a small apartment. Witnessing its transformation, along with Beacon’s revitalization in general, has truly been amazing.”
- How + why you decided to do the small ceremony + big party approach
“Estlin and I knew we wanted a smaller ceremony to really focus on each other, rather than the hundred-plus guests attending the full reception. I’m incredibly grateful we kept the ceremony limited to just us and our immediate family—it felt so intimate and meaningful!”
- How you decided on your wedding party size
“As for the wedding party, simplicity was key. Large wedding parties usually mean more logistics, more getting ready, more pictures, and more coordinating entrances. By keeping things small and straightforward, we had more time to relax, savor every moment, and avoid unnecessary stress.”
Two decisions in particular made choosing our vendors so easy. First, working directly from the Roundhouse’s preferred vendor list meant everyone knew the space, the staff, and exactly how things should run. This made our day flow seamlessly.
Second, we intentionally chose people who we knew would make the wedding as effortless as possible for us. We genuinely loved working with each vendor—they brought incredible energy, kept us calm, and reassured us every step of the way!
I also love that almost all of our vendors were also fellow Beaconnites!
- How you decided on your vendors
“Two decisions in particular made choosing our vendors so easy. First, working directly from the Roundhouse’s preferred vendor list meant everyone knew the space, the staff, and exactly how things should run. This made our day flow seamlessly.
Second, we intentionally chose people who we knew would make the wedding as effortless as possible for us. We genuinely loved working with each vendor—they brought incredible energy, kept us calm, and reassured us every step of the way!
I also love that almost all of our vendors were also fellow Beaconnites!”
- How you approached wedding planning
When we planned our wedding, we wanted it to be a fun time with our family and friends, not a super detailed showcase of our relationship. We picked flowers and food we liked but didn’t stress over every little thing, making sure we focused on what the day meant to us. This laid-back approach made planning more enjoyable and kept the day itself stress-free, allowing us to fully savor the moment with our loved ones.
- Your favorite memories from the day, and anything else you wish to include.
Looking back on our wedding day, it’s not just one moment that stands out, but an overall feeling. All day long, we kept telling each other, our vendors, and our guests how perfect everything was. From start to finish, it truly was the best day ever.
Sure, there were a few hiccups—no event is flawless (and as an event planner, I know that all too well). But it felt perfect because we were just so happy to be there. Surrounded by the people we love, all we had to do was enjoy celebrating with them.
“We went into the day knowing that by the end of it, we’d be married, surrounded by love, full of good food, and probably a little tipsy. With that mindset, there was no stress, and we could fully enjoy every single second.
All in all 10/10 day, would repeat if possible!”
Hudson Valley Wedding Vendors
Venue : The Roundhouse (Coordinator - Carrie Conklin)
Florals : Raven Rose
Wedding Make Up : The Blushery
Wedding Hair : B Hair Studio
DJ + Photobooth : Matty StuartSecond Shooter : Laurel Jollie
Photographer : Me
