Venue guide · Geneva, New York · Finger Lakes
Belhurst Castle Wedding Photography
A red stone castle on the west shore of Seneca Lake, with lawns that run down to the water. BlackTie Brothers has photographed two weddings at Belhurst Castle in Geneva, New York: one with an indoor ceremony in November, one with a ceremony on the lawn in October. This guide shows what both days looked like, with planning notes for yours.
Quick facts
- Where
- Geneva, NY, on the west shore of Seneca Lake
- Ceremony
- On the lawn facing the lake, or inside. We have photographed both.
- Reception
- Castle Ballroom for up to 250 guests, Meritage Ballroom for up to 160
- Stay
- Three Belhurst hotels: Chambers in the Castle, Vinifera Inn and White Springs Manor
- Getting ready
- Guest rooms on site, plus a spa and salon with bridal services
- Sunset
- Behind the castle, not over the lake. About 6:45 PM in early October and 4:50 PM in November. Light and timing →
Rooms, capacities and amenities are from Belhurst’s website. Confirm them for your date.
Belhurst Castle · Two weddings
One castle, two seasons.
Shannon and Leon were married in November, inside the Meritage Ballroom, with Seneca Lake framed by its arched windows. Marseille and Jason were married in October, outside on the lawn under the trees, then moved into the same ballroom for dinner and dancing. Between them, they used most of what makes Belhurst photograph well: the castle, the lake, the lawn and the rooms inside.
Tap any photograph to see it larger. You can move through every photograph on the page with the arrows.
Shannon + Leon
November 8 · Complete wedding gallery
A November ceremony facing the lake.
Shannon and Leon got ready at a rental house nearby, then came to Belhurst for the rest of the day: a ceremony in the Meritage Ballroom, portraits inside and out, and a reception in the Castle Ballroom. Their coverage was photography only, so there is no film from this wedding.
Before the ceremony
Shannon got ready at a rental house nearby, so this portrait was not taken at Belhurst. It made the page anyway.
The ceremony in the Meritage Ballroom
Two arched windows, two columns of white flowers and the lake behind them, gone a soft blue-gray in the November light.
Portraits inside
A few minutes in front of a carved wooden fireplace and a few more at the bar. Neither needed a sunset.
The reception in the Castle Ballroom
Candles on every table, a first dance under the wood-beamed ceiling and a dance floor that stayed busy.
These photographs are a small selection. Their complete gallery follows the whole day, from the ceremony to the last dance.
Marseille + Jason
October 4 · Wedding previews
An October ceremony on the lawn.
Marseille and Jason kept the whole day at Belhurst. They got ready on site, were married on the lawn above Seneca Lake, took portraits around the property and celebrated in the Meritage Ballroom. Their coverage included photography and film.
These are early preview photographs. Their full gallery and film are not part of this page.
Getting ready
Everyone got ready on the property, so nobody had to drive anywhere in a suit.
The ceremony on the lawn
White chairs under tall trees, a rose arch and the lake behind it. One guest arrived with four legs.
Portraits around the property
Stone steps, a wooden staircase, a veil and the bar room, all within a short walk.
The reception in the Meritage Ballroom
The same arched windows from Shannon and Leon’s ceremony, set up this time for a first dance and a live band.
Our planning notes
Planning photography at Belhurst.
What we saw at these two weddings and what we would suggest for yours. Each card says which one it is. The venue’s own details are in the next section.
Light and timing
Plan around the light.
Belhurst sits on the west shore of Seneca Lake, so the sun sets behind the castle, not over the water. If you want a sunset sky in a photograph, look toward the castle. If you want the lake behind you, plan those portraits a little before sunset, since the castle and the trees can put the lawn in shade first.
What we saw: Marseille and Jason were married on the lawn in the afternoon, so their October portraits had plenty of daylight and the shade of the big trees. Shannon and Leon did their castle lawn portraits before their November ceremony, while it was still light. By dinner it was dark, and later that night we stepped outside for the castle photograph at the top of this page.
Our suggestion: In the fall, the sun does not wait for cocktail hour. Check the sunset time for your date before you set the ceremony time, then send us your timeline and we will plan portraits around the light.
One property, two ceremony settings.
Shannon and Leon were married indoors in the Meritage Ballroom in November. Marseille and Jason were married outside on the lawn in October. Both ceremonies kept Seneca Lake in the background, one through the windows and one right behind the arch.
Stand at the back of the aisle.
In the Meritage Ballroom, photographing from the back of the aisle puts the arched windows, the chandeliers and both of you in one frame, like Shannon and Leon’s ceremony photograph in the overview above. Keep the space in front of the windows clear so the lake stays visible.
Save a few minutes for the castle.
The castle lawn, a carved fireplace, a wooden staircase and the bar each gave us strong portraits in a short visit. Fifteen to twenty minutes in your timeline is usually enough for a short portrait walk between them.
Getting ready on site is simpler.
Marseille and Jason got ready at Belhurst, so the morning flowed straight into the ceremony. Shannon and Leon started at a rental nearby, which worked well too; it just added a move to the timeline.
Know your weather plan.
A lawn ceremony by the lake is lovely, and fall evenings come early. Ask Belhurst which indoor room would host your ceremony if the weather turns, and we will plan photographs for both versions of the day.
Step outside after dark.
The castle looks completely different at night, with the windows lit. A few minutes outside during the reception is usually all a photograph like the one at the top of this page needs.
Photography, film or both
Coverage that fits your day.
Shannon and Leon chose photography. Marseille and Jason added film. Either way, we plan around your timeline, your people and the spaces you are using at Belhurst. We have artists in New York, Florida and Hawaii and photograph and film weddings nationwide.
Direction when it helps.
We guide you into a good spot and good light, then leave room for the laugh between the posed frames. A short portrait plan gives you more time with your guests.
A list, a helper and a place.
Send us your family groupings ahead of time and choose one or two people who know everyone. We will choose the spot at Belhurst with you before the day.
One team for both.
If you add film, our photographers and filmmakers work from the same plan. You can see examples of our wedding films in our portfolio.
The venue · Geneva, New York
Belhurst at a glance.
Belhurst describes itself as a resort in the Finger Lakes with three hotels, two restaurants, a winery and craft beer, and a spa and salon, overlooking Seneca Lake. Its wedding page lists the Castle Ballroom for up to 250 guests, the Meritage Ballroom for up to 160 with large windows facing the gardens and the lake, and private dining rooms in Edgar’s Restaurant in the Castle. It also describes lawn ceremonies facing the lake and a waterside dock for photographs.
Lodging on the property includes Chambers in the Castle and the Vinifera Inn, and White Springs Manor. The venue notes that it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
For current spaces, capacities and dates, see Belhurst’s wedding information.
Belhurst Castle wedding questions
A few things couples ask.
Have you photographed weddings at Belhurst Castle?
Yes, two of them. We photographed Shannon and Leon’s wedding on November 8, with the ceremony in the Meritage Ballroom and the reception in the Castle Ballroom, and Marseille and Jason’s wedding on October 4, with the ceremony on the lawn and the reception in the Meritage Ballroom. Every photograph on this page comes from those two days.
Can we see a complete gallery from Belhurst?
Absolutely. Shannon and Leon’s full gallery is linked right below their photographs, so you can follow the whole day, not just the highlights. Marseille and Jason’s photographs on this page are early previews from their wedding.
Where are the best portrait spots at Belhurst?
The lawn in front of the castle, with the turret behind you, is the classic. At our two weddings we also used a carved wooden fireplace, a wooden staircase, the bar with its red stools and a set of stone steps outside. Light changes quickly by the lake, so we plan a short portrait route with you before the day.
What happens if it rains or turns cold?
Belhurst has indoor rooms that work beautifully for a ceremony. Shannon and Leon were married inside the Meritage Ballroom in November, with the lake right outside the windows. If you are planning a lawn ceremony, ask Belhurst which room would be your backup, and we will plan photographs for both.
Can we get ready at Belhurst?
Belhurst lists rooms in the castle and its inns, plus a spa and salon with bridal services, so ask the venue what is available for your date. Marseille and Jason got ready on site, which kept the whole day in one place. Shannon and Leon started at a rental nearby and came over for the ceremony. Both work; it just changes the timeline.
Do you offer photography and film together at Belhurst?
Yes. You can book photography, film or both, planned by one team. Shannon and Leon chose photography only, and Marseille and Jason had photography and film. Send us your date and how your day is laid out, and we will recommend coverage. Current collections are on our pricing page.
Availability
Planning your wedding at
Belhurst Castle?
Send us your date, where the ceremony and reception will happen, and whether you want photography, film or both. We will confirm availability and help you choose coverage that fits your day.