There are some wedding days that feel like they were made for slowing down and taking everything in. Colby and Katie’s September 5, 2026 wedding at Venue at The Stables in Buffalo Mills, Pennsylvania, was exactly that kind of day.
From the moment I arrived, there was an effortless calm surrounding the day. Katie was cool, calm, and collected as she got ready surrounded by her bridesmaids, who made the sweetest memories together in their matching pajamas. There was no feeling of rushing or stress just a beautiful, relaxed atmosphere as everyone prepared for the day ahead. While Colby and Katie’s full wedding gallery is still coming together, I couldn’t resist sharing a few of my favorite images from their day as a little sneak peek. These are only a handful of the moments and portraits that stood out to me, with so much more to come from their complete gallery.
The Bridal Suite at Venue at The Stables
The bridal suite at Venue at The Stables is one of my favorite places to begin a wedding day. It offers so many opportunities for beautiful getting-ready photographs, especially when it comes to photographing the bride’s dress and details. Katie’s dress had the most beautiful sparkle, with an elegant off-the-shoulder design that complemented her perfectly. Her bouquet was another standout detail, filled with beautiful blooms that made such a statement. Even the smallest details had meaning. Her ring box was especially unique, made from wood with a mountain scene carved into it a beautiful little piece that felt right at home with the setting of their wedding day. And then there were the bridesmaids in their matching pajamas. Those little in-between moments are some of my favorites to photograph because they capture the excitement and friendship surrounding a wedding without needing to be posed.
A Ceremony Under an Open Sky
Colby and Katie chose the Overlook at Venue at The Stables for their ceremony, and it couldn't have been a more beautiful setting. One of the things I love about photographing at The Stables is the incredible sense of openness. At the Overlook, the sky seems to stretch endlessly, creating the perfect backdrop for photographs filled with big blue skies and soft, fluffy clouds. Their ceremony was beautifully led by the pastor, who did an incredible job bringing everyone together for such an important moment. With the expansive landscape surrounding them, Colby and Katie exchanged their vows in a setting that felt both peaceful and unforgettable.
Golden Hour in the Back Field
If you've ever photographed at Venue at The Stables, you know that the back field is something special. The property opens up into a huge field with expansive views across the valley and mountains in the distance. It gives couples an incredible variety of portrait opportunities without needing to go anywhere else. For Colby and Katie, we headed out into the field during golden hour, when everything became soft and warm. One of my favorite details from their portraits was the beautiful Queen Anne’s lace growing throughout the field. The delicate white flowers picked up the soft white tones of Katie’s dress and created such a natural, romantic setting around them. And that's one of the things I love most about this location: you can turn just a little bit and completely change the photograph. One direction gives you the mountains and valley. Another gives you the open field. Move again, and the light creates an entirely different portrait. The landscape really does the work for you.
A Private Last Dance
One of the most beautiful moments of their evening was their private last dance. There is something incredibly special about stepping back and allowing a couple to simply be together during a moment like this. With just the two of them dancing, the photograph becomes less about the event happening around them and more about their connection. Inside Venue at The Stables, the large windows created an incredible backdrop. From a wider perspective, you can see the couple surrounded by the beautiful interior of the venue while the enormous windows open toward the sky and mountains beyond. It brings everything together the couple, the venue, and the landscape that makes The Stables is so special.
Ending the Night With a Sparkler Exit
The evening ended with a sparkler exit, and it was so much fun to photograph. Venue at The Stables naturally lends itself to those darker, romantic evening photographs, but this is also where off-camera lighting can completely transform an image. By using lighting intentionally, I can keep the atmosphere of the venue while making sure the bride and groom remain the center of attention. The result is a photograph that still feels dark, romantic, and full of atmosphere, while Colby and Katie are beautifully illuminated in the middle of it all.
Why I Love Photographing at Venue at The Stables
Every time I photograph at Venue at The Stables, I find another reason to love it. There are the beautiful getting-ready spaces. The wide-open sky at the Overlook. The expansive back field with its mountain views. The soft evening light. The large windows inside the venue. And all of the little places where a couple can step away and simply enjoy being together. It is a venue that gives a photographer room to create.
Colby and Katie’s wedding was another perfect example of how much variety this property offers. Their day moved from the quiet excitement of the bridal suite, to an open-air ceremony, to soft golden-hour portraits in the field, to an intimate private dance, and finally to a romantic sparkler exit.
And this is only a small glimpse into their wedding day. I can't wait to share more from their complete gallery.
Planning a Wedding at Venue at The Stables?
If you're planning your own wedding at Venue at The Stables in Buffalo Mills, PA, I'd love the opportunity to capture your day.
Having photographed multiple weddings at Venue at The Stables, I'm familiar with the property, the different portrait locations, and how to make the most of the beautiful natural light and scenery throughout the day. From the bridal suite and the open skies at the Overlook to golden hour in the back field and those romantic evening portraits inside the venue, I know how to use the spaces throughout the property to create a gallery that feels intentional, beautiful, and completely yours.
Cove Creek Photography | Where Moments Become Memories.