Every day in the U.S., 6,200 weddings are taking place. In Rochester, NY, marrying couples abound — especially in the summer and fall. While fall is not the traditional popular season for exchanging vows, it does have its fans, for Western NY is awash in brightly colored trees for several weeks. This makes choosing your three main theme colors easy. There’s an added advantage to having a September wedding: booking prices often fall from the peak busy season.

The average couple plans their wedding for seven to 12 months, budgets $20,000 for the event, and invites an average of about 180 people. Where are these couples going in Rochester? As it turns out, there are several prized locations for scenic, local weddings.

Lamberton Conservatory at Highland Park
There are two spots in Highland Park that couples typically rent for wedding ceremonies — the Lamberton Conservatory, and the Lilac Arches. At $100 per hour and a capacity for up to 40 people, the conservatory is a popular location, and availability “fills up very fast” according to a report issued by the Monroe County Department of Parks. The Conservatory has the advantage of a patio for a reception area, which is covered in the rental cost. The Conservatory itself is a covered area.

The Memorial Art Gallery
For a more traditional setup available any time of the year, a wedding at the MAG can be a great idea. The MAG can accommodate either an intimate, small gathering, or a larger group of up to 200 guests. The Fountain Court — which is typically the room used to conduct ceremonies — has been called the “most beautiful room in the city.” The museum’s architecture provides a great opportunity for dynamic wedding day photos. The only downside to this location will likely be the cost, which Wedding Spot estimates to be around $23,000 (for 100 guests). However, this includes rental fees, reception, catering and alcohol.

Rochester Wedding Barn
Wedding barns are a rising trend in the wedding industry as people look for more affordable ways to throw an attractive, memorable wedding. The Wedding Barn & Event Venue, located in Henrietta, has a five star rating on Facebook. Make no mistake, this isn’t your average farmer’s barn. Instead, this barn has been specially retrofitted to be a perfect special event venue, complete with multiple loft areas, professional decor, and beautiful flooring. It’s a great destination event, and the beautiful high ceilings create a dramatic backdrop for dancing, photos and more.