How We Pulled Off a Stunning $15K Park Wedding at Powder Mills Park

When I tell couples they can have a breathtaking, joy-filled wedding without spending a fortune, I mean it. And this wedding at the Grand View Lodge in Powder Mills Park, in Pittsford, NY, is proof.

I helped plan this Rochester park wedding for 135 guests on a $15,000 budget, and every bit of it was pure magic. The crisp October air, the golden leaves, the cozy lodge, the joy that radiated from the happy couple and their friends and family surrounding them… every detail came together to create a day that was as stunning as it was budget-friendly.

If you’re considering a park wedding venue near you, let this be the inspiration you need to GO FORT IT.  Here’s how we turned a public park venue into an unforgettable wedding celebration—without breaking the bank.

Why a Park Wedding? Let’s Talk Value & Vibes

There’s a reason park wedding venues are gaining popularity: they give you the freedom to create a wedding that truly reflects you—without a sky-high venue price tag.

For this Rochester wedding, we booked the Grand View Lodge at Powder Mills Park for just $1,575. That’s the FULL-day rental price. To put it in perspective, the average wedding venue rental runs between $6,500 and $12,000 (Zola backs that up).

And this wasn’t just an empty space. The lodge came with:

• ✅ Tables & chairs for all guests, already set up before we arrived
• ✅ A full kitchen (huge cost saver for securing affordable wedding catering!)
• ✅ Heating & air conditioning (a must for unpredictable fall Rochester, NY weather)
• ✅ Spacious & accessible restrooms (because porta-potties are not the vibe)
• ✅ An outdoor patio & firepit (perfect for casual cocktails and s’mores!)

… Not to mention the incredible scenic views from inside and out!

It was the ideal blank slate wedding venue, giving us complete creative control while keeping costs low. 

Photographed by: Along Photography

The Park Wedding Ceremony: A Naturally Gorgeous Backdrop

We kept this park wedding ceremony simple yet stunning. Just outside the lodge, we found the perfect wooded spot where golden leaves created the dreamiest setting. A few DIY floral arrangements of dried eucalyptus and pampas grass lined the aisle, and that was it—no over-the-top décor needed when nature does the work for you.

The intimate ceremony, officiated by True Nuptials, NY, included just close family and friends, making it feel extra special. Afterward, guests made their way inside for cocktail hour while the newlyweds wandered the park for portraits.

Having both ceremony and reception in one place, and eliminating the need to drive to another location was a game-changer. No matter if you’re considering a park lodge wedding, or something more traditional, I highly recommend a SINGLE location if you’re planning a wedding on a budget.

The Park Wedding Reception: A Laid-Back, Fun-Filled Celebration

Inside the lodge, we set up a cozy yet elegant park wedding reception. Here’s how we kept things affordable while making sure the guests had the best time:

🍹 Cocktail Hour on the Patio

We turned the lodge’s back patio into a bar area with a couple of pop-up tents. The couple stocked the bar themselves (huge money saver), offering signature cocktails (“His” being a Moscow Mule & “Her’s” being an Autumn Sunset), beer from Rohrbach’s Brewing, and a mix of wine and spirits.

🎉 Lounge & Lawn Games to Fit the Park Wedding Vibes

Around the patio, picnic tables, tabletop games like Jenga, and a charcoal fire pit kept guests entertained. By sunset, the firepit became a s’mores station—complete with DIY take-home s’mores kits made by the bride.

🎶 Party in the Park Lodge!

After dinner, we flipped the head table space into an epic dance floor. DJ Logek was EmCee for the evening and played all the couple’s favorites, while a friend of the bride’s, Happy Pappy Studios, snapped guest photos in a fun DIY photo booth setup.

🍪 Dessert Done Right: A Homemade Italian Cookie Table

The bride’s aunt put together the most incredible Italian cookie spread. We’re talking dozens of homemade varieties, a “cookie key” so guests knew what they were picking, and take-home boxes. Guests could box up their favorites to take home—a fun, personal, and cost-effective alternative to a traditional wedding cake.

How We Stuck to a $15K Budget

The key to pulling off a wedding like this? Prioritizing what really mattered and making strategic choices. Here’s where we saved big:

💰Budget-Savvy Park Lodge Wedding Venue Rental

The couple saved THOUSANDS by going with a $1,575 park lodge rental (The Grand View Lodge in Powder Mills Park, Rochester, NY)

🍽 Budget-Friendly Catering That Didn’t Feel Budget-Friendly

Papa Joe’s in Spencerport served up delicious hors d’oeuvres (think artichokes French, clams casino, and a classic cheese & cracker spread) followed by a hearty Italian-style buffet dinner.

The cost? Just $4K for 135 guests, two servers, and delivery (and there was a TON leftover!)

📸 Affordable Photography:

The couple carefully explored local photographers in their price range and ended up booking Along Photography, a super talented husband and wife photography duo who beautifully captured the day for just $1,600. I’d 1,000% recommend if you’re in the area!

💡 Simple Yet Stunning Park Wedding Decor:

🌿Non-floral Centerpieces: We skipped pricey floral centerpieces in favor of non-floral centerpiece alternatives using floating candles, wood rounds, and eucalyptus clusters.

📝 DIY Signage & Invitations: All of the signage was handmade, including a stunning vintage mirror welcome sign and a DIY seating chart from a repurposed window.

💐 DIY Wedding Flowers: Instead of pricey florals, the bride arranged her own bouquets, boutonnieres, and ceremony florals using dried eucalyptus and pampas grasses.

🪑 Place Settings & Rentals: Created gorgeous yet simple place settings without plates using Amazon finds—gold-rimmed chargers, dark green napkins, and gold disposable silverware—while buffet plate rentals came from McCarthy’s Tents & Events.

The Takeaway: Park Weddings Are Underrated (and Absolutely Worth It)

This wedding was proof that you don’t need a luxury venue or a big wedding budget to create a beautiful, fun, and deeply meaningful wedding day. 

Thinking about planning your own affordable wedding venue experience?

• Check out these budget-friendly venue tips and get inspired to create a wedding that’s so you—without the financial stress.

• If you’re in the area, check out my list of affordable Rochester wedding venues.

💡 Want to make sure you don’t forget a single detail when booking your DIY venue?Download the DIY Wedding Venue Checklist now!