Why We Love Every Stroudsmoor Country Inn WEDDING: A Photographer’s Perspective
There's something profoundly special about returning to a venue that understands legacy. Stroudsmoor Country Inn, nestled in the heart of the Poconos, has been family-owned and operated for over 75 years, and that continuity shows in every detail. As a family-led team ourselves, we recognize the care that goes into preserving a property's soul while adapting to each couple's unique vision.
We've photographed countless weddings across the Lehigh Valley, North Jersey, and the Poconos, and Stroudsmoor continues to be one of our most beloved locations. Not because it's trendy or Instagram-famous, but because it offers something rare: timeless beauty paired with an environment that actually supports the art of storytelling.
Why Stroudsmoor Speaks to Us
The Poconos are known for their rugged beauty, but Stroudsmoor refines that wilderness into something elegant without losing its authenticity. The property spans several distinct venues, each with its own personality, yet all share a common thread of natural stone, warm wood, and sweeping views that change with the seasons.
What we love most is how the venue's calm, organized atmosphere allows us to focus entirely on the couple. There's no scrambling for good light or fighting against chaotic logistics. The staff understands the rhythm of a wedding day, which means we can move fluidly from ceremony to portraits to reception without missing a single authentic moment.
And then there's the light. The interplay between dense woodland and open mountain vistas means we're working with a photographer's dream: soft, diffused forest light for intimacy and sweeping golden-hour views for grandeur.
The Six Venues: Each One a Canvas
Stroudsmoor isn't just one venue, it's six distinct properties, each offering a different visual and emotional tone.
Ridgecrest is perhaps the most iconic. Perched on a mountaintop, it offers panoramic views over the Cherry Valley Wildlife Sanctuary. The stone and timber architecture feels both rustic and refined, and the floor-to-ceiling windows frame the landscape like living artwork. For photographers, Ridgecrest is a gift: the natural light floods the space during daytime ceremonies, and as evening falls, the mountain silhouette creates a dramatic backdrop for portraits.
Woodsgate leans into woodland charm. The property is surrounded by towering trees, and the stone pavilion, where many couples choose to hold their ceremony, sits nestled in the forest. String lights woven through the canopy add a romantic glow, and the quietness of the woods allows for deeply intimate moments. We've captured some of our most emotionally rich images here, where the world feels like it's standing still.
Lawnhaven offers classic garden elegance. The manicured lawns, stone terraces, and lush greenery make it ideal for couples who want a more traditional aesthetic. The open sky provides even, flattering light for portraits, and the garden setting is endlessly versatile, whether you're envisioning a formal portrait session or candid laughter with your bridal party.
Terraview is grand in scale. The ballroom's vaulted ceilings and expansive windows make it feel both stately and warm. For photographers, the architectural lines and natural light create opportunities for dramatic compositions, sweeping shots of the dance floor, intimate moments framed by stone archways, and the kind of editorial-quality images that feel pulled from a magazine.
Auradell is the most intimate of the six. With its cozy interiors and private garden spaces, it's perfect for smaller gatherings or couples who want a quieter, more secluded celebration. The scale of Auradell allows us to focus on the micro-details: the way light filters through lace curtains, the quiet exchange of vows, the unhurried moments between family members.
The Pavilion is a quiet standout for couples who want an open-air, garden-forward setting that still feels polished. With greenery and open sky doing the heavy lifting, the atmosphere reads effortless on camera, and the space naturally encourages guests to settle in and linger. From a storytelling perspective, it’s ideal for candid moments: a hand squeeze before the ceremony begins, a veil catching the breeze, family members sharing a soft laugh as they find their seats. We also love how easy it is to create portraits here that feel relaxed and timeless—there’s room to step away for a breath, flattering pockets of light, and organic garden textures that frame the couple without ever overpowering them.
Photographing a Stroudsmoor WEDDING: What We've Learned After 15 Years
Every venue has its quirks, and understanding them is what separates a good photographer from one who truly knows the landscape.
At Stroudsmoor, the most critical consideration is light variation. The forested areas, especially at Woodsgate, offer soft, diffused light that flatters every skin tone and adds a dreamlike quality to portraits. But that same tree cover can create dappled shadows, so we approach these spaces with a calm, methodical eye. We look for clearings, use the natural reflectors of light-colored stone, and time our portrait sessions to avoid harsh midday contrast.
The open venues like Ridgecrest and Lawnhaven present the opposite challenge: too much light. On bright summer days, we lean into shaded terraces and use the architecture itself to create natural framing. The stone walls and timber beams aren't just beautiful, they're functional tools that help us control exposure and create depth.
Texture is everywhere at Stroudsmoor, and we use it to ground each image in a sense of place. The rough-hewn wood beams, the cool smoothness of stone, the organic drape of greenery, all of these elements add richness to the frame. We're always looking for ways to incorporate these textures into our compositions, whether it's a detail shot of the rings resting on weathered wood or a wide shot that captures the interplay of architecture and landscape.
But the most important element of photographing at Stroudsmoor isn't technical, it's emotional. The property's serene environment naturally encourages authentic moments. Couples feel at ease here, and that ease translates directly into the images. We're not staging or forcing; we're simply present, capturing the legacy of the day as it unfolds.
The Birds Of A Feather Perspective
After 15 years of photographing weddings across Pennsylvania and New Jersey, we've learned that the best images aren't about perfect light or flawless settings, they're about presence. Stroudsmoor Country Inn gives us the gift of a calm, organized environment where we can focus entirely on the couple and their story.
As a family-led team, we approach every wedding with the understanding that this day is part of a larger legacy. The images we create aren't just for now, they're heirlooms. At Stroudsmoor, that philosophy aligns seamlessly with the venue's own commitment to timeless beauty and family tradition.
We bring a quiet confidence to our work. We know the Poconos. We know how mountain light shifts between morning and evening, how to work with forest textures, and how to anticipate the moments that matter most. Our couples trust us because we've spent over a decade refining this craft, and because we genuinely care about preserving the art and emotion of their day.
If you are newly engaged in the Lehigh Valley and are looking for vendors that you can trust, we would be honored to work with you! Our family team can only take on a limited number of weddings each year and we would love for yours to be one of them. Please reach out to me, Tassia, at Hello@birdsofafeatherphotography.com or visit our website at [www.birdsofafeatherphotography.com].
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Stroudsmoor Country Inn require a venue tour before booking?
Yes, we always recommend scheduling a tour to see each property in person. The venue offers multiple locations, and visiting helps you determine which one best fits your vision and guest count.
Which Stroudsmoor venue is best for mountain views?
Ridgecrest offers the most dramatic mountain vistas, with panoramic views over the Cherry Valley Wildlife Sanctuary. The floor-to-ceiling windows and mountaintop location make it ideal for couples prioritizing landscape photography.
Can you hold both ceremony and reception at Stroudsmoor?
Absolutely. Each of the five properties is designed to accommodate full-day celebrations, with distinct spaces for ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception. The layout supports smooth transitions without requiring guests to leave the property.
What time of year is best for photography at Stroudsmoor?
Every season offers something unique. Fall brings vibrant foliage, spring offers fresh greenery, summer provides lush landscapes, and winter creates a quiet, intimate atmosphere. We've photographed beautiful weddings here year-round.
Is Stroudsmoor a good choice for smaller, intimate weddings?
Yes: Auradell in particular is designed for smaller gatherings. The more intimate scale allows for personalized details and a quieter celebration, while still offering the same natural beauty and professional service as the larger properties.
