The Long Island Couple’s Guide to Planning a Stress Free PA Destination WEDDING at Blue Mountain
For our New York couples, the wedding planning process often feels like a choice between a crowded beach in the Hamptons or a frantic ballroom in Queens. But for those who crave something elevated (literally and figuratively), Blue Mountain Resort in Palmerton, PA, offers a destination wedding experience that feels worlds away while remaining just a manageable drive down the turnpike. As a lehigh valley wedding photographer team with over 15 years of experience, we’ve seen how a change in altitude can completely transform the energy of a wedding day.
Trading the LIE for the Lehigh Valley
Let’s be honest: we love Long Island, but we don’t love the traffic on the Long Island Expressway. There is a specific kind of magic that happens when you cross the bridge and leave the sea level behind. For your guests coming from Nassau or Suffolk County, Blue Mountain isn’t just a venue; it’s a weekend retreat. It’s a chance to trade the humidity of the shoreline for the crisp, clean air of the Pennsylvania mountains.
When you choose a destination wedding at Blue Mountain, you aren’t just booking a room; you’re booking a skyline. Whether you are standing on the ceremony deck overlooking the valley or dancing in a ballroom with floor-to-ceiling windows, the view remains the guest of honor. It’s the kind of backdrop that makes every photo look like a cinematic masterpiece, which is exactly what we strive for at Birds Of A Feather Photography.
The Venue: Vista vs. Alpine
One of the reasons we frequently recommend Blue Mountain to our out-of-state couples is the sheer versatility of the space. You aren’t pigeonholed into one “look.”
The Vista Ballroom is the crown jewel for those who want that “top of the world” feeling. With its wood-paneled ceilings and massive chandeliers, it balances rustic charm with a sophisticated edge. Then there’s the Alpine Room, which offers a bit more of that industrial-chic mountain lodge vibe with exposed rafters and a customizable layout.
As a wedding photographer lehigh valley specialist, I can tell you that the light in these spaces is a dream. The way the sun sets over the ridge and pours through those panoramic windows creates a natural glow that no artificial light can replicate. It’s warm, it’s golden, and it’s perfectly suited for the timeless, authentic storytelling we provide.
The Triple Threat: Photo, Video, and Content Creation
We know that Long Island couples are busy. You’re juggling high-paced careers, social calendars, and the logistics of a destination wedding. The last thing you want to do is manage five different media vendors who have never met each other.
That’s where our signature “Photo + Video + Content Creation” package comes in. We’ve spent 15 years refining our process to ensure that your wedding coverage is seamless. Because we are a family-led team, our photographers, videographers, and content creators work in total harmony. There are no elbow-clashes or competing for the “best shot”, we are one unit, focused entirely on your legacy.
Our content creation service is particularly popular for destination weddings. While we are busy capturing the high-art, heirloom portraits and the cinematic 4K film, our content creator is snagging those behind-the-scenes moments, the vertical video for your reels, and the “iPhone-style” snippets that you can share with your friends back home the very next morning. It’s the ultimate way to keep the Long Island crew who couldn’t make the trip feeling like they were right there in the front row.
A Seamless Destination Experience
The logistics of a PA destination wedding are surprisingly simple. Located less than 30 minutes from the Lehigh Valley International Airport and within easy reach of several high-end hotels and quaint B&Bs, your guests will find it easier to get to Palmerton than they would to Montauk on a Friday afternoon in July.
Blue Mountain also boasts an elite culinary team. From the cocktail hour on the patio to the final bite of a custom-designed cake by their on-site pastry chef, the food is a far cry from “standard banquet fare.” It’s elevated mountain cuisine that satisfies even the most discerning New York palate.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do we handle the travel for our engagement session?
Many of our Long Island couples choose to do a “destination engagement” right here in the Lehigh Valley! It’s a great way to see the venue again before the big day and get comfortable with our team. However, we are also happy to discuss travel options if you have a specific spot in NY that is dear to your heart.
What happens if it rains on the mountain?
The beauty of Blue Mountain is that the indoor options are just as stunning as the outdoor ones. The floor-to-ceiling windows ensure that even if the ceremony moves inside, you never lose that incredible mountain view. As your lehigh valley wedding photographer, we are experts at pivoting and finding the best light in any weather.
Can Blue Mountain accommodate large guest counts?
Absolutely. With ballrooms ranging from 4,500 to 5,400 square feet, the resort can comfortably host large celebrations without ever feeling cramped. You’ll have plenty of room for a massive dance floor, which we know is a requirement for any proper New York wedding.
Is there on-site lodging?
While the resort itself focuses on the event spaces, there are numerous partner hotels and vacation rentals within a 10-15 minute drive. The venue coordinators are excellent at providing a curated list of local accommodations to make the “room block” process a breeze.
Capturing the Unscripted Moments
While the views are the draw, the moments are the memories. We believe in capturing the day as it unfolds, the quiet deep breath the bride takes in front of the mirror, the groom’s reaction when he sees the vista for the first time, and the unbridled joy of a reception that goes late into the night.
Our style is casual yet witty, sophisticated yet warm. We aren’t here to stage your life; we’re here to document the art that you are already creating just by being yourselves. With 15 years under our belts, we have the “calm presence” needed to navigate the high energy of a wedding day, ensuring that you feel supported and celebrated from start to finish.
The Birds Of A Feather Perspective
At Birds Of A Feather Photography, we don’t just take pictures; we preserve legacies. With over 15 years of experience in the industry, our family-led team understands that a wedding is more than just a party, it’s the beginning of a new chapter in your family’s history. We pride ourselves on being a calm, steady presence amidst the beautiful chaos of a wedding day. Our focus is on creating timeless art that captures the authentic connection between you and your partner. Whether we are shooting at Folino Estate, Bear Creek, or the majestic Blue Mountain, our goal remains the same: to provide you with an experience that is as seamless as it is beautiful.
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.
