VENDOR RECOMMENDATIONS
The goal of your wedding day is to make sure it all goes to plan and to experience the magic. Working with a cohesive vendor team helps to ensure an easeful event. They know our space, they know us, we’re already a team.
book your team
You’ve secured the venue — now it is time to book your other partners who will help bring your wedding day to life. We’ve crafted a list of vendors we trust. We do require you book one of our trusted Catering Partners for both food and bar service. We do not allow self serve bars of any kind.
CATERING & BAR SERVICE:
(Required that you choose one of these catering partners)
ROOT CATERING - crafts a custom menu that contributes to a one-of-a-kind experience, with innovative menu plans based on local seasonal harvests and ingredients sourced whenever possible from regional farmers and purveyors. Rochester, NY
SCRATCH FARMHOUSE CATERING — specializing in seasonal, farm-to-table fare from Upstate NY Farms. Their team is highly focused on service and quality — all food is foraged by the owner or procured from local farms. The meal is cooked on-site or prepared at their kitchen just a few miles away in Marcellus, NY.
THE SHERWOOD INN — offering amazing, classic cuisine and beverage packages just minutes down the road from the venue. The Sherwood Inn is a local favorite and the service is exceptional. Skaneateles, NY
FEAST & CO. CATERING (by F.L.X. Table) — offering award-winning artisanal cuisine and sommelier paired curated beverage packages ranging from casual to elegant service options. They are highly service oriented and offer outstanding food preparations, reflective of their restaurants in Geneva, NY.
LITTLE YARD FARM CATERING - Featuring farm to table, homemade cuisine. Laura caters mainly to small soirees, so she is ideal for a small gathering like a rehearsal dinner or farewell brunch. You must secure alcohol through Laura when hiring her.
All of these caterers have proven to meet & exceed our high standards for food, bar and service, and cohesively blend into the vibe of The Kester Homestead. If you would like to book a caterer off of our Preferred List we will need to discuss in advance.
For your remaining vendors, please choose whoever you’d like either from our list or beyond!
CAKE, DESSERT & COFFEE
THE CAKE SHOP CNY — delicious wedding cakes and desserts
THE SWEET PRAXIS — favorite bake lab for cakes & sweets
PATISSERIE - local bakery and cake shop in Skaneateles, NY
GLAZED & CONFUSED — scratch doughnut shop with a twist
HEART 'N HAND — local country store with homemade pies
PHOTOGRAPHERS
SAVANNAH MARIE PHOTOGRAPHY
VIDEOGRAPHERS
FLOWERS
THE KESTER HOMESTEAD — in-house florals specializing in local, seasonal blooms
Please feel free to book any vendor for flowers - our vessels are only used for flower packages booked through us.
HAIR + MAKEUP
BEAUTYBYNICOLE.SYR — services provided for groups of 3-6
BRONZED SYRACUSE — airbrush tanning services
RENTALS
AUBURN PARTY RENTALS
MUSIC
TIM BALL & SOPHIE ORZECHOWSKI MacRAE — Fiddle/Guitar
JOE DAVOLI — Fiddle
GOLF CART RENTALS
NEW PENN GOLF CART COMPANY 315-278-1985
TRANSPORTATION
FITZGERALD BROTHERS BUS CO — Wedding Guest Shuttles, Bridal Parties, and more. Offering every type of vehicle from Lincoln Navigator SUV’s, Limos, Limo Buses and Motor Coaches. 315-828-6289 Ext. 1
sales@fingerlakeswinerytours.com
ACCOMMODATIONS
THE KESTER HOMESTEAD — The 1854 House featuring 7 bedrooms with 2 bathrooms — on-site treehouse available in summer/fall 2022.
Skaneateles locations (7 miles to town):
… plus many other Skaneateles boutique hotels and bed & breakfasts
Camillus (10 minutes):
Downtown Syracuse (20 minutes):
Auburn (20 minutes):
SERVICES OFFERED AT HOMESTEAD
BRIDAL YOGA — private group sessions for bridal parties on site led by Heather McClelland of Mindful Yoga or reach out to Sky Yoga
SUNDAY BRUNCH or WEDDING MORNING BRIDAL BRUNCH on-site with Little Yard Farm or any caterer you choose!
(*additional fee for hosting on the property past check-out time)
MORE LOVELY DINING, DRINKS & SPOTS TO CHECK-OUT IN THE AREA:
While you’re in town, explore Finger Lakes wine country, the brewery trail, farmer’s markets, hiking spots, watering holes, shopping, dining and lots more… here are a few of our favorites!
QUICK DAY TRIPS:
Ithaca, NY (lots of cute restaurants, shops, the Gorges!)
Geneva, NY (visit F.L.X Table, Fry Bird or Kindred Fare)
Cazenovia, NY (pretty lake and quaint town with little shops and light shopping & Owera Winery)
Rochester, NY (cute city, lots of museums, dining, drinks)
CAFES:
Soleil
Peaks
OUTINGS:
Mid-Lakes Navigation (boat tours on Skaneateles Lake)
Finger Lakes Winery/Brewery Tours
The Regional Market (Thursday & Saturdays)
The Skaneateles Farmers Market
Lockwood Lavender Farm
Erie Canal Pathway Trails
Baltimore Woods
Carpenter Falls
Crazy Daisys Flower Farm & Nursery
DINNER:
Gilda’s (Skaneateles)
Moro’s Kitchen (Skaneateles)
Elephant & Dove (Skaneateles)
The Sherwood Inn (Skaneateles)
The Krebs (Skaneateles)
Elderberry Pond (Auburn)
Oh My Darling (Syracuse)
Eden (Syracuse)
Pastabilities (Syracuse)
The York (Syracuse)
Dinosaur BBQ — the original, a crowd pleaser (Syracuse)
Otro Cinco (Syracuse)
Apizza Regionale (Syracuse)
Prison City Brewery (Auburn, two great locations!)
BREAKFAST/BRUNCH/LUNCH:
Crazy Daisies Garden Cafe — flower farm & nursery! (Camillus)
Skaneateles Bakery (Skaneateles)
Good Eats (Skaneateles)
Baliwick (Elbridge)
Strong Hearts Cafe — vegan (Syracuse)
Original Grain (Syracuse)
Water Street Bagels (Syracuse)
Sweet Praxis — light fare and sweets (Syracuse)
BREWERIES/WINERIES:
315 Brewery
Skaneateles Brewery & Last Shot Distillery
Anyela’s Winery
Finger Lakes on Tap
Beak & Skiff (Tasting Room & Orchard)