Weddings at Letchworth State Park & the Glen Iris Inn

Letchworth State Park is a gorgeous destination all on its own. Its dramatic landscape and views draw visitors from all over the state and region, which make it an amazing wedding destination as well.

Getting Ready

Getting ready happens in the historic Glen Iris Inn. It was formerly the home of a Buffalo businessman, William Pryor Letchworth, in the 1800s. Letchworth chose the name Glen Iris, inspired by the local Native American name for the area meaning "the place where the sun lingers."

Now beautifully restored, the Inn has 15 rooms for you and your guests, as well as numerous other lodgings a short distance away, including Pinewood Lodge, Pinewood Lofts, Caroline's Cottage, the Stone House, and the Chalet House.

Each room inside the Inn was named after trees planted by Letchworth's own guests during his time there, a small historical touch that makes the space feel as personal as it does grand.

Ceremony & Reception

Ceremonies happen on the patio outside the front entrance of the Inn and they're glorious! The view overlooks the middle falls and nearby walking paths, but it's set back enough so guests aren't distracted by the park visitors passing by.

The natural backdrop alone makes this one of the most dramatic and memorable ceremony settings in all of Western New York, with the sound of the falls in the distance adding to the atmosphere in a way that simply can't be manufactured.

The grounds are also wonderful for couple's portraits in many different locations! From the river overlooks and wooded paths to the historic architecture of the Inn itself, there is no shortage of spots to explore with your photographer after the ceremony.

The Park Experience

The Inn sets up a semi-permanent tent in springtime for the wedding season. Your reception is held underneath the tent and catered by the Glen Iris Inn restaurant.

My favorite part of weddings at Letchworth State Park is how easy it is for your guests to enjoy the park. Want to schedule an extended time for photographs on your day? No problem, because your guests will have plenty to do and explore while you're away. Spanning over 14,000 acres along the Genesee River, with three major waterfalls and nearly 600 foot cliffs, the park offers hiking trails, whitewater rafting, and canoeing, so guests of all activity levels will find something to enjoy.

There's the added benefit of potentially seeing a balloon launch coming down the Genesee River in the park. Many weekend evenings feature balloon launches, and they add a final magical touch to the already-incredible experience of hosting a wedding in the park.