A Romantic Camp Wedding at Cedar Lakes Estate

The love story of Camryn Fiks and Eugene Fiks is a rather long one, since the couple first met in August 2010 in Chicago (where they both grew up) before leaving for college. Eugene had been doing some work for Camryn’s dad, which including setting up her new computer for college. “My mom suggested we exchange phone numbers in case I needed computer help,” the bride recalls. And the rest was history.

The pair were engaged in November 2015 after dinner at Catch in NYC’s Meatpacking when Eugene got down on one knee during a stroll on the High Line. And on July 22, 2017, in Port Jervis, New York, in front of 140 friends and family Camryn said "I do" to her longtime beau. Their requirements for a wedding venue were that it be unique, outdoors with beautiful scenery, and delicious food, and Cedar Lakes Estate, which serves farm-to-table food and has luxury cabins, fit the bill. It also allowed the weekend to be a mini getaway for most guests.

They enlisted wedding planner Amy Hardisty of White Hall Events who helped with timing, logistics and finding the right vendors over a relaxing planning process that Camryn says was very enjoyable and not stressful. The hardest part was narrowing down the incredible food. Their vision: romantic, natural, organic and ethereal, and the venue definitely took care of that. “Our ceremony took place on the mountaintop at Cedar Lakes Estate, which has a breathtaking view of Hudson Valley,” says the bride, who DIY-ed lavender satchels for guests to toss at the end of the ceremony. See more of the fun-spirited wedding at Cedar Lakes Estate, as photographed by Lauren Fair Photography, below!

Cedar Lakes Estate, with views over the Hudson Valley, was the couple’s choice for a perfect venue that was the perfect mix of rustic and elegance, with tall ceilings, chandeliers and reclaimed barn wood interiors. The morning of the wedding Camryn and Eugene scheduled activities their guests could join, like lakeside yoga, pick-up basketball and whiffle ball. Later in the day as they got ready for their “I dos,” their family and friends enjoyed the campgrounds, playing in the lake and on the Blob.

The bride knew she wanted a Mira Zwillinger dress after falling in love with several of her designs, but when she tried on “the one,” she says, “I truly felt I had wedding day glow. My face lit up and I felt like a fairy princess.” Its fitted bodice with embroidery and beading and an airy crinkle chiffon skirt was custom made-to-measure and very comfortable, she says.

Camryn’s Stuart Weitzman shoes were personalized with her new name and wedding date. She also donned a Cartier bracelet Eugene gave her that day, his grandmother’s blue flower bobby pin in her hair (for something blue) and her great-grandmother’s hanky as something old.

The bride’s veil was custom-made by the veil designer at Utimate Bride in Chicago. “I wanted a cathedral-length veil with a delicate sprinkling of the detailing from my dress to frame my face,” she says.

The bride did a first look with her dad before the ceremony, just before both of her parents walked her down the aisle to an instrumental version of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” played by live musicians before she and Eugene exchanged vows they each wrote.

For her bouquet the bride wanted something “lush, romantic and flowing,” in muted tones with pops of color. Camryn’s bridesmaids wore Jenny Yoo dresses and carried bouquets that were smaller versions of the bride’s.

Peach bellinis were served pre-ceremony, and cocktail hour featured juniper-roasted lamb, Hawaiian poke, lobster rolls and crispy maple chicken with a tiny buttered waffle.

The couple’s vows included a quote special to them that they also featured on their invitations and programs: “And I’d choose you; in a hundred lifetimes, in a hundred worlds, in any version of reality, I’d find you and I’d choose you,” from The Chaos of Stars. The newlyweds walked out to “You Make My Dreams,” by Hall & Oates.

The newlyweds posed in the property's garden for post-ceremony portraits.

Ivory ceiling draping added to the coziness of the barn, along with wooden tables and white linen runners to highlight the floral centerpieces, which were lush, loose and natural in muted, dusty rose tones with plum and pale green foliage. Glassware with a brassy gold rim added flair, along with a mix of glass votives and antique brass taper candlesticks for warmth and intimacy. The place settings each held a hand-dipped and hand-torn menu created by their calligrapher, Kelsey Malie.

“We kept our place settings clean and simple so the flowers would remain the focal point,” says

The simple wedding cake featured two flavors: banana with cream cheese and lemon with lime curd and orange zest–infused cream cheese buttercream.

A live band had the couple and their guests dancing from their first choreographed dance (they took lessons leading up to the big day) to the Hora!

Venue & Catering: Cedar Lakes Estate || Planner: White Hall Events || Officiant: Rabbi Scott Matous || Bride’s Dress: Mira Zwillinger || Bride’s Veil: Ultimate Bride || Bride’s Shoes: Stuart Weitzman || Groom’s Attire: Hugo Boss || Hair & Makeup: Face Time Beauty || Floral Design: Ariel Dearie Flowers || Music: The Sultans of Swing || Invitations & Paper Products: Kelsey Malie Calligraphy || Cake: Nine Cakes || Guest Book: Artifact Uprising || Rentals: Party Rental Ltd. || Engagement Ring & Wedding Band: Yossi Jewelers || Photography: Lauren Fair Photography || Videography: Birdhouse