Some weddings carry a unique weight, woven with history, emotion, and the quiet joy of watching love grow over time. Gianna and Nick’s Hiland Park Country Club wedding was one of those rare days that felt both deeply personal and timelessly elegant.
As their photographer, and their neighbor of over twenty years, documenting this day meant more than capturing images. I have watched Gianna grow up, and I have watched her and Nick’s relationship evolve since middle school. Seeing them stand together surrounded by family and friends was humbling. It reminded me of my own story, meeting my wife when we were in Kindergarten and growing side by side through the years.
This wedding was a celebration of legacy, community, and lasting love. Every detail, from the Adirondack mountain views to the heartfelt toasts, reflected the beauty of a story years in the making.
Hiland Park Country Club, located in Queensbury, New York, just a short drive from Lake George, is one of the most scenic wedding venues in the Capital Region. The venue blends natural mountain beauty with refined indoor spaces, creating the perfect setting for elegant country club weddings.
The grounds feature sweeping greens and meticulously maintained landscapes, offering breathtaking views of the Adirondack Mountains that stretch across the horizon. Additionally, the scenery creates a stunning backdrop for timeless wedding portraits. The staff’s attention to detail and professionalism ensure every wedding feels effortless. For Gianna and Nick, it was the ideal place to celebrate surrounded by the people who shaped their journey.
The day unfolded with an easy rhythm filled with laughter, quiet anticipation, and heartfelt emotion. From the moment I arrived, I could feel the joy in the air, a calm confidence that everything about this day was exactly as it was meant to be.
Gianna spent the morning in Hiland Park’s bright, spacious bridal suite. The light poured through the windows as she got ready with her closest friends and family. Her gown, a Tony Ward design from Kleinfeld Bridal, was an elegant reflection of her style: sophisticated, detailed, and full of grace.
Hair by The Upstate Bridal Stylist and makeup by Grace completed her bridal look with timeless beauty. The atmosphere was filled with laughter, emotion, and the kind of excitement that comes from years of dreaming about this moment.
Meanwhile, Nick prepared just across the venue with his groomsmen. Their morning was relaxed and joyful, full of genuine camaraderie. The connection between the two spaces was felt even from afar, two separate beginnings both filled with love and anticipation for the moment they would meet at the altar.
Their outdoor ceremony took place on Hiland Park’s expansive lawn overlooking the rolling greens and mountain landscape. The Adirondacks created a breathtaking backdrop for a couple whose story had already spanned more than a decade. The late-summer light washed over the ceremony space, highlighting every emotional expression.
Officiated by Nick’s brother, the ceremony was heartfelt and deeply personal. As Gianna walked down the aisle, there wasn’t a dry eye among their guests. Their vows reflected their shared history and unwavering commitment. Above all, watching them exchange rings felt like witnessing a love story come full circle, a story built on friendship, faith, and a foundation that will last a lifetime.
The moment the officiant announced them as husband and wife, cheers instantly echoed across the golf course. It was a joyful, unforgettable celebration of love and legacy.
After the ceremony, we explored Hiland Park’s grounds for portraits. The golden hour light across the course and mountains was perfect, soft, warm, and full of life.
We captured a balance of refined bridal portraits and candid wedding photography moments, focusing on connection over posing. From black and white portraits to joyful laughter as the sun dipped behind the hills, each image reflected the depth of their story.
As an Upstate NY wedding photographer, these are the kinds of moments I love most: honest, unguarded expressions that reveal how two people truly feel about one another. Their heirloom wedding album will tell this story for generations.
The reception took place inside Hiland Park’s grand ballroom, a space known for its panoramic windows and warm, inviting atmosphere. Oopsydaisy Flower Farm designed romantic floral arrangements that transformed the room with soft color and texture. Candlelight glowed across the tables, and every detail felt cohesive and intentional.
Gianna and Nick’s first dance was one of the evening’s most emotional moments. Surrounded by family and friends who had supported them since their earliest days, the ballroom was filled with warmth and joy.
Throughout the night, the celebration carried an incredible energy thanks to Experience DJs. Their seamless music transitions, intuitive crowd reading, and attention to the couple’s style kept the dance floor full from the first song to the last. It was a true party, a joyful continuation of the story that had brought everyone together.
Moreover, Hiland Park Country Club deserves special mention for its dedication to creating an exceptional wedding experience. The staff moved with quiet precision, ensuring every part of the day flowed beautifully. The venue’s flexibility, offering both outdoor ceremony spaces with Adirondack views and a sophisticated indoor ballroom, makes it one of the most versatile and elegant country club venues in Upstate New York.
From a photography perspective, the natural light and open landscapes provide endless opportunities for timeless wedding photography. Every corner of the property tells a story, from the quiet bridges to the panoramic golf course vistas.
A wedding’s atmosphere lives and breathes through its music, and Experience DJs brought the perfect energy to Gianna and Nick’s celebration. Their team curated a soundtrack that felt both personal and elevated, effortlessly blending emotion with momentum. The transitions between speeches, special dances, and open dance floor moments were flawless. Their professionalism and ability to read the room made this reception one guests will never forget.
If you’re dreaming of a Hiland Park Country Club wedding, plan to make the most of its natural beauty and mountain views. Schedule your ceremony later in the afternoon to take advantage of the sunset behind the mountains, and plan portraits along the course or near Lake George for breathtaking imagery.
Work with experienced vendors who understand the rhythm of a luxury wedding day, and trust your photographer to guide you through each moment with intention. The result will be a celebration that feels both timeless and deeply personal, an experience as beautiful as the setting itself.
Planning your own Hiland Park Country Club wedding? We’d be honored to help you preserve your story with timeless, emotional imagery. Reach out to begin your journey with Heritage House, where your legacy lives in print.
Photographer: Heritage House Photography
Venue: Hiland Park Country Club
Florist: Oopsydaisy Flower Farm
Dress Designer: Tony Ward
Bridal Boutique: Kleinfeld Bridal
Hair: @theupstatebridalstylist
Makeup Artist: @makeupbygr8ce
DJ/Band: Experience DJs
Ceremony Officiant: @jstrez
Jeweler: Squires Jewelers
Stephen Mayo is the founder and lead photographer of Heritage House, a boutique wedding photography studio based in New York. Known for timeless, emotional imagery and legacy-driven storytelling, his work has been featured in Sophisticated Weddings and Fearless Photographers. Trusted by couples and planners across the Tri-State area, Stephen is dedicated to creating photographs that last for generations.
The panoramic Adirondack views, elegant indoor-outdoor flow, and attentive service make Hiland Park ideal for timeless, heartfelt celebrations.
Absolutely. The golf course and mountain views offer beautiful golden hour light for refined, romantic portraits.
Hiland Park is just a short drive from Lake George, making it convenient for guests and ideal for scenic wedding portraits nearby. Can we host both ceremony and reception at Hiland Park?
Yes, the venue offers a seamless experience with beautiful outdoor ceremony space and an elegant indoor ballroom for your reception.
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Stephen@heritagehousephoto.com
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