A Finger Lakes Love Story That Started With a Hike: Ashley & Nick's Wedding at Inns of Aurora
Nick and Ashley at the Inns of Aurora
A First Date, Pandemic Style
When Ashley and Nick first connected, life was full and busy. Ashley was in the thick of medical school, tackling clinical rotations, and Nick was starting his third year of teaching. Despite their packed schedules, and despite the world being in the middle of a pandemic, they made time for a first date.
Like many COVID-era romances, their options were limited, so they kept it simple: a hike in the fresh air, followed by ice cream. Not exactly glamorous, but it was honest and real, two people just seeing if this might be something more.
A Proposal at the Exact Same Spot
It turned out to be so much more. After two and a half years of dating filled with laughter, late-night talks, shared adventures, and plenty of ice cream, Ashley and Nick decided it was time to take the next step.
On the way to visit his parents in Pittsburgh, Nick made a little detour to that very same park where it all began. In the exact spot of their first date, he asked Ashley to marry him.
Five years after that first hike, the couple celebrated the love, partnership, and deep friendship they've built ever since at Inns of Aurora.
A Partnership Built on Strength, Calm, and Grace
Nick was drawn to Ashley's strength, confidence, and brilliance from the very beginning, qualities that continue to inspire him. Ashley has built a life dedicated to helping others, whether in the chaos of the emergency room or the quiet compassion of palliative care, and the way she handles whatever life throws her way with grace and determination speaks to the depth of her heart.
Ashley, in turn, was drawn to the calm Nick carries with him: steady, grounded, and sure. He listens deeply, thinks carefully, and moves through the world with patience and kindness. He shows up with unwavering support, not just in the big moments but in the quiet, everyday ones, reminding her to breathe, slow down, and savor the simple beauty of life.
Together, they've found not just a partnership, but a genuine friendship and teamwork that carried them from a socially-distanced first date to a wedding day surrounded by the people who love them.
Why Inns of Aurora Was the Perfect Setting
Inns of Aurora, set on the shores of Cayuga Lake in the Finger Lakes, gave Ashley and Nick's wedding the kind of relaxed, scenic elegance that matches a love story rooted in the outdoors. It's one of the region's most sought-after wedding venues, and a beautiful fit for a couple whose story started on a hiking trail.
Meet the Vendor Team
Ashley and Nick's wedding day came together with the help of a talented Finger Lakes vendor team:
Planning & Design: Verve Event Co, Desiree Adams
Photographer: Laura Rose Weddings
Cinematography: Filmwell Studios
Content: Aglow Media Content
Florals: Flowerwell NY
Styling: Little White Looks
Venue: Inns of Aurora
Table Settings: Petunia Rose China, BBJ La Tavola
Rentals: Revival Rental, Hank Parker's Rental
Event Branding & Stationery: Loria Letters
Lighting: Balloon Effects
Beauty: Erica Stoy Hair, Tiffany Loveless MUA
Entertainment: Breakthrough DJ, DJ Naps
Officiant: Flower City Ceremonies
Cake: Shell's Sweets
Planning a Custom Wedding Ceremony in the Finger Lakes
Ashley and Nick's ceremony is a good example of what a custom-written wedding ceremony can do: turn a couple's real story, from a pandemic-era hike to a proposal on the same trail, into words that feel true to who they are.
If you're planning a wedding at Inns of Aurora or anywhere in the Finger Lakes, Rochester, or Buffalo region and want a ceremony that sounds like you instead of a template, Flower City Ceremonies would love to help you tell your story. [Reach out to start planning your ceremony.]
Flower City Ceremonies has performed 400+ ceremonies across the Rochester, Buffalo, and Finger Lakes region since 2014. Learn more at flowercityceremonies.com.
