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
PATISSERIE - local bakery and cake shop in Skaneateles, NY
THE SWEET PRAXIS — favorite bake lab for cakes & sweets
GLAZED & CONFUSED — scratch doughnut shop with a twist
HEART 'N HAND — local country store with homemade pies
So many lovely bakers to chose from in this area…
PHOTOGRAPHERS
(these are just a few of our favorites…)
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. We do not allow the prop closet vessels to be taken off site.
HAIR + MAKEUP
BEAUTYBYNICOLE.SYR — services provided for groups of 3-6
BRONZED SYRACUSE — airbrush tanning services
BRIT (Skaneateles) or LORD BARBER CO. (men’s shave)
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
CATERING SUPPORT- We require you to book one of our 4 preferred catering partners or consult with the venue prior to booking a different catering partner. For couples who wish to have a food truck or drop off catering we require professional catering support for every event. These requests must be approved with the venue before booking to ensure a successful event.
THE HELP BY MARYANNE (Bussing, dishwashing, serving support)
BEHIND THE SCENES (Bar services, bussing, dishwashing, serving support)
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):
SKANEATELES FIELDS RESORT & SPA
… plus many other Skaneateles boutique hotels and bed & breakfasts
Camillus (10 minutes):
Many more mainstream hotels in Downtown Syracuse (20 minutes) and Auburn (20 minutes)
SPAS & MASSAGE:
SKANEATELES FIELDS RESORT & SPA
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 / AFTER PARTY / REHEARSAL:
Gilda’s (Skaneateles) - our favorite little spot in town!
The Sherwood Inn (Skaneateles) - nice for a rehearsal dinner
The Krebs (Skaneateles) - a fancy dinner out
Moro’s Kitchen (Skaneateles) - nice for a rehearsal dinner
Elephant & Dove (Skaneateles) - nice for a rehearsal dinner
Elderberry Pond (Auburn) - farm to table
Oh My Darling (Syracuse)
Eden (Syracuse)
Fish Friar (Syracuse)
Pastabilities (Syracuse)
The York (Syracuse)
Dinosaur BBQ — the original, a crowd pleaser (Syracuse) - room for a rehearsal dinner
Otro Cinco (Syracuse)
Apizza Regionale (Syracuse)
Prison City Brewery (Auburn, two great locations!)
After Party in Skaneateles:
Blue Water Grill (book them for a late night after party!)
Lakehouse Pub (fun bar for a late night after party!)
BREAKFAST/BRUNCH/LUNCH:
Crazy Daisies Garden Cafe — flower farm & nursery! (Camillus)
Skaneateles Bakery (Skaneateles)
Good Eats (Skaneateles)
Doug’s Fish Fry (Skaneateles)
Baliwick (Elbridge)
Water Street Bagels (Syracuse)
Sweet Praxis — light fare and sweets (Syracuse)
BREWERIES / WINERIES:
Skaneateles Brewery & Last Shot Distillery
Anyela’s Winery
Beak & Skiff (Tasting Room & Orchard)
315 Brewery
Navarino’s Orchard (U-pick and bar/bites in their barn)
Lots of wineries and breweries in the area and across the Finger Lakes!