Derek & Anna’s Wedding at Arbor at the Port in Rochester, New York
Arbor at the Port | Rochester New York Wedding | May 31, 2026
Anna and Derek’s wedding day at Arbor at the Port was the kind of summer celebration that felt effortless, sentimental, and completely centered around the people they love. With a delicate palette of green and white, modern florals, and a beautiful waterfront setting, every part of the day carried a sense of understated elegance while still feeling warm and personal.
The day began with the quiet excitement of getting ready at Arbor at the Port. Between final touches, meaningful details, and time with the people closest to them, Anna and Derek’s morning gave way to the anticipation of seeing each other for the first time.
Anna and Derek had their first look together. With the nerves of the morning turning into excitement, they finally got to take a breath, see each other, and simply enjoy being together.
After, Anna shared a special first look with her dad, creating one of those emotional moments that makes the beginning of a wedding day feel even more meaningful.
Bridal party photos continued inside the venue before everyone transitioned toward the ceremony. Guests began arriving, and the outdoor setting became the perfect backdrop for Anna and Derek to officially begin their marriage.
Then it was time for the “I Do’s”. The ceremony was officiated by family, making the moment especially personal and sentimental. As Anna made her entrance, guests watched from throughout the space, including people looking on from the rooftop above, adding a wonderfully candid, almost cinematic feeling to her walk down the aisle.
The ceremony itself was filled with emotion and connection. At one point, Anna and Derek shared a memorable dip kiss halfway down the aisle, followed by their final kiss as newlyweds. As they made their way back down the aisle, they were greeted with heartfelt congratulations from the people who had been waiting to celebrate them.
After the ceremony, it was time to gather everyone for family portraits. With so many loved ones, including Anna’s eight siblings, these photographs became an important part of preserving the people who surrounded them on such a significant day.
Once the family photos were complete, Anna and Derek continued with more portraits before taking some time for just the two of them. The combination of the Arbor at the Port setting, the waterfront surroundings, and the soft summer light created plenty of opportunities for portraits that felt both polished and natural.
Inside the reception space, the green-and-white color palette continued through delicate, modern floral details. The design felt refined without being overly formal, allowing the beauty of the space, and the people in it, to remain at the center.
One of the standout details was Anna and Derek’s head table, framed by a beautiful floral arch that rose upward around them. Rather than sitting on the ground, the florals created a suspended, encompassing shape that drew the eye toward the couple while keeping the overall design delicate and modern.
The reception began with introductions and quickly moved into the moments everyone had been waiting for: Anna and Derek’s first dance, heartfelt speeches from family and friends, and parent dances that brought even more emotion to the evening.
Once the formalities were finished, the dance floor opened up, and the energy shifted completely. Friends and family filled the space, celebrating Anna and Derek with the kind of dancing, laughter, and joyful chaos that makes a wedding reception feel truly alive.
As the evening continued, we stepped away for sunset portraits. With sunset arriving, the timing gave Anna and Derek a chance to sneak away together during the celebration and take in the last light of their wedding day. The evening closed beneath a warm summer sky, surrounded by music, dancing, and the people who mattered most.
Anna and Derek’s wedding was a beautiful reminder that the best wedding days are not only about the setting or the details, they are about the people, the emotions, and all of the little moments that happen between the planned ones. From a sentimental family officiated ceremony to rooftop guests watching Anna make her entrance, heartfelt congratulations, delicate florals, sunset portraits, and one unforgettable summer night, their day was entirely their own. Anna & Derek, thank you for letting us preserve it all.
Wedding Day Vendor Team:
Venue: Arbor at the Port, Rochester NY
DJ: Big Party Sound
Dress Shop: The Exquisite Bride
Suit Shop: Men’s Warehouse
Florals: Hopper Hills + DIY
Catering: FARE
Photo Booth: Sisters and soirées (me and my sister)
Hair: Jessica Shade | hairbyjessicashade
Planner: Ben Gordon
If you're planning your own special day and want to ensure every moment is captured with the same care and attention to detail, feel free to reach out. I'd love to help you tell your unique love story through stunning photography.
Stay Beautiful,
Natalie Javier | JV Films Photography