On the last weekend of June I attended my friends’ wedding in the Finger Lakes. My boyfriend and I drove up on Thursday for the Saturday ceremony so we could have some time to explore the area. We stayed at the Blushing Rose Bed & Breakfast in Hammondsport. It was the first time staying at a bed and breakfast for both of us, and it was a lovely experience. Several of my other friends attending the wedding were also guests at the Blushing Rose, making it feel extra cozy. On Friday a group of us decided to visit a couple wineries before the rehearsal in the evening. Our first winery stop was Bully Hill. In the tasting room I chose to sample a guided flight of wines while my boyfriend opted to pick and choose from their large variety. After the tasting and purchasing a few bottles, we stuck around to have lunch in the Bully Hill restaurant. I selected the Caesar salad with filet mignon from their special menu. The weather was perfect, so we enjoyed a leisurely lunch on the patio before heading to our next stop, Dr. Frank’s. Winery founder and Fingers Lakes wine pioneer Dr. Konstantin Frank elevated the quality of wineries in the Finger Lakes through his research on growing delicate grape varieties in cold climates. His winery, then called Vinifera Wine Cellars, quickly gained a sparkling reputation for its Rieslings. Tastings at Dr. Frank’s are complimentary. We were very impressed by the offerings and bought a few bottles to enjoy at home. The afternoon was so fun we lost track of time and returned to our bed and breakfast to prepare for the rest of the evening. Following the rehearsal, we made our way to Snug Harbor restaurant. Situated on Keuka Lake, we took in the beautiful surroundings while toasting the lovely bride and groom. I was a bridesmaid in the wedding, so I spent the early part of the day on Saturday getting ready for the ceremony with the bride and other bridesmaids. The ceremony and reception were at Heron Hill winery. Everything was perfect from start to finish. The bride was stunning, the ceremony was lovely, the food and drinks were delicious, and we all danced up a storm! I was disappointed the weekend flew by, but on the ride home on Sunday we were already discussing our next visit to the Finger Lakes. — Katie Skrzek, digital media manager