Nick & Noelle’s Wedding at Union Station Banquets | Northampton, Massachusetts

Nick and Noelle brewed a cup of coffee during their ceremony.

Not as a quirky prop. Not because a planner suggested it. Because they’re the kind of people who have quiet mornings together with coffee, and they wanted that in their wedding. That detail alone told me everything you need to know about them.

The venue: Union Station Banquets, Northampton, MA

Union Station Banquets has this thing where it somehow feels historic and alive at the same time; exposed brick and bones from a century ago, but nothing stuffy about it. It was 86 degrees and not a cloud in the sky on their September wedding day, which sounds brutal, but honestly the venue felt like a cool cave of peace.

The navy, orange, and gold color palette looked incredible against that space. And the neon sign above their sweetheart table that read The Farrells… bold, a retro, so them.

The first look at The Tunnel Bar

If you’ve never been to The Tunnel Bar in Northampton, it’s exactly what it sounds like: underground, dimly lit, speakeasy energy. Nick and Noelle did their first look there, and it felt like the rest of the world just ceased to exist for a minute. Just the two of them in this cool dark room seeing each other for the first time.

I won’t forget that moment.

The ceremony details that actually meant something

The coffee. The rings getting passed through their closest people for blessings before the exchange. Neither of these things came from a wedding Pinterest board, they came from knowing who they are and what actually matters to them.

That’s the stuff that makes a ceremony feel like theirs instead of just… a ceremony.

The reception, which was exactly as chaotic as I hoped

First dance: “This Must Be the Place” by Talking Heads. Correct choice. Excellent choice.

And then the bridesmaids performed a fully spontaneous routine to “Rasputin” from Just Dance, which sent the room completely sideways in the best possible way. From that point on the dance floor never emptied.

We did portraits on a nearby bike path where the light was genuinely perfect, and more than one cyclist rode through looking extremely confused by the full wedding party in their way. That chaos is in the photos now and I love it.

What Nick said when the gallery landed

“ANDREA!!!! We won’t have a chance to really look at them until this afternoon but I just needed to immediately respond to say HOLY CRAP IM SO EXCITED!! Holy Crap, Nick”

“Holy Crap, Nick” as a sign-off is going to live in my brain forever.

Northampton, Massachusetts wedding photographers

As a Massachusetts wedding photographer, I can attest that Union Station Banquets is such a good venue! The light, the character, the fact that The Tunnel Bar is a two-minute walk away. If you’re planning a wedding in Northampton or anywhere in the Pioneer Valley, I’d love to be your person. Get in touch here and let’s talk about your day!

This wedding was one of many I’ve photographed across New England! Check out my complete list of New England wedding venues I’ve shot at for more ideas.

If you’re still exploring Massachusetts wedding venues, check out my roundup of the best wedding venues in Massachusetts

Vendors

Photographer: Andrea Van Orsouw Photography
Venue: Union Station Banquets, The Tunnel Bar
Officiant: Pastor John Eger
Wedding Coordinator: Neil Gadbois (Venue Coordinator)
Caterer: Union Station (In-house)
Florist: Langone’s Florist
Hair & Makeup: Honey Hair and Beauty LLC
Ceremony & Cocktail Hour Pianist: Heather Reichgott  
Reception DJ: TC Disc Jockey Tony C
Cake: La Fiorentina Pastry Shop

Frequently Asked Questions about Union Station Banquets

Q: Where is Union Station Banquets located? Union Station Banquets is in Northampton, Massachusetts, about 90 minutes from Hartford and 2 hours from Boston. It’s a historic train station turned event space.. soaring ceilings, exposed brick, and old-world architecture that does a lot of the visual heavy lifting for you.

Q: What is The Tunnel Bar? The Tunnel Bar is a subterranean speakeasy-style bar right in Northampton, connected to the Union Station venue. It’s dim, dramatic, and makes for an incredible first look location. Nick and Noelle used it for exactly that and it was one of the coolest setups I’ve shot.

Q: What makes Union Station Banquets good for wedding photography? The architecture alone. Soaring ceilings, arched windows, exposed brick, and warm interior light give you a ton of variety without ever leaving the building. It’s one of those venues where you don’t need a golden hour to get great portraits.

Q: Can you do an outdoor ceremony at Union Station Banquets? The venue is primarily an indoor space, but Northampton itself has beautiful spots nearby. Nick and Noelle’s wedding party portraits were done on a bike path right outside with gorgeous light. It’s very walkable to green spaces if you want outdoor shots.

Q: Do you photograph weddings in Northampton Massachusetts? Yes! I’m a Connecticut-based Massachusetts wedding photographer and Northampton is about 90 minutes from me- well within my regular travel range. Let’s talk about your day.