Enchanted Valley Inn offers on the farm, Victorian venue options
PORTVILLE — Step back in time and experience the enchantment of yesterday’s allure met with the comforts and amenities of today.
Nestled in New York’s quaint village of Portville, a picturesque Queen Anne home has been a staple to the community since 1885.
Owned by Sue Payne, the Enchanted Valley Inn Bed and Breakfast, located at 35 Temple St., opened in 2016. Joining the portfolio in September 2019 was Enchanted Valley Inn at the Farm, a larger wedding and event space at 947 Sheahan Road.
Sitting on a 400-acre farm, the venue offers a 50-foot by 70-foot event center; plenty of parking and a meadow with arbor for wedding ceremonies. They can also offer more rural venues, such as in the woods surrounding
the farm. There is lots of room for the setting up of tents as an additional option to the event center. Families can provide food but if a caterer is used, they must be licensed through Cattaraugus County. Alcohol is provided through a one-
day license by Enchanted Valley Inn.
For those with smaller event needs, the inn has rental space for meetings, receptions, baby and bridal showers, holiday parties and more, with a capacity of 45 people.
Overnight guests at
the inn have choices of single bedroom and suite options. As a guest, you can expect to be met with unparalleled hospitality from delicious homemade breakfasts to a cozy reading area in front of the fireplace -- the inn truly has something for everyone.
For more information, call (716) 378-4094 or visit https://enchantedvalleyinn.com.
OTHER VENUES and businesses in the Olean area and Southern Tier that are supporting the 2025 Bridal Guide: Adam’s Services, Allegany America Legion, Armond’s Fashions, Bartlett Country Club, Caya’s Canopies, Cutco Visitors Center, Jim’s Park N Shop, Mandy’s Flowers, Southern Tier Event Planning, Tops Market and the Woodside Tavern.
Local businesses are ready for your wedding
By Savannah Barr
Shopping local does more than ensure that your dollars stay in your community. It also gives you an opportunity to work with seasoned professionals who have a vested interest in making your wedding absolutely spectacular.
“We make it easy to get your wedding party looking their best because we have been in this business for many years,” said Mike Butler, owner of Man’s World at 105 Main St. in Bradford.
“It isn’t complicated if you leave it to the professionals.”
Man’s World offers complete tux and suit rentals and can accommodate weddings of all sizes.
“We have a wide variety to choose from with every color of the rainbow in vests and ties if you are trying to match a particular color or fabric,” said Butler.
In addition to suits, they have a large selection of shoes that can also be rented or purchased.
The shop is stock full of the latest styles and luxury fabrics to make
sure every suit is of high quality, is easy to wear and renders beautifully in photographs.
“Most of our suits are a wool blend, we don’t have any of the cheaper fabrics because when a suit is made of cheap fabric you can tell right away,” Butler said.
The shop offers a promotion where if a party has a particular number of paid rentals then the groom gets his tux rental for free.
For an average sized wedding party of around seven or eight members, Butler prefers to have notice at least a month in advance. He recommends that the bride- and groomto-be come in together for the initial planning.
It is helpful if the couple has pictures on their phones of their theme or ideas.
“It is also important to bring a swatch of any fabric that you want to match,” Butler said.
“It is not enough just to say your color is red; there are a million reds out there and we want to make it perfect.”
Once the couple has
made their design decisions, groomsmen are free to come in at their leisure to get measured.
“We measure everyone ahead of time so when the suits come in they are already cut to the right length,” said Butler.
The beauty of having everything from vests, suits and shoes all in the same store is that it makes things easy and quick. After more than 50 years in business, Man’s World knows what it takes to make a wedding beautiful.
“Don’t make it complicated, just come down and see me and know I will take care of you,” said Butler.
For the ladies, there is Julie’s Ever After, which offers dresses for brides and bridesmaids as well as veils, custom veils, a full range of jewelry, belts and other accessories. There is everything the bridal party needs to look beautiful under one roof at 86 Main St. in Bradford.
Owner Jody Murphey is a highly skilled seamstress who offers alterations ranging from the very simple hem adjustment to the more complex things like adding sleeves.
“Most places are not even doing alterations any more,” said Murphey.
in and see the finished garment once it is clean to make sure you are happy with everything before we box it up,” said Murphey.
“That way, there is no mystery as to how it is going to look ten or twenty years from now.”
The wedding season is already picking up for Murphey. She prefers to have the bride book at least three months in advance.
“I can accommodate late brides but they end up having to pay a rush fee,” said Murphey.
Of course, she needs more time for custom work.
“I have a lady right now who I am adding black panels to her dress and we are about 7 months out for her wedding to allow time to get everything perfect,” said Murphey.
Murphey does not charge for fittings.
“I prefer to have as many fittings as we need to make sure everything looks good,” said Murphey.
“I like to do the final fitting about two weeks before the date just to iron out any last minute difficulties and ensure every bride looks and feels beautiful.”
“We can do that next-tier level of custom work that you won’t be able to get done at the bigger stores.”
Murphey offers dress steaming, as well as cleaning and preservation for after the big day is over.
“One thing we do differently than a lot of places is that you can come
Her advice to couples planning their wedding is to focus on the meaning of the day and not to get hung up on every little detail.
“If you decide to change something or leave something out at the last minute, nobody is going to know,” said Murphey.
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“At the end of the day, you will be married and that is the most important thing.”
If you are seeking a spectacular wedding location, look no further than the Pennhills Club. The completely private castle was built in 1937 and boasts scenery from a fairy tale with a beautiful golf course in a forest setting.
“When you have a wedding at Pennhills, we help create your vision and act as a wedding planner on site,” said Mary Joe Corignani Hardy, clubhouse manager.
The staff at Pennhills is knowledgeable and very experienced. They know what it takes to make a wedding memorable.
“Chef Alan Soto is creative and talented,” said Hardy. “We will and can prepare anything.”
Hardy regularly works with local businesses for desserts, hair and makeup, music and flowers.
“I have a catalog of local vendors and do my best to encourage people to support local businesses,” said Hardy.
Some of the vendors she regularly works with include Bella Capelli Salon & Boutique, Propers Florist & Greenhouse, Lady A - Weddings. Events. Creative, and Tara Ried.
Typically, couples have a vision in mind before their first meeting with Hardy. She sees it as her job to bring these dreams to life. She highly encourages mock set ups before the big day.
“I want them to see it before their wedding day,” she said. “I don’t want the bride to worry about anything.”
Hardy suggests that couples book at least a year in advance, but says there have been times she has squeezed in ceremonies within six months. She is already booking into 2026.
“I truly enjoy weddings,” said Hardy. “There’s no greater feeling than knowing you have aided in making someone’s day the most special day — the best day.”
Her recommendation to couples is not to skimp on the food.
“We’ve booked several weddings who were guests at previous weddings who rave about the food,” said Hardy.
“Honestly, once you have nailed down the food, DJ, photographer and flowers it is smooth sailing.”
Other vendors who will be taking part in this year’s guide include:
• American Legion of Bradford
• Twin Tiers Rentals
• Four Sisters Events and Wedding Venue, Turtlepoint
• Mt Jewett Veteran’s Memorial Club
• Limestone Fire Hall
• Lady A - Weddings. Events. Creative
• Copy Connection
• Maker’s Warehouse, St Marys
• Elegance & Ivy, St Marys
• Seneca Gaming
• Detail Salon, Salamanca
Can’t-miss photos for your wedding
Couples who hire a professional photographer to capture their weddings may end up with anywhere from 400 to 600 images, with some photographers promising even more. Although it is likely that a wide array of shots will be taken, couples who do not want to leave things up to chance should sit down with their photo professionals and discuss the key shots they want to capture.
Once the big day has passed, there will be no opportunity to go back and arrange missed shots. This list of must-have photos can ensure that the wedding album has all the shots couples desire. Before the ceremony
• Wedding day outfits hanging in the wardrobe or placed over a chair
• Wedding invitation surrounded by bouquets
• Wedding rings side by side
• Outfit accessories, such as shoes, jewelry, a veil, and cuff links
• Bride and bridesmaids getting hair and makeup done
• Groom and groomsmen laughing and having fun
• Bride getting zipped up into her dress At the ceremony
• Guests entering the ceremony site
• Ushers escorting guests to their seats
• Close-ups of the couple separately waiting to see their soon-to-be spouse
• Cute kids participating in the ceremony coming down the aisle
• Parents of the couple coming down the aisle or seated prominently awaiting the start of the ceremony
• Shots of all members of the wedding party
• Guests of honor, such as grandparents
• Partner coming down the aisle and the partner’s reaction
• Exchange of rings
• First kiss
• A wide shot of the guests at the ceremony
• Signing the marriage certificate
• The processional with the newly hitched couple beaming
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• Couple in the limo backseat
Portraits
• Couple with bridesmaids and groomsmen
• Bride and maid/ matron of honor
• Groom and best man
• Couple with each set of parents and siblings
• Couple with close family members
At the reception
• Couple’s first entrance
• Special signage, decorations or photos of the scenery
• Wedding cake details
• Toasts and speeches from key people
• First dance as a couple
• Father/daughter, mother/son dances, if applicable
• Couple mingling with guests
• Guests dancing and having fun
• Shots of the musicians or any special entertainers
• The cake cutting
• The couple’s grand exit and wave goodbye
These are some of the customary images that couples will want to request. Photographers likely will cover most of them without prompting, but couples should be sure to point out any special photographs they’d like captured throughout the day.
Armond’s offers convenience and attention through local service
By Kellen M. Quigley
OLEAN — For 50 years, local wedding parties have relied on Armond’s Fashions for Men to acquire tuxedos for the groom, his groomsmen and even the ring bearer.
Craig DiCola, who has operated Armond’s through those decades, said they have consistently done well with weddings through word of mouth because of the local services they provide.
“I’m the son of a tailor,” he said. “The fit is as important as the price is, and our prices are as good as anybody’s.”
Armond’s has two different catalogs to order from because some colors and accessories may be available in one but not the other, DiCola explained.
“We get them in early arrival and we have a tailor in case anything crazy happens at the last minute,” he said.
DiCola said they offer group discounts based on the number of groomsmen and a ring bearer discount based on the age of the ring bearer.
While the overall look has mostly remained the same, DiCola said tuxedos have evolved over the past 15 years to look closer to a suit.
“There’s not as much satin so it’s more of a suit look, and some guys even want to buy them,” he said. “You
can rent the suits as well, but I’ve sold wedding parties suits before and they all keep them.”
DiCola said business has been good lately, especially during the past five years as many of the larger department stores have begun shrinking their stock. “We’ve always done well with weddings though,” he added. “It’s the convenience and the accuracy of the operation.”
Although other area stores that sell tuxes have closed, DiCola said it is much easier to order wedding outfits online now. However, with that comes the possibility of a tux or suit not fitting properly and needing to be adjusted before the ceremony — something the internet isn’t evolved enough to handle.
“I’ve done entire wedding parties because people have tried it and it was such a disaster, so they canceled last minute and came to me,” he said. “Some things about the internet are fantastic, but a lot of things can go wrong.”
Having a locally owned place available in the Southern Tier can also save local weddings the headache of traveling to one of the larger cities, DiCola said.
“If you have a problem at the last minute, you’re going to have to make that trip. You’re going to waste gas,” he said. “You have to go up to get measured, go up to take it back.”
And yet, thanks to a long legacy and reliable service, Armond’s has had
customers come from an hour away to get their tuxes. And because of the wedding providers DiCola works with, members of a wedding party can have their fitting and adjustments done locally even if the ceremony itself isn’t.
“I’ve had people who are in weddings five states away pick it up here and try it on here,” he said, “They’re not picking it up out there two days before the wedding.”
Armond’s Fashion for Men is located at 111 N. Union St. in downtown Olean. Hours are 2:30–6:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 2:30–5:30 p.m. Saturday. Special weekend or after-hours appointments are available. Call (716) 372-1733 or visit armondsfashion.com for more information.
