Brian & Sara
The Barn at Liberty Farms
Ghent
When Sara Lewis and Brian Goldstein first met on a dating app in late 2020, they had no idea their chance encounter, which began with quips about music and mac and cheese, would grow into a lasting, sentimental love story.
For Lewis and Goldstein, the details were always the most important part of their lives together, even down to the moment Goldstein popped the question. On a crisp December night in 2022, Goldstein planned a surprise proposal in Domino Park. As the Brooklyn couple strolled along the water’s edge, they stumbled upon chalk hearts drawn on the sidewalk as an ode to Lewis’ late brother, street artist New York Romantic. With his grandmother’s ring in hand, Goldstein knelt to ask the most important question of his life.
An amateur jewelry maker herself, Lewis wanted Goldstein to have a sentimental heirloom as well. She forged his wedding band at Bushwick Jewelry Casting, complete with an imprint of their fingerprints overlapping.
The Big Day
The couple knew they wanted the backdrop of their wedding to be equally as important as the rest of the day, with details as well thought-out as their engagement. “We wanted a place that felt special, where we knew we’d want to return again and again,” Lewis says. The couple found that aura in Liberty Farms, a picturesque organic farm and event space nestled in the rolling hills of Ghent, in Upstate New York. Not only was the venue perfect for their wedding, but it also gave guests a mini escape and offered endless quaint activities for out-of-town guests. The farm’s focus on regenerative agriculture and low-waste practices also spoke to the couple. “The moment we stepped onto the grounds, we knew it was the one,” Lewis said. “It had an authentic, intimate feel that was exactly what we were looking for.”
Using elements like wildflowers for classic romance and disco balls to add a playful pop, the couple blended timeless glamour with a modern, fun spirit. “We wanted it to feel like a magical, euphoric celebration–a true reflection of our relationship,” Lewis says. The couple’s ceremony, held in a secluded wooded area on the property, was a deeply personal affair. Their first look was on a hill at golden hour: Goldstein recalls that seeing his bride in her gown lit up by the glow was one of his most cherished moments of the affair. Officiated by Lewis’ childhood friend and filled with live music, the pair was very intentional in incorporating such meaningful Jewish traditions as the breaking of the glass. “Hearing Brian’s vows, the way he expressed his love, was such an emotional moment for me,” Lewis adds.
The Reception
Photos, mementos, and other personal touches created an air of elegance and whimsy. As guests moved into the barn for the reception, the party atmosphere kicked into high gear. Rather than a formal seated dinner, Lewis and Goldstein opted for a lively, interactive setup with food stations and continuous dancing. “We wanted everyone to feel like they were part of the celebration, not just observers,” Goldstein explains. “The energy was incredible… People were up and mingling, enjoying great food and music.” Music played a central role throughout the day, from the couple’s carefully curated playlist for the ceremony to the live jazz duo that serenaded the cocktail hour and the vinyl record that served as a guestbook. “Music has always been a huge part of our lives together,” Goldstein says. “We knew it had to be woven throughout every element of our wedding.”
As the night drew to a close, guests gathered around a bonfire for s’mores and an after-party in the nearby town of Hudson at Backbar. “It was the perfect way to cap off an unforgettable weekend,” Lewis says. “Our loved ones got to experience this beautiful place that means so much to us, and we felt so grateful to celebrate with them.”
For Lewis and Goldstein, their wedding day was a true reflection of their relationship: a blend of unwavering love, personal touches, and a whole lot of fun. “We wanted it to be a euphoric, timeless, and memorable experience,” Lewis says, “and that’s exactly what it was.”
The Details
Planner
A Charmed Affair
Flowers
Rosery Flower Shop
Photographer
Bryan Weber
Wedding Dress
NEWHITE
Groom’s Suit
John Varvatos
Groom’s Watch
Woodrow Jewelers
Groom’s Ring
Bushwick Jewelry Casting
Bride’s Ring
Schaner Jewelry
Makeup
Sabena Collier & Shannon Taylor
Hair
The Beauty Studio; Megan Brown
Caterer
Fire Candy Catering
Rentals
Columbia Tent Rentals
Related: 6 Historic Wedding Venues With Stunning Architecture in the Hudson Valley