Celebrating 10 Years of Arbor Venues

L: Cecilia Denise Photography M: TPI Photography R: Julia Hart

Ten years ago, a dream took root on Pitkin Street in Rochester, New York. What started as one venue with a big vision has grown into three incredible event spaces, thousands of celebrations, countless memories, and a community we're endlessly grateful to be part of. As we celebrate Arbor Venues' 10th anniversary, we're taking a moment to reflect on where it all began - and how far we've come.

The Beginning: The Arbor Loft

The story of Arbor Venues starts with our founder, Agathi. After years of running a successful event planning business, she noticed something was missing in the wedding industry. As a wedding coordinator, she often found herself wishing venues were run differently - with more intention, more hospitality, and a greater focus on the overall client experience.

Instead of waiting for someone else to create that venue, she decided to build it herself.

In 2016, The Arbor Loft opened its doors on Pitkin Street in Rochester. The industrial-chic space quickly became one of the area's most sought-after wedding venues, and it didn't take long for word to spread.

At the same time, Agathi had just started dating Zach. As the venue grew, so did their partnership. Together, they wore every hat imaginable. On any given wedding day, they might be opening the venue, coordinating timelines, bartending, setting up décor, greeting guests, solving last-minute challenges, and staying until the very end to lock the doors.

There was no task too small if it meant creating an unforgettable experience for their couples.

Expanding to the Waterfront: Arbor at the Port

As Arbor Loft's success continued, Agathi and Zach knew they wanted to bring the Arbor experience to another unique location.

Enter Arbor at the Port. Situated along Rochester's beautiful waterfront, Arbor at the Port introduced a completely different atmosphere while maintaining the same commitment to exceptional events. With stunning water views, soaring white walls, elegant chandeliers, and endless natural light, it quickly became a favorite for couples looking for a modern yet timeless wedding venue.

And perhaps the most special part? The very first wedding ever held at Arbor at the Port was Agathi and Zach's own. Their love story became woven into the venue's history from the very beginning, making it an even more meaningful addition to the Arbor family.

Going Bigger: Arbor Midtown

Most people might stop after opening two successful venues. Not Agathi and Zach. With a passion for creating unique event experiences, they set their sights on something even larger: Arbor Midtown.As the largest of the three venues, Arbor Midtown offers a breathtaking blend of historic charm and modern elegance. Its soaring ceilings, architectural character, expansive event spaces, and versatile design make it one of Rochester's most distinctive venues.

Each Arbor venue has its own personality, but they all share the same foundation: creating beautiful spaces where people can gather, celebrate, and make memories that last a lifetime.

A Full Circle Moment

One of the most exciting milestones came just last year when The Arbor Loft moved directly across the street from its original location. Even more special? The Arbor team officially purchased the building. Owning the home of the venue that started it all was a full-circle moment and a reminder of just how much can happen in ten years when passion, hard work, and a little bit of faith come together.

Looking Ahead

Over the last decade, we've had the honor of hosting thousands of weddings, celebrations, corporate events, fundraisers, and unforgettable moments. We've watched families grow, friendships deepen, and countless love stories begin new chapters within our walls. None of it would have been possible without our incredible couples, clients, vendor partners, and team members who have supported us every step of the way. As we celebrate 10 years of Arbor Venues, we're not just looking back - we're looking ahead. We have exciting surprises, special events, and big plans in store as we enter our next chapter.

Join Us for the Celebration

We're not just looking back, we're celebrating everything that's still to come. We'd love for you to join us on July 16th, 2026 at Arbor at the Port for our 10-Year Anniversary Celebration. From 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM, we'll be gathering with past, present, and future couples, friends, family, vendor partners, and our community for an unforgettable evening.

This will be an all-white party filled with live music, delicious desserts, great company, and plenty of surprises along the way. Most exciting of all, we'll be raffling off $10,000 toward one lucky couple's wedding at an Arbor Venue. Whether you've celebrated with us before or are just getting to know Arbor Venues, we'd love to raise a glass with you as we honor the memories of the last decade and look ahead to the future.

Grab your tickets here: Arbor Venues 10 Year Anniversary Party Tickets

Thank you for being part of our story. Here's to ten amazing years, and ten more beyond that.

XO,

The Arbor Venues Team