When it comes to planning a picture-perfect wedding in the Hudson Valley, brides and grooms have it made. From Albany to Westchester, show-stopping venues with views to match dot the Hudson River, offering breathtaking panoramas that add grandeur to any ceremony.
No matter whether couples have sugar plum dreams of winter ceremonies in the secluded countryside or autumn occasions studded with rainbow leaves, these locations deliver the spectacular vantages that turn any “I do” into an unforgettable event.
The Altamont Manor
221 Main St, Altamont
For couples who want a side of history with their Hudson Valley ceremony, The Altamont Manor is the place to be. Built in 1894, the restored Victorian manor evokes Downton Abbey charm with a modern twist. As far as the views go, the manor’s gardens are the focal point of the place. Couples can hold their ceremony in the formal gardens, which feature touches like a tiered fountain, old stone walls and staircases, and beautifully manicured flower arrangements.
Not just an outdoor experience, The Altamont Manor hides an airy dining room with space for up to 150 people. Its floor-to-ceiling windows offer views of the gardens, which means that a touch of nature is never far away. If an outdoor cocktail hour is preferred, the Manor’s lengthy veranda is open for guests to mix and mingle before an outdoor ceremony.
Caramoor
149 Girdle Ridge Rd, Katonah
An acclaimed destination for concerts and music in the Hudson Valley, Caramoor is also a delight for weddings. The grounds are charming for outdoor “I dos,” with a number of breathtaking spaces available for al fresco ceremonies and receptions. At the Sunken Garden, for instance, three tiers of formal gardens surrounded by woodlands act as a natural frame for couples to tie the knot. For receptions, the Tapestry Hedge, with 30-foot evergreens, and the Spanish Courtyard, with a fully covered stage, are both top picks.
Because Caramoor is primarily an outdoor venue operating mid-May to early October, wedding goers can expect incredible scenes of manicured grounds and opulent architecture. With its abundance of space, it’s easily adaptable for parties of all sizes. When it comes to seated dinners, the formal dining room inside is a study in opulence, with hand-painted silk wall coverings and gilded décor that evoke an aura of another era. The room works best for intimate groups of up to 50, while The Pavilion and the Venetian Theater, which seat 250 and 800 respectively, are comfortable fits for larger parties.
Caramoor works exclusively with Great Performances, a catering company with a 60-acre organic farm in Kinderhook, for its weddings and events. To complete campus renovations, the grounds will be closed for outdoor rentals between fall 2019 and summer 2020.
Cedar Lakes Estate
1 Team USA Way, Port Jervis
With breathtaking views from every angle, Cedar Lakes Estate is the type of place that attracts magazine editors and weekenders just as often as it serenades Hudson Valley brides and grooms. The scenery is a highlight of the setting, which has a panorama that encompasses the Shawangunk Mountains, a sparkling lake, and a pine-covered forest.
That’s only the half of it, however. As a dedicated destination for weddings in the Hudson Valley, Cedar Lakes Estate treats couples to the good life with options aplenty. Partners can choose to hold their ceremony at The Mountain Top, where they’ll be surrounded by wild flowers and mountain backdrops, or head to the newly restored 85-year-old deck next to a glistening lake. Before, the “I dos,” the wedding party is free to mingle during cocktail hour at the Pavilion, which hits the mark with twinkling lights and a stone fire pit, or lounge at the Poolside Patio, which sits next to an infinity pool overlooking the estate’s lake.
For dinner and the reception, the 5,400-square-foot barn at the heart of the property pulls out all the stops with barnwood walls, crystal chandeliers, and a 24-foot prohibition-style bar. FYI for foodies: Cedar Lakes prides itself on top-tier, farm-to-table cuisine. In other words, it’s the perfect place to blow guests away with an intimate dinner that allows Hudson Valley flavors to shine. P.S. Don’t forget to book The Treehouse for the afterparty. It has a fireplace and a built-in bar!
Photo by Clane Gessel |
Photo by Clane Gessel |
The Grandview
176 Rinaldi Blvd, Poughkeepsie
For couples who want to tie the knot along the Hudson River, The Grandview is a stunning spot in the heart of Dutchess County. Set right along the water, the venue has direct access to the Hudson River, with a covetable view of the Mid-Hudson Bridge in the background. Brides and grooms can stage photoshoots on the boardwalk, then take romantic shots framed by the rolling hillscapes and rippling waters.
As for the planning of the big day, The Grandview is a delight for all-in-one packages that take care of the ceremony, reception, cake, catering, and decorations. For guests who want to stay the night in town, a shuttle between The Grandview and The Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel make any wedding weekend a breeze.
The Kaaterskill
424 High Falls Rd Extension, Catskill
For a different kind of Hudson Valley view, The Kaaterskill is a Greene County jewel for majestic scenes of the Catskill Mountains. The property boasts over 40 acres of rolling grounds, much of which are accessible via charming footpaths that wind around stately trees and rippling creeks. The Kaaterskill comes with a wealth of amenities for brides and grooms who want to extend their wedding day into a destination vacation, with jacuzzi bathtubs, in-suite fireplaces, and private patios available at the restored Dutch Barn Inn.
When it comes to the wedding, The Kaaterskill’s Red Barn is the place to be for dinner, with room for up to 150 guests. For larger parties, the venue is happy to set up tents on its lawn, leaving the barn for dancing and dessert at night. A one-and-done location, The Kaaterskill has a wealth of options for potential ceremony locations. Couples can choose between a garden overlooking a waterfall, a serene arbor, or even a fairytale-esque circle of trees. To conclude the day, the spot’s Pond House is a sweet retreat for cocktails or an afterparty in the wee hours of the evening. Throw in a bonfire, movie night, or billiards competition, and couples have everything they need to plan the “I dos” of their dreams.
Mohonk Mountain House
1000 Mountain Rest Rd, New Paltz
One of the most covetable locations for a wedding in the Hudson Valley, Mohonk is one of those unique venues that’s stunning in every season. A multi-faceted, versatile setting, the New Paltz mountain house has dedicated ceremony and reception spots scattered across its expansive grounds. In spring, the formal gardens and mountain view gardens, the latter which have views of the Catskills, are ideal for outdoor ceremonies. Come fall, the Victorian parlor wows guests with a view overlooking Mohonk’s lake and cliffs beyond.
Mohonk Mountain House offers wedding packages throughout the year, with customizable receptions for wedding parties of varying size and scope. The venue is an excellent pick for anyone who wants to turn their ceremony into an experiential weekend, since guests can stay the night on the grounds and stick around for spa treatments and golfing on the nine-hole, Scottish-inspired course. Did we mention that horse-drawn carriages are available to create Cinderella moments for brides and grooms, as well?
Clermont State Historic Site
87 Clermont Ave, Germantown
Few places can quite compare to Clermont on the Hudson Valley landscape front. Just outside of Germantown proper, the former home of Robert Livingston sits on a quiet bank along the Hudson River. A top wedding venue for local history aficionados and nature lovers alike, the National Historic Landmark offers scenic outdoor spaces for couples to tie the knot. The grounds play host to wooded nooks, manicured gardens, and verdant riverfront yards, which means every wedding or reception onsite is unique.
For brides and grooms who want to bring in an outside caterer, Clermont is the way to go. The venue, which accommodates 50 to 300 people, is happy to provide a list of past caterers on the grounds or work alongside whichever caterer a couple prefers.
Revolution Hall at Brown’s Brewing Co.
425 River St, Troy
It’s hard to plan a more “Hudson Valley” wedding than a ceremony at Brown’s Brewing Co. While the Rensselaer space is a hotspot for brews, it charms couples with Revolution Hall, its two-floor, multi-room space that fits anywhere from 30 to 300 guests. Brown’s has an event team onsite to assist with planning and ensure that wedding parties can relax on the big day.
Although the venue itself is inherently cool, it draws extra appeal from its waterfront setting and warehouse location. The overall effect is a sliver of city, a punch of nature, and a 100-percent Hudson Valley experience.
Left: Brown’s offers couples the chance to spend a day with their brewers brewing a batch of beer to be served at the reception. Photo by Sarah Wigley Collins of Rob Spring Photography / Right: Brown’s private and beautifully appointed Malt Room, located beneath Brown’s Revolution Hall, is the perfect space for rehearsal dinners, small celebrations, and photo opportunities. Photo by T.R. Laz
Brown’s Brewing’s Troy Taproom and Revolution Hall are conveniently located beside one another on the historic Hudson River in Troy. Photo by T.R. Laz
The View on the Hudson
101 Shad Row, Piermont
Couples looking to plan a large-scale wedding in the Hudson Valley will fall for The View on the Hudson in a heartbeat. As its name suggests, the Piermont venue treats guests to waterfront views in Rockland County. Brides and grooms can host their ceremony outdoors or indoors, with panoramic river views in the background either way. The View can accommodate up to 240 people in its various spaces, which include a ballroom and an outdoor common.
An excellent setting for couples who don’t want to stress over picking and choosing from dozens of vendors, The View delivers white glove service with everything from ice carvings to menus from Culinary Institute chefs on deck.