There was once a time when wedding planning meant choosing a gown, a few bridesmaids, and a couple of coordinating colors, and booking a room that was big enough to hold your allotted guest list. Now the reception has become as much as an event as the ceremony and the entire production is customized to reflect the personality of the couple, with themes that only begin with a color palette.
These 10 suggestions on regional venues offer top-notch party spaces. They are each unique by way of size, location, décor, and vibe—each as individual as the couples who choose them. What does remain constant is that each venue’s common goal is to make sure that the couple’s day is exactly what they wish—whatever that may be. Though the marriage is meant to last a lifetime, a good party should last until the break of dawn.
Mohonk Mountain House: Everything but the Kitchen Sink
A stay at the Mohonk Mountain House is the equivalent of an all-inclusive resort without the watery drinks or mosquito bites. This picturesque family owned, megaresort, sprawling over the Shawangunk Ridge on the waters of Lake Mohonk offers almost as many wedding options as it does activities on the property (don’t underestimate the frame-worthy ice skating and carriage ride photo ops). From the American Gothic to the Edwardian Splendor, each package can be customized to the couple’s needs. There are also packages for smaller weddings and an environmentally friendly option. Mohonk also offers an on-site flower shop and luxury transportation (in case Mr. Ed gets a bum knee). www.mohonk.com
Belvedere Mansion: Steel Magnolia Meets Upscale New York
An intimate reception with your nearest and dearest is important, but can you really ask your Aunt Bea to host your oversize party in her backyard? The Belvedere Mansion, where the current owners Nick and Patricia, treat guests (star roster included) like family and make them feel as if it’s their own home (if only your home were a mansion set on immaculate grounds with a pool and tennis court). The home has been filled with antiques that have been hand-picked by the owners so that no two rooms look alike. Couples can hold the reception near the formal English garden or in the mansion for a more intimate feel. www.belvederemansion.com
Opus 40: Looking For a Rocky Start?
This bluestone quarry covers over six acres of land that that attracts both visitors and engaged couples who want a less-than-average reception site. The environmental sculptures, created by Harvey Fite, feature rocky dips, pools, and formations that reflect those who are looking for an artistic aesthetic for a warm weather outdoor venue. The vista in the background is nothing short of spectacular. Pat Richards, who coordinates weddings at Opus 40, says, “It’s a 50/50 mix of what attracts couples here. Some like the unique setting and others love the history and art.” Receptions are BYO-everything, so if it’s a local winery that you love (or your Two Buck Chuck), you get to supply your own liquor…as well as a caterer and tent (because you’ll need a rain backup plan). Richards will be there to guide you through and make sure the day is prefect for you and up to 300 guests. www.opus40.org
Onteora Mountain House: A Woodsy Weekend Retreat
The former summer getaway of mayo mogul, Richard Hellman, the Onteora Mountain House becomes your weekend wedding retreat. The lodge sits on 250 acres of forest preserve in Boiceville and while cocktails are usually sipped on the terrace enjoying this view, dancing happens in the 3,600 square foot timber pavilion that can easily accommodate 200. The wedding party will have their run of the house for the weekend, complete with seven cozy bedrooms, and a great room with a massive stone fireplace for gathering your loved ones. The downstairs is a grotto-like game room with a championship billiards table that makes for the perfect after-party.
www.onterora.com
The Inn at Stone Ridge: Wed like a Prez
The Inn at Stone Ridge Hasbrouck House is a classic 18th-century Colonial mansion with white columns, manicured lawns, and an operating orchard. Upon arrival, the picture looks straight out of a Life magazine cover where you’d find the Kennedys lounging on the serene lake sipping highballs. If you’ve dreamt of a classic tented affair, then this would be the perfect place—not to mention, a perfect photo backdrop with the mansion in the background and 1920s-era swimming pool. A variety of packages are available for couples, from cocktail receptions to full meals ending with cognac and dessert. Fireworks on the 150 acres of grounds make for the perfect ending to a picture-perfect wedding.
www.innatstoneridge.com
Lefevre House: For the Anti-Bridezilla
Weddings can be stressful. In fact, they are stressful, and planning a full-blown affair may not be your cup of tea. This does not mean that anyone should be forced to be married in a downtrodden courthouse or by an Elvis impersonator. You can still have your proverbial wedding cake and eat it too. The staff at Lefevre House Bed and Breakfast will plan a delightfully personal day that you’ll not only remember, but can afford. Whether you’re eloping or gathering with your nearest and dearest, the beautiful guestrooms, full spa treatments, and gourmet dining at the Lefevre House will make for a memorable event that your bridesmaids will never hate you for. www.lefevrehouse.com
Full Moon Resort: For the Treehugger Who Knows How to Throw a Party
If exchanging vows on a hillside covered with wildflowers is your idea of a dream wedding, then Full Moon Resort is where you’ll want to host your reception. The resort, a forest preserve in the Catskills, is about as laid back as the couples it hosts when it comes to planning and can easily work with a family gathering or 200-plus guests. The rustic and remodeled barn has loads of character, and tents are a popular outdoor option. Full Moon specializes in weekend-long events, with plenty of choices for accommodations on its 100 acres. Couples who really want to get in touch with Mother Nature will love the yurt for their honeymoon suite. www.fullmoonresort.com
Cascade Mountain Winery: Cru with a View
Whether you’re an oenophile or simply love the idea of a wine-themed wedding, the Cascade Mountain Winery will cover all bases. Bill and Margaret Wetmore, along with their children, planted the vineyard in 1972 as a school project and started the winery five years later. The lush green rows of vineyards perched at the top of the Berkshire foothills makes for supremely distinct scenery. The wine bar not only guarantees good boozing but also adds extra character to what will already be a unique reception. (There also happens to be a simple art gallery on the property.) Bill says that most couple who host their reception here are “people who love the country. The wine is a major bonus.” He also mentions that they are not in a commercial zone like most restaurants and describes the setting as “rural splendor.” They can accommodate smaller receptions upstairs or the wine cellar downstairs. A group of any size can have a tented reception outdoors. You might feel sorry for that friend who gets married at the generic reception hall the weekend after you. www.cascademt.com
Locust Grove: He’s a History Buff and She Likes to Smell the Roses
Not only is the Locust Grove a national landmark, it also happens to be the former home of Samuel F. B. Morse, inventor of the telegraph, who bough the Italianate villa designed by Alexander Jackson Davis and 100 acres of land surrounding it in 1847. Just think of the ultra-unique wedding themes you can run with here. (Ticker tape confetti instead of rice, perhaps?) This 19th-century country estate in Poughkeepsie offers a reception room that will comfortably accommodate 150 for dinner and dancing on the lovely herringbone-patterned oak floor. The French doors open to views of sensational gardens and landscaping that have been bringing students, tourists, gardeners, and history buffs for years. www.lgny.org
The Rhinecliff Hotel: If Antiques Aren’t Your Thing
The Rhinecliff Hotel gives couples a fresh option and a clean look for those who’d like a more modern affair. Its shiny new exterior sits just off the Rhinecliff Amtrak stop over the Hudson River with patios perfect for socializing (they’ll even provide ear plugs for the train noise). Though the hotel was renovated by James Chapman and his brother in 2008, it’s not to say that it doesn’t have a seedier past. The Rhinecliff may be a looker now, but not long ago the place was an eyesore down by the river that was once a boxcar hub for famous musicians. The rooms have been gutted and replaced with airy, yet minimalistic décor. Honeymooners usually opt for the suite offering the hotel’s signature simplistic décor, but it also features a private outdoor sundeck with corner whirlpool. The brothers pay homage to the past by keeping the original bar where you can host a casual reception or rehearsal dinner. Chapman’s own past, studded with stints hosting events at Cipriani and the famed Rainbow Room, make a nice résumé when it comes to throwing a wedding reception. www.therhinecliff.com