Perched on a rocky outcropping above the Hudson with sunset views of Breakneck Ridge and Storm King Mountain, there are few spots in the Hudson Valley as idyllic for a wedding as The Chapel Restoration in Cold Spring. The historic Greek Revival building, with its columned veranda, is itself a handsome landmark, set amidst a lush landscape.
“No matter who you are or where you come from, our only wish for couples who get married here is that they are happy,” says Stephen Hutcheson, the wedding coordinator at The Chapel Restoration, a Greek Revival style venue overlooking the Hudson River and the Catskill Mountains beyond.
Committed to making wedding dreams come true, Hutcheson recently opened the Chapel on Christmas Eve for a couple who wanted to mark their wedding with holiday cheer. He also witnessed a surprise wedding at the Chapel on a couple’s 10th anniversary.
As its name implies, the Chapel has stood its ground through significant changes. First built in 1833 as a place of worship for Irish foundry workers, the Chapel was abandoned in the 1900s. Later, it was reclaimed in part by actress Helen Hayes, who helped raise restoration funds, moved by its breathtaking site on the Hudson River.
Located by “World’s End,” the deepest part of the Hudson River, the Chapel’s prominent location is rich in history and abounds with photo opportunities for couples.
The Chapel is available to rent for wedding ceremonies and small receptions, and for larger parties, a short walk away, the Village of Cold Spring brims with local restaurants. For out-of-town guests, there is an Amtrak and Metro-North station nearby, which also offers free parking.
A flourishing nonprofit, last year the Chapel built a green roof and is currently hoping to expand its outdoor space. Plans include a multi-use space, a free-form stone wall, and landscaping with native plants.
Weddings are a moving complement to the Chapel’s ongoing commitment to the cultural life of the community. It regularly serves as a venue for literary and musical performances and is home to an 1860s Steinway grand piano, which may be played for wedding ceremonies.
Rebekah Tighe, a volunteer for the Chapel since 2008, grew up visiting and later chose it as the venue for her own wedding ceremony. “As the couple standing at the altar with the doors open, you look out at the Hudson River. You see your friends and family in the pews, and then beyond that, the mountains,” says Tighe.
The Chapel has no religious affiliation and is open to all. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the wedding venue can host an intimate crowd of up to 99 beloved guests. For wedding party preparation, there is a spacious dressing suite with makeup mirrors on the property.
“There’s a real soul to this place,” Tighe says. “People have their weddings here because it’s perfectly serene. It is an homage to this land’s history and preservation.”
Wedding fees for The Chapel Restoration include a $1,500 donation to its not-for-profit organization to provide cultural programming to the community and to maintain the historic grounds, as well as a refundable donation of $300 as a security deposit.
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