“It’s a mix of feeling like you’re right at home but also in a different world,” says Anna D’Armiento of Mountain View Events. Aptly named, the Pine Plains wedding venue is situated at the base of Stissing Mountain, which has an elevation of just over 1,400 feet. “The expanse of the valley’s rolling hills makes a wedding day feel naturally beautiful yet refined,” explains D’Armiento, the venue’s events coordinator.
The lush, four-acre property is nestled among 100 acres of corn fields that wrap the venue in bucolic magic. The hamlet of Pine Plains has a cozy, small-town feel and a rich history, rumored to be a stop on the Underground Railroad.
Mountain View is a celebration of the natural landscape, but it’s also well-equipped to host and feed a large party comfortably. Owner Jack Banning purchased the property one year ago after seeing its wedding venue potential. Formerly, Mountain View was a restaurant, so its commercial kitchen is impressive in size and amenities. “It’s the perfect setting for a catering company to come in and bring a couple’s culinary wishes to life,” Banning says.
Mountain View has a dining room and a bar room with a double-sided fireplace separating the two. A standing cocktail party can hold 125 people in the bar, and 60 for a seated and more intimate gathering. One renovation Banning made was the floors, which are now smooth and polished concrete for a night of post-ceremony dancing.
Wedding parties can also hold an al fresco celebration—there’s a full electric extension for tents and the patio is covered.
The moments leading up to a wedding ceremony can be tense and hectic, between final toasts to makeup retouches and quiet contemplation. Mountain View has a luxe bridal suite on the property with a kitchenette, bathroom, makeup tables, and mirrors to make this preparation time more easeful. “It's a serene setting to prepare for your wedding—it overlooks the field in the back with the mountains,” D’Armiento says.
Mountain View only books one event per weekend, so guests will have the entire property to themselves, with no rush to pack up post-festivities.
As far as making the dream day come alive, the staff offers couples a list of their favorite vendors in the area, prioritizing relationships with local businesses like florists, caterers, and photographers to help make for a seamless event. Mountain View is currently booking for 2025 and 2026.
“When people tour the grounds, the best part is to watch their faces as they take in the scenery,” Banning says.
