Location, Location, Location
People always ask me what I find to be the most difficult part of planning a wedding. I think that everyone has different obstacles but one of the biggest challenges seems to be finding the right location. Figuring out whether it can hold the right number of people, making it fit in your budget and finding out what dates are available can be very overwhelming.
Our VP of Digital Programming and Strategy, Charity Curley, recently got engaged and e-mailed me about barn locations in the New York area. In order to help her find the perfect location, we'd love feedback from you. Do you know any great barns for a reception? Also, what challenges are you facing in your wedding location search?
I don't have resources for a barn in NY, but I agree that finding the location is one of the more difficult parts of wedding planning. It can set the tone for everything, including which colors to use.
Posted by: Liene at Blue Orchid Designs | May 22, 2008 at 11:27 AM
what about somewhere near Lake George? or the adirondack mountains? Last time I was near Cooperstown - there also seemed to be barn-type structures.
Posted by: etiquettely correct | May 22, 2008 at 12:55 PM
In Middletown, CT there's a place called the Barns. It's a series of three barns set next to these willow trees and assortment of lakes. I think you need to go through Pavilion Catering to book it. They're really cute. They were totally my runner up choice for my wedding location!!
http://www.pavilion-catering.com/offpremise_reception_barnes.htm
Posted by: Lindsey | May 22, 2008 at 01:26 PM
Finding a spot that my mother-in-law approved of! She said no tents (heartbreak!) so we went with a catering hall, and I hated it.
I'd have loved an old barn wedding!
Posted by: Iver Jane | May 22, 2008 at 02:27 PM
I've seen beautiful pictures from Stone Barns in Pocantico Hills. There's also Harding Farm in Clinton. I love barn weddings!
Posted by: Anna | May 22, 2008 at 07:26 PM
Blue Hill at Stone Barns - it's a bit of a more intimate venue but beautiful
http://www.bluehillstonebarns.com/bhsb.html
Posted by: Maria @ {ritzy bee} | May 22, 2008 at 11:49 PM
I agree. Locations are huge. If the scene has an emotional connection with the couple everything else falls right into place. I also like how awesome photography can make just about any location look expansive and enchanting.
Peace,
Parris Whittingham
New York City Wedding Photographer
Posted by: New York City Wedding Photographer | May 23, 2008 at 01:18 PM
A beautiful barn would provide a wonderful setting for a wedding. When looking for our "perfect" wedding location I had to keep in mind unique venues often come with unique challenges.
When looking we asked ourselves: will we need to rent additional restrooms (nice ones), supply additional power via generators, hire valets, etc. And if the location is far from a metro area will our caterers and entertainment require hotel rooms?
All these challenges can be overcome as long as you're comfortable with the additional associated costs.
Posted by: Rose@www.BonjourEvents.com | May 24, 2008 at 07:02 PM
Hi Darcy,
Love your blog! :)
Here is a beautiful location of a wedding that my husband and I photographed that is barnesque [Bonnet Island Estate in New Jersey] - www.ghkim.com/albums/laurenandjesse.
Posted by: Grace Kim | June 01, 2008 at 05:44 AM
this is probably too late, but Queens Farm Museum is a great wedding location, and v. reasonable & convenient for NYC guests.
http://www.queensfarm.org/rent-private.html
Posted by: anonymous | August 01, 2008 at 04:33 PM
This is a shot in the dark really..but..I live in upstate, NY near Ithaca. I was wondering if anyone knew of a place for a "barn" wedding near Ithaca,NY. It has been my dream to have a rustic, country wedding. Thanks. I love the sites everyone has posted but they are far from me...
Posted by: Heather Jones | August 26, 2008 at 08:16 PM
Beautiful barn located between Phila. and NYC....visit site for more info
Posted by: Allison | October 20, 2008 at 02:02 PM
www.friedmanfarms.com
Posted by: Allison | October 20, 2008 at 02:03 PM
SparrowHawk Affaires is a gorgeous circa 1700 Inn in the Catskill Hudson Valley NY region. Their new barn will be the only BARN in this NY region with Heat for winter weddings and Air Conditioning for August weddings. It will be finished in Spring and will fit in gloriously with the 1820 Carraige House and Milking Barn on 5 Manicured Acres.... It is truly an InnExtraordinaire!
Posted by: SparrowHawk Affaires | December 22, 2008 at 07:39 PM
www.SparrowHawkAffaires.com
Posted by: SparrowHawk Affaires | December 22, 2008 at 07:39 PM
There is a beautiful barn on the Winvian property in Connecticut, which has a fantastic surronding.
Posted by: Dana Bartholomew | December 29, 2008 at 09:44 AM
In Marin County, north of San Francisco, there is a beautiful, large horse farm now available for weddings. Very private. http://www.NicasioMeadows.com.
Posted by: Kathryn | December 29, 2008 at 12:28 PM
In searching unusual sites for my daughter's 2010 wedding, she ran across a MOST unique and totally elegant barn--actually a fully restored 19th century carriage house of enormous proportions! You need to see the photos. It is in the Catskills, I believe: South Kortright, NY. It seats up to 250, and is on the grounds of a 60-room estate, with gardens. NOT your usual run of the mill barn, at all. Memorable!
www.ThePlumTree.biz
Note the .biz in the website address (NOT .com)
Another really charming, turn-of-the-century barn is in Ithaca, NY, and accommodates up to 200, and offers formal dinners indoors to country BBQs on the lawn. Beautiful, rustic and traditional.
www.The BarnParty.com
Posted by: Leila O'Brien Raymond | March 16, 2009 at 03:30 AM