Hudson Valley Weddings - Occasionalwords.com

This great resource section is courtesy of our good friend Judy Lewis at Hudson Valley Weddings.

Below you will find 4 informative articles on planning and holding the Wedding of your dreams in New York's beautiful Hudson Valley.

Wonderful Winter Weddings in the Hudson Valley

Courtesy of HudsonValleyWeddings.com

judy@hudsonvalleyweddings.com

845.336.4705

The Hudson Valley is renowned for its extraordinary vista and colorful canopy, in the spring, summer and fall. Unfortunately, as a place for a winter wedding, it is too often overlooked. For the couple who enjoys the outdoors, who wait all year for the opening of the ski slopes, for the couple on a limited budget, and for those who relish that special briskness in the air, the winter is an outstanding time of the year for a wedding.

What could be nicer than a fireside gathering, sipping hot apple cider and overlooking snow capped mountains and snow‑covered lawns and meadow? From rustic barns to elegant manor houses, the Valley is replete with ceremony and reception locations that work equally well in the winter. For those who wish to "stretch their special day," there is the special joy of a destination weekend wedding which allows family and friends to spend time together . . . from welcoming cocktails to ceremony, to reception and through the day‑after brunch. Resorts and inns in the Valley offer the "usual" wedding‑related amenities and many add such winter‑appropriate "extras" as spas, fitness rooms, indoor pools, outdoor activities, campfires, hiking, cross country skiing and snowshoeing. Some supply equipment and services at reduced, little or no charge.

By no means should a winter wedding be viewed as a last resort. Case in point, a recent winter wonderland wedding in sunny Los Angeles. The wedding planner staged the frosted gala at a posh hall in Beverly Hill and brought in "faux snow" which was used to dust the floor, guest book table, and trees on the restaurant's front patio. Tiny ice‑blue lights overhead added to the wintry ambience.

For the couple who has dreamed of a theme wedding, the winter offers its own special spin. Winter offers an array of theme possibilities such as Christmas theme, winter wonderland, winter sports and Valentine's Day. Rounding out winter‑related themes is easy, because there are so very many accouterments available. For party favors items such as cedar packets, spicy sachets, spiced teas, mulling spices, evergreen potpourri, hot cocoa mugs and snow globes, to name a few.

Although there are no true winter colors, winter brides seem to prefer deep, rich shades like plum, cranberry, garnet, emerald, pewter, cobalt, navy, dark green, or black. Standards like silver, gold, of course are also a fit.

Professional florists are skilled at decorating winter weddings. Flowers of the season like poinsettias (white and/or red), roses (white and/or bold colored), snowball mums are favorites. Evergreen sprigs, snow globes, wreathes, ice sculpture, candles and/or hurricane lamps can be used in lieu of or with flowers in centerpieces. For the couple with an "unlimited" budget, almost any flower can be flown into the country. Less expensive flowers are those that are native and more readily available, such as lilies, Gerber daisies, carnations, freesia, gardenias and amaryllis. Additional decorations can include everything from large crystalized snowflakes to garlands and fake snow confetti.

Any kind of food works at a winter wedding, but menus may be a heartier and richer than in warm weather. The winter theme can be carried through with items such as mulled wine or cider, cheese fondue, hearty soups, warm breads, bread pudding or hot fudge sundaes.

There are no absolutes when it comes to winter wedding attire. The "what to wear" rules for formal versus informal and daytime versus nighttime apply and logic wins. Heavier fabrics such as satin are preferable to light, floaty fabrics such as chiffon. Long sleeves and/or gloves may be more comfortable than a strapless gown, but anything goes.

Depending on the choices that a bridal couple makes, a winter weddings can be as elaborate and as expensive as a wedding at any other time of the year. However, the budget conscious bride and groom, can take advantage of off‑peak rates which can translate into substantial savings. Reception and ceremony venues and destination weekend wedding venues are generally booked in the "popular" wedding months, but in the winter, couples can take advantage of special packages and/or discounted rates. Savings apply not only to venue rates. Travel agencies and cruise lines offer off season discounts. Couples can use the winter bargaining chip to get a lower price. Businesses offering lodging accommodations are more likely in winter to offer discounts for room blocks. Couples can take advantage of winter decorations that are already in place at churches, reception and lodging venues, by incorporating and/or embellishing them.

Locations that are open year‑round for weddings have the experience and know how to properly "winterize," but for a venue that isn't kept heated at all times, it would be prudent to check that the space is warmed up, in advance, and that if it snows, pathways and parking areas will be cleared. For the possibility of rain or snow, if you are wearing your gown to your ceremony and/or reception location, outerwear and weather‑appropriate shoes are wise as a standby.

Regardless of the time of year you choose for your wedding, ask your wedding professionals about cancellation policies and ask that details are spelled out in your contract. A wedding is an expensive investment, so if it will make you more comfortable, consider purchasing event cancellation insurance. It is prudent in all seasons to create a method by which your guests can be informed should you need to cancel the wedding for any reason.

Despite the possibility for snow and potentially difficult weather, a winter celebration can be just as wonderful, if not more so, as a wedding at any other time of year. Best of all, when budget issues are a concern, wintertime special rates may allow you to plan the wedding you have dreamed about and may give you the option of "upgrading" to a destination weekend wedding, more expensive in peak season, yet affordable in the winter. Whatever season you choose for your special event, enjoy!

Planning a "Last‑Minute" Wedding in the Hudson Valley

Courtesy of HudsonValleyWeddings.com

judy@hudsonvalleyweddings.com

845.336.4705

Traditional wedding guidebooks and planners recommend that the bride and groom begin planning their wedding at least a year in advance. One might argue that the myriad of details involved in a organizing a wedding requires a significant amount of time. It is, however, the exception which is quickly becoming the rule. For a variety of reasons, young couples today, here in the Hudson Valley and beyond, are choosing the fast mode of wedding planning and are opting to spend less time planning and, presumably, more time celebrating. It is often their theory that once having made the decision to get married, it seems unfortunate to postpone their special day because of the logistics involved in planning. In the fast‑paced life which so many young people live today, devoting anywhere between twelve and eighteen months toward planning the events of just several days, seems an ineffective way to allocate precious time. Finally, for some couples the amount of planning time gets curtailed due to extenuating circumstances, anything from family illness, to new jobs in new cities, to military service. For all these reasons and in all these instances, planning time is cut back and couples face the additional challenges of arranging a "last minute" wedding.

For the purposes of this article we will not discuss elopement, which offers its own and advantages and its presents its own issues. Let's begin with the unequivocal statement that short‑time weddings are absolutely possible, presenting obstacles which are categorically surmountable. What's most important is that couples keep in mind that they are planning a special, joyful event and that the process, although stressful, should be pleasurable.

There are some general guidelines which will prove helpful with short‑term planning. Couples should begin by prioritizing, focusing on what is really important to them. The crucial word here is "them." Although couples should by no means ignore the wishes and concerns of family and friends, it is after all, the couple's wedding, and it is their feelings and opinions which should be paramount. A family meeting to discuss priorities and set ground rules is a good way to get started.

Let's return to the concept of prioritizing. There are several important decisions, which in combination will create a couple's Hudson Valley wedding day. These elements are: budget, date, style, location(s), and members of the wedding party. The trick is, of course, to get all of the elements in sync, so the couple needn't give up their wishes for one element to accommodate another. Staying flexible and being opened to the possibilities of alternatives, while absolutely keeping priorities in mind, is the most important thing

It is at this point that the couple needs to decide what in their minds is most important. What factors, should they need to be compromised, will "shatter their dream?" Is it the location that's most important? Is at the style of the wedding? Is it the people who will be attendants? Is it a specific date? Once these elements have been placed in order, decisions become much easier.

Most couples will need to work within a budget, so it is wise to carefully examine their resources, as well as the resources of family members who have agreed to participate financially. Couples need to keep in mind that most offers of financial support usually come "with some strings attached," and, should the couple accept such assistance, the level of participation of those family members will usually automatically and probably justifiably, increase. It's a trade‑off! Once again, prioritizing is essential. What one bride may unequivocally not ever consider forgoing, may be viewed as an unnecessary frill to another. With the facts in mind, couples need to set and absolutely stick to their budget.

Choosing the date is next. There are a number of factors which come into play. Should the couple wish an outdoor wedding, then the season needs to be considered. Maximum lead time is important if the couple wants an elaborate wedding and if many guests will be coming from a distance. With the latter, the purchase of airline tickets becomes an issue. Couples may find that wedding professionals, such as photographers and florists are booked during peak wedding seasons, May through October, and on holidays. The easy answer, of course, is to book the wedding off‑season. There are, however, other options. A midweek wedding, a Friday or Sunday evening wedding, or an off‑time hour (e.g., early morning wedding and brunch receptions) should be considered. A change in the type of food service, from sit‑down to buffet, for example, may allow a caterer to squeeze in an additional wedding on an otherwise unavailable date. It may also be worthwhile hiring a wedding or location consultant, who may prove particularly helpful by providing information about venues and locations which the average couple might not be able to find on their own.

There are almost as many choices for the style of a wedding as there are different personalities of brides and grooms. A wedding is at its core a celebration. The style of event a couple should choose should fit with who they are!

Asking themselves some basic questions will allow a couple to focus on what they really want in the style of their wedding. A formal or informal wedding? A large, grandiose affair, an intimate one, or one somewhere in between? A theme‑related or traditional wedding? A wedding with music for listening, dancing or both? A civil or religious ceremony, civilian or military? A more formal, sit‑down dinner, somewhat less‑formal buffet, a multi‑course dinner, a cocktail receptions or an appetizer only party? The Hudson Valley offers a potpourri of venues which will be in sync with the stylistic elements that the prospective bride and groom are seeking. It is all these elements which influence the style of a wedding, but once a couple has homed in on what really makes them comfortable, the selection of a location will fall more easily into place.

If it's a magnificent view of the Hudson that suits their style, it's available. If it's an alternative, Woodstock, flowers‑in‑the‑hair party, it can be found. If it's a palatial, elegant estate, the whole‑nine‑yards event, it's doable. If it's on‑the‑water or by the river, it can be held in our backyard. There is no wedding style which cannot be accommodated in the Hudson Valley!

Which brings us to the choice of location. Although time constraints in the choice of venues may offer obstacles, it also provides couples with an opportunity to think "out of the box." With venue options particularly, creativity can be a valuable asset and provide an exciting challenge. The Hudson Valley offers an amazing variety of both traditional and alternative/unusual wedding locations.

For couples who are willing to be flexible with their dates and the time of their wedding, there may well be traditional wedding locations available, if that's what they are looking for. Larger wedding venues are often equipped to hold more than one wedding on a particular date, so couples should not assume that a location is unavailable before they inquire.

The choices which are available in the Hudson Valley range from elaborate hotel ballrooms to low‑cost local VFW halls, fire stations, and church and synagogue back rooms. Depending on the style of wedding which the couple wants, they should may also consider a country club, favorite restaurant, historic site, mansion, villa, estate, chateau, landmark building, museum, art gallery, yacht, inn, B & B, seasoned barn, park, garden, vineyard, destination resort, alternative resort, or the ever‑popular home/house wedding on their own or another's property.

Last, but certainly not least, is the selection of the wedding/bridal party. A wedding is after all a celebration to be shared with friends and family. Although last in this article's list, people more than things and places, are a critical element in the success of any wedding. With a wedding which is being planned "last minute," the choice of people may be influenced by logistics. Attendants will need enough time to make travel and lodging arrangements and will, of course, need to be available on the chosen wedding date. Being an attendant and someone's wedding involves financial issues as well. Especially when attendants are not given a great deal of planning time, they may be required to spend more than they are able to. This can be a place where the couple needs to pick up part of the tab in order to ensure that those special people will indeed be able to participate.

It is not our intention to ignore or minimize the planning details which come before and after the wedding, such as choosing an engagement ring, purchasing and mailing announcements and invitations, pre‑wedding parties (bachelor, bachelorette, rehearsal dinner), honeymoon travel and more. These too may involve some extra crunching, but by following priorities and by organizing, everything will ultimately get done. Again we suggest making use of available resources.

Time constraint is just one of many logistic issues which couples may face in planning their special day. It's important to keep in mind that the problems inherent in coordinating a short‑term wedding are all surmountable. The key is to stay focused, set priorities, stick to the ground rules they set, make full use of available resources, remember that people are more important than things and always, most of all, keep mindful that they are coordinating a happy occasion and should attempt to enjoy every moment of the process.

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Planning a Colorful Fall Wedding in the Hudson Valley

Courtesy of HudsonValleyWeddings.com

judy@hudsonvalleyweddings.com

845.336.4705

Did you know that historically June was the choice for weddings, because, in years gone by, many people only took real baths in that month? In modern times, the tradition continues, albeit we bathe more frequently. Weather is also a factor in the popularity of June, but while summer continues to be in the number one spot, in many places, especially in the Hudson Valley, fall is coming in as a tight second. Specifically, a poll recently taken in New Jersey, indicated that June got 15 percent of the couples and 13 percent chose October.

The wedding industry has reacted to these figures with ideas, services and products that are season‑specific.

Fall Wedding Ideas . . .

The Venue

The first planning choice that couples make is to select their reception venue. For the couple looking for an intimate venue for an intimate reception, the Valley is replete with charming inns, historic sites, quaint old century churches, "vintage" meeting houses, barns, wooded glens, steam‑side pavilions and much more, with all providing the colorful fall foliage backdrop. For those looking for a natural setting, add vineyards, orchards, knolls and hilltops.

Couples should be mindful of the accouterments such venues supply. Fall weather can be anything from summer scorching to fall freezing, so alternative inside venues, fireplaces, heated floors and the like are important items to check on.

The Décor

Decorating for a fall wedding is a delight, because the fabulous fall foliage presents nature's foundation. Fall themes can include . . . Halloween theme (complete with skeletons and spiders) Harvest theme with cornucopias, fruits, pumpkins (real or fake), gourds, wheat sheaves, dried fruits, and dried flower wreaths, turkey or pheasant feathers, jack‑o‑lanterns (real or fake), and paper bag luminaries. Fall Color Scheme using fall's traditional color of reds, oranges, browns and yellows can be mixed and matched with cornucopias, acorns, and leaves. Your florist can offer you a choice of fabulous fall flowers including, chrysanthemums, roses, Gerber daisies, yarrow, leaves, and berries.

Wedding Attire

The choice of seasons will influence your choice of clothing for the bride, et al. Ecru, cream, ivory and eggshell will harmonize with the fall color scheme, better than stark white. Bridesmaids will complement the theme deep gem stone colored dresses. The groom and his ushers can match their vests to the attendants' dresses. Fall is the time of year that a bride can move away from chiffons and lightweight fabrics and indulge herself with rich, luscious heavier‑weight fabrics such as brocades, satins and velvets. Weather is an important factor in selection of attire, because a sudden fall back to summer, hot day, can melt anyone who is overdressed. Wedding attire consultants advocate "flexible," styles, such as dresses with jackets, capes, shawls, scarves and the like that can be adjusted according to the ambient temperature

For bridal couple who want to involve their guests in the wedding theme, a costumed, Halloween wedding is the perfect choice. Guests and the couple can come costumed, and headgear or masks can be distributed at the entranceway. The kind of decor and party favors are, as you would imagine, seemingly limitless and, because Halloween is celebrated with such vigor, many items can be purchased at reasonable prices, giving a little help to your budget.

Fall Foods

You can choose to have a "seasonal" menu and serve a traditional fall dinner, roasted turkey with all the trimmings, right down to pumpkin pie for dessert, but of course, you can also choose from many other fall menu options, including pheasants, Cornish hens, roasted quail, or standing rib roasts. The food bonus for a fall menu is that you can select a heartier soup and/or appetizer, a heavier meat entree with sides of fall weight. Even presentation can be fall‑oriented with, for example, a creative chef use "bowls" of pumpkins shell, decorations of dried fruits and nuts, and cool‑weather beverages such as mulled apple ciders. The plentifully available apple can be the basis for dishes from soup, through dessert, through wedding cake. Even the wedding cake can take on a fall flavor, veering away from traditional summer cakes and selecting carrot, spice, apple, marzipan, pumpkin and nuts, in and on the cake.

The Trimmings

Inventive party favor designers get really creative manufacturing theme related items. Choose chocolate pumpkins and turkeys, to candied or caramel coated apples, maple syrup candles or syrup, local jarred honey and preserves, mini pumpkins, jarred ornamental multicolored corn, bagged bread‑baking flour and many other options. These decorative party favors will do double duty as thank you gifts and table decorations.

Finding a Unique Location in the Hudson Valley

Courtesy of HudsonValleyWeddings.com

judy@hudsonvalleyweddings.com

845.336.4705

When it comes to weddings, it's all about dreams. Many a bride and groom envision their wedding as a no-holds-barred, all-out affair in a location that oozes glitz and includes mirrors, chandeliers and lots of plush velvet. Certainly, there is a place for this traditional view of a reception venue and the Hudson Valley offers a variety of such places from which a bride and groom may pick.

Then too there are wedding couples for whom their dream is for a wedding site as far away from mirrors and chandeliers as they can get. It is these couples who are looking for the unusual, unique wedding venue. The Hudson Valley offers such couples a virtual smorgasbord of interesting locations from which to choose.

At the Belvedere Mansion, expansive lawns, tree stands and mountain views make up the surroundings. The present building was constructed on the stone foundation of a home that Mary Hastings' husband gave her as a wedding present in 1900. Its neoclassical style was the preferred taste in the first decade of 1900s. The Belvedere is an excellent example of that style. The house, its columns and gazebos are situated so as to dramatize its Hudson Valley setting. Belvedere means "beautiful view." The house has been known by that name since the early 19th century. In 1993 the interior of this great estate was restored to its grandeur and elegance. Reminiscent of the "Gilded age," it is lavishly decorated with 18th‑century French antiques and cloud-painted ceiling. Sumptuous silk and damask fabrics adorn the walls and vintage fixtures and lighting grace this fine home.

While still on the topic of fabulous old homes, couples can choose one of several historic sites to hold their wedding. Montgomery Place Historic Estate in Annandale‑on‑Hudson is an elegant estate, set high on a bluff that overlooks the Hudson River. It dates back to 1804 and is now a national Historic Landmark, which makes itself available for weddings.

Mount Gulian Historic Site in Fishkill is tucked away on twelve acres overlooking the Hudson River. It has an 18th century Dutch Colonial Homestead with a barn. The restored home served as a Revolutionary War Headquarters. The two museum rooms in the house are furnished with 18th and 19th century antiques and the reception room, boasts a working fireplace. The 1740's barn, still has its original wood plank floors and hand‑hewn beams, and can also accommodate a wedding with less that 150 for sit-down dinner.

If it's yesteryear that tempts a wedding couple, what better place to hold a wedding than a museum like the Museum of the Hudson Highlands in Cornwall‑on‑Hudson. Kenridge Farms appears much as it did a century ago, when it was a working farm famous for Black Angus cattle and thoroughbred horses. Cocktails are served in the galleries, which feature the work of regional artists. Dinner is al fresco or in a tent overlooking a 177-acre wildlife preserve.

Opus 40 in Saugerties is a must-see if "unique" is the core word. Called "One of the largest and most beguiling works of art on the entire continent," it boasts one of the most extraordinary pieces of sculpture ever created, spread out over more than six acres. Both beautiful and interesting, Opus 40 is far from the ordinary.

Many relationships are built on the love of a common interest, so a hobby-centered wedding venue may be the "unique" concept which they seek. If skiing and outdoor winter sports are "the ties that bind," then Ski Windham is a fabulous, alternative wedding location. With a magnificent backdrop, the verdant glory of a mountain summer, or the gorgeous golds and reds of a Catskill autumn, Ski Windham is a skiing couple's dream-come-true. If it is golfing that the couple shares, then The Garrison, in Garrison, described as a glory of land and view, is ideal. Lush, informal gardens punctuate the clubhouse grounds, as do old specimen trees. The panorama is the stuff that possessed the Hudson River School painters. The Garrison is a natural for a hobby-centered-wedding in a beautiful setting. The Links at Union Vale offer another golf location in a beautiful country setting with gorgeous views of the golf course. Throw in the spectacular sunsets and grounds for a unique wedding venue.

Couples might choose one of the Hudson Valley's many delightful Bed and Breakfasts for an intimate wedding. Caldwell House in Salisbury Mills was built in 1803 and is situated on three landscaped acres.

It is ideal for intimate weddings of up to thirty people. It has exquisite guest rooms with private baths and many creature comforts like VCRs and spa services. Sparrow Hawk Bed & Breakfast in Stone Ridge offers a 1770 nationally registered brick Colonial and five uniquely decorated spacious bedrooms, The grand room with 17 foot ceilings, windows on three sides, fireplace, and library add a modern touch to old world charm. The bluestone patio opens onto five majestic acres with hundred year old trees, nesting place for sparrow hawks and other birds. The Catskills to the west and the Shawangunks to the east are the backdrop.

Who would ever think that a couple would choose to be married in a barn. The Hudson Valley offers several barns which have been revamped to serve as unique, rustic settings for weddings. Starbarrack Meadows In Upper Red Hook is a perfect example. It is surrounded by rolling farmland, on a beautiful expanse of lawn with country gardens, this venue features 18th century Dutch and English barns. Settled in 1722 by Jacob and Margriet Drom, naturalist William Teator took over the homestead in the 1890s, where he grew blue‑ribbon apples that were shipped to Europe. A "starbarrack" was used as a covered area to store hay away from the farm. In 1986, the property became the summer home of the Schaff family. Today, historic barns, a stone summer kitchen, and a Victorian farmhouse dating back to the time of the Drom's and the Teator's grace the land, along with a small guest house for two.

For the couple who can't get enough of nature and her bounty, a vineyard in the Hudson Valley reinforces their feelings. Benmarl Vineyards claim to be America's oldest vineyard. They are actually holders of New York State Farm Winery license #1. Located in Marlboro‑on‑Hudson, the winery boasts lovely grounds, an outdoor patio and the Beaumont Mansion . . . endless possibilities to make a perfect wedding, in a location that combines old world charm in a natural environment. Benmarl is the home of "America's Romance Artist" Mark Miller and the site of his unique Gallery in a Vineyard. The artist's paintings, portraying people in love, are among the finest. This chalet‑style winery and adjacent buildings create an atmosphere of old world charm and include gorgeous Hudson River view.

If couples are looking for an off-land experience, then one of the Hudson Valley's yachts is the unique answer. North River Cruises is based in Saugerties. Its Motor Yacht "Teal" is docked at the Rondout in Kingston. Its simple elegance is reminiscent of the days when ships were built with rich woods and brass fittings. This genteel form of river travel, with all the amenities of a modern vessel, is a delightful offshore wedding venue in a totally unique setting. Hudson River Adventure's "Pride of the Hudson," departs from Newburgh Landing, in Newburgh and offers another yachting experience, an affair afloat. Your guests will share the sights and romance that a wedding aboard a yacht affords.

Even as we think we have pegged all the unique wedding venues in the Hudson Valley, yet another is brought to our attention. So here are a few more to choose from: a beach or park like the one at Kingston Point or in Saugerties, a garden, such as The Gardens at Catlin Creek (in Slate Hill), a castle such as the Castle at Tarrytown, a cave like the ones in Rosendale, a pavilion like the one at the Emerson Resort & Spa (Mt. Tremper), a zoo like the one at Forsythe Park in Kingston, an ice-skating rink like the newly built one in Saugerties. If the couple are still up in the air about finding the unique location, there always is a hot air balloon!