How To Choose The Hudson Valley Wedding Venue That’s Right For You
The Hudson Valley region is home to stunning views, scenery, and rich history, with a variety of wedding venues to choose from. From large catering halls to intimate barn weddings, how do you decide what’s right for your big day?
When couples begin planning their wedding in the Hudson Valley, oftentimes the first wedding vendor they choose after setting their wedding date is their venue. With dozens- if not hundreds- of venues spanning from just outside New York City to the Capital Region, the Catskills to Connecticut, and everything in between. Here’s how to narrow down your search for your perfect Hudson Valley wedding venue, and to check another box off of your wedding planning to-do list!
1. Find The “Vibe” You’re Looking For From Your Venue.
The Abbey Inn & Spa in Peekskill, NY.
It’s all about the vibe! What’s your style? Are you picturing a more bohemian-style indie wedding in an open field admiring the Hudson Valley views? Or are you yearning for an upscale industrial vibe? Or is the company of your wedding more important to you than your aesthetic? One tip is to create a mood board for your big day using sites like Pinterest to help nail the feel you’re going for. Below are a few Hudson Valley wedding venues with different styles that might fit you.
2. Get A Headcount For Your Guest List.
While you might be dreading deciding which of your old coworkers or friends of friends from college to invite, it’s important to have a rough idea of how many people will be attending your wedding to determine if the venue you’re considering will be able to accommodate your party. Are you planning a more intimate wedding with less than 100 people to enjoy the company of close family and friends? Or are you planning an all-out New Year’s Eve wedding with 300 attendees? On average, most weddings have 150 total attendees. If you’re planning to have a larger wedding party, you may be limited to catering halls and larger venues such as The Grandview on the Poughkeepsie Waterfront.
3. Remember The Weather: Plan for the Rain.
The beauty of having your wedding in the Hudson Valley is that you have four unique seasons to choose from! This can be a contributing factor in deciding which venue you might want to choose. The flip side to this of course, is the dreaded word no couple wants to hear on their wedding day: rain. Unfortunately, despite all the planning in the world there’s no stopping Mother Nature!
My best advice for this: fall in love with the inclement weather ceremony space at your wedding venue. That way, rain or shine, you’ll be over the moon with your wedding space regardless of the weather. Some Hudson Valley wedding venues might have a gorgeous outdoor space, but their indoor “backup” space might be lacking what the desired vision is for your big day. For this reason, it’s best to pick a venue that you love both indoors & outdoors
Here are a few of my personal favorite Hudson Valley wedding venues that have both stunning outdoor & indoor ceremony spaces.
The Roundhouse - Beacon, NY
No surprise here, but topping my list for one of the best indoor Hudson Valley Wedding spaces is the Roundhouse in Beacon, NY. Featuring floor-to-ceiling windows and an expansive ballroom area, even on a rainy day, you’ll still have abundant natural light for wedding photos.
Senate Garage - Kingston, NY
Keeping with the theme of industrial vibes, The Senate Garage in Kingston, NY is another popular choice for Hudson Valley Weddings with aesthetic indoor & outdoor spaces for your wedding ceremony.
Factoria at Charles Point - Peekskill, NY
If natural light and river view are your desired look for your wedding ceremony, look no further than the Factoria at Charles Point in Peekskill, NY. The best part - their ceremony space is 100% indoors so no matter the weather, your ceremony photos will be on point.
Vendors & Venue: A Match Made In Wedding Heaven?
Once you’ve settled on a venue, oftentimes the next item on the wedding planning checklist is finding all your Hudson Valley wedding venues. Your wedding photographer, wedding videographer, entertainment, and more.
Generally, a good idea is to reach out to your contact at your wedding venue to find what vendors they would recommend. Often times venues have several “go-to’s” to pick from that they have a working relationship with, and that are already familiar with your venue.
Are you looking for a Hudson Valley wedding videographer already familiar with your venue? Look no further! Hudson River Weddings has shot hundreds of weddings in the Hudson Valley, and odds are we have shot at your venue before. Contact us to learn about how we can film your Hudson Valley wedding!
