One of my favorite things about weddings is that I get to be around happy people ALL.THE.TIME.  Not only that, but it’s usually in some seriously beautiful places too!

I absolutely love photographing adventurous, fun loving couples — especially in the beautiful, picturesque Hudson Valley.

Today, I want to share my top 9 favorite Hudson Valley venues for all those couples out there who want to escape the typical ballroom venue.

These venues are absolutely breathtaking, creating the backdrop for some of the most incredible wedding day photos. Not only that, these venues take you outside of the ballroom and into the beautiful Hudson Valley nature, which is the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.

For those of you who just got engaged, CONGRATULATIONS! This must be such an exciting time in your lives! I hope this post helps you in your search for the perfect place for your next adventure.

If you have any questions, or you fall in love with any of these venues, I’d so love to chat with you! 

#1  – Red Maple Vineyard | West Park, NY

I have to say, Red Maple Vineyard might be one of my favorite venues of all time! To start, the views from the ceremony location are breathtaking. As far as you can see there are winding rivers, rolling hills and beautiful mountains. Throughout the property, there are so many amazing places to take photos. From the vineyards, to the secret garden to the swing on the old tree to the hilltop overlooking the valley to the old stone walls – every piece of this property is just waiting for amazing pictures!

The owners are so helpful and are there to make your wedding the best day possible. They feature an exceptional farm to table menu with ingredients sourced from local Hudson Valley farms and vendors. I just absolutely love businesses that support other small businesses!

For Kiren and Micah’s wedding, a wedding I photographed there in June 2018, the reception tent was set up so beautifully with string lights, flowers and other amazing decor – giving it a great post ceremony ambiance. I believe they have plans to do construction on the reception space after this years wedding season and I am SO excited to see what they will do to make this property even more dreamy. I have to say, Red Maple Vineyard is definitely on my dream list of places I want to get married one day!

Click the link below to see Kiren & Micah’s full post with all of their amazing photos from Red Maple Vineyard:

Wedding at Red Maple Vineyard | Hudson Valley Wedding | Kiren and Micah

Engagement Session at Red Maple Vineyard | Hudson Valley Photographer | Kiren and Micah

 

#2 – Blue Hill at Stone Barns | Tarrytown, NY

Previously owned by the Rockefeller family, Blue Hill at Stone Barns is one of the most beautiful venues I’ve ever been to! With over 100 acres of farmland and gardens, this beautifully maintained property is the perfect backdrop of any couples looking to escape the city.

The ceremony location here is in the courtyard in front of an old, beautiful tree. It is the cornerstone of the property. Cocktail hour is held in the vegetable garden which really makes it feel so intimate and connected to the land. Their farm to table menu is prepared by an award winning chef and is simply exquisite – a foodies dream! With views of the farm and gardens, Jaclyn and Colin’s portraits turned out to be stunning during the golden hour. Overall, this venue is just incredible!

Click the link below to see Jaclyn and Colin’s full post with all of their amazing photos from Blue Hill at Stone Barns:

Wedding at Blue Hill at Stone Barns | Hudson Valley NY Wedding | Jaclyn and Colin

#3 – Onteora Mountain House | Woodstock, NY

Onteora Mountain House, located in the Catskill Mountains, is an absolutely stunning venue with floor to ceiling windows looking out onto the beautiful mountain range. The couple is able to get ready in the home located on the property which is absolutely stunning.

When I shot Sarah and Ashton’s wedding there this summer, I felt like I was in a Costa Rican cloud forest. It was a misty, rainy day but the views were still absolutely magnificent. The house is nestled in the pines while the ceremony deck overlooks the entire mountain range. It is perfect for an intimate wedding with a maximum of 180 people. Perfect for outdoorsy, mountain lovers because you CANNOT beat these views! The venue is located in Boiceville, NY, the perfect city escape!

Click the link below to see Sarah and Ashton’s full post with all of their amazing photos from Onteora Mountain House:

Wedding at Onteora Mountain House | Hudson Valley NY Wedding | Sarah and Ashton

#4 – FEAST at Round Hill | Washingtonville, NY

FEAST at Round Hill is absolutely perfect for couples looking for an intimate space to host their wedding celebration.

The ceremony location is set next to a gorgeous old tree in the garden. Being surrounded by this tree canopy was a perfect symbol of bringing together to love of two people with their closest family and friends by their side. I have taken some of the most beautiful ceremony photos here at this tree with all four of the couples listed below!

The fields behind the venue make the perfect backdrop for bride and groom portraits, or if gardens are more your style, wandering  through the manicured gardens and water features is simply magical. The old mansion on the property is also great for fun getting ready photos with your bridesmaids or groomsmen! There are so many amazing features to this property which makes it a truly exceptional wedding venue.

Click the link below to see all four couples’ full wedding blog post from FEAST at Round Hill:

Wedding at FEAST at Round HIll | Hudson Valley Wedding | Amanda and Dan

Wedding at FEAST at Round Hill | Hudson Valley Wedding | Aimee and Matt

Wedding at FEAST at Round Hill | Hudson Valley Wedding | Sara and Josh

Wedding at FEAST at Round Hill | Hudson Valley Wedding | Dayra and Thomas

#5 – Mountain Springs Lake | Pocono Wedding

Now – Mountain Springs Like isn’t exactly in the Hudson Valley BUT because I love this venue so much, I had to include it on this list.

Mountain Springs Lake is the perfect venue for couples who love both mountains and lakes! The large property gives beautiful views of the surrounding hills and is especially stunning in fall when the foliage is at its peak.

One of the best parts about this venue is all the amazing little cabins. You can make your wedding weekend a retreat for you and your family because there is so much to do around the property (row boats, fire pits, sand volleyball, etc.). And best of all, the staff is amazing and is there to make sure you have the best event possible!  

Each piece of this venue makes it the perfect weekend wedding getaway for any bride and groom – especially those looking to escape the typical ballroom or city venue. I had the opportunity to shoot Kellie and Jeremiah’s wedding here last year and the photos are absolutely stunning. I can’t wait to be here again in fall 2018!

Click the link below to see Kellie and Jeremiah’s full post with all of their amazing photos from Mountain Springs Lake:

Wedding at Mountain Springs Lake | Hudson Valley Wedding | Kellie and Jeremiah

Dream Wedding Venues in Hudson Valley

In addition to my top 5 favorite Hudson Valley venues above, I have a few other venues in the Hudson Valley that I cannot wait to shoot at one day! Here are a few of the venues on my dream list for future couples and a little note about why I love them so much!

# 6 Mohonk Mountain House | New Paltz, NY

Mohonk Mountain House is something from a European fairytale. This Victorian castle is surrounded by over 40,000 acres of forest in the Hudson Valley. The photos of this property and absolutely incredible!

With beautiful views of the river valley and rolling hills, this venue is the perfect setting for any couple who dreams of having nature and historical beauty. The property has gorgeous gardens, waterside areas for portraits, and hiking trails that would be perfect for engagement sessions or weddings!

The following photos are courtesy of Jennifer Larsen

#7 Cedar Lakes Estate | Port Jervis, NY

What first started as a summer camp has blossomed into one of the most sought after venues in the Hudson Valley (and dare I say the East coast). The owners of Cedar Lakes Estate, Stephanie and Lisa, have done an incredible job designing this venue to be the perfect outdoor wedding experience for any couple who wants an unbelievably unique experience, gorgeous backdrop, incredible food, and magical scenery. They have two ceremony locations, one on the hilltop overlooking the Shawangunk Mountain Range and one that overlooks the lake surrounded by pines.

The reception space is a gorgeous timber and glass barn that is both rustic and elegant. This is another great place to host a weekend retreat with your family and friends in the Hudson Valley to celebrate your wedding!

Their style of weddings is to book the entire weekend there – hosting your wedding and rehearsal dinner here, as well as having your guests stay on the property in the cabins, the treehouse, or the lake cottages. (Which are all unbelievably dreamy.)  You can have your rehearsal dinner in the garden, followed up my movie night and a bonfire at the treehouse, and then continue your weekend with an unbelievable celebration on the property. This venue is sure to make any couple’s heart SING that loves the outdoors, food, and great design.

The following photos are courtesy of Jennifer Larsen Photography

#8 Red Tail Lodge at Mountain Creek | Vernon, NJ

Mountain Creek will always hold a special place in my heart. I grew up just down the road (and still live just down the road), spending hours everyday at this resort. In college, I actually had the opportunity to be one of the designers for Red Tail Lodge where they host wedding receptions. So, needless to say, I am very familiar with the venue, because I was on the design team!  I actually got to design the room where cocktail hours are held.

I cannot get over the incredible views from the ceremony location at the top of the mountain. Maybe it’s because it overlooks the place I’ve called home for nearly three decades, but it always fills me with a flood of emotion! And, any ceremony that requires you to take a chairlift or gondola to the top is alright by me! The views of the mountain range are just breathtaking and I am so excited to photograph a wedding here one day.

# 9 Bear Mountain Inn | Tomkins Cove, NY 

Situated in Bear Mountain State Park – Bear Mountain Inn has been a dream wedding venue of mine to shoot for years. I have done several engagement sessions here and have never been disappointed by the incredible views, amazing sunsets, and just spectacular surrounding area!

There are so many places here that are perfect for photos. The lodge and ballroom areas have the most elegant rustic feel about them, and for any couple adventurous enough to take a drive and 3 minute hike to my secret spot, the most spectacular views of the mountains surrounding await. I am dying for the day when I get to do bride and groom portraits at the top of the mountain overlooking the beautiful scenery below:

Bear Mountain Engagement Session | Hudson Valley Wedding Photography | Kiren and Micah

Bear Mountain Engagement Session | Hudson Valley Wedding Photography | Sarah and Ashton

Bear Mountain Engagement Session | Hudson Valley Wedding Photography | Ashley and Joe

Bear Mountain Engagement Session | Hudson Valley Wedding Photography | Brittany and Matt

Bear Mountain Engagement Session | Hudson Valley Wedding Photography | Alison and Alex

 

Planning Your Dream Hudson Valley Wedding

If you love any of these venues and are dreaming of these adventurous and romantic photos for your own wedding, then I’d so love to connect with you!

You can learn more about me here, but I am a New Jersey and Hudson Valley Wedding Photographer serving joyful, adventurous, fun-seeking couples in love – and I’d love to meet you and hear YOUR love story!

We are currently interviewing couples for the 2019 wedding season, with limited spots left!