New York and “rustic” might feel like two peas in separate pods, but it’s not the hundred percent concrete jungle you think of.
Scattered around the state are pockets of cozy, charming estates, and outdoors that make gorgeous barn- and countryside-inspired wedding venues.
1. Blue Hill at Stone Barns
Location: 630 Bedford Road, Tarrytown
Contact: +1 914-366-9600
Only 30 miles away from New York City is the Blue Hill at Stone Barns, a small farm and educational center that whips up plant-based menus. Food supplies are usually either home-grown or sourced from nearby farmers and pastures.
The wedding takes place outdoors, surrounded by plenty of greens, while the reception is usually within its castle-like restaurant.
It’s an intimate wedding place that can accommodate only up to 50 guests. Besides designing the menu, it can also offer distinctly memorable favors, such as honey, jam, tea blends, and herb candles.
2. Glenmere Mansion
Address: 634 Pine Hill Road, Chester
Contact: +1 845-469-1900
A combination of rustic and Gilded Age could be one for the books for any professional wedding videographer and couple. These two contrasting elements could elevate the aesthetics on your big day.
And the best venue for that is the Glenmere Mansion. Once a stately home by the affluent Goelet family, it is now a well-appointed luxury hotel with sprawling gardens and a winery.
In 2019, it opened the Barn in the Meadow that can accommodate up to 350 guests. Couples can choose the Glenmere Lake or the Hudson Valley as their ceremonial backdrop.
3. City Winery
Address: 155 Varick St, New York
Phone: +1 212-608-0555
A rustic wedding in the heart of NYC sounds impossible – unless you’re in City Winery. Above is a fully customizable mezannine and loft with its wooden floors and brick walls. The entire space can hold up to 400 people for a cocktail reception.
Only a few steps away from the Chelsea Market, the bar cum restaurant provides a gorgeous uninterrupted view of the Hudson River through its floor-to-ceiling windows.
4. Cedar Lakes Estate
Address: 1 Team Usa Way, Port Jervis
Phone: +1 845-533-3328
Weddings are stressful, so celebrating it in a private hideaway becomes a must-have. The right place to be is Cedar Lakes Estate.
About two hours away from NYC, the spacious greenery covers 500 acres dotted with views of the nearby rolling hills and mountains as well as the placid lakes.
Everyone can then enjoy a restful sleep in any of its bewitching accommodation options that range from a two-story farmhouse to a cabin by the lakeside, garden suite, and cottages.
5. Ithaca by Firelight
Nothing else spells an upgrade rustic wedding than to have it in the glamping grounds of Ithaca by Firelight.
Located in Upstate New York, it boasts a serene natural setting replete with trees and hiking trails. Couples and guests can lounge in luxe tents and dine on a full menu that can be gluten-free or vegan – guests’ choice.
If you’re planning a weekend wedding, the camp offers a variety of activities to keep everyone entertained and engaged. These range from kayaking at the Cayuga Lake to touring the surrounding wineries.
Indeed, there’s more to New York than meets the eye, especially when it comes to rustic wedding venues.
