City or Country
Whether you want to say “I do” in a secret garden or serve black-kale ravioli, there’s an option just around the block—or three hours upstate.
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The 1986
(Photo: Jason Walker/Ira Lippke Studios) |
Arty
City: The 1896
East Williamsburg
In 2007, Brooklyn-based sculptor Jen Durbin converted an electrical-conduit factory into a series of art studios that were quickly snapped up by painters, sculptors, and illustrators and rented by the Black Keys and Vanity Fair for shoots. Now three of the factory’s spaces are available for couples in search of a customizable blank canvas: a 1,500-square-foot outdoor courtyard that’s ideal for 200 people and two raw indoor spaces with brick walls, concrete floors, and steel beams. Rent one, two, or all three of the areas for a sprawling, 8,000-square-foot wedding for 300 guests (or more, if you get a permit) with catering from nearby Brooklyn restaurants.
14-hour events from $6,000, plus fees. 215 Ingraham St., at Stewart Ave.; 718-451-6531; the1896.com.
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(Photo: Benjamin Lozovsky/Courtesy of Storm King and Billy Farrel Agency) |
Country: Storm King Art Center
New Windsor, New York
After 55 years as the Hudson Valley’s most lusted-after wedding spot, the 500-acre sculpture park will finally allow ceremonies this spring. More than 100 permanent works from artists like Isamu Noguchi dot the partridge-pea and foxtail fields, and the center has designated four areas for private functions. Museum Hill might be the best of the lot, thanks to unhindered mountain views and Alexander Calder’s sheet-metal sculptures. Hold your ceremony among the cedar and sycamore trees, followed by a tented reception for up to 250 guests on the hill’s expansive lawns catered by Fresh Company.
Private events require membership (from $2,500), and there are additional site fees. 1 Museum Rd., New Windsor, N.Y.; 845-534-3115; stormking.org.
Foodie
City: The Smyth
Tribeca
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(Photo: Noah Fecks) |
Last fall’s mid-century-modern design refresh of the Smyth hotel included an 85-seat farm-to-table restaurant, Little Park, courtesy of chef Andrew Carmellini. His team also handles all hotel weddings, tailoring their veggie-centric menus to each couple’s taste. The Smyth’s 1,024-square-foot lower-level event space can fit up to 100 for dinner and dancing in its private nooks and banquettes. Ceremonies can be held there or in the Smyth’s den, which can be closed off for an intimate vow exchange beside the fireplace. Cocktails are crafted by Booker and Dax alum Anne Robinson, who uses housemade extracts like hopped grapefruit bitters, while the menu may include black-kale ravioli or Peconic Bay scallops with Gold Rush apple.
$8,000 food-and-beverage minimum and a $2,500 rental fee for the lower level. 85 W. Broadway, at Chambers St.; 212-587-7000; thompsonhotels.com.
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(Photo: Turnquist Photography) |
Country: Fish & Game
Hudson, New York
Housed in a former blacksmith shop along Hudson’s main strip, Fish & Game sources all the ingredients for its unfussy dishes from within 100 miles—the Platonic ideal for locavore brides and grooms. The entire restaurant is available for private events, and its rooms are decorated with kilim rugs and taxidermied ram heads. Start with seasonal passed bites in the lounge, where up to 50 guests can mill around before moving to the dining room for a multicourse dinner. The chefs are also happy to trot out a spit-roasted suckling pig, lamb, or goose, depending on availability. Guests can stay at one of downtown Hudson’s many boutique inns, like the Art Deco Barlow (from $150), within walking distance of the venue.
Prices upon request. 13 S. 3rd St., Hudson, N.Y.; 518-822-1500; fishandgamehudson.com.
Waterside
City: Grand Banks
Tribeca
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(Photo: Courtesy of the vendor) |
Two private events per month are allowed on the Sherman Zwicker, a 142-foot wooden schooner docked on the Hudson River. Built in 1942, the heavy-timber vessel was used to trade cod and salt through the Americas and found new life last summer as a floating oyster bar. Grand Banks can easily accommodate 150 seafarers on its old-growth-Canadian-fir deck: Champagne pours are served at the circular bar while a second hand-hammered-zinc bar holds silver platters of native Atlantic oysters. Commission a custom wedding cocktail, like gin and pineapple absinthe, that pairs well with Grand Banks’ Maine-lobster rolls for a maritime wedding toast, followed by dancing on the ship’s stern.
Prices upon request. A full buyout is required for a half-day or full day; from May through October. Pier 25 at Moore St.; 212-960-3390; grandbanks.org.
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(Photo: Sarah Tew) |
The Roundhouse
Beacon, New York
In the early 1800s, Beacon Falls, a 15-foot waterfall on Fishkill Creek, was built to power the Matteawan Manufacturing Company textile mill. Some two centuries later, the McAlpine family has adapted the historic factory complex into a 23-room, Rockwell Group–designed hotel with the falls in the foreground. Receptions are held in the 19th-century Waterfall Room, an industrial structure with exposed brick walls and the mill’s original pinewood beams that can accommodate up to 200 guests for dinner and dancing. A wraparound terrace overlooks Fishkill Creek, while floor-to-ceiling windows face Beacon Falls, which are lit at night.
Packages are from $175 per person for five hours, including an open bar, tableside wine service, and cake. For an additional $2,000, couples may hold a ceremony beside the falls. E. Main St., Beacon, N.Y.; 845-765-8369; roundhousebeacon.com.