Where to have a small wedding?
The rose garden in Schenectady's Central Park.
A crowd member approached us -- in real life! -- recently with a question about places to hold a small wedding ceremony in the Capital Region. She's looking for a pretty place to gather about eight or ten people for a small, quiet ceremony.
A few places that came to mind are after the jump. We're hoping you'll have some suggestions, too.
Washington Park in Albany
There's a little spot outside the boat house that overlooks the lake and is just big enough for a group of ten or less. Also, in tulip season, the beds on the Madison Avenue side of the park would be a pretty spot. Bonus -- it's free.
Riverfront Park in Albany
This is also a public area, so there's no permit necessary to hold a small wedding ceremony there.
Yaddo
The Yaddo Gardens in Saratoga Springs are beautiful, and hold a romantic history. We've seen weddings by the fountain, in the rose garden, under the rose trelace, on a balcony overlooking the gardens, and in the rock gardens. They suggest a donation of $250 for a wedding or $100 for a photo session and can accommodate groups of 75 or less.
Congress Park in Saratoga Springs
The Italian Garden (Spit and Spat) is our favorite spot, but there are lots of pretty places in Congress Park. There isn't a charge for use of the park, but you do have to reserve the space (you do that at The Canfield Casino in the park). They usually ask for a $1 million dollar liability insurance certificate, which should run you about $170. They told us the certificate can be purchased at wedsafe.com.
The Rose Garden in Schenectady Central Park
You need a permit for the rose garden, but they don't cost much. It's $25 per hour for non-residents and $10 per hour for Schenectady residents (with a driver's license).
We're guessing you have some good suggestions -- please share!
photo: Schenectady 2009
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Comments
Small to intermediate DIY wedding? Rent the Shaker Meeting House. We did this and it was amazing!
... said James at 43 on Mar 16, 2010 at 12:22 PM | link
My friend got married at Thatcher Park and I have never seen such gorgeous wedding photos. Also Grafton Lakes and Cherry Plain State Parks have some great spots and cheap pavillion rentals.
... said Kathleen on Mar 16, 2010 at 12:28 PM | link
Five Rivers in Delmar has some really nice spots. Especially one by their field area.
... said Max on Mar 16, 2010 at 12:32 PM | link
I recently performed a ceremony for two friends who finally got married on the Carousel at the NYS Museum. (Yes, in one of the tea cups.)
... said A Mistake on Mar 16, 2010 at 12:48 PM | link
@Mistake: Photos!?!
... said Greg on Mar 16, 2010 at 12:52 PM | link
We had our wedding ceremony in Washington Park, which may seem overly public, but was actually lovely and private. What about on top of the Corning Tower or outside of the NYS Museum on that lovely terrace? Or Dale Miller's terrace for that matter?
... said slilly on Mar 16, 2010 at 1:06 PM | link
There's a small greek-style tample outside Frear Park in Troy. It could fit about 20 people.
Saratoga Spa Park - my friend got married under one of the stone pavillions, and then had her reception at the Auto museum!
Bonus for a wedding at Congress Park - everyone can ride the carosell and get Ben and Jerry's afterwards!
... said Jessica R on Mar 16, 2010 at 1:14 PM | link
Peebles island in wateford has a park with picnic tables, and if you take a 15 minute walk to the south end of the island you have some wonderful views.
... said Carly on Mar 16, 2010 at 1:20 PM | link
Any idea on the time of year the wedding will be held?
The Appel Inn in Altamont is beautiful, especially in early fall.
Also, the Pruyn House in Colonie has amazing gardens.
... said abby on Mar 16, 2010 at 1:30 PM | link
A wedding DJ put together a good list of venues that welcome smaller weddings, including contact names and phone numbers, on Steve's blog:
http://blog.timesunion.com/tablehopping/11363/country-club-to-potential-customer-your-wedding-is-too-small/#comment-34663
Good luck!
... said Naomi on Mar 16, 2010 at 1:31 PM | link
I second the Pruyn house, their gardens are really awesome
http://www.pruynhouse.org/photo-gallery
... said Stef on Mar 16, 2010 at 2:34 PM | link
Thacher Park would be great.... oops. Paterson proposed to close it.
There are several reports of angry couples out there who MONTHS ago booked State park sites for their penny-pinching wedding receptions - now the state revoked those reservations. Several couples could not affor anywhere else.
Does anyone know how frustrating that may be to have picked a date, planned a wedding, and then sent out invitations to that wedding - only to have the reception canned? If this was a private venue there would have been several lawsuits by now.
... said daleyplanit on Mar 16, 2010 at 2:40 PM | link
My sister didn't get married at the Adelphi in Saratoga but had the reception there. They have a small courtyard that would probably be beautiful to get married in.
... said AJP on Mar 16, 2010 at 2:55 PM | link
I've been to a wedding at the Pruyn House and it was just lovely.
... said Amy on Mar 16, 2010 at 2:57 PM | link
I got married at yaddo. It is a beautiful spot. As the article points out, the location cost was a donation. How many people can say their wedding location cost was tax deductible?
... said Mr. Salamack on Mar 16, 2010 at 3:06 PM | link
My wife and I got married at Mabee Farm Historic Site in Rotterdam Junction - beautiful old Dutch barn and gardens.
http://www.schist.org/mabee.htm
... said Barold on Mar 16, 2010 at 3:52 PM | link
@Greg http://www.afutilemistake.com/2010/02/just-fun.html
... said A Mistake on Mar 16, 2010 at 4:24 PM | link
Saratoga State Park is gorgeous! The photos would rock.
... said Sara on Mar 16, 2010 at 5:48 PM | link
Being utter geeks about local history, we were married at the Ten Broeck Mansion. It was fabulous: They were very flexible and we used spaces both inside and outside the house.
... said StickFigureMan on Mar 16, 2010 at 6:07 PM | link
My fiance and I are in the process of planning our wedding. Here are some prices on some of the above listed locations...The Pruyn House charges $350 to have your ceremony near/in their garden, and it obviously cant be scheduled at peak times when other weddings are happening. Online, Dale Miller said their ceremony fee was $1500, but they were VERY accomodating and are only charging us a $500 fee to set up/take down the chairs. But, the price might be different if the reception isnt there as well. Both places were VERY accomodating and great to work with. Good luck!
... said Jill on Mar 17, 2010 at 11:00 AM | link
We were going to have our wedding in the garden behind Albany city hall...it's beautiful and free. However, the weather was horrible, so we ended up having our ceremony in the reception location- the 3rd floor of DeJohn's.
... said Summer on Mar 17, 2010 at 12:49 PM | link