The four best Catskills wedding venues for NYC couples
When New York City couples think about getting married upstate, most of them picture the Hudson Valley first, which makes sense, it's straight up north along the Hudson River and it's gorgeous. But a lot of those same couples end up having their wedding in the Catskills, and honestly, we get it!
The Catskills sit a little further north and a little more west. Some towns, like Woodstock, sit right on the line between the Catskills and the Hudson Valley, and some Catskills wedding venues are so far west they're almost in Binghamton. What you'll find out here is barns, open fields, creeks, mountains, and a whole lot of nature. There are few places in the country more beautiful than the Catskills!
We DJ a lot of weddings at the venues below, and with four DJs living in the area, we're probably the DJ team that works at them the most. So this guide is what we've seen firsthand, weekend after weekend.
Why are NYC couples choosing the Catskills over the Hudson Valley?
Because it feels like a real getaway. The Catskills are more secluded, more mountain, more "we're actually away from the city now," and the vibe is relaxed and nature forward.
Here's what couples tell us they love:
It feels like a destination wedding without the flights. Most venues are about two to two and a half hours from Manhattan.
The venues are built for weekends. A lot of places have lodging on the property, so your people stay together all weekend.
Fall is unreal. Leaves turning, crisp nights, apple picking, pumpkin picking. So cool!
It's rustic in the best way. Barns, meadows, fire pits, creeks, not a ballroom in sight.
If you want a wedding where guests show up Friday and don't want to leave Sunday, getting married in the Catskills is a great call.
What are the best Catskills wedding venues?
These are our four favorite Catskills wedding venues. Each one has its own personality, and we've seen each of them pull off incredible weekends.
The Arnold House (Livingston Manor)
An Arnold House wedding is basically a whole weekend party on a mountain. It sits on Shandelee Mountain in the Southern Catskills, a little over two hours from midtown Manhattan, and the whole place is built around keeping your crew together.
What couples love:
Their Friday to Sunday weekender package covers a Friday night welcome gathering, the ceremony and reception on Saturday, and a farewell brunch on Sunday
The Greenhouse is filled with over 150 tropical and exotic plants, and the Barn has a more playful, rustic feel, and you can use one or both
There are 16 guest rooms, a pool, the Tavern restaurant, gardens, and hiking trails
They have a mobile pizza oven that guests go crazy for
Good to know: peak season runs mid May through the end of October with a 120 guest minimum and 200 guest max, and off season (November to mid May) caps at 90 guests.
For your guests' Saturday morning, the Arnold House team can set up things like baseball in the meadows, fly fishing, canoe races on Shandelee Lake, brewery tours, and even a visit to a local alpaca farm. You heard that right, alpacas!
Check out their wedding page at The Arnold House.
Handsome Hollow (Long Eddy)
Handsome Hollow is the dreamy barn wedding you've seen on Pinterest, but in real life. It's a 93 acre property of fields, forest, and mountain views with a restored 18th century Amish barn and a 100 year old farmhouse, tucked between the Hudson Valley and the Delaware River Basin.
What couples love:
Three ceremony spots: a fern forest clearing, a wildflower field with mountain views, or inside the ruins of an old stone wall enclosure
The barn at night with string lights everywhere, it glows
It feels completely hidden away, like your own private valley
The barn seats up to 150, so it's great for couples who want a medium sized wedding that still feels intimate. The farmhouse is perfect for getting ready and hanging out the night before.
Take a look at Handsome Hollow.
Full Moon Resort (Big Indian)
If you have a big guest list and want everyone together all weekend, Full Moon Resort is your spot. It has over 100 acres of meadows, forests, and streams, a year round heated pool, and lodging options for your whole group.
What couples love:
The Moondance Pavilion was built in 2018 specifically for wedding receptions and handles anywhere from 60 to 350 guests
The Esopus Creek runs right through the property, and it's so pretty
There's a spot called the Roadhouse for the after party
Friday night barbecues and Saturday morning field games are a big tradition here
It's about a half hour west of Woodstock and roughly two and a half hours from NYC, and about 10 minutes from Belleayre Mountain.
Learn more at Full Moon Resort.
North Branch Inn (North Branch)
A North Branch Inn wedding feels like old school Americana in the coolest way. It's small, it's charming, and the food is a huge deal here.
What couples love:
Ceremonies in the Lower Fields, cocktails in the Gardens and Pavilion, then dinner cooked over an open fire
Late night bites and bowling on lanes that are over 100 years old. Your guests will talk about this forever!
Seven acres sitting between two creeks, with 14 guest rooms that sleep about 30 people
It hosts up to 125 guests, so it's ideal for couples who want a smaller, food focused weekend with their favorite people.
See their wedding info at The North Branch Inn.
How do these Catskills weekend wedding venues compare?
Venue | Town | Drive from NYC | Guest count | Onsite lodging | Vibe |
The Arnold House | Livingston Manor | About 2 hours | 120 to 200 (peak season) | 16 rooms | Mountain retreat, barn plus greenhouse |
Handsome Hollow | Long Eddy | About 2 hours | Up to 150 seated | Farmhouse | Hidden valley, classic barn |
Full Moon Resort | Big Indian | About 2.5 hours | 60 to 350 | Lodging for the whole group | Big, full resort weekend |
North Branch Inn | North Branch | About 2 hours | Up to 125 | 14 rooms | Intimate, food focused, Americana |
How do you plan a full Catskills weekend wedding for your guests?
Plan three simple moments and let the region do the rest. Your guests are driving two plus hours, so give them a reason to stay the whole weekend.
Friday: welcome dinner. Keep it casual, think barbecue, pizza, drinks by a fire.
Saturday morning: something outdoors. A group hike, a farm visit, apple picking, lawn games, coffee on the porch.
Saturday night: the wedding.
Sunday: brunch. Everyone's tired and happy, and it's a sweet way to say goodbye.
Tip: don't overschedule Saturday morning. Give people one optional activity and let everyone else sleep in.
When is the best time for a fall wedding in the Catskills?
Late September through mid October is peak season, and it books up fast. That's when the foliage is at its best and the weather is usually comfortable during the day.
What to expect:
Nights get chilly in the mountains. Tell your guests to pack layers, and think about blankets or fire pits for cocktail hour.
Foliage timing shifts a little every year, so don't plan everything around one exact weekend.
Late spring and summer are beautiful too, with everything lush and green, and some couples like the longer daylight.
Fall is also when apple picking and pumpkin picking are in full swing, which makes your Saturday morning plans easy.
How should the night feel from cocktail hour to last dance?
Think of the night in phases, and let your music follow your taste the whole way through. We don't pick music based on the venue, we pick it based on you, because every couple is different.
Ceremony: meaningful to the two of you, whatever that sounds like.
Cocktail hour: relaxed and warm, so guests can talk, grab a drink, and take in the view.
Dinner: a step up in energy but still easy.
Dancing: this is where it opens up, and the energy builds naturally as the night goes on.
That's the whole idea behind how we work. Customized music. Minimal announcements. Your DJ makes the necessary announcements, like introductions and toasts, and then gets out of the way so the night is about your people, not the DJ.
What logistics should you plan for a remote upstate wedding?
Plan transportation and lodging early, because these venues are out in the country and that's part of the charm.
Book room blocks early. Onsite rooms go first, then nearby inns and rentals.
Get a shuttle. A lot of your NYC guests don't own cars, and nobody wants to drive dark mountain roads after an open bar.
Cluster your lodging. If guests stay in a few spots close together, shuttle runs are way simpler.
Cell service can be spotty. Send guests directions and the schedule ahead of time so nobody is stuck without a signal.
Plan for Friday traffic out of the city. Suggest guests leave early.
Book vendors who actually know the area. Travel time, load in, and timing are all different up here.
Want extra fun for your guests? We also offer photo booths for Catskills weddings.
How much does a Catskills wedding DJ cost?
Most wedding DJs in the area run $2,000 to $4,000, depending on your timeline and what you need for the day. You can see what's included with us on our services and pricing page.
When you're hiring a Catskills wedding DJ, ask if they've worked your venue before. It makes a real difference in how smoothly the weekend runs.
FAQs about getting married in the Catskills
What is the best time of year for a Catskills wedding?
Late September through mid October, for the foliage and comfortable weather. Late spring and summer are great too if you want lush green everywhere.
How far in advance should we book a Catskills wedding venue?
Most popular venues book 12 to 18 months out, especially for fall Saturdays. Lock in your venue first, then lodging.
How do we get guests to a remote Catskills venue?
Book room blocks early and hire a shuttle between lodging and the venue. It keeps everyone safe and nobody has to worry about driving.
Can we plan a full weekend of activities?
Yes! Welcome dinner Friday, a hike or farm visit Saturday morning, the wedding Saturday night, and brunch Sunday is the classic Catskills weekend.
Which Catskills venue is best for a big guest list?
Full Moon Resort handles the biggest groups, with receptions up to 350. The Arnold House goes up to 200 in peak season.
How much should we budget for a wedding DJ in the Catskills?
Plan for $2,000 to $4,000, depending on your timeline and needs.
Do you DJ weddings at these Catskills venues?
Yes, a lot! We work at The Arnold House, Handsome Hollow, Full Moon Resort, and North Branch Inn all the time. We have four DJs who live in the Catskills/Hudson Valley You can find more answers on our FAQ page.
Planning your Catskills wedding?
We'd love to hear about your weekend. Let's talk about what you are envisioning for the night.
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