The Three Best Wedding Venues in Ulster County, NY
What are the best wedding venues in Ulster County, NY?
The best wedding venues in Ulster County NY, at least for the NYC couples we work with, are Foxfire Mountain House, Full Moon Resort, and Inness. We DJ at all three constantly during wedding season. They're the three names we hear on almost every Hudson Valley discovery call.
Ulster County sits right on the line between two worlds. The Catskills are to the west: mountains, streams, cozy inns. The Hudson Valley is to the east: farms, orchards, and some seriously sleek modern design. Every corner of the county is within 2 to 3 hours of the city by car.
That drive is the sweet spot. Far enough that it feels like a real getaway. Close enough that your guests will actually show up. It's why so many couples turn their wedding into a full weekend.
People come up here for the fall leaves, apple and pumpkin picking, hiking, and small towns full of history. Your guests will want to stay an extra night. Let them.
Do NT Wedding DJs actually work in Ulster County?
Yes. Four of our DJs live in the Hudson Valley and Catskills. One of them lives in Saugerties, right here in Ulster County. They work these venues all the time because the venues are that popular.
We're preferred vendors at Foxfire Mountain House and Full Moon Resort, and we're at Inness very often too. So everything below comes from actually being there on wedding nights, not from a brochure.
1. Foxfire Mountain House (Mount Tremper, NY)
Foxfire is a bohemian country inn tucked on about 10 acres in the Catskills, near Woodstock and Phoenicia. It feels like a friend's very cool mountain house that happens to have a restaurant. If you want a cozy, intimate weekend with your closest people, this is the one.
We're proud preferred vendors at Foxfire, and our DJs are there all the time during wedding season.
What is a wedding at Foxfire Mountain House actually like?
It's warm, relaxed, and very personal. The main inn has been around for about 100 years, with stone fireplaces, vintage furniture, and a lot of character. You drive through winding forest roads, pass through the gates, and it immediately feels like you've left the city behind.
Most of your guests will spend the whole weekend together here. Couples tell us it doesn't feel like a wedding "venue." It feels like hosting a retreat.
How does the night flow at Foxfire?
Here's the typical wedding day, from what we see:
Ceremony in a field on the property, surrounded by trees.
Cocktail hour outdoors or in the Glass House, which has its own bar.
Dinner and dancing in a permanent heated tent with a gorgeous vintage tile floor.
Late night back in the Glass House for overnight guests after the reception wraps.
The reception typically ends at 11pm. That Glass House after party is where a lot of the best memories happen. Some couples do games, some do karaoke, some just hang out by the fire pits.
What should couples know before booking Foxfire?
It's a full buyout. You get the whole property from Friday at 4pm until Sunday at 11am, according to Foxfire's wedding page.
Guest count tops out around 140 for the ceremony and reception.
Overnight rooms fit about 38 guests across the inn and cottage. Everyone else stays in nearby towns.
All food comes from Foxfire's own kitchen. Their culinary team builds the menu with you, and couples rave about it.
A month of planner is required. Budget for one from the start.
The events team is great. Couples constantly mention how they felt like part of the "Foxfire family."
How much does a Foxfire Mountain House wedding cost?
Foxfire's pricing depends on your date, season, and guest count, and they share current rates directly with couples. Plan for the buyout, catering, and a required planner. For the DJ piece of your budget, expect $2,000 to $4,000.
2. Full Moon Resort (Big Indian, NY)
Full Moon Resort is over 100 acres of meadows, forests, and streams in the heart of the Catskills, about half an hour west of Woodstock. It's the move if you want a big, fun, everyone stays together weekend. Think summer camp for adults, but with really good food.
We're pre
ferred vendors at Full Moon, and our DJs are there a lot every spring, summer, and fall.
What is a wedding at Full Moon Resort actually like?
It's rustic but polished. Mountains rise up on every side, a creek runs right through the property, and there's a ton of space to spread out. Guests can swim, hike, sit by a campfire, or just hang out on the lawn between events.
The biggest perk is lodging. Full Moon can put up over 150 guests on site, with rooms ranging from simple country inn style to fancier cottages with views. When most of your people sleep in the same place, the whole weekend feels like one long party.
How does the night flow at Full Moon Resort?
Ceremony outside by the creek or in the lower glen, with covered backup spots if the weather turns.
Cocktail hour on the lawns under the maple trees.
Reception in the Moondance Pavilion or the Spruce Barn.
After party at the Roadhouse, a rustic little bar that guests always talk about afterward.
The Moondance Pavilion was built for weddings, so it's roomy and bright. The Spruce Barn is a renovated 1920s barn with big windows looking out over the valley. Both are great. It really comes down to whether you want airy or cozy.
What do couples say in Full Moon Resort wedding reviews?
A few things come up over and over:
The staff is amazing. The events team goes by the "Full Moon Fairies," and couples say they basically didn't have to think about anything.
The after party is a highlight. The Roadhouse wins a lot of guests over.
Dietary needs are handled well. Vegan, celiac, and allergy guests get taken care of.
Lodging takes planning. Even with that many rooms, bigger groups sometimes spill over into nearby inns. Book your room block early.
You can see more about the property on Full Moon's wedding site.
What should couples know before booking Full Moon?
Catering and bar are handled on site, from Friday barbecues by the creek to a formal dinner.
You can do a full weekend or a shorter event, like a single night or a Sunday wedding.
It works for small and very large weddings. This is one of the few places up here that comfortably handles a big guest list.
3. Inness (Accord, NY)
Inness is a modern country resort on about 220 acres between the Catskills and the Shawangunk Ridge. Rolling hills, gardens, a golf course, and clean, minimalist design everywhere you look. If your Pinterest board is more "sleek and calm" than "cozy cabin," start here.
Our DJs work at Inness very often during wedding season.
What is a wedding at Inness actually like?
It feels curated in the best way. Every detail, from the cabins to the dining room, looks intentional. Guests get a real luxury stay: a bathhouse with a sauna and steam room, pools, tennis, great food, and huge views of the ridge. Minnewaska State Park is just minutes away if people want a hike on Sunday.
It's the Hudson Valley side of Ulster County at its most polished. Quiet, beautiful, and very photogenic.
How does the night flow at Inness?
Welcome night somewhere on the property, since most guests arrive Friday and stay on site.
Ceremony outdoors with the mountains behind you.
Cocktail hour on the lawn or near the barn while the light gets golden.
Reception in the Event Barn, a bright, open space of about 4,000 square feet.
Late night and a slow Sunday morning, with guests walking back to their cabins.
Because everything is close together, moving guests from one part of the night to the next is easy. Nobody's hunting for a shuttle.
What should couples know before booking Inness?
Lodging is a buyout. Inness has 28 cabins and a 12 room Farmhouse, and weddings typically book all of them for two nights.
The Farmhouse sleeps about 24, which makes it perfect for close family and the wedding party.
All catering is handled by Inness.
It's a luxury budget. Worth knowing going in.
How much does an Inness wedding cost?
It's one of the pricier options in Ulster County. According to 2027 pricing reported by Tulle Together, the site fee is $40,000, the full room block is $45,000 per day with a two night minimum, and there's a $100,000 food and beverage minimum, plus gratuity, admin fees, and tax. Always confirm current rates with the venue.
How do the top Ulster County wedding venues compare?
Foxfire is the most intimate, Full Moon is the biggest and most social, and Inness is the most modern and luxe. Here's the quick side by side.
Foxfire Mountain House | Full Moon Resort | Inness | |
Town | Mount Tremper | Big Indian | Accord |
Side of the county | Catskills | Catskills | Hudson Valley / Shawangunks |
Vibe | Bohemian, vintage, cozy | Rustic, playful, summer camp energy | Minimalist, modern luxury |
Property size | About 10 acres | 100+ acres | About 220 acres |
Max wedding size | About 140 guests | Small to very large | Larger weddings in the Event Barn |
Overnight guests on site | About 38 | About 135 to 155 | 28 cabins plus 12 Farmhouse rooms |
Reception space | Heated tent with vintage tile floor | Moondance Pavilion or Spruce Barn | Event Barn |
Late night spot | The Glass House | The Roadhouse | On property |
Budget level | Mid to high | Most flexible | Luxury |
Best for | Intimate weekend retreats | Big, fun, everyone stays together weekends | Design lovers who want a polished stay |
Full Moon's per guest wedding packages have ranged from about $90 to $290 per adult depending on season and day of the week, per Tulle Together's venue pricing roundup. Always get current numbers from the venue.
Catskills or Hudson Valley: which vibe fits you?
Pick the Catskills if you want warmth. Fireplaces, creeks, wood beams, campfires, and a slightly wild mountain feel. Foxfire and Full Moon both live here.
Pick the Hudson Valley side if you want calm and clean. Big open views, gardens, modern architecture, and a spa weekend feel. That's Inness.
Neither is better. It's really about whether your dream weekend feels like a mountain lodge or a design hotel.
Hudson Valley wedding weekend guide: tips for planning from NYC
The couples who have the best Ulster County weddings plan the weekend, not just the day. Here's what we've seen work.
How should NYC couples handle guest travel?
Assume most guests will drive or rent a car. The trip is 2 to 3 hours, but mountain roads get dark and twisty at night.
Share a simple travel guide on your wedding website with drive times, parking, and the nearest train and bus options.
Train option: Amtrak runs up the Hudson to Rhinecliff, right across the river from Kingston. Guests will still need a car service from there.
Bus option: Buses run from Port Authority to towns like Kingston, Woodstock, and New Paltz.
Book a shuttle for the wedding night if a lot of guests are staying off site. It keeps everyone safe after the after party.
Should we plan a full wedding weekend?
Yes, if you can. All three of these venues are built for it. A classic weekend looks like this:
Friday: Welcome drinks or a casual barbecue.
Saturday: Ceremony, cocktail hour, reception, late night hang.
Sunday: A relaxed brunch before everyone heads home.
Guests who drive up for one night often wish they'd stayed two. Give them a reason to.
When is the best time to get married in Ulster County?
Fall is the peak. Late September through October brings the leaves, apple picking, and cool nights, which is exactly why those Saturdays book up first. Late spring and summer are gorgeous too, with long evenings and warm nights by the fire.
If you want a fall Saturday, start looking 12 to 18 months out.
What should we know about outdoor ceremonies in the Catskills?
Mountain weather changes fast. Always have a covered or indoor backup, and know exactly where it is before you book. All three venues have one.
Also think about timing. The sun drops behind the mountains earlier than you'd expect, especially in fall. Talk with your photographer about golden hour so you don't lose the light.
How do we keep the night flowing from ceremony to late night?
The best wedding nights feel like one smooth story. A few things help:
Keep walks short between the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception.
Give guests a heads up on the day's schedule so nobody wanders off.
Plan the late night spot ahead of time: the Glass House at Foxfire, the Roadhouse at Full Moon, or a spot on property at Inness.
Bring warm layers or blankets for fall nights. It gets cold up here after dark.
How does music shape the evening at an Ulster County wedding?
The music should sound like the two of you, not like the venue. Some couples want disco and funk all night. Some want indie and house. Some want a little bit of everything for different generations. There's no right answer, and a mountain setting doesn't mean you have to go folksy.
That's our whole thing: customized music, minimal announcements. After booking, you get a Music Worksheet to share what you love and what to skip. Then you hop on a planning call with your DJ a few weeks before the wedding. During dancing, your DJ won't say a word. You can read more about how it works on our services page.
How much does a wedding DJ cost in Ulster County?
A wedding DJ from NT Wedding DJs is $2,000 to $4,000. Ceremony and cocktail hour are included, not extra. Since four of our DJs live in the Hudson Valley and Catskills, you'll likely have a local option for your date.
FAQs about Ulster County wedding venues
What are the best wedding venues in Ulster County NY for NYC couples?
Foxfire Mountain House, Full Moon Resort, and Inness are the three our NYC couples book most. Foxfire is intimate and bohemian, Full Moon is big and social, and Inness is modern luxury.
How far is Ulster County from New York City?
About 2 to 3 hours by car, depending on which part of the county you're headed to and traffic getting out of the city.
How far in advance should we book an Ulster County wedding venue?
12 to 18 months for a fall Saturday. Peak foliage weekends go first. Off season dates and weekdays give you more wiggle room.
Which Ulster County venue has the most on site lodging?
Full Moon Resort. It can house well over 100 guests, so most of your people can stay together all weekend.
Are there good outdoor wedding venues in Ulster County?
Yes. All three venues here do outdoor ceremonies, from Foxfire's field to Full Moon's creekside spots to the mountain views at Inness. Just make sure you love the rain plan too.
Do you have DJs who live near Ulster County?
Yes. Four of our DJs live in the Hudson Valley and Catskills, including one in Saugerties. Every couple picks their DJ and usually meets them on Zoom first. You can meet the team here.
How much does a wedding DJ cost for an Ulster County wedding?
$2,000 to $4,000. That includes ceremony and cocktail hour.
Will the DJ make a lot of announcements?
No. Your DJ handles the necessary ones, like introductions and toasts, and then stays quiet once dancing starts. More answers are on our FAQ page.
Planning an Ulster County wedding?
Whether it's Foxfire, Full Moon, Inness, or somewhere else up the Thruway, we've probably danced there. And we'd love to help make your weekend feel completely yours.
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