wildflowers in the meadow at The Maples Estate in upstate new york
venue owners Louis and Katie on the veranda at The Maples Estate farmhouse in upstate new york

Who Are We?

Meet Katie & Louis – The Creators Behind The Maples Estate

We’re Katie & Louis, the husband-and-wife team behind The Maples Estate, a wedding venue designed for couples who crave a personalized, meaningful, non-traditional wedding experience.

We come from a world of creativity, design, and large-scale events—I’m an event producer, Louis is a project manager, and we’re both musicians (fun fact: that’s actually how we met, running a music and arts festival in New York’s Capital Region!).

Our shared passion for historic spaces, antique hunting, and seamless event execution naturally led us to create a venue that feels intentional, welcoming, and uniquely inspiring.

Why Did We Create The Maples Estate?

Like many of our couples, when we got married in 2016, we struggled to find a venue that allowed us to truly customize our wedding experience in a way that felt like us. We wanted flexibility, creativity, and the freedom to design a weekend-long celebration that focused on our loved ones, great food, and unforgettable moments—but it was nearly impossible to find.

That’s when we knew something was missing in the wedding industry. A different kind of venue was needed—one that allowed couples to break free from the traditional wedding mold and design something personal, immersive, and entirely their own.

A bride and groom excitedly departing their outdoor ceremony after getting married at The Maples Estate in upstate new york

An Experience That Feels Like YOU

We spent a year searching for the perfect property where we could not just host weddings, but create an environment that nurtures connection, creativity, and celebration. The Maples Estate was built with intentionality at its core—a place where every couple feels empowered to curate their own wedding weekend, free from rigid rules and restrictions.

We love working with couples who think outside the box—those who want their wedding to feel like a true reflection of their story, style, and personality. Whether you’re dreaming of a laid-back festival vibe, an intimate dinner under the stars, a weekend full of adventure, or a romantic garden-inspired affair, we are here to bring that vision to life.

With backgrounds in event design, large-scale production, and operations, we bring a calm, efficient, and creative approach to what can often feel like an overwhelming process. No idea is too big, too unconventional, or too "out there"—we thrive on helping couples create something extraordinary, deeply personal, and completely unforgettable.

So, how did we get into this? Through a curiosity to reimagine weddings, to dive into the deep end, and to create a space that feels as intentional and dynamic as the love stories it celebrates.

Let’s dream up something incredible together.

Values We Live By

The Maples Estate has a long history.

Learn more about the historic farmhouse and it’s inhabitants.

Venue Owners

  • Owner, Lead Planner, Visionary Behind The Maples Estate

    Hi, I’m Katie, and I love building unforgettable, deeply personal experiences that feel effortless and completely one-of-a-kind. I’m a planner, a doer, and a creative problem solver, always dreaming up new ways to make weddings fun, unique, and meaningful—all while ensuring every detail flows seamlessly behind the scenes.

    With a passion for event operations and design, I’ve spent nearly 20 years producing and facilitating large-scale events, from weddings and music festivals to corporate conferences, city-wide block parties, and craft markets. I thrive in high-energy, high-creativity spaces, and I bring that same calm, confident approach to wedding planning—so you can focus on celebrating, connecting, and fully enjoying every moment of your wedding weekend.

    Beyond events, I’m a musician and songwriter, performing as Bear Grass, and I have a deep love for historic spaces, antique hunting, and restoring beautiful places filled with character. Designing spaces, whether it’s a home, a venue, or a wedding, is something I truly love, and I bring that same artistic eye and intentionality into every wedding I help create.

    Whether you're dreaming of an intimate, design-forward celebration, an all-out weekend of fun, or something completely out of the box, I’m here to help bring your vision to life, beautifully, authentically, and with a touch of magic.

  • Owner, Grounds

    You’ll find me everywhere and anywhere during wedding weekends, making sure everything runs smoothly—from setting up tables and chairs to helping your grandma get to the perfect ceremony spot to keeping the campfire burning long into the night.

    As a hands-on project manager, I handle all things property maintenance, logistics, and behind-the-scenes magic—mowing fields, tending to the trees, and ensuring every detail of the estate is in top shape so you and your guests can simply relax and enjoy. During your wedding weekend, I’m here to lend a hand to vendors, solve last-minute hiccups, and keep things flowing seamlessly. My goal? To make sure your weekend feels effortless and full of joy.

    Outside of weddings, I’m a musician (I play trumpet and accordion, and honestly, anything else I can get my hands on!), and I love meeting new people, sharing stories, and being part of unforgettable celebrations.

    Whether you need a last-minute problem solver, a friendly face to check in with, or someone to make sure your wedding weekend is as fun, stress-free, and memorable as possible—I’ve got you covered.

Meet the Team

  • By day, I’m a marketing and communications professional, and by night (and weekends!), I step into the world of event coordination, helping to bring incredible wedding experiences to life at The Maples Estate.

    With a background in branding, PR, design, and event planning, I thrive on organization, logistics, and all the little details that make weddings feel effortless and special. My role is to ensure that your vision is executed seamlessly, so you and your loved ones can fully relax and enjoy every moment of your wedding weekend. Whether it's troubleshooting behind the scenes, making sure the timeline stays on track, or adding those last-minute finishing touches, I’m here to keep everything running smoothly.

    When I’m not coordinating weddings, I’m likely watercolor painting, quilting, or baking—or spending time with my Morgan mare, Velcro, competing and volunteering at local equestrian events.

    I can’t wait to be a part of your wedding weekend, supporting you every step of the way and making sure your day is as stress-free and magical as possible!

  • I’m so excited you’re here! My goal as a wedding coordination assistant is to ensure that every detail aligns perfectly with your vision—so that your day feels as seamless, beautiful, and uniquely you as possible.

    I thrive on problem-solving, organization, and creativity, making sure everything behind the scenes runs smoothly so you can focus on celebrating. Whether it’s adjusting last-minute details, setting up decor, or keeping the day on track, I’m here to help make your wedding stress-free, relaxed, and full of unforgettable moments.

    When I’m not helping at The Maples Estate, you can find me spending time outdoors with my family, reading, sewing, or diving into DIY projects. I love getting hands-on with creative ideas, which makes working in weddings a perfect fit!

    I can’t wait to be part of your wedding weekend and help make it everything you’ve dreamed of!

“If only all venues, planners, and event runners were as thorough and easy to work with!”

Chuck, Hot Club of Saratoga

Featured

Where Do We Stay During Wedding Season?

In Our Off-Grid Skoolie! 🚌

Yep, you read that right—we live in a converted Blue Bird school bus during wedding season! Our off-grid skoolie allows us to be onsite for anything you need, ensuring every detail of your wedding weekend runs seamlessly while also aligning with our commitment to sustainability.

Our bus is fully equipped with a solar-powered energy system, a composting toilet, and an efficient water setup, making it an eco-friendly home on wheels. Living onsite not only allows us to reduce our carbon footprint, but it also means we can provide seamless coordination, vendor management, and last-minute problem-solving without relying on additional transportation.

Don’t worry—we know when to stay out of the way so you can enjoy your privacy. But when your event is underway, we’re just a step away, ready to handle anything that comes up so you can relax and celebrate.

We spend spring, summer, and fall in our skoolie, embracing a low-impact, sustainable lifestyle while running The Maples Estate. When winter rolls in, we cozy up in the 1855 colonial farmhouse, stretching our legs and dreaming up even more ways to make The Maples Estate an intentional, eco-conscious, and unforgettable place to say ‘I do.’

Venue owners Louis and Katie seated outside their skoolie at The Maples Estate
Russian Sage Plant at The Maples Estate

Ready To Learn More?