Small Wedding Venue in Upstate New York
We absolutely love hosting “micro” or small weddings!
While some venues do not allow micro events onsite, we happen to LOVE hosting small weddings at our venue in upstate New York!
We love them so much that we even have a special micro wedding package just for these small wedding gatherings of 30 guests or less. Micro Weddings have so much personality! I know, it can be hard to narrow down that guest list and define who your closest friends and family are…but the reward is so great! Let’s be honest, small weddings are not for everyone; but for those of you that are looking to enjoy quality time with each and every one of your guests, and find every opportunity to showcase your personality, micro / small weddings can be a huge perk!
Take Jennifer and Dan for example, pictured above with their 21 person guest list. This Seattle couple had been together for over 15 years and believe it or not, their families had never met each other. They wanted their wedding to not only be a celebration of their love, but also an opportunity for their families to get to know one another. That can be pretty hard to accomplish when you have 150 guests. Considering their family was all on the east coast and they were living on the west coast, it was also an opportunity to spend quality time with each of their guests. They also hated the idea of a traditional wedding and wanted to showcase their personalities in every aspect of their wedding. You can read more about Jennifer & Dan’s wedding, and view pictures HERE.
So, what are the benefits of a micro / small sized wedding guest list?
Quality time with each of your guests
With a small guest size you will have every opportunity to engage directly with ALL of your guests. No more running around to every table for a quick hello before you are off to the next, you can sit and relax, chat and make the celebration exactly what you want it to be.
Can be more relaxed and less formal
Managing 100+ guests means you should probably stick to the schedule. With a smaller guest list you have the ability to be more flexible in your timeline, but also in the way you choose to celebrate.
More opportunities and spaces to celebrate
A smaller guest list means more spaces that can fit your event. At The Maples Estate, we can host different events in different spaces throughout the property, all depending on the guest size. With a small wedding, you can celebrate anywhere across the estate!
Your budget can stretch further
Less guests means less stuff! While the price of your photographer, DJ, or wedding planner may not change, the number of tables and chairs, plates, florals, linens, quantity of food, etc. may! Think about what items are important to you, splurge there and cut back elsewhere.
You can inject your personality into every aspect of the wedding
With a smaller wedding guest list, there is more opportunity to get creative! You can cut the traditional wedding timeline and make it whatever you want it to be. Jennifer and Dan decided to forgo a sit down dinner and instead they arranged for vintage lounge seating to make for a less formal environment with an outdoor living room. Together we created a weekend of events that suited not only their personalities and interests, but also those of their guests.
If micro weddings are that great, why would a venue stray away from weddings of this size?
Many traditional wedding venues have required guest minimums because they need to earn a certain dollar amount back in catering and rentals. They may also have extensive lodging on site that needs to be filled for all their weddings. This business model is the model that works best for them, but here at the Maples Estate we never lock our couples into specific caterers or minimums. We love that every event is different, so we allow you to work with the vendors of your choosing, and match your selections and guest size with the specifics of your event(s).
If you are looking to host a micro / small wedding at The Maples Estate, get in touch!
We would love to answer any questions you may have and schedule a tour, either in person or virtually!
More planning inspiration!
Spring Wedding Inspiration!
Spring is here!
Though it’s not quite 75 degrees and sunny every day yet, we are dreaming of late spring where the flowers are blooming and wedding season is in full swing!
The estate is thawing out from the freeze of winter, so we thought we would share some spring wedding inspiration to get your creative juices flowing! This photoshoot with Jessie Casey was a dream in early May when the lilacs were in bloom and the trees had just popped!
Would you believe that these two had JUST had their first baby!! Spring is such a special time for starting fresh and waking up from that winter slumber!
Are you dreaming of an early spring wedding with pops of color and a full weekend to explore upstate NY with all your closest friends and family? We are booking 2023 dates and would love to show you around the estate before wedding season is upon us! Contact us today!
The incredible vendor team!
Venue + Planning and Design + Decor: The Maples Estate
Photographer: Jessie Casey Photography
Floral Design: Flower Scout
Hair & Makeup: Fire + Ash
Desserts: The Carrot Barn
Food Truck Tips & Tricks!
Do you dream of having a food truck at your wedding?
Food trucks can be an incredible way to showcase your personality and add an element of FUN!
We LOVE food trucks! There are however some key items to note when booking a food truck for your wedding celebration. Here are some helpful tips and things to think through before booking, so your wedding runs smoothly and your guests leave full and happy!
Confirm your guest size with the company ahead of time
You will want to ensure that the company you hire can serve ALL your guests, and in a timeframe that is acceptable. Sometimes food trucks will have a limit on the number of guests they are able to serve in a reasonable amount of time. You don’t want your guests to wait in long lines or stand around for hours waiting to eat.Consider having more than one food truck
Why not give your guests options? If you have two or three food trucks, you can accommodate any guest’s dietary restrictions, limit the number of guests the food trucks have to feed, reduce lines and wait times. Keep in mind that guests may want to try different trucks, so it might be helpful to have quick bite sized samples available or even stationed food so guests can try each truck.
Limit the number of items on the menu
Many food trucks have a lot of options on their menu. Sounds great! But logistically that can be a nightmare when prepping food for a large number of guests. Consider limiting the menu to 3 or 4 items so guests still have options, but the chef can prepare accordingly.
Place orders before your wedding
Consider having guests place orders ahead of time either in their invitation or through a google form. This way the chef can prep meals ahead of time, note any dietary restrictions, and order the correct amount of ingredients so they don’t run out of that favorite item! If you don’t want to arrange ahead of time, maybe check in with guests when they arrive on site so there is at least some additional time for the kitchen staff to prep.
What other items do they offer as part of their packages? Bar? Cocktail Hour Bites? Dessert?
Do you want to have food available at your cocktail hour? What about beer, wine or liquor? Dessert? Confirm ahead of time what the food truck is able to offer. Whatever they do not offer, you will need to arrange through another vendor. Tip: Arrange for some stationed items to be placed around the reception so your guests can graze on these items first, allowing those long lines to ease at the start of dinner.
Do they have support staff? Do they provide plates, silverware, linens?
Full service caterers may be more expensive upfront, but they also come with staff, can provide bar services, dessert, arrange linens, plates, utensils, etc. so you know all things food and beverage are taken care of. Some food trucks may offer these items but some may not. Confirm ahead of time what is included in the price. Do they set the tables for you when they arrive, or have linen rentals available? Do they have plates and utensils, napkins? Do they have support staff that will help serve the food? What about cleanup after the dinner service? These are all items you can arrange for through other companies if they do not provide them, but it may be slightly more work to manage all those additional items. Something to consider before booking.
Do you need servers?
Do you want your guests waiting in lines for food? If not, you may want to confirm if the company has servers that can bring the food to your guests. If they do not, there are event staffing companies listed on our vendor list that can arrange these services.
Confirm their power and water requirements
Do they run off of a generator? Do they need power or water hookups? We have power and water available as needed but this is a great perk of a food truck! They are often self contained and therefor you will not need to provide a catering tent or additional equipment for them. They may even have a generator and water storage on the truck so that means more power for your other vendors!
Confirm their truck can make it up a hill!
Our estate has some hills and the access road to the reception paddock may not be ideal for some trucks. Before booking, confirm if the food truck can make it up and down a slight incline.
Again, we LOVE food trucks, but they are not often full service operations. They can be really fun options though and totally worth a little extra effort!! It’s best to get some questions answered ahead of time to determine if it’s the right fit for your wedding, and any hidden costs that you may not be thinking of before you book. We want to ensure that your guests will leave full and happy and that you are stress free leading into your wedding weekend!
What's the deal with alcohol for my wedding weekend?
New York State requires that all events at an establishments such as ours, hold a permit in order to consume alcohol.
You have a few different options to choose from depending on your preferences for consumption throughout your weekend long event.
You can learn more about the different SLA permit types and apply HERE.
WORK WITH A LICENSED CATERER OR BAR
Hire a business that holds a ‘Catering Permit’.
Ask your caterer if they are able to provide alcohol for your event. If they are, this is the easiest option. The other option is to contact a bar service that has the ability to serve off premise with use of a catering permit.A Catering Permit is a one-day permit that authorizes currently licensed on-premises retailers to provide alcoholic beverages at specific, private events located off the premises. The applicant must provide food, in addition to alcoholic beverages at the event.
WORK WITH A MOBILE BAR
Hire a business that holds liquor liability insurance. Apply for a special event permit through the New York SLA
If you are looking to hire a fun mobile bar or bar cart for your wedding with bartending service included, confirm if the bar service holds a liquor permit. Most mobile bars will hold liquor liability insurance only and will require that you arrange a temporary one-day beer and wine permit either on your own, or directly through them. They will most often ask you to arrange alcohol on your own and they will just serve it for you and monitor the consumption of your guests. There are a lot of mixed opinions from these companies around the need for a permit, however the NY SLA does require that events on our premise hold a liquor permit, so you must arrange a special event permit through the SLA either through the mobile bar service you hire, or on your own.A One-Day Beer and Wine Permit, also known as a Temporary Beer, Wine and Cider Permit, authorizes the sale and consumption of wine, beer or cider at retail for consumption at a gathering for a period of 24 hours. As of April 2024, liquor was added for consumption under this permit.
PROVIDE ALCOHOL YOURSELF & WORK WITH A BARTENDING SERVICE
Secure a special event permit through the New York SLA
You can apply for a special event permit yourself and have beer, wine and cider available for consumption at your event(s). This is a 24 hour license that costs $36 per bar. This means you can stock your own alcohol through a licensed distributor. We do require that you hire a bartender for events over 25 guests to serve alcohol and monitor consumption. Keep in mind that most bartending services do not include setup and breakdown of the bar and do not often provide garnish, ice, mixers, etc. so you will need to arrange for that yourself.A One-Day Beer and Wine Permit, also known as a Temporary Beer, Wine and Cider Permit, authorizes the sale and consumption of wine, beer or cider at retail for consumption at a gathering for a period of 24 hours. As of April 2024, liquor was added for consumption under this permit.
More wedding planning inspiration from The Maples Estate!
Alcohol Items of Note
If you are looking to have liquor served at your event, you must work with a business that holds a catering license.
If you are applying for a temporary beer, wine, cider permit you can apply for multiple dates at one time on your application.
You will need to request a landlord authorization form from us in order to apply for a permit.
You can apply for a permit up to 15 days prior to your event.
It may be best to hold off until you have hired your caterer to apply, since only one permit will be issued for the premises per day.
Alcoholic beverages must be purchased from a licensed brewer, winery, or wholesaler ONLY, and not from a retail licensee.
A separate permit is required for each point of sale for each date. The permit must be on display at the event.
Learn more and apply for a license with the SLA!
Real Weddings at The Maples Estate!
Tables & Chairs to Complete Your Look!
Who wants to spend extra $$ on tables and chairs?
You don’t! That’s why we include tables and chairs in your package!
Wood Plank Tables
3 Available
(For Use Near the Farmhouse Only - Seats 8 Each)
8’ x 30” Plastic Folding Banquet Tables
20 Available
(Requires 90” x 156” Linens - Seats 8 Each)
12’ x 36” Vintage Wooden Banquet Tables
7 Available
(Seats up to 14 Each)
30” Cocktail Tables
10 Available
(Two Height Options of 30” or 42” - Requires Linens)
Tablecloth sizes needed:
30” Height - 90” Round
42” Height - 120” Round
Vintage Wood and Metal Kneeling Chair
50 Available
French Bistro Slatted Folding Cafe Chair
100 Available
Vintage Wooden Folding Chair
~ 65 Available
12’ Wooden Benches
Seats up to 6 Each - 14 Available
That’s not all! We also include other items in your rental package!
We have assorted 4ft and 6ft plastic tables, vintage tables and chairs to fill in where needed!
Bose SoundLink Flex Bluetooth Portable Speaker
Yamaha STAGEPAS 4001 Portable PA System
(Includes PA, Two Speakers & Stands, Two Mics & Stands, Extension Cords)
EPSON Projector
Westinghouse Generator
2 Available | $250 each including gas
Check out our ‘Prop Closet’ and ‘Rentals Inventory’!
More wedding planning inspiration!
Pretty in Pink: Bohemian Inspo Shoot
Vanessa & Mac
Pretty in Pink Styled Shoot by Cassandra Daye Photography
When it comes to color, this bohemian inspired styled shoot in early September was full of it!
This pretty in pink shoot called on florist Olive & June Floral Co. to create a layered palette of pinks to pop against the white of Vanessa and Macs attire and lush greens of the landscape. With vintage details from Pretty Little Vintage Company, this shoot was full of texture and style! Scroll for wedding inspiration!
Educator & Lead Photographer: Cassandra Daye Photography
Additional Photographers: Cassidy Lynn & Lost is Found Studio
Specialty Rentals: Pretty Little Vintage Co.
Videography: Gabrielle Fordham
Venue: The Maples Estate
Hair: Painted by Ashley Marie
Makeup: Color Me Gorgeous
Florist: Olive & June Floral Co.
Stationery & Calligraphy: Handmade Darling
Bridal Shop: Something Bleu
Bridal Designer: Flora
Couple: Vanessa & Mac
More wedding inspiration!
Farmhouse Sleeping Arrangements. Room by Room
The Maples Estate specializes in weekend long celebrations so you have plenty of time to relax and connect with your loved ones in meaningful ways!
That’s why we include a three night, four day stay in our 1855 colonial farmhouse in each of our wedding packages.
You are welcome to invite up to 17 guests to stay in the farmhouse with five private bedrooms, a bunk room, additional beds, three restrooms, get ready room, kitchen, double parlor and bar room. Your seriously awesome wedding will be the talk of the town for years to come! Wondering where everyone can sleep and what to expect from the house? Find out below with the house layout and images by room.
Bedroom 1
One Queen Bed
Windows facing the front of the house and located across from the get ready room.
Television
Bedroom 2
One Double / Full Bed
One Twin Bed
Connection to laundry room and across from the largest bathroom.
Television
Bedroom 3
One Queen Bed
Private balcony and next to the largest bathroom.
Bedroom 4
One Double / Full Bed
Located in the back section of the house with jack and jill bathroom connecting to back room.
Bedroom 5
One Queen Bed
Located in the back section of the house with jack and jill bathroom connecting to another bedroom. Best views upstairs.
Bunk Room
Four Double / Full Beds
One Queen Bed
Located above the garage and off of the get ready room.
Living room setup with large television.
Laundry Room
One Twin
Connected to bedroom 2
Get Ready Room
6 Makeup / Hair Stations with Mirrors
Located in the front of the house and connected to the bunk room.
Largest Bathroom
Toilet
Shower
Three Sinks
Stocked with towels, extra toilet paper, hair dryer, makeup removal wipes, travel sized shampoo, conditioner, soap, tooth brushes, etc.
Jack & Jill Bathroom
Toilet
Shower
Sink
Stocked with towels, extra toilet paper and makeup removal wipes.
Downstairs Bathroom
Toilet
Shower
Sink
Stocked with towels and extra toilet paper.
Kitchen
Refrigerator
Six Burner Range + Stove
Double Ovens
Dishwasher
Sink
Microwave
Coffee Maker
Toaster Oven
Stocked with plates, bowls, cups, mugs, utensils, pots, pans, cooking utensils, spices, etc.
Double Parlor
Three Standard Size Sofas
One Sleeper Sofa
Piano + Guitar
Record Player
Bar Room
Small Bar Setup
Connected to the grand veranda and kitchen. Great for rehearsal dinners or small gatherings as well as brunch buffet.
Layout & Property Flow
More planning inspiration!
Best Month to Get Married in New York!
Upstate New York changes greatly with the seasons!
So, what the best month to get married in New York for you?
IMAGE TAKEN On September 24 - BY BAILY Q PHOTO
Growing up in Washington State’s puget sound, I never really experienced the changing of the seasons until I moved to upstate NY in 2007. I fell in love with fall foliage, vibrant colors of spring, and wild flowers in July and August. At The Maples Estate, the scenery changes with each season, so what can you expect from the spring, summer or fall when you are touring the estate in the winter?
View images by month so you can see what the estate looks like year round, and decide what the best month is for you to get married!
MAY WEDDINGS
Peak Season begins when the trees and plants are popping and full of vibrant greens!
You’ll hear the animals waking with frogs croaking in the evening and fireflies just starting to show their light. Our pool opens for Memorial Day weekend so those looking for a spring wedding with pool parties or dips throughout the weekend, you will definitely want to hold off until late May or early June for your wedding festivities. The best part of spring is the evening light where you’ll have plenty to time to celebrate before the stars come out!
Images taken May 20 - by Jessie Casey Photography
JUNE WEDDINGS
Early June is a great time for vibrant colors with fresh, lush greenery and wild flowers in the meadow!
The trees will have filled in nicely providing a full canopy in the grove and the pond will be surrounded by mint and cattails. The summer bugs hold of until the humidity hits in July and evenings cool off, perfect for a late night campfire and stargazing! Late June is lush with color from the green trees to the cottage garden surrounding the farmhouse! Bright yellows, white and pinks are budding in the flower gardens and wild flowers are just starting to spring up around the estate. You will hear the frogs in the evening as they call to each other and fireflies settle in the trees! With the heat of the summer setting in, pool parties and dips in the creek will complete your weekend activities!
Images taken June 11 - by Dottie Morris
IMAGES Taken June 18 - BY Natalia Wajda
Images taken June 26 - by Our Two Hearts Photography
AUGUST WEDDINGS
Wild Flowers are in full bloom in July and August so you will see pops of vibrant colors throughout the estate!
IMAGE TAKEN AUGUST 13 - BY SARAH BRIDGEMAN PHOTO
Images taken August 15 - by Kelsey Campbell
PHOTOS TAKEN August 26 - BY Cheyenne Lee Photo
SEPTEMBER WEDDINGS
With the sun setting earlier in the evening, golden hour is amazing for photos! The pool closes in mid September so if you are looking for a dip in the pool, definitely schedule for the first two weekends.
Images taken September 3 - by Cassandra Daye Photography & Cassidy Lynne
Image taken September 10 - BY Kelsey & Nate Photo
IMAGES TAKEN On September 24 - BY BAILY Q PHOTO
OCTOBER WEDDINGS
Fall is absolutely incredible at the estate and golden hour is in full force! As October comes to an end, the leaves are hanging on with yellows and oranges throughout.
IMAGE TAKEN ON OCTOBER 1 - BY RACHEL ROGERS
Images taken October 20 - by Twice Beloved Photography
Images taken October 29 - by Story & Gold
OFF PEAK SEASON
November through April | Limit 30 guests
WINTER WEDDINGS
Off Peak events with your closest friends and family can be so intimate and special!
Limit 30 guests.
Winter can mean snow or chill but it’s always so incredibly beautiful!
Images taken by Nicole Nero Photography
Images taken December 8 by Twice Beloved Photo
APRIL
Though the leaves haven’t yet set in, early spring can be so beautiful with the grass hydrated and open views of the hills.
Images taken April 9 by Clare Elisabeth Photography
We're Engaged!! What do we do now?
Congratulations!!!
You’re engaged!!! This is such a fun time to celebrate!
Take in the moments, share the news with friends and family and enjoy each other’s love!
Chances are, planning events is not your day job (like it is for me!) so where do you start? When you have sufficiently celebrated this incredible decision and shared the news with your loved ones, there are a few things to start talking through before you begin planning your design, searching for a venue or locking in your vendors.
First things first…
What is my budget?
Setting your wedding budget is step number one when it comes to planning your wedding. Every choice you make will lead back to this decision and it will help you determine all aspects of your wedding from your guest count to venue choice, vendors, experiences and more.
Some questions to ask yourself:
Who’s footing the bill? Will you and your fiancé be covering costs yourselves? If so, what amount do each of you have available to allocate to your wedding budget? Do you have a gift coming from a family member or friend that will add to your wedding fund? Though it can be awkward to talk about money, it’s so important to have these honest conversations and set expectations ahead of time.
Are there any pieces of the wedding that will be covered for you? Sometimes a family member or friend will offer to cover specific costs of your wedding such as your wedding attire, the rehearsal dinner, maybe you have a friend that is a florist or cake designer. Think through any specific gifts so you can accurately determine your wedding budget. When it comes to gifts of service, make sure you can rely on that person offering the service. If you are not sure, politely decline and hire someone else!
What is included in your budget? Every wedding budget is going to be different, since it is based on the specific vision you have for your wedding. However, there are many common items that couples choose to include in their wedding budget. Some of these more common items include a venue, wedding planner, photographer, food, florals, hair & make-up, officiant, rentals such as a dance floor, linens, table settings, etc., entertainment, signage, transportation, invitations and your wedding attire.
This may sound overwhelming, which is why we have included a template budget that you can copy into your own document to start editing. Add in your preferred budget at the bottom and start filling in some numbers to get an idea of where you might like to spend your money. Maybe you love florals and want to go all out here and cut back somewhere else, or maybe you know you want to work with a specific caterer or photographer. Here is where you can start to customize your budget based on your specific wedding vision and responses from vendors.
HERE is that budget template that you can copy to edit.
The next big questions is…
Who do I want to celebrate with?
Once you have determined your budget, you are going to want to think through your guest list. Maybe you have a smaller budget and want to trim your guest list to keep costs low. Maybe you have a HUGE family and a ton of friends that you just cannot pare down. This is such an important question since it will help determine what venue you can celebrate at. Most venues have a cap on the number of people they can accommodate, and some venues even have minimums on the number of guests required to attend. These venues with minimums usually offer on site catering, and therefore you will pay for a specific number of guests even if they do not attend. We do not have a minimum at The Maples Estate, though we do cap weddings at 200 guests.
Start creating that list of must have people at your wedding! Then think through those that may not be able to attend. There is usually some drop off from your invite list and often these includes individuals that will need to travel long distances to get to your wedding, maybe they have children and it’s harder for them to get away, or even a crazy job that is demanding of their time. Keep this in mind as you are looking at venues!
And now you wonder…
When do I get married?
There are a lot of things to think through when it comes to setting a date. Here are some questions you may want to ask yourself.
Do you love the fall or maybe you enjoy the summer cocktail vibe? Have you always dreamed of a winter wedding or love the refresh of the spring?
Do you absolutely hate sweating or maybe you are always cold?
Do you have a lucky number or favorite holiday?
Is there a time of year or specific date when you know your must have people are not available?
Do you know that your best friends are getting married on a specific date and you need to set your date accordingly to ensure you can attend?
Does your budget require you to look at off peak dates?
Do you want all the time you can get to plan your wedding or maybe you just want to put a ring on it like, yesterday?
Are you in the military or have a demanding job that you will need to work your date around?
All these questions can help determine what time of year or specific date(s) might be best for your wedding celebration! Remember to be flexible as your dream venue or dream vendors may not be available this date. It’s always good to have a couple back up dates just incase!
Now ask yourself…
Where should I get married?
This is not just a question of venue, but also the location and setting that suites your vision.
Do you love the beach? The mountains? The woods? Historic buildings? Farm life? City life?
Do you love to gamble at the casino? What about adventure? Maybe you love intimate quality time with your family or dancing to your favorite music.
Where do you live? Where do your family and friends live? Do you love to travel? Are you connected to your hometown or have a favorite place to escape to?
Think about your personal tastes, where you like to travel, what you do for fun, where your family and friends are located, etc. This will help you to determine the best location for your wedding day, weekend or week!
I’m feeling overwhelmed…
I think I need a wedding planner!
Planning a wedding can be a challenge! If it is way too overwhelming for you, you have no idea where to start, or you simply do not have the time, consider hiring a wedding planner. At The Maples Estate we include wedding planning and design in your package. This means we work with you to make your dreams come true, without the hassle of planning your own wedding.
Now that you have all these questions out of the way…it’s time to lock in your venue!!
More wedding planning support!
Catering. Where do I even start?
We believe that no two weddings should be the same because no two couples are the same.
That’s why we allow you to work with vendors of your choosing to truly build a personalized wedding that suites your unique style and wedding vision. We understand that with all that flexibility, it can be hard to know where to start. That’s why we provide you with a comprehensive guide of vendors by category as soon as you book. Having an off site caterer is an incredible perk of The Maples Estate, since you are never locked into a price point, guest minimum, or specific menu by booking with us. There are so many amazing caterers each offering their own flair for a variety of budgets, so find the caterer that speaks to you. From experience based wood fired food to personal chefs, full service catering, food trucks and farm to table vendors offering seasonal ingredients.
Many full service caterers will range between $150 to $300 per person.
Each caterer offers a different level of service so rates will vary greatly by vendor, and will be influenced by your specific tastes and wedding vision. If you need to stay under that price range, think outside the box for less traditional catering options.
Now for the fun part!
Here are some catering options to get you started!
Scroll down for tips and tricks when researching caterers!
Full Service Catering
2Shea Catering
Bridge Creek Catering
Crafted Catering & Events
Deliciously Different
The Farmer’s Beef & Brew
Fig & Pig Catering
Grounded NY
Grand Cook NYC
Hand Crafted on the Berkshire Line
Hattie’s Restaurant
Healthy Cafe Catering
Heirloom Fire
Hunt & Harvest Catered Events
Lil Deb’s Oasis
Lily and The Rose
Main Course Catering
Mangia and Enjoy!
Mazzone Hospitality
Meadowlark Catering
Nicole’s Catering
Full Service Catering Continued
Oak & Honey Catering
The Swell Party
Wood Fire Food
Experiential / Wood Fired Catering
Edenopolis Events
Crafted Catering & Events
Heirloom Fire
The Swell Party
Wood Fire Food
Personal Chefs
Edenopolis Events
Grounded NY
Have Knife Will Travel
The Little Viking Co.
Mangia and Enjoy!
Vegetarian / Vegan
Food Trucks / Casual Dining
Dumpling Wagon
Flacos Tacos
High on the Hog BBQ
It’s A Pizza Truck
336 Waffle Truck
Wiggle Farm Pizza + Catering
International & Cultural Cuisine
518 Kosher
Above & Beyond Catering (Kosher)
Karavalli - Regional Cuisine of India
Lil Deb’s Oasis
Mi Casa - Spanish Homestyle Cooking
Sunhee’s Farm & Kitchen
The Tulip & The Rose
If you love what we have to offer and decide to move forward with booking The Maples Estate for your wedding, we will send you
an extensive list of vendors by category as soon as you book
an editable digital wedding planning checklist.
This vendor list is curated to suit the wide variety of events that are held at the estate and has many options to choose from so you can find vendors that match your unique style and wedding vision. We can even help you with planning, design, or coaching if you have no clue where to start or simply don’t have the time to plan.
Tips and tricks when booking a caterer.
Remember, it’s best to confirm all that is included in the rate before you book. Some caterers may offer bar packages, rentals such as dishes and tableware, linens, decor, event staffing, etc. and some may not. If they do not, you can always source these items through another vendor.
When you talk to different caterers, they may ask you about kitchen space. At The Maples Estate, we have a caterers kitchen in our 1855 Colonial Farmhouse. This kitchen is great for an intimate wedding or use during your rehearsal dinner or day after brunch, however, most caterers will want to be closer to the reception paddock for your larger celebration, and may want to setup an outdoor kitchen. This is a great way for them to build the space they require on site, and be close by to best serve you and your guests. Some caterers have their own outdoor kitchen setup and some will need to rent this setup. Another option is to find a caterer that does cooking ahead of time in an offsite kitchen, or with use of a food truck.
When working with a food truck or restaurant that does not often offer catering services, you may want to have a couple food trucks to choose from, offer self service items, passed items, or even make your event a cocktail setup instead of a seated dinner so there is more time for grazing. You can also take orders ahead of time to spread out the wait time, ultimately avoiding a huge rush for food all at once.
You can hire an event staffing company to provide additional support for those caterers with limited or no staff.
Remember to order more food than you think you will need or ask your caterer how much they suggest based on their experience. You can always donate food after the event if you have too much, but if you do not have enough, your guests will leave hungry!
Do you live in NYC? Some caterers are based out of NYC and can travel for your wedding day. This means you can have all your tastings close to home and will not have to travel to meet with your caterer every time you want to chat with them. These caterers may come with a higher price point since they are paying NYC rent and will need to travel for your wedding but they are worth it if you have the budget!
More wedding planning inspiration!
Tented Weddings at The Maples Estate
With such incredible views all around, a tented wedding is such a fun way to celebrate! Especially with COVID-19 still a concern, being outdoors is the best way for you and your guests to gather safely and enjoy every moment without worry.
Another great perk of a tented wedding, is showcasing your personality. You don’t have to worry about the color of the floor, the crazy wallpaper on the walls or how you’re going to cover that ugly ceiling to make your dream wedding feel like you! With so many different options for tent styles, sizes and materials, you can find a tent that matches your unique style and fits the budget.
Wondering what kinds of tents you can rent?
Vinyl Pole Tents: A tent supported by poles and guy-wires with one or more peaks.
Sail Cloth Pole Tents: A type of pole tent that uses sailcloth material rather than vinyl, with wooden support poles. The translucent fabric adds a beautiful glow to the interior space of the tent with soaring ceiling and curved lines.
Frame Tents: The frame tent is one of the most common types of tent using a metal frame for support. This versatile option is great for hang lights and decorations since the inside of the tent has exposed metal pipes which can be covered with drapery.
Clear Top Frame Tents: A frame based tent with a clear vinyl top for incredible views.
Wondering what other items you may need to complete your tent setup?
Think about your specific wedding vision so you can add accessories to complete the look.
Lighting: Tent rental companies will offer a range of lighting solutions from perimeter bistro lighting to chandeliers, twinkle lights on the ceiling, uplighting, color washing, illuminated drapery and more. With many different options to choose from, you can keep things simple with perimeter lighting, or mix and match to bring depth, texture and drama.
Dance Floor: If you know your guests are going to dance all night long, it’s a great idea to rent a dance floor, often coming in wood grain, black or white to match your style.
DJ or Band Stand: Want to elevate your DJ or band to make them a focal point of your wedding? You can rent staging pieces in a wide variety of sizing to match their setup.
Drapery: If you decide on a vinyl pole tent with metal poles or a frame tent, you may want to use drapery to cover the framing materials if this does not work with your design aesthetic. For more industrial style weddings you may like the look of the frame!
Wondering where you rent a tent?
Our two favorite companies to work with for tent and event rentals are Total Events and Saratoga Tent and Events. There are many companies locally though, so here is a broader list of rental companies to get you started. Go ahead and get quotes from a few different companies to check inventory and match your budget. They should be able to help you determine the right size tent to match your guest count, and other layout decisions such as dance floor, space for your DJ or band, any catering tables, bar setup, etc.
Total Events
Saratoga Tent & Events
Big Top Tent Rental
Clifton Park Rentals
Columbia Tent Rentals
Events Unlimited
Tremont Rentals
Sail Cloth Tent
Images by Our Two Hearts
Vinyl Pole Tent
Images by Kelsey Campbell Photography
Clear Top Frame Tent
Image not taken at The Maples Estate
Weekend Wedding Venue. The Experience
Photo by Lost Is Found Studio
A weekend wedding venue built for unconventional and creative couples!
At The Maples Estate, weddings are one-of-a-kind.
You relax into the weekend and thoroughly enjoy every moment of your wedding.
Our couples, their guests and vendors rave about their experiences at The Maples Estate because we are different. We provide a wedding experience that allows our guests to immerse themselves into the weekend with a customized itinerary in a comfortable environment. We host all your wedding events in one place, so you never feel rushed and can wake up rested on your wedding day. Many of our couples choose to include traditional wedding events such as your ceremony, cocktail hour and reception, and we can also host welcome events, a rehearsal dinner, farewell brunch (or something else entirely) at no additional cost. This prolongs the celebration giving you more time with your loved ones and more fun!
With just one wedding per weekend - capped at 15 weekends per year - each of our couples feels like family. Whether we assist you with coordination (included in our packages), coaching, or full planning and design, you will feel supported along the way. We believe that no two weddings should be the same because no two couples are the same - so you will have exclusive use of the entire estate and can dream big with your vision to include on and offsite activities, a pool party, multiple events and vendors personalized to your taste - or keep things simple with an intimate guest list, minimal vendors, and relax at the estate all weekend long.
We are here to make sure your wedding offers you and your guests exactly the experience you have dreamed of!
Benefits of a wedding weekend at The Maples Estate!
All your wedding events in one place - think of it like a mini vacation full of fun for you and your guests!
3-nights in our 1855 colonial farmhouse for 17 guests included in your package
Time to relax and celebrate! - did we mention we have a pool and 12.5 acres to explore?
Plenty of quality time with your guests
Multiple unique spaces for each event to take place + perks such as tables and chairs, lawn games and more!
Nearby activities and lodging for guests
Personalized wedding weekend itinerary - organized activities and/or free time!
A calm and efficient team focused on you and your experience
A large list of wedding vendors to match your unique wedding vision
We never lock you into anyone specific vendor, but can help with suggestions as needed personalized to your taste!Option to add planning and design, or coaching service for support in your wedding planning!
Does this sound like your dream wedding? Check out everything included in our packages!
Photo by Cassandra Daye Photography
Photo by Cassandra Daye Photography
Wondering when you can arrive and how long you can party for?
You can choose to arrive on either Thursday or Friday with three nights and four days standard across our packages. Some couples prefer to arrive Thursday, essentially making Friday a free day of fun before your rehearsal or welcome dinner begins. Others choose to arrive on Friday so you can enjoy your ‘free’ day on Sunday with a late brunch, relaxation, a dip in the pool or offsite activities. You could even switch things up and have your traditional wedding events (ceremony, cocktail hour, reception) on Friday or Sunday! It’s up to you how you prefer to celebrate, and with so many locations on site for different events, you are welcome to host various gatherings throughout the weekend! To note, our quiet hours begin at 11pm for amplified music, but you are welcome to hang out by the fire or in the music room at the farmhouse for late night hangs!
Pulling It Off.
Not sure how to pull off what you have envisioned for your wedding weekend, or maybe you have no clue where to start and need all the support you can get? We are here to make sure your weekend run smoothly, so we support you with coordination services included in your wedding package. We are available all weekend long to ensure you have every bit of fun, with little to no stress. We even provide you with a digital wedding planning checklist and a comprehensive list of talented vendors that will match your unique style and wedding vision. We can also add on wedding planning, design or coaching so you feel supported throughout the entire wedding planning process and can enjoy every moment!
Still wondering why a weekend is way more than worth it?
You simply cannot fit this experience into a few hours.
So ask yourself, “Why squeeze our wedding into one day when we can celebrate all weekend long?!”
Your guests will be talking about your seriously awesome personalized wedding weekend for many years to come!
Photo by Cassidy Lynne Photo
Photo by Cassidy Lynne Photo
More wedding inspiration at The Maples Estate!
What do I need? Wedding Planner, Designer, Coach or Coordinator
When it comes to planning a wedding, there are so many new terms to learn! So what are the differences between a wedding ‘planner’ ‘designer’ ‘coach’ and ‘coordinator’? How do you know what you may need?
Every couple is different and will have their own challenges when it comes to planning, designing or managing their wedding day / weekend. If you read our last blog post about planning a unique wedding, you know that my husband Louis and I were involved in every little detail of our wedding. While that was a great way to save some money, it was A LOT of work. Not every couple has the amount of time, energy, or event knowledge that we had. So when you think about hiring some support, it’s worth asking yourself what level of involvement you would like to have in your wedding.
Once you have set your budget and had those important conversations to set expectations and boundaries, ask yourself:
Do I have the time and ability to think through my likes and dislikes, must haves and deal breakers?
Do I have the time and patience to research, contact and visit venues?
Do I have the time and ability to determine the things on my plate and manage my timeline effectively?
Do I have the time and patience to research, contact and meet with vendors?
Do I have the time and ability to sort through quotes, review contracts and confirm details with my vendors?
Do I have the time and skill set to think through my design aesthetic?
Do I have the time and skill set to research and locate items that match my design aesthetic?
Do I have the time and ability to create a wedding day / weekend timeline and stick to it?
Do I want to be in contact with all my vendors leading up to and on my wedding day to make sure all the details are set?
Do I want to manage the setup and breakdown of my wedding events?
Now that you have answered these questions and know where your pain points are, let’s define these terms so you can determine what level of support you may need.
Wedding Planner. A professional who assists with the organization, logistics, and management of a client's wedding. Think of a wedding planner like your fairy godmother that’s going to build and execute your dream wedding using your input. They will likely meet with you prior to quoting their services to determine the level of support you require, and confirm the budget you are looking to stay under. Once contracted your planner usually works with you for about 6-18 months before your wedding. I have planned weddings in as little as three months, but it’s always best to plan ahead for ample vendor availability and to avoid last minute stressors. Your planner is your one stop shop and should manage your budget, planning timeline, basic design aesthetic, vendors, oversee the setup, run and breakdown of your wedding day / weekend. Your planner will likely provide you with a list of services they will include in their rate, so make sure to look through the services carefully and confirm everything you need is listed. If something is not included, often times you can add on services such as reservation management for hotel blocks, rehearsal dinner or farewell brunch planning and management, gift management for your wedding party or guests, creation of visual or artistic design elements, etc.
Wedding Designer. Often times someone that is marketing themselves as a designer is going to be hands on with the artistic vision of your event and may design and build custom artistic elements for your wedding. Think of this as a consultant for all things visual, floor plans, lighting design, florals, furniture, place settings, candles, linens, and attire. This is for those couples that want that picture perfect wedding experience with a lot of personality.
Wedding Planning and Design. This service is a combination of planning and design, so think of this as your logistics master with an artistic eye on visual elements. This is what we LOVE to offer at The Maples Estate so you know your wedding will be low stress and customized to your liking.
Wedding Coach. Think of your wedding coach as someone that’s going to guide you through the wedding planning and design process and answer all your questions along the way. They will talk you down from that wedding planning spiral, help you think through your budget, make vendor and design recommendations, be your voice of reason and your personal coach through the wedding planning process! At The Maples Estate we offer a partial planning package that is a combination of wedding coaching and coordination so you can be hands on with your wedding without having to stress about the details and how it’s all going to come together. We are neutral and judgement-free!
Wedding Coordinator: Often referred to as day of management, this is the person or persons that will help you pull off every detail of your wedding day from load in to load out and everything in between. They are not involved in the planning or design, but will work with you about 30-45 days out to ensure that everything you have done to that point is in good working order. If it’s not, this will give them time to tweak any details and tie up loose ends. Your coordinator should build out your wedding day / weekend timeline, confirm floorpans, communicate with your vendors to finalize details and manage the wedding day / weekend timeline. These services are included in our packages at The Maples Estate! Many coordinators can offer a full service package with a second support just for bridal management. This assistant works directly with the bride / groom and photographer to ensure you are looking and feeling your best all day long. Let us know if this is something you would like and we can arrange for an assistant to be by your side!
More wedding planning inspiration!
Personalizing Your Wedding Celebration
The Marriage of Katie & Louis
Owners of The Maples Estate
August 20, 2016 at The Troy Public Library & The Hangar on the Hudson
Troy, NY - Upstate, NY
How do you block out the noise and build a wedding that is uniquely yours?
I recently had a friend confess to me that the day after his wedding, he and his wife were already thinking about how they could have done things differently. They realized immediately that the wedding they celebrated, didn’t feel like it represented them. They started to dream just 24 hours later about a 10 year vow renewal where they could personalize things to THEIR taste and enjoy a celebration that spoke to them as a couple.
So, how do you block out the noise, Pinterest overload and family pressures to build a wedding that is unique to you? To answer this, I’m going back to my own wedding in 2016 where my husband Louis and I celebrated OUR way!
Whether your budget is $10,000 or $150,000, setting your budget is step No. 1 before that money starts flowing. When Louis and I got engaged in 2016, The Knot said that the average wedding cost was $35,309. Our budget, which was almost entirely a gift from my parents, was roughly a third of that, and that meant we had to get pretty crafty with how we wanted to spend that money. While it was quite a tight budget, these restrictions also helped us to set boundaries and define what we could and could not afford. Keep in mind, we were very lucky that this money did not come with strings attached, so we really were able to spend it however we wanted.
For those of you that know a gift of money will come with a ton of input, think about saying no to that money. Sometimes it’s worth lowering your budget to have full say in how you celebrate. That does not mean you have to leave your family or friends out of the planning, it just means you will not have that gift hanging over your head. Let’s be honest though, some extra money is always nice to have when planning your dream wedding. So, if you do choose to receive a gift of money, make sure to have an honest conversation, set boundaries and clearly communicate your expectations before depositing these funds and signing any contracts.
When thinking about your dream venue, what setting feels natural to you? Where do you like to travel? What is your favorite date night location? What season is your favorite? What do you like to do for fun? Did you go to the same high school? What is your favorite place to purchase home goods? What kind of books do you like to read or movies do you watch? All these questions about your likes and dislikes can actually influence those big decisions like where to get married.
After our budget was set, we reached out to A LOT of venues. At the time, no venues shared their pricing publicly (at least none that I could find), so I talked with a whole bunch of venues that we ultimately could not afford. Realizing that a traditional venue was not going to be an option for us, I started thinking outside the box. My husband and I met each other while running a music festival in a beautiful crumbling historic building. So with all that experience under our belt making things work in an unforgiving space, I figured we could really host an event anywhere. With a combined love for historic buildings and music we scoured airbnb, cold called real estate listings, contacted historic Albany, some music venues and finally came across a couple different spaces that could separately hold our ceremony and reception, and spoke to both of us without breaking the bank.
I wouldn’t recommend waiting so long, but just three and a half months before our wedding, we signed a contract with The Troy Public Library to host our ceremony in their incredible historic space surrounded by tiffany windows, gorgeous historic details and lots and lots of books! We also confirmed The Hangar on the Hudson, a music and performance venue for our reception. These non traditional spaces allowed us to think outside the box while showcasing our love for historic buildings, antiques and music. They also brought out our creativity since we had to design events into spaces not traditionally used for weddings. Before you go venue hunting, sit down with your partner and think through those things that you both have in common to consider what venue setting feels right for you. This will also influence your vendor and design choices.
Once you find a venue that feels like it represents you, get creative with your vendors and decor! No two weddings should be the same so think back to those things that you and your fiancé connect over. Maybe you love a good meal. You share a favorite color. You share a love for vintage cars or football. Find those similarities and make sure to jot them down. This is going to help you determine what vendors and design will feel like you.
Once we had our venues set, we sent out our digital invites and started contacting possible vendors. Personally we wanted to keep things as intimate as possible while supporting local small businesses, so we chose to work with many friends and some of our favorite local establishments. We locked in a talented friend for our wedding photography and asked our hair stylist friend to style hair for me and my bridesmaids. We reached out to one of our favorite local bands to play music, and hired a friend of a friend to spin records throughout the evening. One of our date night go to restaurants catered our reception with delicious Lebanese dishes and we provided them with vintage platers and large bowls for serving. We arranged for a dessert station with ice cream sundaes from one of our favorite local bakers, and the venue provided the bar. We even contacted a local developer to see if we could use their vacant building to host pictures following the ceremony. For our rehearsal dinner we asked Louis’ sister and brother in law who own a farm downstate, to cater an event in our backyard sunken patio.
Remember to let the details speak for you by referencing those things you share, your likes and dislikes. We love all things vintage, so when it came to our wardrobe I knew I wanted something quite old. I also wanted to include my family and friends in the selection so when I was visiting family in Seattle we went to a few different vintage shops with a curated bridal selection. With a lower price point we found not just one, but THREE dresses to take home for the wedding weekend, and thanks to my mom, these purchases didn’t have to hit our budget. I found vintage shoes and jewelry over the next month and my mom found a long veil she custom ordered. We did have to alter one of the dresses, but I was lucky to find a local seamstress to fit the vintage dress to my body. Louis also found an incredible wool suit and vintage shoes from one of our friends with a vintage online menswear shop, and added an ascot for a pop of color.
Following this vintage theme, Louis and I scoured eBay and thrift stores across the hudson valley to find mismatched plates, silverware, floral vases and cloth napkins to set the tables. We even collected vintage dressers, linens, musical instruments and home decor from our house to place throughout the events, showcasing our personalities and bringing more warmth to the spaces. We rented vintage wooden chairs and banquet tables from Total Events and purchased simple linens for the tables that would allow the decor to stand out. With a quick turnaround, once all those details were set it was time to pull off our epic wedding weekend!!
Something to consider, a lower budget wedding can mean BIG work for you! With a relatively small budget, we opted to do most of the work ourselves, lugging furniture, setting up the venues and breaking everything down the next day. Luckily my background is in events so we knew the vision we had, and how we wanted to pull it off. We were also very lucky to have some incredible support from family and friends. The day before the wedding Louis and I picked wild flowers from a friends farm, filled in with additional florals from a wholesale florist where a friend worked, and with support of our friends and family arranged the bouquets, boutonnières and set the venue with tables, chairs, florals, tableware and decor. We woke up on our wedding day and instead of relaxing and getting our makeup and hair done, I headed back to the reception space with my bridesmaids to finish the last minute details while Louis and his groomsmen setup chairs at the library. We worked as late as we possibly could before we had to get ready. Not going to lie, I made my way to the library a bit late and still had to get dressed once I arrived. Everyone was already seated waiting for things to begin.
Make sure you think through what things you are comfortable doing leading up to your wedding, and what you would rather delegate to a vendor. Sometimes it’s worth paying extra to ensure you are stress free and enjoying your wedding! Think about adding a wedding planner or coordinator to your budget so they can help you pull off this epic event. It is not a luxury, it’s a really smart idea! While Louis and I love to pull off epic projects on our own, this wedding truly took a village, and would not have been possible without all the support from our family and friends. Even though it was a ton of work, we had our hands on every piece of our wedding, so it felt extremely personal. Every detail felt like us, and our guests enjoyed all the unique touches. While Louis and I had so much control over the details of our wedding, you can still build an epic wedding that is uniquely yours and not so much work! Take the time to think through these 10 things before you get started.
Before you book any vendors, scroll through Pinterest for 1,000 hours or let your family dictate what they think your wedding should be…
Set your budget
Set expectations & boundaries with each other, your family and friends that you know will have input
Make a list of your likes, dislikes, dealbreakers, and must haves - when doing this, think back to other events you have attended
Make a list of your similarities and things you both love
Individually determine what food item(s) you could eat for every meal, favorite snacks and sweet treats - what’s shared?
Note your favorite seasons or holidays?
Look around your house and locate furniture or decor pieces that stand out to each of you
Look through your closet and see what colors and styles you love to wear and feel most yourself in
Note your favorite place(s) to travel together
Note your favorite date night activity or adventures
Use these items to guide your vendor search, to inform your date, venue, food, cocktails, color scheme, wardrobe, and more.
No matter the venue that you choose, follow your curiosity and find those vendors that excite you.
Injecting personality into your wedding is not just putting pictures of you on the tables, or a slideshow in the background. You do not want to wake up the day after your wedding feeling like you just celebrated someone else’s dream. You can showcase yourselves in each and every detail of your wedding, no matter the budget or venue you are working within. Use these answers to tune out the millions of pictures on Pinterest, to inform your vendors of what you are looking to build, to help you set boundaries with your family and friends, and plan an epic wedding that feels just like you!
Photos by mel eMedia
Our incredible vendor team!
Ceremony Venue: Troy Public Library - IG: @thetroylibrary
Reception Venue & Bar Service: The Hangar on the Hudson - IG: @hangaronthehudson
Planning, Design & Coordination: Katie Hammon (Owner of The Maples Estate) - IG: @themaplesestate
Rehearsal Dinner Catering: Longhaul Farm - IG: @longhaulfarm
Reception Catering: Beirut Restaurant
Desserts: Butter & Sugar Company - IG: @butterandsugarcompany
Hair & Makeup: Fire & Ash - IG: @fireandashshop
Rentals: Total Events - IG: @totalevents
Band: Pony In The Pancake - IG: @ponyinthepancake
DJ: DJ Tall Ass Matt
Fresh Cut Florals: The Kirk Estate - IG: @thekirkestate
Florals: Bill Doran - IG: @billdoran_albany
Photography: Mel eMedia - IG: @melemedia
Dresses & Shoes: Trove Vintage - IG: @trovevintageboutique
Dress Alterations: Sue Small Bridal
Necklace: Coxsackie Antique Center - IG: @coxsackieantiqueart
Mensware: Memory Vintage - IG: @memoryvintage
Rings: Drue Sanders Custom Jewelry - IG: @druesanderscustom
More wedding planning inspiration!
Micro Wedding Upstate New York. Mexican Inspired. 8.28.21
The Marriage of Jennifer & Dan
August 28, 2021 at The Maples Estate
Schoharie, NY - Upstate, NY
Jennifer & Dan found us from Seattle, WA just three months before their micro wedding.
They had been together for 15 years, but with some health concerns in their family they decided it was finally time to make it official and get married! With their family spread throughout the east coast they decided upstate, NY was the perfect destination for their wedding and we could not be happier that they chose The Maples Estate to make their dream wedding come true! This 23 person wedding was truly magical set under the stars with the best of the best for food, flowers and music! With only three months to plan their wedding I jumped right in as their full planning and design team to ensure we could pull off this epic micro wedding. I met weekly with Jennifer and Dan talking through their likes and dislikes, deciding on the setting, colors, themes and found the perfect vendor team to pull it all off.
Because it was an intimate guest list, they wanted their reception to feel more like an international marketplace than a sit down traditional dinner. With a love for travel and all things food, we focused on their travels to Mexico and incorporated Mexican foods, a Mexican embroidery cake, colorful florals, latin music and built a cozy outdoor living room with vintage lounge seating. Set in the tree grove with twinkle lighting and candles, this al fresco celebration felt truly magical.
With Jennifer and Dan coming from the west coast, their family arrived before them on Thursday and settled in making the Farmhouse their home for the whole weekend. When Jennifer and Dan arrived that evening their guests had already pulled out the board games for the kids and hopped in the pool to cool off. On Friday they relaxed, spent time exploring the property with plenty of time for more games and swimming, and ended the evening with a rehearsal dinner catered by a local restaurant. They relaxed and enjoyed each others company since Jennifer and Dan’s families had never met! It was a great way for them to get to know one another in a place that felt like home.
On Saturday they relaxed while leisurely getting ready for the evenings events while Louis and I managed their vendors and set up the celebration. They were not big on staged photos so we opted for a photographer with more of a casual candid vibe that could capture the moments in a more relaxed way. With this relaxed setting they were ready to go a whole hour before the ceremony was scheduled to take place! It helps that they are both project managers for tech companies in Seattle and were extremely prepared to follow the schedule!
They chose an intimate spot on the backside of the pond to hold their ceremony, overlooking the willow tree with a view of the barn and farmhouse. With many of their guests in the wedding party, most everyone walked to their seats together in a line as a classical guitarist played in the background. Their personalities shined throughout the ceremony and you could tell Jennifer and Dan were so happy to be able to share these moments together with their family. As they joked about their awkward sensibilities and shared that they truly felt seen by one another, I knew their love was truly special. Jennifer even joked that this was the most words she had ever heard Dan speak. Once they were officially married they gathered for a group photo with all their guests and made their way to the tree grove to start the party!
Their reception could only be described as magical with a grazing table by Edenopolis out of NYC and a vintage wagon turned mobile bar called the Willy Wagon. The first hour was filled with the sounds of latin guitar followed by swing music offering the feel of a night market. We even had a live painter that captured the evening and we shared memories from their travels with post cards displayed throughout the event. In addition, they had hand selected 100 images to create postcards printed with photos of them and their travels so their guests could take them home to send notes back to Jennifer and Dan from afar.
It was a full night of food, family, hilarious toasts, dancing, kids running and climbing in the trees and ended with a fire and s’mores.
That’s not all! On Sunday Edenopolis set an incredible brunch spread and the kids played in the pool one last time before heading home. Jennifer and Dan wanted a wedding that encouraged their families to bond and learn about the two of them as a couple. That it did! Even though it was a smaller guest list, they went all out on the experience. It was a truly spectacular wedding weekend, unique and personalized to their tastes!
Photos by Harper Pictures
Jennifer & Dan’s incredible vendor team!
Venue, Planning, Design & Coordination: The Maples Estate - IG: @themaplesestate
Wedding & Sunday Brunch Catering: Edenopolis - IG: @edenopolis
Bar Service: VaNy’s Cocktails & Confections - IG: @xoxovanys
Cake: Delicias Latina - IG: @deliciaslatina
Hair & Makeup: Bex Salon - IG: @bex_salon
Vintage Rentals: Hudson Valley Vintage Rentals - IG: @hvvintagerentals
Rentals: Total Events - IG: @totalevents
Guitar: Maria Z Guitar - IG: @mariazguitar
Band: Hot Club of Saratoga - IG: @hotclubofsaratoga
Florist: Mira Mira Florals - IG: @miramiraflorals
Live Painter: CAF Creations - IG: @caf_creations
Photography: Harper Pictures - IG: @harperpix
Rehearsal Dinner Caterer: Bulls Head Inn Cobleskill - IG: @bullsheadinncobleskill
More real wedding inspiration!
Amy & Todd. Dog Friendly Wedding. 8.14.22
The Marriage of Amy & Todd
August 14, 2021 at The Maples Estate
Schoharie, NY - Upstate, NY
This fun loving, creative couple made The Maples Estate the destination for their multi-day wedding celebration in Upstate NY with a paired down group of friends and family.
Originally hoping for a guest list over 100, they finally celebrated together in 2021 with 70 of their closest friends and family after a year delay due to COVID-19. Amy and Todd and many of their guests joined us from NYC and New Jersey where many of them are performers on Broadway and in other productions. You may know Amy from her work as a Rockette at Radio City Music Hall, her performance as a ballerina in Netflix’s Halston, or many other performances in NYC and beyond.
During the pandemic their plans changed multiple times with vendors going out of business, changes in dates and uncertainty about Amy’s return to work on Broadway, but finally they were able to celebrate, and celebrate they did! Amy and Todd opted for a multi-day wedding celebration arriving on Friday with a casual rehearsal dinner at the estate, followed by a welcome event at the hotel where many of their guests were staying. They were in the kitchen the entire weekend with a love for cooking and good food, and enjoyed their time getting ready together in the farmhouse.
They laughed all weekend and had an especially memorable ceremony with dogs on the loose and Todd thinking someone’s dress was on fire! Its moments like these that we absolutely LOVE where the imperfect becomes a perfect memory to talk about for years to come. Their dog Lola joined them as they walked down the aisle hand in hand and made their way up to the cocktail hour on the veranda. For their reception, they arranged a full service caterer to serve family style meals to their guests and even hired a vintage photo booth where their guests could take fun photos and capture the moments! You could tell their guests also enjoyed the scenery, taking many selfies overlooking the schoharie valley, and Amy & Todd got the opportunity to sneak away with their photographer for some twilight photos. On theme, the toasts were incredibly thoughtful and hilarious and Lola even received a spotlight opportunity joining Amy & Todd on the dance floor later in the evening. They sent their guests back to the hotel with pizza in hand after an incredible celebration and lots of dancing, and chilled by the fire to decompress with guests staying in the farmhouse.
They took full advantage of the entire weekend with a bbq brunch and pool party on Sunday, with food and drinks from a local restaurant and brewery, and extended into Monday with more pool time and final cleanup. Amy and Todd shared many fun moments throughout the weekend and left with tears in their eyes overjoyed with love and excited from the weekends events! They are already planning a 5 year anniversary BBQ and we cannot wait to celebrate with them again!
Photos by Kelsey Campbell
Amy & Todd’s incredible vendor team!
Venue & Coordination: The Maples Estate - IG: @themaplesestate
Photographer: Kelsey Campbell - IG: @kelseyhcampbell.jpg
Catering: 2Shea Catering - IG: @sheacatering
Cake: Coccadotts - IG: @coccadotts
Makeup: Beautifully You by Sara - IG: @beautifully.you.by.sara
Hair: Hair by Cassondra - IG: @hairbycassondra
DJ: DJ Intel Hayesfield - IG: @intellhayesfield + @melemedia
Videographer: Complete We Do - IG: @completewedo
Florist: The Botaniste - IG: @thebotaniste.easthampton
Tent / Restroom Rental: Big Top Tent Rentals - IG: @bigtoptentrentals3353
Chair Rental: Total Events - IG: @totalevents
Transportation: Wade Tours - IG: @wadetours
Photo Booth: Saratoga Photobooth - IG: @SaratogaPhotobooth
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Vegan Wedding Venue. Emily & Michael. 6.26.21
The Marriage of Emily & Michael
June 26, 2021 at The Maples Estate
Schoharie, NY - Upstate, NY
When it comes to celebrating your wedding, it’s important to celebrate in whatever way feels authentic to you!
For Emily and Michael, that was hosting a weekend wedding with delicious vegan dishes and sustainability in mind! Their vision even inspired the formation of a vegan catering company to startup in Troy, NY and we absolutely LOVE working with what is now ‘Meadowlark Catering’ to pull off seriously awesome vegan weddings at the estate!
How did it start? Vegans Emily & Michael loved all things Troy, NY and knew they wanted to work with one of their favorite burrito bars to pull off an epic dinner that all their guests would love. They worked with Burrito Burrito to pull together a buffet menu for their simple and relaxed wedding vibes, and hired Franklin Alley Social Club for their bar service. Heidi from Franklin Alley & Takk House and the team at Burrito Burrito got to talking at the wedding and decided to form their own vegan catering company to serve vegans across upstate!
You can now hire Meadowlark Catering for your food, bar service, dessert and florals at The Maples Estate with support of the team at Takk House! This crew is amazing to work with and will create a menu just for you! You can even taste test their food at one of their pop ups or brunch events in Troy! With a full weekend to celebrate onsite at The Maples Estate, talk to them about catering your rehearsal dinner and farewell brunch as well! Wondering how Emily & Michael pulled of their dream vegan weekend wedding at The Maples Estate? Keep scrolling to learn more!
This much anticipated vegan wedding extended over the entire weekend with guests arriving Friday for a family style rehearsal dinner of lasagna, specially made with love by Emily & Michael. They gathered with their bridal parties on Saturday morning for last minute setup, played chess on the balcony, glammed in the get ready room for makeup and hair, took photos throughout the property and exchanged vows in the afternoon under the trees with 65 of their closest friends and family, complete with their grandmother as the flower girl!
They held a cocktail hour following their ceremony on the grand veranda and made their way to the reception paddock under an incredible pole tent provided from Saratoga Tent & Events. This vegan couple had sustainability as a focus so they limited live florals and decor celebrating in the natural surroundings. They even reclaimed doors and windows into beautifully handcrafted signage and hired a vegan caterer (Burrito Burrito), bar service (Franklin Alley Social Club) and baker (The Cakerino & Strawberry Snail Doughnuts) with yummy treats and flavorful Mexican inspired dishes. They finished the celebration off with a Sunday brunch on the grand veranda and said goodbye to their guests that afternoon following a dip in the pool.
Their guests were full of life the entire weekend and enjoyed watching Emily & Michael’s love story unfold. We were so excited they were finally able to celebrate, and they honestly felt like family by the end of their incredible weekend at The Maples Estate! We could not be more happy that Emily & Michael chose The Maples Estate to celebrate their love and begin their next chapter!
Photos by Our Two Hearts
Emily & Michael’s incredible vendor team!
Venue & Coordination: The Maples Estate - IG: @themaplesestate
Photographer: Our Two Hearts - IG: @ourtwohearts
Catering: Burrito Burrito - IG: @Burritosquared
Catering Support: Events to a T - IG: @eventstoa_t
Bar Service: Franklin Alley Social Club - IG: @franklinalleysocailclub
Cake: The Cakerino - IG: @thecakerino
Donuts: Strawberry Snail Doughnuts - IG: @strawberysnaildoughnuts
Tent Rental: Saratoga Tent & Events - IG: @saratogatents
DJ: DJ Mav Entertainment
Portable Restrooms: Stone Industries
More real wedding inspiration!