hiring a planner

by anne pyburn craig

Weddings are a big deal, made up of many moving parts that can be overwhelming for the soon-to-be newlyweds. But that’s all in a day’s work for wedding planners, who just need from you the components that will give them a reci - pe to follow in crafting your celebration. Hiring the right planner can take an enormous load from your shoulders and leave you and your beloved the free time to relish being engaged while anticipating the big day.

Hiring the wrong planner can lead to multiple frustrations that leave you exhausted by the time the party rolls around. Here are important questions to ask potential planners, to help you find the one who’s right for you.

Hiring the right wedding planner can take an enormous load from your shoulders, while hiring the wrong planner can lead to multiple frustrations.

• What packages do you offer, and what services does each include?

Wedding planning can be full-service or partial. Some couples want to make a few decisions and let the planner do the rest; others just want someone to coordinate vendors or be the point person on the Big Day. What you don’t want is a misunderstanding where you assume some detail is covered, only to find out at the last minute that it’s not.

• Do you have weddings in your portfolio that are in our planned price range? Of a similar general type?

How much bang you can expect to get for your buck can be tricky to put into words, and pictures and descriptions of other specific events can be helpful. If a planner’s entire portfolio consists of formal events and you’re planning something rustic, they may not be your person. Or they may be creatively stoked to do something different. Communicate!

• How collaborative is your style?

Finding out in advance how much input the planner is expecting and knowing how much you want to offer will help you make the right match. Some planners are comfortable crafting every detail, while others will expect to consult you about more of the choices. Clear expectations from the start will minimize frustration on both sides.

• What’s your preferred way to communicate, and how flexible are you about it?

If you’re someone who’d always rather talk on the phone than read an email, will that work for them? (It’s still a good idea to memorialize final decisions in writing to keep things clear.) How often will your planner keep in touch? What’s the best time of day to connect?

• How big is your team, and who handles what?

Will your planner be handling everything themselves, or will there be other people involved in the planning and on The Day? Depending on the size of your event, a team can be invaluable—or you might feel better working with someone who keeps everything in one basket and holds onto the handle.

Catskills Concierge

Catskills, 518-821-1750, catskillsconcierge.com

Your go-to wedding guru. Boasting over 10 years of experience in planning and executing, from off-the-grid to classic charm, weddings, and special events. If there is one thing we’ve learned, it’s that not one wedding is the same and we are here to guide your unique style and requests! Provide staffing for out-of-town catering and beverage services. Connections to local venues and vendors. Specializing in day-of coordination.

Gina Maloney Events

Hudson Valley, 845-853-4075, ginamaloneyevents.com

For Hudson Valley’s most beautiful and unique weddings— couples call upon Gina Maloney Events. Winner of The Knot’s “Hall of Fame” and voted “Best Wedding Planner in The Hudson Valley” by Hudson Valley Magazine, Gina and her staff are dedicated to making your wedding the most special, stressfree, and fun affair that reflects your personality and dreams. Follow us on Instagram @ginamaloney_events h. smith & co.

Catskills, 845-798-7650, hsmithandco.com hudson valley elope

H. Smith & Co. will walk you through the entire event planning process and be there every step of the way. Together we will create a warm, personal, detail-driven event and have a great time doing it! Our expertise and creativity ensure that when the time for the big event comes, you’ll be able to actually enjoy it; confident that we are there with you to make sure everything goes just as planned.

New Paltz, 917-406-5749, hudsonvalleyelope.com main course

Hudson Valley Elope creates unique wedding ceremonies with couples who want to begin their marriage uniquely. We are a Photographer, Officiant, and Coordinator team. Our ceremonies are earthy and grounded, with the couple at the core. Michele learns your love story to create a custom written ceremony that includes meaningful and spiritual rituals. Erica photographs your wedding in a documentary style that captures genuine emotions and records events as they unfold.

New Paltz, 845-255-2600, maincoursecatering.com rsvp by b

Every couple has a unique vision for their wedding day, and Main Course event planners are there to help bring that vision to life. Whether it’s deciding on the perfect venue or choosing the right china pattern, Main Course staff will be by your side to ensure that every detail is addressed. Expect highly personalized service from their professional staff whose only goal is to make the planning process as easy for you as walking down the aisle.

Hudson Valley, 845-202-3340, rsvpbyb.com

RSVP by B Wedding Coordination serves the beautiful Hudson Valley! We primarily focus on wedding day coordination. We know what it takes to create a smooth, stress-free, beautiful wedding. We are organized, energetic, and detail-oriented. We have your best interest at heart and we take our responsibility of creating an experience that you will remember seriously. We believe in making your day happen your way!

Helping Couples Tie the Knot

Rituals And Ceremonies

by anne pyburn craig

There are some religions that allow no deviations from their formal rite of marriage, but in the vast majority of cases these days, you and your love have the freedom to craft a ceremony that fits you like a pair of gloves.

The right officiant for you will be someone who’s wholeheartedly on board with your plan, whether it’s classical or postmodern or even has a touch of improvisation thrown in.

If you love a ritual that has no particular connection to your own culture, but it just seems to fit you both, then consider making it your own in some special way.

Ritual ideas from a range of cultures can offer inspiration. If you love a ritual that has no particular connection to your own culture, but it just seems to fit you both, then consider making it your own in some special way. Inspiration, not flat-out appropriation, is the word here.

• A wedding knot—a fisherman’s knot that you tie together in ribbon—has Celtic roots and a deep note of universal symbolism. In handfasting, another Celtic gem, your officiant binds your hands together, perhaps with heirloom fabric.

• The African American tradition of “jumping the broom” symbolized stepping out of one’s old life and into a fresh new one together, in itself a universal concept that can be expressed without using an actual broom.

• Hindu couples exchange garlands of flowers, placing them around each other’s necks to express respect and loyal acceptance. Some cultures incorporate a “lasso,” a figure-8 that an attendant or officiant places around both of your necks at once.

• Jewish couples sign a spiritual contract called the ketubah. The signing often takes place in private, but the idea of signing your names to a contract together may resonate in a ceremony.

• From the vast Judeo-Christian tradition comes the idea of a wine ceremony, which can involve blending wines from two vessels into one cup, from which you’ll each sip. (Of course, it can be water or any other liquid of your choice.)

You and your love have the freedom to craft a ceremony that fits you like a pair of gloves.

• The Cherokee practiced a blanket ritual, in which each partner is first wrapped in an individual blanket (blue was the traditional color) and they’re then wrapped, after vows are spoken, in a white blanket symbolizing peace.

• Unity flames can be candles (Judeo-Christian), or a small fire you light together (African.)

• Rituals that bring your family into the act are a lovely touch. Pass around your rings or your handfasting cord and let each person bless it with their touch. Invite your parents or closest people to come to the altar and join in group prayer, or pass you a flame with which you’ll light your unity flame.

• Place objects together into a time capsule that you’ll bury and retrieve on a distant anniversary.

• Plant a plant together as a symbol of your growth as a couple.

michele zipp, custom ceremonies & rituals

Hudson Valley, NYC, 646-509-6600, michelezipp.com

Michele is a non-denominational wedding officiant who has been crafting customized ceremonies filled with love and laughter since 2011. She’s a writer and Reiki Master, so telling your love story and including spirituality is part of her life’s work. Her unique ceremonies include meaningful rituals like handfasting, blessing circles, crystal grids, Tibetan singing bowls, magical botanicals and herbs, and reiki healing, with everything personalized for each couple.

Sonnenberg

Hudson Valley, 914-522-9118

Peter is a non-denominational/interfaith officiant providing customized wedding ceremonies that reflect the couple’s personalities, beliefs, and passions. His specialty is combining cultural and/or faith traditions, as well as incorporating unique and distinctive ritual elements to create a truly personalized and meaningful ceremony. As a spiritual director of a Westchester Holistic Healing Center, Peter has been in the field of the healing arts for over 27 years.

Columbia Tent Rentals

Ghent, 518-851-9460, columbiatent.com

A full-service rental company for all occasions—from small and informal, to large and elaborate events—we provide one-stop shopping to make coordinating your event as easy as possible. Established in 1980, we are known for our personalized customer service and clean, well-maintained equipment. We take pride in assisting each couple to bring their vision to reality!

sav-on party central

Kingston, 845-336-5800, savonparty.com

Sav-On has been a local, family-owned business for over 50 years. Their 5,000-square-foot location in Kingston Plaza is a full-service rental equipment warehouse and office, allowing you to arrange for delivery of rentals and pick up of rental equipment all in one convenient location. They carry tents, tables, chairs, china, flatware, glassware, linens, and more in their rental warehouse.

Pre-wedding celebrations are wonderful fun. They build the anticipation of the Big Event and let your nearest and dearest circles get to know each other, which makes for a better party in every way.

Gone are the days when couples had to abide by strict rules about who hosts what and which genders are allowed to attend. Tailor all your celebrations with common sense and love as your guide, and you can’t go wrong.

ENGAGEMENT PARTY: This can be anything from a backyard cookout to white-tablecloth dining, ideally within the first few weeks of your engagement. Throw your own or see if a sibling or parent would like to host. Consider a couple of getting-to-know-you games; they’re corny, but surprisingly fun and effective.

WEDDING SHOWER: Someone else—a relative or close friend—should host this one, consulting with you (of course!) about your preferences. Old-school, ladies-only get-togethers are still fine, but so are coed gatherings. The setting can be someone’s home, a tea shop, or your favorite pub. Gifts can be from your registry or follow a theme; maybe you’d like to have everyone give an experience (theater or sports event tickets, dinner out) or a bottle to stock your bar.

BRIDESMAIDS’ (OR BRIDAL PARTY) BRUNCH: This is a great way to say thank you to the beloved friends who are on this journey with you, holding your hand, and cheering you on. It’s also a great way to build the team’s camaraderie.

BACHELOR/BACHELORETTE PARTY: If you’ve always dreamed about a blowout bash featuring a brigade of strippers, and your intended is fine with that, have at it…but do realize that it’s no longer required. Your bach party should be about unleashed fun, but that can be a spa day or a horseback riding or ziplining excursion, or a weekend at an AirBnB. Traditionally, each attendant pays their own way, so be thoughtful when it comes to the cost.

REHEARSAL DINNER: It’s handy to hold this somewhere near your ceremony venue, since you’ll all be there anyway. Besides your planner, officiant, attendants, and parents, consider inviting out-of-town family or close friends who might otherwise be at loose ends, or VIPs (Grandma? The friend who introduced you two?) Don’t forget to give attendants a plus-one.

POST-WEDDING BRUNCH: Getting together to rehash great moments and say farewells can be a wonderful way to wrap it up, especially if people are traveling. Low-key is good; everybody’s happily exhausted, and more formality is a lot to expect the next morning. Maybe your venue has a space that would work; maybe there’s a nearby coffee shop with a party room, or someone in the crew has a beautiful backyard with a pool. Keep everything simple and delicious, so you can focus on the people you love.

Opus 40. The most beautiful sculpture park in the Catskills area can also be the perfect location for your outdoor wedding.

Our site features a spectacular 6.5 acre bluestone sculpture, as well as meadows, statues, fountains, and a breathtaking view of Overlook Mountain. The view alone will bedazzle your guests. Accommodating weddings up to 400.

brenda & brandon Real Elopement

photographer

Hudson Valley Elope flowers

Highland Flowers & Gifts dress suit officiant

Grace Loves Lace

Banana Republic

Michele Zipp now reserving for 2024 complete guide to hudson valley & catskills weddings weddingvortex@gmail.com @weddingvortex

From Bougie to Basic

Flowers For Your Wedding

by anne pyburn craig

The beauty, scent, and subtle sexiness of flowers make them the perfect wedding decor. Even if you’re minimalists eloping in a meadow, you’ll probably find yourself picking a few daisies for the bride to hold. Assuming you’re going a bit more elaborate, here are some floral hints, tips, and inspirations for your festivities.

The most basic wedding flowers are bouquets, boutonnieres, and centerpieces.

Floral Decor

The most basic wedding flowers are bouquets, boutonnieres, and centerpieces. If you’re going to start adding from there, think about altar flowers and decor for the head table at the reception, both locations that are likely to be photographed a lot.

Talk to your planner and florist about repurposing floral arrangements from the ceremony as part of the reception decor.

If you want to dress up the pews or chairs of your ceremony venue, consider small organic arrangements—they’re easier to repurpose than “pew markers.”

Consider making a floral portal with a statement piece on either side of the aisle at each end. At the reception, centerpieces for tables should be small enough that they don’t interfere with eating and talking. Avoid heavy scents that might compete with the flavors of the meal.

Remember those repurposed ceremony arrangements we talked about? They’d work great beside the bar and/or at the dessert table.

Where else can you put flowers?

Pretty much anywhere they fit! If there’s a spot that really needs some cheer, but there’s no room for traditional arrangements, consider hanging baskets, garlands, or floral chandeliers.

Try repurposing floral arrangements from the ceremony as part of the reception decor.

Floral Wearables

Your bridal bouquet is a statement piece— it’s going to be in lots of photos and get lots of attention. If you’re hankering for a big one, remember you can bulk it up with greenery or with less costly flowers that mesh well with your fancier blooms.

Consider getting a smaller, simpler version of your bridal bouquet for the bouquet toss. You can take home your primary one, to preserve or just enjoy for a few days, and it lessens the risk of knocking over a small flower girl.

Speaking of flower children, keep things tastefully simple for them with a small floral crown and basket of petals.

Boutonnieres need not be fancy, but it’s nice if there’s an echo of the bride’s bouquet in them. Same for the corsages for any VIPs.

Adams Fairacre Farms

Hudson Valley, 845-336-6300 (Kingston), adamsfarms.com

Create your own bouquet or let one of their florists design an arrangement for you from their array of fresh-cut flowers: roses, snapdragons, orchids, lilies—selections from far and wide that change from day to day and season to season. They also specialize in creating arrangements for every kind of event, and they deliver locally. Stop by any of their four locations and see what’s blooming at the Adams Flower Shop.

Dirty Girls Design

Hudson Valley, 845-626-1310, dirtygirlsdesign.com, dirtygirlsdesign.com

Inspired by place and informed by season, Dirty Girls Design’s arrangements capture the wilds of the Hudson Valley—spring’s emergent growth, summer’s explosion of color and bounty, fall’s abundance of foliage, flower, and fruit. Even winter offers hardy, textural foliage and striking architectural forms. We are committed to sourcing local material, both farmed and foraged, and cultivating authentic relationships with clients to create distinctive occasions.

Earthgirl Flowers

Callicoon Center, 845-807-3747, earthgirlflowers.com

Getting hitched? Having an affair? Invite (hire) us to be your flower girl. Specializing in weddings we design your flowers down to the very last petal. Our flowers come direct from our farm to your tabletop and we have access to other local blooms and flowers from around the globe: Please call, email or text to discuss your upcoming event. Orders accepted days, weeks, months or years before. Engage us for Sullivan, Delaware, Ulster & Orange Counties.

flowers by jo-ann

Washingtonville, 845-496-3343, flowersbyjoann.com

We are a mother/daughter design team with a passion for nature and creativity. Our mission is to design floral creations that are a tribute to your personality. We consider it an honor to design the florals that will become a focal point of your special day. We accept a limited number of weddings, allowing us to work with each couple and provide the best experience possible. We love getting to know our couples going the extra mile to make sure every detail is perfect and fits into your overall look, creating beautiful memories that you will cherish for a lifetime.

Gnomes Home Floral

Catskills, 518-821-1750, gnomeshomefloral.com kalleco nursery corp.

Handcrafted and locally sourced custom wedding arrangements and decor. Bountiful bouquets and lush greenery to unique crystals and whimsical displays. We simply enhance the scenery of the Hudson Valley and embrace your ideas! Over 10 years of wedding planning and design experience.

Tillson, 845-658-3553, kallecoplantnursery.com

Kalleco Nursery is home to Maureen Newman, who’s been creating floral works of art for over a decade. A Hudson Valley native, she draws inspiration from her home. Her offbeat, romantic design sense and open nature make her your perfect partner to make your floral visions a reality at your wedding or celebration. Bouquets, tablescapes, and boutonnieres, as well as plant and rustic décor rentals.

Meadowscent

Gardiner, 845-255-3866, meadowscent.com

Wedding flowers should be as unique as the couple getting married! From rustic and romantic to sleek and contemporary, Meadowscent’s designers are the professionals keeping up on current styles and trends. Let them take your pictures and inspirations and create stunning florals just for you. Meadowscent carries flowers from sustainable farms and features local products seasonally, providing you with the most beautiful blooms available in a responsible manner.

Petal Creek Farm

Milan, 845-379-0345, petalcreek.com

Petal Creek is a family-run micro flower farm and design studio located in the heart of the Hudson Valley, specializing in crafting bespoke floral designs for personal and corporate events, weddings, hospitality, commercial, and home. Seasonally offering CSA flower shares, dahlia tuber sales, local wholesale partnerships, bulk, and so much more. Slow Flowers Society and ASCFG member.

The Dancing Tulip

Saugerties, 845-247-3164, dancingtulipfloral.com

The Dancing Tulip will work with you to make your wedding day exactly what you envisioned. Consider us your partner on this floral journey. We are a full-service floral boutique. We are here to help you every step of the way: from discovering your unique floral style to delivery and set-up. Let us bring your floral dreams into full bloom.

Capture the Beauty of your Special Day

Photography Tips

by anne pyburn craig

Wedding photos are made to be treasured for years after your special day. Working with your wedding photographer to make a beautiful record of your celebration will be easy if you hire someone whose aesthetic taste and style match yours. While you’re looking through portfolios, note the photographer’s skill in lighting, composition, and working with subjects to capture genuine expressions of joy. getting ready shots while they ’ re fresh

Working with your wedding photographer to make a beautiful record of your celebration will be easy if you hire someone whose aesthetic taste and style match yours.

Decide in advance whether you want private “first look” shots or will expect the photographer to capture reactions as you’re actually coming down the aisle.

Wedding photos are made to be treasured for years after your special day. Working with your wedding photographer to make a beautiful record of your celebration will be easy if you hire someone whose aesthetic taste and style match yours. While you’re looking through portfolios, note the photographer’s skill in lighting, composition, and working with subjects to capture genuine expressions of joy. the magic of ‘ the dress ’ Have the photographer capture the bride’s own “first look,” catching sight of herself in the mirror, and reaction shots of the bridal party. Be sure to get a solo portrait, a shot of the back of the dress, and closeups of any details like lace or embroidery that you really love.

Here is a list of things that should be photographed in their most pristine moment of glory, before the day has its way with them:

• Your bouquet at its freshest

• Freshly dressed and groomed bridal party

• Decor of the ceremony venue, altar, and reception venue

• Tablescapes and place settings

• Cake and dessert table

First Looks

Decide in advance whether you want private “first look” shots or will expect the photographer to capture reactions as you’re actually coming down the aisle—there are advantages and disadvantages to both.

The Ceremony

Ask the photographer to step back far enough to get a panorama of the ceremony and the gathered crowd as it begins. It’s a keepsake view you won’t get from the altar.

The Reception

Keep your schedule of events just loose enough for plenty of candid moments.

Make sure the photographer knows the basic “who’s who” in the fam.

Generational photos are great. Make time for these, especially if you’re lucky enough to have elderly friends or relatives there. These will become cherished family history.

During your first dance, focus on the joy of the embrace, not your dancing skills. The camera will capture that entranced look.

Make sure your photographer knows your schedule for key moments like cake cutting, bouquet toss, and toasts.

Clean Plate Pictures

New Paltz, 917-406-5749, cleanplatepictures.com kalz photography

We love weddings. We love the excitement in the air. We love raging dance floors and moonlit kisses. And we love documenting each and every moment for you and your family. Clean Plate Pictures makes the experience of being photographed easy and fun, capturing genuine emotions and recording events as they unfold. The day might go by in a blur, but Erica and the team will give you visual memories to treasure for years to come.

Catskills, kalzphotography.com

Looking for a wedding photographer who captures your special moments with fun-loving and candid romance? Look no further! I am passionate about capturing the love and excitement of your big day, ensuring you have beautiful, timeless photos to cherish for a lifetime. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help make your wedding photography dreams a reality.

Love Me Do Photography

Fleischmanns, 267-603-2086, lovemedophotography.com

Love Me Do Photography is a small collective of photographers with backgrounds in editorial and fine art photography. We aim to capture the love between our couples by capturing genuine moments in a creative way. With each wedding, we enter a partnership with our clients, one that is honest and pure, inviting them to trust us to document their day artfully and organically.

Rachel Collet Photography

Hudson Valley, NYC, 845-399-3147, rachelcollet.com teresa

Rachel’s photojournalistic approach captures the unique charm, tenderness, and excitement of every celebration in its rich, authentic form. Her creative eye illuminates the subtle moments and details that give our memories texture. Rachel listens carefully to her clients to make sure what they value is reflected and preserved in their gallery of images.

Horgan Photography

Hudson Valley, 917-612-2963, teresahorgan.com

Striving to capture all that makes your day distinct and memorable, Teresa will photograph the emotion, the mood, and the spirit of your day. Teresa shoots in a distinct editorial style, with lots of fun candids sprinkled throughout. Every couple’s wedding is unique, and Teresa aims to capture each individual wedding in the most beautiful way possible.

Unholy Matrimonies

Hudson Valley, Ameliacwilliams.com, @unholymatrimonies, Amelia@Ameliacwilliams.com

Unholy Matrimonies is an event photography company by local mixed media artist Amelia Williams. With a strong background in fashion production and celebrity styling, Amelia took her obsession with behind-the-scenes photography and applied it to events. Creating beautiful collages and montages of your day, Amelia captures the essence of your matrimonies artistically, organically, and in a way that is fully unique to you.

MAKE YOUR WEDDING WEEKEND OR UPSTATE EVENT EVEN MORE MEMORABLE WITH LOCALLY SOURCED FOODS SERVED FROM THE LITTLE MOBILE KITCHEN CONTACT US TODAY FOR MENUS AND DETAILS

BARRYTOWN • 845-481-2050

DAVIDFOUNDED.COM

Real Wedding mia & harold photography venue flowers catering entertainment makeup

Teresa Horgan Photography

The Inn at Kettleboro

Marianne’s Floral Garden

Essie’s Restaurant

Randoz Event

Eclectic Studios by Cynthia Moore

Small Bites

by anne pyburn craig

Nothing builds an appetite like a wedding ceremony, and your cocktail-hour treats are the opening notes in your symphony of food, taking the worst edge off hunger while hinting at the top-notch feast to come.

Each of you can choose an all-time favorite snack to include, and the menu can evolve from there. Consider the theme and style of your celebration, and what local foods will be in season.

Don’t be afraid to get creative—cocktail-hour snacks can be just about anything that can be served in bite-sized portions.

Each of you can choose an all-time favorite snack to include, and the menu can evolve from there.

here are a few ideas we love :

• Cups of favorite soup

• Charcuterie served on a board that fits your look

• Kebabs of fruits, veggies, cheeses, or fresh herbs.

• Pizza or taco bites with a variety of toppings

• Paper cones of French fries or sweet potato fries

• Trays of fresh specialty breads with fresh-made relishes and topping choices

• Half-sized hot dogs, a heartier alternative to pigs-in-a-blanket

• Chicken bites served on wee waffles

• Shellfish, shrimp, and crab

• Platters of roasted veggies

• Grilled cheese wedges and tomato soup shots

• Cups or cones of tasty salads

• here are some tips for finding that gem : once you have a few possibilities in mind , here are some questions to guide your interview :

Choosing a caterer is one of your most important wedding decisions. You want everything to be delicious and beautifully presented, from appetizers to irresistible desserts. You want smooth, impeccable service. Beyond that, you want someone whose talents are a good fit with your culinary vision.

Start looking early. This will give you the widest possible range of choices and plenty of time to research photos and reviews on social media.

●• Find out if any of your favorite restaurants do catering.

• If you’ve chosen your venue or planner, ask for suggestions. These pros know who can deliver the best.

• Knowing your budget and your vision will help you find the caterers who can bring them together.

• How many weddings have you done, and do you have photos? References?

• Have you ever worked at our venue? If not, will you be visiting to make sure your setup will work there? Do we need to provide tableware and glassware, or do you handle those?

• How flexible is your menu? Can you do kids’ meals and accommodate allergies or dietary restrictions?

• Where do you source your ingredients?

• What levels of service do you offer? Buffet, family style, full dinner service?

• Who will be there on the day, and what services will they provide, such as setting tables, passing hors d’oeuvres, cake cutting or bartending? How many servers per guest?

• When do you need final menu choices? Final headcount?

If everything sounds delicious, make sure the details make sense. Ask to see the standard contract. Payment schedules and cancellation policies should be spelled out. Make sure that the caterer has the licensing and insurance they need.

angela’s pizza restaurant

& catering

Lake Katrine, 845-382-2211, angelaspizzarestaurant.com/catering blue mountain bistro-to-go

Angela’s Pizza Restaurant in Lake Katrine has been family-owned for more than 35 years. As the go-to place for great pizza, salads, wraps, and Italian specialties, we’re ready to serve. Let us bring our awesomeness to your next event!

Kingston, 845-340-9800, bluemountainbistro.com

The exclusive caterers of the Onteora Mountain House, Blue Mountain Bistro is committed to providing high-quality food and service both on the day of your wedding and the days leading up to it. When you choose Blue Mountain Bistro Catering for your wedding, you will be rewarded with raves from friends and family. Relax and enjoy yourselves knowing that their creative, experienced staff is handling all the details of the day.

Catskills & the Berkshires, ChefDeanna.com

Our exceptional staff goes beyond what is expected to make your day the best day! We serve our food on cast-iron and vintage silver platters and vintage plates, so at no point during your event you feel you are in an industrial production line. Our goal is to create a wildly beautiful and delicious experience that blends with the nature around us. Our ingredients are made by folks and farmers who love what they do, and I am convinced that matters.

Hickory Barbecue

chefzachberger@gmail.com

Instagram: @food_master_flex

With passion for food and travel, Zach brings flavors from regions all over the world while keeping his roots in the Hudson Valley very dear to him—using all of the fresh, local ingredients and flavors that our region has to offer. Zach has created relationships with local farms and local makers to truly give you a culinary experience from the heart and home. Email for more info about private dinners, events, pop-ups, or any other questions.

Woodstock/Rhinebeck, 845-679-9800, cucinawoodstock.com, marketstrhinebeck.com

We will accommodate your event with every attention to detail and style. Cucina in Woodstock and Market St. Restaurant in Rhinebeck are both available for a buyout, or we can cater at any location of your choice. The Barn at Cucina is a restored 19th-century barn with original beams, long rustic harvest tables, and splashes of modern décor. The Barn is fitting for rehearsal dinners, weddings, cocktail events, and dinner parties.

Kingston, 845-338-2424, hickoryrestaurant.com

As a full-service caterer offering complete party planning, Hickory can provide trained servers, kitchen staff, and bartenders for a perfect wedding. From a simple backyard barbecue to a special wedding, Hickory can help with all the details. Many of their dishes are available as certified organic, grass-fed, vegetarian, and vegan—just ask. Linen and equipment rentals are available. Likewise, they can also provide floral, cake, bar, and other services.

jessie’s harvest house

Tannersville, 518-589-5445, jessiesharvesthouse.com

Jessie’s Harvest House Restaurant and Lodge is a warm and cozy place to gather, featuring a delicious menu full of locally sourced ingredients, a friendly tavern, and rustic country lodging. Located just outside of Tannersville’s main strip, the dining room is spread out over the ground floor of a charming home with a menu full of small and large plates that offer a great modern twist to classic American dishes.

lola’s weddings & events

Poughkeepsie, New Paltz, 845-471-8550, lolasweddingsandevents.com

Lola’s Weddings & Events is a high-end, boutique-style catering company offering seasonal menus, personalized event planning, line-item budgets, and experienced trustworthy staff. We craft menus that satisfy our clients’ specific needs, desires, and budgets. Voted best caterer of the Hudson Valley in 2021 & 2022.

Main Course Catering

New Paltz, 845-255-2600, maincoursecatering.com

Main Course is a full-service caterer that can coordinate all wedding aspects including customized menus, décor, linens, and rentals. Under chef Bruce Kazan’s innovative leadership, a team of talented professionals creates the finest in catered events. Main Course, a leader in the sustainable food movement, uses small Hudson Valley purveyors to provide the freshest local, organic produce, free-range poultry, line-caught fish, and hormone-free meats.

mangia and enjoy!

Saugerties/Woodstock/Hudson Valley, 914-494-9951, mangiaandenjoy.com

Full-service wedding catering with integrity! Always organic, sustainable, local, farm-to-table bounty. Any and all dietary concerns honored creatively. Add our touch of culinary magic for your delectable, customized wedding feast. Your vision exceptionally realized. Allow our award-winning creativity and impeccable service to help ensure a lifetime of scrumptious memories. Main ingredient: Love! Beautiful food for beautiful people. We travel everywhere!

Oyster Party

New York, 646-468-4545, oysterpartybk.com

At Oyster Party, we are experts in curating personalized raw bars for our clients. With over 10 years of experience, we are confident that we can work with you to create a raw bar experience that you and your guests will be talking about for years to come. Completely self-sufficient in setup and service, we are an easy add-on to any wedding!

Sonder Restaurant

Kingston, sonderkingston.com

We have a really beautiful space, a great backyard, and an amazing team. Our team is skilled and ready to cater your next event, host your next party, and so much more. Email us at naturalwine@ sonderkingston.com for packages and more information.

The Little Mobile Kitchen

by david founded

Barrytown, 845-481-2050, davidfounded.com agnes devereux catering

Make your upstate weekend even more memorable with local foods prepared from The Little Mobile Kitchen. Perfect for your arrival party, “morning after” breakfast, or after-party munchies. Menu highlights include challah French toast, bacon egg and cheese sammies, lamb balls with raisin pesto, smoked eggplant dip, pepper jelly lamb sliders, and harissa dressed farro salad. All dishes are made from locally sourced farms and makers.

Staatsburg, 845-926-6059, agnesdevereuxcatering.com

Celebrating your wedding and the bounty of the Hudson Valley with delicious food, local and seasonal ingredients, and 15 years of catering experience to shepherd you through the planning of a memorable day.

A Culinary Experience From the Heart.

FLAVORS FROM REGIONS ALL OVER THE WORLD USING FRESH LOCAL INGREDIENTS.

seasoned delicious Lake Katrine, 845-802-3317, seasoneddeliciousfoods.com

Flavor is our expertise! Homestyle catering with a Caribbean flair for all your Hudson Valley catering needs. Let our chefs help you come up with the perfect menu to satisfy your guests. Also see our work at seasonedgives.org, where we are creating lasting solutions to poverty hunger and social injustice through education, ownership, and self-sufficiency.

Chef Zach Berger

PRIVATE CHEF AND CATERER

Email: chefzachberger@gmail.com Instagram: @food_master_flex