You're engaged! Congrats! Now that you've said "yes" and are starting to think about saying "I do," why not an Adirondack wedding? Waterfalls, rocky peaks with stunning views, and fragrant forests — the natural beauty of the Whiteface region makes it the perfect spot for a scenic and adventurous destination wedding.
From riverside "I do" to getting married on top of a mountain, we've got the scoop on the prettiest places and cool details to help you plan your dream wedding. Here are all the essentials for making your big day a celebration of love that's totally you, whether it's classic, modern, or rustic.
Totally unique venues
Whiteface Mountain
At 4,865 feet high and standing as the fifth highest mountain in New York, you'd be hard-pressed to find a wedding venue with a more expansive view than the one on top of Whiteface Mountain. The whole mountain is one big venue, with plenty of unique details. At the top of the seasonal Memorial Highway, a stone castle (seriously) conceals an elevator that whisks you to the broad, rocky summit; from there, your views are seemingly endless, a stunning setting matching the excitement of the day.
For another exhilarating option, try Little Whiteface. Access to this summit is by the Cloudsplitter Gondola, sweeping guests through the air to the peak's observation deck. You'll be surrounded by fresh air, great views, and fragrant pine trees. The events team at Whiteface can help prospective newlyweds with planning, including assistance with catering, flowers, and beyond, helping take the stress out of planning a wedding from afar.
Bonus: Whiteface's many attractions, including hiking, mountain biking, and Adventure Zone — slackline, climbing wall, bungee-assisted trampolines, and more — provide plenty of activities for your guests to enjoy while they're in town.
High Falls Gorge
If a mountaintop isn't your speed, how about a ceremony alongside a series of stunning waterfalls created over a billion years ago? High Falls Gorge is a splendid series of four falls of the Ausable River flowing between rock walls that were carved by glaciers and continue to be worn away by the awesome power of the river. Walkways, bridges, and overlooks provide a variety of views of the falls from inside the gorge. You can be surrounded by your loved ones and nature itself.
A wedding at High Falls Gorge can take place in one of several spots, with several wheelchair accessible locations. It's also a great spot for engagement photos or a memorable proposal experience (just in case you are thinking about it but haven't quite made it happen yet); High Falls Gorge has a number of customizable packages and the staff can help tailor any experience to meet your needs for a once-in-a-lifetime experience; they know the region's vendors well and can provide great planning assistance.
Bonus: A High Falls Gorge wedding isn't just pretty, it's a great spot for some family fun, too. Your friends and family will enjoy the nature trails, old growth forest, ancient geology, and cafe.
Perfect details
You've chosen the venue, now for the details. The Whiteface region has you covered there, too. Little Farmhouse Flowers in Jay provides stunning organic floral services for weddings, including bouquets, floral crowns, centerpieces, arbors, and boutonierres. Every flower is grown on site at the farm; options include unique and heirloom varieties that will make your ceremony extra beautiful.
When it comes to wedding favors, we have no shortage of sweet, unique treats. Local bakeries and confectioners can provide anything from mini pie pops to classic chocolates. Adirondack Chocolates, a local classic, crafts creamy treats include truffles, chocolate covered cookies, and decadent solid chocolates.
Lux life
No matter if you're having a big wedding or a small, intimate ceremony with just your closest family on hand, the Whiteface region has plenty of places to stay, play, and relax for your weekend or even week-long celebrations. After all, weddings are about fun too, right?
Sweet dreams
One of the biggest issues couples face is, "where will everyone stay?" In the grand tradition of the Adirondack vacation, we have plenty of lodges, vacation homes, motels, cabins, and hotels to select from and we think you'll enjoy choosing one that will fit your budget and style. Want secluded comfort in the woods? We've got that. Prefer something a little closer to all the local action? No problem. Want to relax in a hot tub after your big day? Don't even worry about it. You can even catch a late day flight out of town to get away from your family, but don't tell anyone that was my idea.
Play all day
Because it's a destination wedding, you'll want your guests to have plenty of options for fun, before and after the wedding. We have hikes for all ages and abilities, from Whiteface itself to shorter and generally flatter trails leading to picturesque ponds.
The Adirondack Wildlife Refuge in Wilmington has nature trails too, but they're best known as the home of a variety of animals, including black bears, wolves, and eagles. A few hours at the refuge make for a memorable, family-friendly experience.
Not far from the refuge, the Wilmington beach is a great spot to cool off, swim, and splash. Canoe and kayak rentals make getting out for a sunny paddle easy, and it's a great place to picnic, too.
You’re on the brink of a big adventure, perhaps the biggest ever: you’re getting married. Saying “I do” in the Whiteface region is a beautiful way to start your forever adventure together.
