WEDDING ISSUE - Catskill Mountain Foundation

If the couple choose not to see one another prior to the
wedding, the venue needs to be large enough for them to stay
comfortably apart. Only if the venue does not afford that amount
of privacy may it become necessary for the groom to remain at
another location.
Guests begin to arrive on Saturday afternoon and may
familiarize themselves with the wedding location. A welcome
station with very light fare is a wonderful way to greet the guests.
In warm weather, fruit, cheese and cold drinks, like lemonade and
punch, are appropriate. In the cooler weather, hot apple cider,
cocoa, crackers and cheese are a good choice.
Then comes Saturday evening and the long-awaited wedding
reception, which presents itself as it would at a non-weekend wedding.
The length of the weekend events will vary from location
to location, but the philosophy of those who host Destination-
Weekend Weddings is to allow everyone attending a feeling of exclusivity,
without being rushed to make way for another wedding
party. Leisurely is the byword.
Before, during and after the festivities, this type of venue
also provides some quiet getaway time for the bride, the groom or
both. Their own private bedroom can be there waiting to afford
them that opportunity for cool down, alone time or touch-ups.
Sunday morning arrives and everyone can sleep late. Once
awake, the bridal party and their guests have a congenial atmosphere
in which to get coffee and think about having breakfast.
Just when you think it’s all over, along comes Sunday Brunch and
a great opportunity to spend quality time, especially with guests
who have come from afar. After brunch the official schedule
comes to an end and it’s time to pack up and head out.
So You Want a Destination Weekend Wedding…
If you have decided that a Destination Weekend Wedding is what
you want, there are information and tips that may help with your
planning. If the venue you select is neither near the bride’s home
nor her family’s, it may prove valuable to hire a local wedding
consultant who can help with arrangements. The time, effort and
cost of traveling back and forth to check on and finalize details
can be high. A wedding consultant can carry part of that burden.
Many hotels and resorts offer a wedding consultant, wedding
coordinator or event planner as part of their wedding packages. A
local consultant who is familiar with the location you have chosen
will provide her planning expertise and should have local contacts
offering wedding-related services, to recommend.
Some destination venues offer “throw in’s” as an incentive.
There are those, for example, who will include the ceremony at
no charge, with the stipulation that the couple book rooms for a
minimum number of nights and a certain number of guests. Freebies
can be disappointing, so make sure you know all the details,
in advance.
If you are getting married either out-of-state or out-of-thecountry,
do a little homework to avoid difficulties. Different
states and certainly different countries have their own marriage
16 • www.catskillregionguide.com