9 Boutique Wedding Venues In The Northeast
From the tony shores of Nantucket to the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains, the East Coast's top boutique hotels were made for fairy-tale nuptials. Now, new wedding venues are making the region even more appealing for couples planning a small wedding.
Hotel Vermont – Burlington, Vermont
Nature-loving couples will dig this rustic-chic hotel overlooking the Adirondack Mountains. Opened in May 2013, the property abounds with green event spaces (for up to 85), from the 7,500-square-foot Harbor Terrace rooftop garden to Juniper Hall, with its views of Lake Champlain. For a locavore reception, look no further than the hotel's restaurant, area favorite Hen of the Woods.
Salamander Resort & Spa – Middleburg, Virginia
Located on 340 acres in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, this 168-room retreat 50 miles west of D.C. opened in August 2013. Your big day can be intimate or lavish (from 12 to 400 guests), thanks to myriad event spaces, including trellised gardens, grand ballrooms and acres of meadows and woods.
The Boathouse Waterfront Hotel – Kennebunkport, Maine
History and elegance blend effortlessly at this 12-room hotel, which opened along the Kennebunk River in May 2013 with a nautical-meets-modern vibe. Arrive to the ceremony via boat (the property sits on the river's harborside), then hold a reception at David's Kennebunkport restaurant (seats 100), where executive chef David Turin puts a modern twist on traditional New England cuisine.
The Mansion at Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club – Brewster, Massachusetts
Five years and $40 million in the making, this resort-within-a-resort at Cape Cod's Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club debuted April 2013 with 31 Presidential Bay Collection villas located along a private beach. A variety of indoor and outdoor event spaces — including the renovated 4,500-square-foot Mansion Ballroom and an ocean-view terrace — accommodate wedding parties from 50 to 300-plus.
The Reeds at Shelter Haven Resort – Stone Harbor, New Jersey
This breezy boutique property opened in June 2013 with 37 coastal-inspired guest rooms and plenty of perks for couples. Sunset ceremonies can take place on the bay-view veranda or rooftop garden, followed by dinner and dancing in the open-air Sweet Grass Ballroom (for up to 220).
Topping Rose House – Bridgehampton, New York
Tom Colicchio went from top chef to hotelier in June 2012 when he opened this Hamptons inn set within a restored Greek Revival-era mansion. Marry in the property's rustic barn, followed by dinner for up to 110 in the private Studio. With Chef Colicchio at the helm of the farm-to-table menu, your guests are sure to be impressed.
Water's Edge Resort & Spa – Westbrook, Connecticut
Couples looking for a home away from home during their wedding weekend should check into one of Water's Edge Resort's 20 two-bedroom Villas by the Sea, debuted in 2013. The expansive accommodations include gourmet kitchens, personal concierge services, fireplaces and private beach access. At the main resort, event spaces (for up to 300) include three ballrooms, two terraces and an oceanfront lawn.
76 Main – Nantucket, Massachusetts
Reopened July 2012 after a complete redesign, this 20-room boutique is the only hotel located on Nantucket's Main Street. Expect a white picket fence and a 19th-century mansion with modern decor featuring bright punches of color. A courtyard with a handmade bar area and cozy fire pit is the perfect reception site for up to 50 guests.
The High Line Hotel – New York, New York
Beautifully restored Gothic architecture and vintage details such as rotary phones and antique rugs make this 60-room hotel, which opened in May 2013, the city's hottest wedding spot. Exchange vows in the onsite 19th-century chapel before heading to Hoffman Hall (for 40 to 500), the hotel's wood-paneled ballroom, where a historic six-foot-tall fireplace is the perfect backdrop for a photo op.