After tying the knot, head to a local home away from home to stay and play with family and friends.
Truth: The best part of a wedding is the reception.
What’s not to love? After the pomp and circumstance of a formal ceremony, the reception is a time to let loose, unwind, and dance the night away. It’s a time for laughing with family and friends, for grabbing a drink at the bar, and for taking one too many pictures at the photo booth.
It’s the one time during an otherwise formal to-do that brides can slip off their heels, grooms can loosen their ties, and everyone can celebrate like there’s no tomorrow.
So instead of planning a run-of-the-mill reception, why not skip tradition entirely and opt for a post-wedding party at a local Airbnb? In the Hudson Valley, rentable venues run the gamut from cozy cottages for small afterparties to grand estates tucked inside rolling forests. Take a browse through a few of the most stunning properties in the region, then book a night (or two) to host a reception no one will forget any time soon.
Affordable
Mediterranean Villa
Catskill
Party in a villa? You can get that in the Hudson Valley. This Catskills property is a veritable gem for receptions in the upper Hudson area, thanks to amenities that include an in-ground pool, chef’s kitchen, fireplace, courtyard, piano, and more. The house can fit 14 guests, making it a top pick for parties that streamline to family and friends after the ceremony concludes.
Not only is the house a stunner, but the surrounding Hudson Valley views will have everyone wishing the reception could go on for days.
The Stone House
Petersburg
Campy in the best way, The Stone House is a delight for an intimate reception with a handful of best friends. The home’s unique setup is reminiscent of a ski lodge, albeit a more colorful one, thanks to open bunks and a flowing floorplan. The space charms with cozy touches like heated floors, a fireplace, and an open kitchen, not to mention a fun stock of board games and books.
A must for history lovers, the house began its life as a chapel that was later converted into a private home. With a proximity to a number of slopes, as well as to Albany and Troy, it’s a top pick for anyone planning to say “I do” in Rensselaer County.
Mid-Range
Big Timber Lodge
Hunter
Getting married at Hunter or Windham? Big Timber Lodge is the place to host the afterparty. The property stuns from the start, with three floors inside a custom log design that sits next to a running creek. Kick off the reception by watching the sunset along the skyline, then toast marshmallows by the firepit or take a dip in the outdoor hot tub. Inside the octagon-shaped home, meanwhile, guests can unwind with billiards, ping pong, and poker, then get cozy by the wood-burning stove or savor the twinkling sky on the panoramic deck.
Big Timber Lodge is close to both Hunter and Windham Mountains, as well as to Tannersville, making it a great overnight space for anyone who wants to plan a ceremony in the Green County region.
Catskill Log Home
Big Indian
Lean into the log cabin vibes at this gorgeous Big Indian retreat. A short distance from Hunter, Phoenicia, and Woodstock, the property is a worthy pick for couples planning a mountainside ceremony. The house itself can host up to 30 guests, with an additional fee for any invitees beyond that number.
The interior is oh so hygge, with couches galore, a crackling fireplace, and a spacious kitchen. While the abode could be an ideal reception venue in any season, it shines brightest in winter with a light dusting of snow on the grounds.
Windrift Hall
Coxsackie
Channel Downton Abbey during the wedding reception at this restored 1790s manor house in Coxsackie. Although the property is 20 minutes from Hudson and an easy drive from Albany International Airport, it’s secluded enough to make guests feel like they’ve stumbled across a sliver of Eden. The home can fit 14 guests, making it an excellent option for elegant receptions that evolve into morning-after brunches.
Invite family and friends to the grounds for garden parties in spring, outdoor dinners in summer, and cozy cocktail parties around the fire in winter. For larger groups, the grounds have a 1,200-square-foot pavilion with a private swimming pond that’s just as ideal for the ceremony itself as it is for the afterparty.
Luxury
Catskill Estate
Margaretville
A showstopper in the Catskills, this estate packs entertainment, history, and a magnificent mountainside panorama into one incredible space. The 1886 house fits 15 people comfortably, with breakfast included in the price. It sits on 20 acres with views of the Catskills that are perhaps best seen from the 80-foot wraparound porch. With seven bedrooms, a hot tub, and a fire pit, the property is just as ideal for a reception as it is for a cocktail party. For couples who want an all-in-one venue, the estate has a dedicated ceremony site, plus two barns, one of which has a dance floor.
The Catskill estate is available for weddings from May to October, so anyone who wants to book here should plan ahead.
Private Estate on the Hudson
Catskill
For anyone who craves Hudson River views as a reception background, this Catskill estate is the way to go. A study in luxury, the property channels a 19th century Adirondack cabin aesthetic diffused with creature comforts like a heated pool and hot tub, a 300-foot private riverfront beach, and kayaks for use on the river.
In addition to the 10 bedrooms and 7.5 baths, the house has a pool table, ample outdoor acreage, and walking and biking trails available to guests. In other words, it’s a must for an elegant post-wedding reception in the upper Hudson Valley.
Xavier Acre Retreat
Mountainville
Set quietly in Orange County, this whole-house property has it all. After saying “I do” at a nearby barn or winery, head back to the house for a night of luxury. The property comes with a 20 x 40-foot pool, a hot tub, and a fireplace, making it ideal for anyone who wants to savor the great outdoors with loved ones. Inside, two stone fireplaces, a premium sound system, and party lighting keep the festivities going into the wee hours of the night.
Want to turn the reception into a full weekend to-do? The property accommodates parking for 15 cars and has a master kitchen that’s perfect for communal breakfast in the morning.
