In recent years, couples have searched for ways to join the best of a local wedding with the adventure of a destination wedding. In came mini-destination weddings! The reasons for the popularity of this style of wedding are clear, especially among the rolling hills and stunning landscape of New York and Connecticut.
But what exactly are mini-destination weddings? These local getaway weddings are typically weekend-long events at venues located just a short drive away. Guest lists can vary greatly in size, and the amount of the budget not used on expensive international travel means the luxury is pushed to new limits.
Though mini-destination weddings are a well-known choice, many couples still wonder what goes into this style of wedding and whether it’s the right choice for them. Let’s dive into all the details and my favorite mini-destination wedding venues!
Why Have a Mini-Destination Wedding
First up, let’s talk about the pros of mini-destination weddings and why you should consider having one.
Mini-destination weddings are weekend-long retreats at luxurious venues that include lodging, event spaces, and dining for your entire party. They allow you and your bridal party and any guests that lodge on the property to enjoy the luxuries of a top-tier resort without worries of passports, long flights, immunizations, and all that goes into destination weddings out of the country.
Many couples opt to have a full buyout of these locations for the most exclusive experience. Guests and members of the bridal party often arrive on Thursday or Friday, giving plenty of time to get settled in, visit spa houses, and enjoy the scenery before beginning the festivities Friday night. A ceremony and reception on Saturday, and a relaxing brunch on Sunday from the on-site chefs and restaurants create a weekend-long wedding celebration that gives friends and family ample time to enjoy each other’s company. All that connection surrounded by luxurious amenities, unique activities, and the rolling green hills of New York and Connecticut? Perfection.
Staying close to home and buying out the full location means guests and members of the bridal party are able to experience the finest a resort has to offer when they otherwise may not be able to, creating unique, once-in-a-lifetime memories surrounded by those they love most. Weekend getaway wedding venues often feature a range of activities for adventure-lovers, like flyfishing, kayaking, pickleball, and even forest bathing!
While your wedding is all about joining together with your love in matrimony, it’s also about connecting with the friends and family who love you most. Everyone says their wedding day goes by in a blur, so why not enjoy an entire weekend getaway to create lifelong memories and enjoy all that your resort venue has to offer?
Mini-Destination Wedding Timeline and Vendor Considerations
Weekend getaway weddings come with unique timelines and vendor considerations. Let’s dive into both topics here:
The timeline as it applies to you and your party getting ready is much, much easier with a mini-destination wedding — after all, you’re already at the venue! Getting ready happens in the premier suite with every amenity you could need, plus delicious breakfast, lunch, and refreshments all day long. Then, it’s just a short walk to the location of your ceremony on the resort grounds!
Without having to worry about the added burden of lodging and transportation for your bridal party, you can focus on the relaxing extended stay, enjoying the spa facilities and activities on the luxurious grounds. Plus, easy lodging for your wedding party removes the stress of keeping an entire party on time and removes a big step in your pre-wedding planning, too!
Keep in mind that venues vary in their capacity for overnight guests. Some venues are able to host only your small wedding party or closest friends and family, while others can accommodate nearly your full guest count if you plan to share the whole weekend with everyone!
Since mini-destination wedding venues are still fairly local, guests who don’t stay on the grounds of your venue can enjoy a short trip to join the party on Friday evening or Saturday morning. If your venue is unable to host these one-night reservations due to capacity restrictions, I recommend having a list of nearby lodging options available for those who want to travel in the night before.
One question I often receive about my arrival time for weekend getaway weddings is why I arrive a full day early. To some, this seems excessive, but you will see it’s absolutely necessary! Not only does it mitigate any risk for travel issues like flight delays or traffic jams, it also allows me to arrive at your venue collected and prepared. I can also take my time finding hidden gems for portraits and taking scene-setting shots that go beyond the norm. This makes a big difference when creating and capturing images that your family will treasure for generations!
One lesser-known consideration many couples appreciate is not having to worry about finding vendors in an international or unfamiliar place. When you stay close to home with a mini-destination wedding, you can choose local, trusted names you already know and who can easily accommodate your vision.
Destination weddings often have the added stress of unfamiliar vendors and language barriers, making choosing and booking the perfect vendors much easier when staying local with a mini-destination wedding.
Couples looking for a true escape will find the best of both worlds in mini-destination weddings. They are close enough to home that friends and family can easily attend, yet removed enough from daily life that they can fully enjoy all that a weekend getaway wedding venue has to offer.
My Favorite Mini-Destination Venues
Now that we’ve discussed the biggest pros of mini-destination weddings, plus the unique timeline and vendor benefits, let’s look at my favorite weekend getaway wedding venues!
The Pridwin Hotel & Cottages
Nestled on the northern coast of Shelter Island between the Northern and Southern forks of the Hamptons, The Pridwin Hotel and Cottages offers stellar waterfront views and amenities galore. Your bridal party and guests can enjoy 33 beautifully-appointed rooms in the main building, or sprawl across the property’s 16 private cottages. In the days before your wedding ceremony, relax at the spa, pool, or beach, or explore everything the island offers with bicycles, private boats, tennis and pickle ball, and extensive activities offered by the resort.
The Pridwin offers four outdoor wedding spaces (The Lawn, The Terrace, The Grove, and The Pool) that host anywhere from 75 to 200 guests in a tranquil setting surrounded by Shelter Island’s natural beauty. The elegant indoor spaces (The Terrace Restaurant, The Morgan Room, and The Frost Room) can accommodate party sizes from 40 up to 125 guests, giving couples a wide range of spaces to make their wedding unforgettable.
Mayflower Inn and Spa
Mayflower Inn is an historic estate standing on 58 acres of rolling Connecticut countryside, bringing the beauty of English and Scandinavian design to this stately resort in Litchfield County. More than 38 rooms are available to guests across four buildings on the grounds (3 of which are standalone residences), each featuring soaking tubs and four-poster beds. A 20,000 square foot spa house welcomes those looking forward to relaxing before wedding festivities. Flyfishing, forest bathing, wine tasting, and many more activities are available for those seeking adventure.
A grand oak tree just beyond the tranquil Shakespeare Garden is perfect for an airy, outdoor wedding ceremony. Large parties can waltz beneath the spacious 4,200 square foot Sperry Tent before enjoying exquisite meals from the chef-in-residence and spirits from the resort’s distillery on site. Mayflower Inn’s staff and accommodations are praised endlessly by couples who have married here. Having been here myself many times, I wholeheartedly agree!
LionRock Farm
Those seeking a countryside getaway from city life will find true peace at LionRock Farm. This fully operational farm offers quaint, intimate spaces and grand outdoor settings that can truly take on the vision of each and every couple. The rolling pastures are able to accommodate 200 wedding guests with or without tents, while intimate weddings can be hosted in the Grey Barn.
With four residences that can house up to 28 overnight guests and an abundance of lakes and rivers, trails, dining, and shopping available nearby, guests attending the full weekend of festivities will have plenty to enjoy. One of my favorite spaces at LionRock is the pergola, perfect for seated rehearsal and welcome dinners surrounded by the natural beauty of Litchfield County.
Winvian Farm
Couples seeking a truly unique getaway experience will find Winvian Farm to be unparalleled. Guests can choose from 18 themed cottages or enjoy the spacious suites adorning the top floor of the main house constructed in 1775. After enjoying the countless activities offered on the 113 acre property, guests are invited to toss away their worries and enjoy the true meaning of a “getaway” in a 40 foot pool, a luxurious spa house, and a seed-to-table restaurant.
All weddings booked at Winvian Farm are sure to be unmatched among the meticulous grounds and historic manor. They also include the services of an on-site wedding planner with every wedding! This mini-destination wedding venue in Litchfield County is a Relais & Chateuax resort so you can rest assured that every minute of your stay and your wedding will be exactly to your standards, bringing all your wedding dreams to life.
The Roundhouse
With stunning waterfall views, flexible indoor and outdoor spaces, and deluxe hotel rooms, the Roundhouse in Beacon, NY, is an excellent choice for couples seeking a modern venue able to accommodate up to 200 guests, with cuisine unlike any other. This once-bustling manufacturing complex was rescued from decades of neglect in 2010 and meticulously restored, still featuring many original pieces of the grand factory buildings.
Guests can book rooms in the primary Roundhouse building or in the Mill building. Rooms with views of Fishkill Creek and Beacon Falls are spacious and appointed with sleek, mid-century modern design. The renowned Roundhouse restaurant highlights local farms in Hudson Valley, paying homage to the rich agriculture of the area with goods from local wineries, distilleries, and craftsmen accentuating every part of the restaurant and grounds.
Mini-destination weddings are the perfect compromise for couples seeking a getaway adventure without the stress of far-off travel. Any one of these venues gives couples and wedding guests alike an unforgettable weekend getaway experience, from breathtaking waterfront views on an historic property, to a secluded industrial-style complex. Each venue offers various levels of customization to your wedding style and different calibers of resort-style accommodations for guests. Finding the right venue for your dream mini-destination wedding will be effortless!
To learn more or to book me for your wedding weekend getaway, contact me here. To read more about my favorite mini-destination getaway venues in Litchfield County, view my recent blog post here! To book or learn more about my favorite mini-destination wedding venues in Litchfield County and beyond, visit the links below:
Mayflower Inn and Spa | Litchfield County, CT
LionRock Farm | Litchfield County, CT
Winvian Farm | Litchfield County, CT
The Roundhouse | Beacon, NY
The Pridwin Hotel and Cottages | Shelter Island, NY
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