The pandemic put wedding plans on hold for many, but Warren County couples are once again walking down the aisle to say, “I do.”
“2021 was a big year for weddings that were rescheduled due to COVID-19 restrictions, said Letizia Mastrantoni of Events to a T, a Glens Falls-based event planning firm. “We are seeing couples who were engaged in past years or who waited to start planning, and many newly engaged couples start booking their weddings.”
The county’s natural beauty makes it an ideal setting for a couples’ big day.
“Warren County is a special place to host a wedding because it encompasses a diverse area, with venues to accommodate many different aesthetics. Whether looking for waterfront, a rustic barn, an outdoor celebration, an elegant ballroom or even n entire camp to throw a weekend celebration, Warren County can accommodate,” Mastrantoni said.
Melissa Seabury, photographer and owner of Seabury Photography, said the variety of backdrops are perfect for capturing beautiful memories.
”You can be married in a forest surrounded by giant trees, in a beautifully groomed park surrounded by flowers, on top of a mountain with breathtaking views or right in front of the most beautiful lake in North America,” she said.
Seabury said business increased exponentially in 2021. She credits the amazing views for part of that success, but said local businesses collaborating is another reason Warren County is an ideal location for special events.
“I love working with local vendors to make a couple’s wedding come together,” she said. “I have made so many local connections and, as much as I want to be successful in the area, I want the same for those professionals as well.
AJ and Christina Richards, owners of Farmacy restaurant in downtown Glens Falls, agree that businesses working together is one of the region’s greatest strengths.
“Working with other local businesses is the heart of what we do and we try to translate that into our catering,” Christina Richards said. “If someone asks us for referrals, we them a list of local business owners we love working with and know the quality of what they do. It’s really nice when we can show up to an event and, time after time, see the same vendors. It makes the day a smoother process because we all know what to expect from one another and work together like a well-played song.”
Beyond scenic landscapes, Richards said our region’s rich history adds to its appeal. The beautifully restored Queensbury Hotel in downtown Glens Falls is a prime example.
“Once restrictions were lifted, weddings started to come back in full force,” said Stephanie Howard,
marketing coordinator at the hotel. “With our brand-new ballroom and increased capabilities and capacities, we expect the demand to continue to grow over the coming years at The Queensbury. We are already booking into 2024.”
Howard said Warren County is perfect for “destination” weddings.
“Warren County is a great destination for non-local couples to welcome their family and friends,” she said. . “It’s easily accessible from cities like Albany, New York City, Boston and Montreal, while being close to popular vacation destinations like Lake George and Saratoga Springs. Guests can be a car ride away and still feel like they are at a ‘destination’ wedding.”
With breathtaking outdoor venues such as the Promise Gardens in Thurman and elegant lakeside castles like the Inn at Erlowest in Lake George, Warren County has something for everyone’s style. And that, certainly, makes “happily ever after” truer than ever.
