All Photography courtesy of Julia Cumes Photography.

Gedney Farm is a stunning and sought after Berkshire wedding venue.  One might say it truly has everything a couple desires – the rustic barn, wonderful ceremony locations, a luxury spa and splendid accommodations (a renovated barn AND a manor!).

To see why Gedney Farm is such an incredible wedding location, just check out these pictures.

All images courtesy and copyright Barrie Fisher, www.bfisherphoto.com.

• There is usually no room rental fee.
• There is often a great chef with delicious, locally grown and seasonal food.
• Restaurants come in all shapes and sizes and styles – they’re not generally a “blank canvas” so if you like their decor, you can save money on wedding design.
• The bar tab is on consumption so the party can theoretically go all night (or til the restaurant closes) so the wedding doesn’t have to feel rushed.

And the disadvantages:

• There is often no good place to have the ceremony on site.
• Many private dining room coordinators aren’t experienced with weddings so there may be a learning curve.
• There is often no dedicated outside area if you require one.
• Many private dining rooms don’t have windows.
• Most private dining rooms have a maximum capacity of around 50-60 guests so you may be limited in choices unless you would consider a full restaurant buyout (in which the restaurant closes for your
party).  Some couples looking for a wedding bigger than what will fit in a private dining room still choose a restaurant.  To do so, they have to buy it out.  This means that the restaurant will be closed to the public for the private party and the couple would pay the restaurant a minimum amount (typically starts at $10,000) for the right to use the entire restaurant for the night.

That said, I’ve had many gay weddings at restaurants and they are lovely.  My favorite of course is Radius Restaurant, where my company just hosted our 6th anniversary party earlier this month.

Are you considering hosting your gay wedding in a restaurant?

For more information on gay weddings, contact Bernadette Coveney Smith, www.14Stories.com

I have to say another obsession of mine is this location in Groton, Mass.  Not only because this turn of the century barn itself is so charming, but there are remnants of an old castle that sits high up on a hill {this outdoor location is appropriately called “Top of the Hill” } overlooking incredible views.

The renovated barn can hold 220 people inside for dinner with dancing and there is additional space on their tented deck for cocktails.  Wedding menus may be custom designed to suit your tastes, the chef even offers a farm to table dinner option.

If you have a healthy budget and are looking for something truly unique, a limited number of events may be held on the Top of the Hill.  Tented events can hold up to 200 guests and your ceremony will surely be a historic moment to remember! To visit more information on this property, please visit www.gibbethill.com.

Please roll over images for photo credits.

Defined by service, food, wine and accolades from the worlds top critics, you can expect to pay top dollar for a wedding reception at these resort. In return, you and your closest family and friends will have a weekend to remember {oh yes – expect at least a two night minimum, if not three}.

Twin Farms {Barnard, Vermont}

Lake Placid Lodge {Lake Placid, New York}

The Point {Saranac Lake, New York}

Blantyre {Lenox, Massachusetts}

The Wheatleigh {Lenox, Massachusetts}

The White Barn Inn {Kennebunkport, Maine}

Both Beantown, better known as Boston, and New York have glamorous options with backdrops that glisten. A few of our favorites include:

{Boston wedding venues with a view} The Colonnade Hotel, The Ritz Carlton Boston Common, The State Room {by Longwood Events}, Millennium Bostonian Hotel

{New York City Lofts} Loft 11, Tribeca Rooftop, 620 Loft and Garden, Ramscale, The Glass Houses

{Other New York City View Locations} The Water Club Restaurant, Mandarin Oriental, Gramercy Park Hotel, The Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers, The United Nations Dining Room and Rooftop Patio

Which one is right for you?  When making the decision of selecting a wedding venue – do the right thing and visit the location!  Often websites can make a historical venue look a bit more refurbished than it really is and some websites are in need of a make over. Take a road trip, spend a few days and enjoy the royal views!

Here are a few castles that are available for weddings as of today {you never know when someone will change their mind}. Additional castles in New England available for events will be listed on our new website www.storiedlocations.com

{Vermont} Castle Hill Resort and Spa, Wilson Castle

{New Hampshire} Castle in the Clouds, Searles Castle at Windham, Sunridge Castle

{Maine } Norumbega Inn

{Massachusetts} Hammond Castle, Winnekenni Castle

{Rhode Island} Belcourt Castle

{Connecticut} Gillette Castle, Saint Clements Castle

{New York} Wing’s Castle, Amsterdam Castle, Oheka Castle,  Warner Castle and Sunken Gardens, Boldt Castle and oh so many more in New York!

If you have the personal funds, the budget and wish to purchase your own castle estate – check out Hazards Castle in Newport RI.  It comes with all the bells and whistles for a cool $7M.

For location and photo credit, please roll over the photo.

• Exclusive use of the historic mansion and 37 acres of landscaped grounds.
• Private changing rooms for the bride and groom.
• Expert planning guidance from Lyman event staff.
• Supervisor for the day.
• Assistance with on-site ceremonies.
• Coordination of deliveries.
• Ample onsite parking and parking attendant.
• Use of 100 white folding chairs and 20 round tables.
• One-year Historic New England membership.
• Onsite baby grand piano.
• Air conditioned and handicapped accessible mansion.

For more information please visit www.lymanestate.org

With that said, lets get to the barns!  There are very rustic { I mean you might need a bucket or two if Mother Nature decides to grace you with a bit of rain}barns, charming and obviously well kept barns and highly renovated barns {think luxury wedding oasis in the middle of nowhere}.  Your first decision should be to define your style. Your favorite venues will follow.

I will list several barns throughout New England available for weddings, but you should also check out our new website www.storiedlocations.com.  We will have a comprehensive listing of barns available for weddings in New England and New York  very soon! And visit our blog again. We will continually feature barn weddings in the Northeast.  One last thing to remember – some of the websites for the following locations are not sophisticated and many are outdated – remember to see these places in person and let the beauty tell the story, not the web pages.

Check out these fabulous venues:

{Vermont} West Monitor Barn, The Coach Barn at Shelburne Farms, Cavendish Inn, Riverside Farm, The Round Barn Farm, Inn at Mountain View, Boyden Barn, The Alerin Barn, Webster Barn, The Barn at Lang Farm

{Massachusetts} Gibbet Hill, Sunset Farm Bed and Breakfast, Gedney Farm, Harrington Farm

{Maine} Edgewood Farm, Red Barn at Outlook Farm, Clarks Cove Farm, Laudholm, 1812 Farm

{New Hampshire}The Brass Heart Inn, Inn at Newfound Lake, Waukewan Golf Club

{Connecticut} The Webb Barn, The Connecticut Wedding Barn, Wood Acres Farm, The Barns at Wesleyan Hills, Roseland Cottage Carriage Barn

{New York} Driftwood Farms, Hallockville Museum, Full Moon Resort, Blue Hill at Stone Barns, Apple Barn Farm, Circa 1799 Barn in Ancramdale,  Buhrmaster Barn at the Pruyn House, The Greater Wemp Barn

{Rhode Island} Tyrone Farm, Mount Hope Farm

For photo credit and/or location, please roll over photo.

The East End of  Long Island, Rhode Island, Vermont and yes, New Hampshire all have vineyards hoping you will book your event under their roof  or near their vines. Long Island wines are gaining popularity and of course having lived there, I have sampled many. Knowing the quality of wine of the vineyards you are considering is very important. Most wineries will only allow you to serve their wines for your reception.  But take heed – some of these locations will let you customize bottle labels {think table numbers / names or favors for your guests}.

Here are a few of the vineyards we know of that host weddings in New England:

Haight-Brown Vineyard, Hopkins Vineyard, Rosedale Farms and Vineyard, Alfalfa Farm Winery, Hardwick Vineyard and Winery, Les Trois Emme Winery, Nashoba Valley Winery, Zorvino, Snow Farm Vineyard, Grand View Winery, Honora Winery and Vineyard

Long Island Vineyards:

Bedell Cellars, Martha Clara Vineyards, Osprey Dominion Vineyards, The Old Fields Vineyards, Pellegrini Vineyards,, Shinne Estate Vineyards, Vineyard 48, Pindar Vineyards, Clovis Point, Macari Vineyards and Wolffer Estate Vineyards

Cheers!