Like our couples, each event is unique and we are happy to provide custom quotes when we learn the details of your day.  Realistically, a total wedding budget for approximately 120 guests starts around $40,000 which includes our venue fee and external vendors (who are booked separately) such as catering with 5 hours of open bar, photographer, DJ, and florist.  Smaller weddings can reduce the total cost, and of course, larger weddings increase the cost.  There is a wide range of vendors, preferences, and costs.  This is simply a starting point and we are happy to discuss options in more detail.

We comfortably seat up to 175 guests for outdoor and indoor ceremony and dining, with space for a large dance floor.  Most weddings range from 70-150 guests and each of our spaces is designed with flexibility for events of all sizes look beautiful and function smoothly.

We can’t wait to help you on your wedding planning journey!  Please visit our contact page and fill out our quick questionnaire.  We will send you a calendar link to schedule a phone consult, which is a brief casual chat to learn more about your wedding vision.  We’ll talk about everything from the feel of the day to some of the more practical logistics of availability, guest count, price quote, and of course schedule a tour!

e encourage couples to visit the property prior to booking.  We host many destination weddings and understand schedules don’t always allow for onsite visits prior to booking.  You can also view our venue property video on our homepage and wedding videos in our galleries.

To reserve your wedding date we require a signed rental agreement along with non-refundable retainer of 50% of the rental rate.  The remaining 50% is due 90 days prior to your scheduled event date.

Due to the number of inquiries, we do not hold dates on a tentative basis.

A $1,000 Refundable security deposit is due along with your second payment 90 days before your scheduled event date.  The security deposit will be refunded within 2 weeks after your event if there are no damages or excessive cleanup.

The wedding couple/event host is liable for any damage at Highview Springs Farm.  Couples are required to obtain event insurance for no less than $2 Million in liability (including host liquor liability) and property damage, listing us as additional insured.  Event insurance can typically cost in the range of $200, and is well worth the peace of mind as it protects you as the event host, as well as the venue.

We specialize in weddings and maintain our weekend dates for wedding celebrations.  At this time, we are not booking other social events including birthday parties, showers, reunions, etc.

Access to the preparation suites for wedding party hair & makeup begins at 9AM.  Vendor setup can begin as early as 10AM.  The latest event end time is 10PM, with the last vendors off property by 11PM.

We host one wedding per day at our private venue.  We are not open to the public or hosting other events, giving you a special experience unique to you. 

We host weddings April through December, and give property tours year-round.

Upstate NY is one of the most beautiful areas of the country, with four spectacular seasons.  We have designed the venue to ensure you have stunning spaces regardless of weather.  Your rental includes the use of both climate-controlled barns with indoor and weather protected spaces.  We handle the inclement weather plan for you, with no added stress or expense.

All event spaces are ground level and handicapped accessible with beautiful ADA compliant restrooms.  Our outdoor ceremony circle and walking paths are hard surface and wheelchair accessible.  Please share any special needs and our staff will be happy to assist your guests.

The Sablewood can accommodate DJs and bands.  DJs may be accompanied by string instruments but are not permitted to bring drummers.  All amplified music must be indoors.  Outdoor wedding ceremonies and cocktail hour can have speaker systems for voice and appropriate music accompaniments.  We reserve the right to maintain all noise at a reasonable level.

The safety of our guests, staff, and vendors are the highest importance to us. Due to fire risk, no flame candles are allowed (even if they are not lit). We recommend battery operated candles. 

We welcome flowers, fabric, signage, lighting and battery-operated candles.  We recommend plastic zip ties or floral wire to affix décor, and do not allow anything that could damage the building including nails, screws, staples, tacks or glue.  We do not allow: real flames, confetti, or any projectiles including confetti or flower poppers.  Only real rose petals may be used outdoors.  Cold sparklers and colored smoke bombs are never permitted indoors and require prior approval for outdoor use.  For any décor not listed or any décor placed above the height of arbors or door openings, please inquire for approval.

Sparklers require specific permission and may be used in controlled situations with a very limited number of guests, weather permitting.  Please reach out to us for specific guidance.  Fireworks require prior permission and must be managed by an approved professional licensed company.  Wish lanterns are never permitted.

Yes!  We typically schedule and assist with a brief onsite ceremony rehearsal on wedding morning (or early afternoon) when your full wedding party is onsite.  Some couples choose to do a rehearsal offsite at a restaurant prior to wedding day, which can also be helpful.

We do not host rehearsal dinners or morning after brunch.  We provide a helpful list of restaurant suggestions to get you started.                                                                                              

We love seeing your furry friends for photos and/or ceremony.  Any animal brought to farm must have prior written permission.  For everyone’s well-being your pet must be kept on a leash and picked up prior to the reception.  Pets must have a dedicated adult handler at all times.  Only service animals are permitted in indoor spaces.

While some couples may choose to include their closest little ones as flower girl or ring bearer, most prefer to enjoy your reception for what it is – a beautiful evening celebrating you while enjoying “adult time” over delicious food, cocktails and dancing the night away.  We limit the number of children at our events, please inquire for more information.

Some wedding parties may include a couple of children for ceremony and photos.  Weddings are long days for children and we have found that it often works best to bring children just before photos and have them picked up prior to receptions.  We can recommend offsite options in local Air B&Bs or hotels where you could setup childcare, but we don’t provide an onsite space or room for childcare.

Couples who have booked their wedding at the Sablewood are welcome to schedule their engagement photos here with complimentary use of the property.  For couples who are not getting married here, we offer a photo shoot package – please inquire for pricing.  Photo shoots are by appointment only and are typically scheduled midweek depending on event schedules and availability. 

We have a required list of full-service catering companies for you to choose from to provide all food & beverage for your event.  These caterers provide full cooking and service staff, hold NYS liquor licenses, and offer a wide range from classic plated meal choices to unique and specialty farm to table options.  Caterers provide all tableware (plates, flatware, glassware, linens & napkins).  Please see our Catering Page for more information.

Yes!  We have worked with some of the best vendors in the industry, and provide each couple a list of vendors selected based on their exceptional work and rave reviews.  For catering, we require you to select exclusively from our catering list.  For all other vendors, you don’t have to follow our vendor list.  All vendors must be professionals and provide insurance policies.   We are happy to learn more about your preferences and make recommendations to best fit your style & budget.

Our in-house venue team provides year-round support & guidance leading up to your event. We assist with ceremony rehearsals.  We manage all aspects of the venue operation and provide basic coordination of the ceremony and timeline so you can relax and enjoy your day.  We provide, set up, and break down all furniture for ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception, and manage logistical changes due to weather. 

We greet & direct vendors and guests, assist with basic décor set up, repurpose ceremony décor, and drive the wedding couple & photo team around the property for first look and/or sunset photos. Throughout the event, our team immaculately maintains the rest rooms, the property, and manages all lighting & climate control.  In the evening we light & monitor the fire (weather permitting), and at the end of the night we help pack up décor and cleanup.    

We love working with talented planners and designers!  Wedding planners can offer a tremendous value with their guidance and support to handle all the details leading up to and throughout your wedding day.  Though a planner is generally not required, they can save you valuable time and eliminate stress by handling everything from full design and décor to many logistical details. 

The Sablewood does not offer overnight lodging but we do provide a wonderful list of Lodging &

Transportation options for you and your guests.  The Rivers Casino area in Schenectady is a short 30-minute shuttle ride and includes the beautiful Landing hotel inside the casino, as well as a Marriott, Hampton, and Hilton in the same area with plentiful restaurant and bar options on the waterfront.  The Rivers Casino is a 5-minute Uber ride to the Schenectady Amtrack Station, and only 10 miles from the Albany Airport.  We also include a list of private home rentals for guests who prefer spend the weekend and explore the area.  Please see our Lodging & Transportation Page for more information.

Springtime weather is cool and breezy; by Mid-April grass turns green and flowers begin to bud, and trees grow new leaves.  Mid-May begins to look like summer, with lush lawns, full foliage on trees, and tall timothy in the hayfields.  In Mid-May we plant hundreds of annual flowers in the Sablewood’s window boxes, urns, and gardens.   June and July are typically warm with cool evenings, and plentiful lush greenery. 

August starts our hydrangea season, with warm weather into early September, and starting to cool off in mid to late September and October.  Fall foliage varies each year, but generally begins from mid-September through early October, and continues through late October and even early November.   November and December temperatures range from cool to frosty.  In November we replace the summer greenery with fresh pine evergreens in our urns and flower boxes. December can have occasional snow, but we see the majority of snow in January-March.

We recommend you hire shuttle buses to transport your guests to and from their hotel(s).  Shuttles are a great experience for your guests as they can socialize on the ride, enjoy cocktails at your event, and have a safe ride back to their lodging.  We provide a complimentary large well-lit stone parking lot that can accommodate full size 55-60 passenger tour buses and up to 70 cars.  Uber, Lyft and taxi service is very limited in our rural area.