MENU

Weddings + Events

at The Sablewood

Because love knows no season.

SPRING, SUMMER, FALL OR WINTER

We host stunning weddings from April through December at the Sablewood taking advantage of each beautiful season upstate New York offers.  During the warm weather months most couples choose our quaint outdoor ceremony location surrounded by mountains followed by cocktails in the garden.  On colder days or in the case of inclement weather, the Charlington is a beautiful indoor ceremony location with cocktails on the weather protected veranda.  Full climate control ensures guests are kept cool in the heat of summer and toasty warm in the winter months.

Your event tells your story.

Our goal is for your wedding or event to be everything you imagine and more. It should reflect your unique personality and vision and we will assist with everything from vendor selection to room layout and setup to help bring your vision to life. We will also be here in the background keeping our barn and farm grounds meticulously maintained to display the timeless beauty of this historic property.

We invite you to be our guest.

“At the end of the day people won’t remember what you said or did, they will remember how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou

We take this thoughtful sentiment to heart in every aspect of what we do. You bring the love story and we will delight your guests with every detail of design, friendly smiles and welcoming hospitality.

The Sablewood beautifully accommodates up to 175 for dining with space for a large dance floor.  Our room design allows for flexibility for events of various sizes. Even the farm tables were created with beauty and guest comfort in mind as timber from our farm was used to make the trestle style table base and farm table tops. The trestle design allows space for our large comfortable wooden chairs. This is furniture designed for your home dining room and we choose it so that, well, you feel at home.

Enjoy the simple charm of times past in a thoughtfully modernized event space.

What's Included?

Full Day Weddings

The Sablewood

Circa 1870 barn with soaring 40’ ceilings

12’ wide 1920s vintage crystal chandelier & wall sconces

Adjoining room for cocktails, bar, restrooms, and lounge

Climate Controlled with central heating & AC for your comfort

Dedicated catering prep room and outdoor cooking pavilion

Outdoor Lounge and Fire Boulder

Well-appointed restrooms

Farm Tables & Elegant French Country Chairs

The Charlington

Ceremony and Cocktail barn surrounded by lush gardens and mountain views, perfect anytime and especially in inclement weather

Lofty interior with 3 custom chandeliers, curved staircase, and balcony

Bluestone veranda with large handmade bar, water feature, bistro lighting & lanterns

Fully Climate Controlled

Catering Prep Space

Cross back vineyard chairs, handmade cocktail tables, handcrafted service tables, white arbor

Farm Property

Enjoy private use of the barns and 120 acre property with only one event per day

Ceremony Circle location included with choice of arbors and cross back vineyard chairs

Access at 9am to two gorgeous preparation suites with private bathrooms

Private car with driver to transport wedding couple and photographers around the farm for endless photo opportunities

4 to 5 Staff Members to manage the facility, furniture setup & breakdown, cleanup, and assist guests (no rentals needed)

Coordination to review and recommend vendors, conduct your ceremony, and manage the event

On Site complimentary parking for Coach Buses and 70 vehicles

Getting started & Booking

Can you send me your pricing & packages?

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.

How many guests do you accommodate?

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.

How do I get started & schedule a tour?

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!

Do we have to schedule a property tour prior to booking?

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.

How do I reserve my date?

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.

Do you hold dates?

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

What is the security deposit?

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.

What do we need for insurance?

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.

VENUE & PROGRAM FAQS

CAN I BOOK THE SABLEWOOD FOR SOMETHING OTHER THAN A WEDDING?

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.

WHAT IS YOUR START & END TIMES?

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.

do you host more than one event per day?

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. 

Do you host weddings YEAR-ROUND?

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

What is the rain plan?

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.

Is the venue handicapped accessible?

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.

WHAt kind of music is permitted?

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.

CAN I HAVE REAL CANDLES AT MY EVENT?

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. 

Do you have guidelines on decor?

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.

do you allow SPARKLERS OR FIREWORKS for departures?

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.

Do you include ceremony rehearsals?

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.

Do you host onsite rehearsal dinners or morning brunch?

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

can we include our pet in the ceremony?

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.

Do you allow children at weddings?

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.

Do you offer a childcare room or area?

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.

Do you allow engagement photos at the venue?

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. 

Event services, catering & Vendors FAQS

what is your catering Policy?

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.

DO YOU OFFER VENDOR RECOMMENDATIONS?

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.

WHAT SERVICES DOES THE SABLEWOOD TEAM PROVIDE?

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.    

Is a wedding planner required?

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. 

Lodging, transportation & weather

do you have onsite accomodations or local HOTELS?

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.

What is the typical weather?

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.

what is the best means of guest transportation?

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.

Farm Tours

Come Visit us!

We would love to welcome you to the farm! Please contact us if you would like to schedule a tour to see if The Sablewood at Highview Springs is the perfect venue for your wedding or event!

CLOSE