We had an amazing experience having our wedding at Blue Hill at Stone Barns! There are so many amazing aspects to having a wedding here, but here are just a few:
First, the setting is so stunning, from the picturesque farms to the gorgeous sto...ne buildings, it is a perfect blend of natural and manmade beauty.
Next, the food is incredible - obviously since it is ranked among the best restaurants in the world! - but it was really a source of such excitement and anticipation for our guests.
Perhaps most importantly, the wedding staff that guides you for the months before the wedding is impeccable - professional, thorough, and attentive, as were the waitstaff on site on the day of.
Finally, we found that having a wedding at a venue that is also a high-functioning restaurant really simplified the process of planning the wedding - the catering, the rentals, and the parking/valet was all taken care of! All we needed to do was hire a wedding planner, a photographer, and a band!
A little more detail for those who are curious:
We arrived around 3:00 PM for first look and photos. It was a gorgeous summer day and the farm never looked better. There was a small bridal suite (with a shower if needed), where the bride can put on her dress. We had our first look on a shady, winding path through the woods and went out across the farm for couples photos. While we were doing that, our families waited in a comfortable, air-conditioned lounge stocked with drinks and snacks. After family photos in front of the scenic wine cellar, we had our own private space for a ketubah signing, even as guests were being greeted out in the courtyard with lemonade and settling down for the ceremony.
The ceremony took place under an amazing magnolia tree in the courtyard. The weather was a bit hot but most guests were comfortable in the shade. Of note, there were back-up plans in place: a covered verandah in case of drizzle and the indoor Haybarn (where the reception was held) if the event of a total downpour.
After the ceremony, we got to enjoy 15 minutes in the bridal suite to unwind alone together, while our guests made their way to the garden for cocktails and hors d'oeuvres. Importantly, Blue Hill made sure that the bridal suite was fully stocked with one of each appetizer, one of each signature cocktail, and two glasses of champagne. We were able to toast our marriage and eat some food before heading out to the garden to join the party.
After the cocktail hour, everyone was guided inside for the reception upstairs in the Hayloft. After a very short dancing set, all three dinner courses were served, interrupted only by speeches to allow the guests to enjoy the food, as recommended by the planners at Blue Hill. The food met and exceeded our expectations - everything was chosen because it was in season, fresh from the farm, paired with excellent wines (there are also two full bars located in the reception hall). After the meal, we danced for the rest of the night, pausing only to cut the cake.
After the reception ended, we had buses to transport our guests to local hotels and back to the city - mainly because Ubers/Lyfts are sparse in that area, especially late at night.
Overall, we were so thrilled and happy with our choice to have our wedding here and could not recommend it more highly!